At work in the heart of Pleasant Bay on Cape Cod

We’re preserving and restoring a special island for our community and for the health of the land and waters around us.

At the geographical center of Pleasant Bay, one of Cape Cod’s most scenic and ecologically important embayments, is Sipson Island — 24 acres of sandy beach, coastal banks, saltmarsh, eelgrass beds, upland meadows, and woodland. For centuries a refuge and shellfishing place for the Monomoyick people, the island was bought by English colonists in 1711. It remained in private hands, partly developed and off limits to the public . . . until now.

41° 44' 13.8" N
69° 57' 48.5" W

RECENT NEWS

NEWS
WCAI Interviews SIT President Mon Cochran
WCAI Interviews SIT President Mon Cochran

Nonprofit is restoring Pleasant Bay island

ORLEANS — On Friday the Trust, which bought the land in 2020, began demolishing abandoned buildings as part of a restoration to reflect how the marine habitat existed 300 years ago, SIT president Mon Cochran told Morning Edition host Patrick Flanary. …

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Closed for Demolition!
Closed for Demolition!

The long-awaited "undevelopment" phase of rewilding Sipson Island is underway! The three buildings being removed have been emptied and prepped. Demolition will begin on November 1. For the safety of all, the island is closed to visitors until this work is completed. …

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Restoring Natural Communities
Restoring Natural Communities

From the Friends of Pleasant Bay newsletter, Fall 2023: SIT’s master plan for restoration will aim to maintain existing natural communities, strengthen biodiversity, increase the island’s capacity to store carbon, and potentially reestablish natural communities suppressed by anthropogenic forces. …

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Newsbrief June 2023
Newsbrief June 2023

There’s so much news to share about the Trust’s work to restore the island’s ecological integrity and make it a place for our community to gather and learn. But first and foremost: We’re counting on your continued support to complete our “Removal & Renewal” capital campaign, launched early this year. We’ve made great progress so far …

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Spring Cleaning on Sipson
Spring Cleaning on Sipson

From the Friends of Pleasant Bay newsletter, Summer 2023: Although Sipson Island herself reposed peacefully through the winter, the Sipson Island Trust board has been beavering away in preparation for the exciting next steps in rewilding the island. …

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Saving a Saltwater Island

In 2018, Sipson Island went on the luxury real estate market. But the prospect of trophy estates or a “glamping” resort in the heart of Pleasant Bay spurred neighbors into action. A different vision emerged: of a refuge for wildlife … of kayakers landing on the beaches to picnic, swim, or hike the upland trails … of kids coming to learn about marine ecosystems and the island’s history … of researchers studying bank swallows or eelgrass beds. Gathering support from all over Cape Cod and beyond, stakeholders mounted an unprecedented private fundraising campaign. And in June 2020, the Sipson Island Trust and our private partner closed on the purchase of Sipson Island for conservation.

People on a Mission

Sipson Island Trust is a private conservation nonprofit that owns and stewards most of the now-protected island. Our mission 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.” Ours is a collaborative vision: we partner with land trusts and other nonprofits around Pleasant Bay and with conservationists Cape-wide. Since our founding in 2019, SIT has published a Land Management & Stewardship Plan for the island, crafted Conservation Restrictions, and conducted Natural Resource Inventories to guide restoration efforts. In July 2020, SIT fulfilled our commitment to open Sipson Island to the public. Learn more about SIT and get involved as a volunteer.

Rewilding Sipson

With all 24 acres under Conservation Restrictions, SIT has met its first goal: to protect Sipson Island forever. But we’re also healing the harms of past development. Our ambitious “Removal and Renewal” campaign will restore the island as closely as possible to its natural state: removing abandoned dwellings and septic systems (repurposing materials where possible) and renewing the island’s natural habitats. On one of the restored sites, a low-impact, open-air pavilion will host future education and research programs. In a larger sense, we are renewing this land as a sacred place to be shared and respected by all — a place to bring people together. “Undeveloping” an island in a sensitive marine ecosystem takes vision, planning, specialized expertise, and broad community support.
Please help us rewild Sipson Island!

A Shared Place

We envision Sipson Island as a place where humans and natural ecosystems thrive together. The island has long been a home and waystation for resident and migrating wildlife; as we welcome the public, we need to balance visitation with protecting its natural character and ecological integrity. Visitors are welcome to explore the island’s beaches and upland paths. Our map guides boaters to appropriate landing spots; signage shows areas designated off limits to walkers for safety and restoration work. Passive recreation of all kinds is encouraged: walking, swimming, birdwatching, scenic viewing, photography and painting. Conservation Restrictions prohibit pets, fires, and camping anywhere on the island. 

Coyote on patrol, captured by one of our trail cameras on the island.

Watch “undevelopment” in progress!

Island champions speak in this video by LowerCape TV.

