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, off limits to the public . . . until now.

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 nature … 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. In June 2020, the Sipson Island Trust and our private partner closed on the purchase of Sipson Island for conservation. 

Sipson Island Trust (SIT) is a private conservation trust, created in 2019 as a nonprofit to own and manage the now-protected island. Its founding leaders represent diverse interests around the Pleasant Bay bioregion: conservation, science, education, business, fishing, and shellfishing. SIT is building an organization around strong values of community, inclusivity, and collaboration, working closely with land trusts from the surrounding towns and with Cape-wide conservation groups. In its short lifespan, SIT has published a Land Management & Stewardship Plan for Sipson Island, crafted Conservation Restrictions, negotiated the purchase agreement, and opened the island to visitors.

SIT fulfilled the commitment to open Sipson Island to the public in July 2020. Within the broader mission of preserving the island in perpetuity, it is pursuing several goals: to restore the island’s ecology, to support environmental and historical education and research, and to provide for public recreation on and around Sipson. The work of restoration starts with “undevelopment," removing several dwellings, and surveying natural habitats. Programs will be hosted in a future green-designed Education and Research Pavilion; public access will be facilitated by a new dock. These projects highlight SIT’s first five-year plan.