Who We Are
Our Mission
The mission of Sipson Island Trust is to inspire and empower people to live in harmony with nature. We work to protect and rewild Sipson Island, foster research and outdoor education, serve our community, and honor Indigenous wisdom.
“The Heart of Pleasant Bay”
A private nonprofit, SIT owns and stewards most of Sipson Island in Pleasant Bay (22 of 24.3 acres). We seek to transform a beloved landmark into a cherished community resource — to make the island a living example of how human communities and ecosystems can thrive together, starting with restoring its natural habitats, on land and in the surrounding waters. We invite the public to visit, learn about, and care for this special saltwater island. We partner with other groups to promote sound science, inclusive education, and appropriate recreation there. We strive to engage all community members in our journey toward the best future for Sipson Island, and to inspire people everywhere to find ways of restoring the bond between humankind and nature.
Sipson Island is the “heart of Pleasant Bay” — an idea that has geographical, ecological, historical, and spiritual dimensions. Four Cape Cod towns encircle the bay, and the campaign to preserve the island brought together stakeholders of all kinds. We aim to sustain that spirit of collaboration, partnering with local land trusts, Indigenous interests, and Cape-wide conservation groups.
With land acquisition completed, SIT has embarked on a major multiyear initiative to remove abandoned dwellings and pollutants, restore disturbed sites, and revive the island’s natural communities. This Removal and Renewal campaign will lay the groundwork for all our future work. Please help us rewild Sipson Island!
Board members celebrate the island’s acquisition in 2020 on the south end viewing platform.
In July of 2020, SIT leaders and Pleasant Bay stakeholders celebrated the opening of Sipson Island to the public. Current board president Mon Cochran acknowledges some of the many who made it possible.
Our People
The Trust was founded by people who love Pleasant Bay and are active in efforts to understand, study, and share its ecological, scenic, and recreational resources. SIT’s leaders are building the organization around strong shared values of community, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration.
Mission/Vision/Values
Our community comprises diverse stakeholders, and SIT’s board of directors intentionally mirrors that diversity. Since 2019, our directors have included marine scientists, educators, business owners, fishermen and shellfishermen, ecological restoration specialists, attorneys, and professionals in marketing and finance.
Meet the SIT Board
Tasia Blough
Amy Henderson, Jeff Norgeot, Tod Cochran
Maia Ward
Dorothy Bassett
Owen Nichols
Jeff Norgeot
Diana Landau
Alice Ronty
Erin Hilley
James Rosato
Intern Kayleigh McHugh
AmeriCorps Cape Cod Individual Placement Jami Baker served with SIT in 2021–22.