“What happens on Sipson Island, at the heart of Pleasant Bay’s tidal flow, could have a profound impact on the Bay’s water quality and on eelgrass habitat vital to shellfish and fin fish.”

Bob Prescott
Director Emeritus, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

“My neighbors and I see ourselves as conservators of Pleasant Bay and its islands. Sipson Island is essential to the marine environment and to the beautiful vistas we cherish. We want to help make this natural treasure accessible to all who love and use the bay.”

Katherine Green, donor

“Super impressive and highly impactful conservation outcome … a shining example of big things being possible for those who have the courage to conceive them..”

Bob Wilber
Director of Land Conservation, Mass Audubon

Keep up with SIT.

A few times each year, we send a Newsbrief about our work on Sipson Island work: about the progress of Removal and Renewal, scientific research, and programs open to the public. Sign up here to get our news via email!

Follow our journey.

On this national day of philanthropy, consider making a gift to Sipson Island Trust. Set in the geographical center of Pleasant Bay, Sipson is one of Cape Cod's most ecologically important embayments. Your donation will go immediately to work to help
On this day of thanks, we are grateful for the many people—donors, board members, educators, marine scientists, naturalists, and more—who have helped open Sipson Island to the public and are working to return it to a greener and wilder st
One of the best things about the past year was welcoming visitors to gently explore Sipson Island. Thanks to the generosity of volunteers and donors, Sipson Island has been open to visitors for the first time in 300 years! Be sure to come explore thi
Enhancing wildlife and marine habitats is a key goal of Sipson's rewinding and land management plans. So many animals (like these two coyotes) regularly visit the island,and many call it home. Thank you for helping us protect the ecosystems where the
On an early October evening, 55 Sipson Island volunteers, board members, and donors gathered in Orleans for our annual meeting and potluck celebration. Board President Mon Cochran gave an update on the past year's progress—including the demolit
Outdoor education and research are an important part of SIT's mission, so we were thrilled to have a group of high school students and faculty from the @proctoracademy and @sea_education_association Ocean Classroom 2024 program visit Sipson island fo
Yesterday, a crew of kayakers made the voyage to Sipson Island as part of the annual Celebrate our Waters event in partnership with @orleanspondcoalition While there, kayakers hiked the trails, learned more about SIT's rewilding initiatives, and took
We're happier than a clam at high tide to be a part of Celebrate Our Waters 2024, which starts this Friday. This amazing 3-day celebration of local waters includes a kayak trip and tour of Sipson Island. Check the schedule of events at OrleansPondCoa
There are so many ways to visit Sipson Island--including by catboat! During an August catboat cruise with Pleasant Bay Community Boating and Chatham Yacht Club, several dozen sailors anchored on the island and took in the trails and rewilding project
We were delighted to welcome kayakers from Wellfleet Audubon to Sipson Island on a gorgeous summer day in August. We love when partner organizations stop by to enjoy the views and learn about our efforts to rewild this special island in the heart of
As part of Sipson Island Trust’s rewilding project, our Land Management team has planted close to 250 native shrubs and perennials on the island since March. They’ve also been busy sowing native seeds and removing invasive growth. These e
Upland trails on the north end of Sipson are open and offer beautiful views of the bay. The biting flies of midsummer seem less plentiful this year, and the strong breezes we’ve been having help keep them at bay. Do bring bug repellent, though,
Sky and sea and Sipson 💙
Celebrating trees is the focus of this year’s Brewster Conservation Day this Saturday, July 13, from 9:30-1:30 at Drummer Boy Park. This free event is full of fun, and a great way to learn about trees, conservation, and more.
Sipson Island volunteers clearing invasives to make room for native plants and wildlife to flourish. Come visit to see this beautiful habitat! #pleasantbay #capecod #capecodlife #capecodinsta #wildlife #conservation
Support Sipson Island’s future by donating to our spring appeal! The island has already been transformed by the removal of abandoned buildings, and your gift will help continue our rewilding efforts. Come see the amazing new views! Make your gi
Managing Sipson Island without any use of fossil fuels has been a major goal of our rewilding effort. Thanks to a generous donor, we’re now using electricity to power the SIT vessel, landscaping equipment, and water pump. Solar panels—rep
The island is open! For visitor safety and to protect new plantings, only limited upland trails are open until further notice. See our current trail map. Trails in green are open and accessible from the SIT dock at the north end of the island (drop-o
Eagle alert! While boating through the Narrows recently, photographer Ken Johnson spied this juvenile bald eagle, being surveilled by a crow in a pine tree on the north end of Sipson Island. Moments like this wouldn't happen without your ongoing supp
Sipson’s master plan for restoration calls for enhancing biodiversity to benefit wildlife, removing non-native plants, and keeping invasives in check. Here, naturalist and Land Management Committee chair Betsy Furtney heads to the island with a