The Director of the Centre Island Bird Sanctuary in Oyster Bay, New York, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and engaging individuals through immersive experiences, Emmi Triplett is pairing passions for sailing and birding in one of the best jobs on the water.
“I grew up in the suburbs of New Jersey before moving to Houston, Texas,” says Emmi, “but I’d spend every summer with my grandmother in Rockport, Massachusetts where I went to learn-to-sail camp at the local yacht club. I was actually the first person in my family to learn to sail!
“I’ve always been fascinated by marine life. As a child, I spent hours on the seashore collecting and identifying crabs, separating native species from invasive ones—and feeding the invasives to the gulls. I hand-caught lobsters and searched for sea stars in the tidal pools of Cape Ann. This passion stayed with me through high school and college.”
Emmi is a 2023 graduate of the College of Charleston, where she studied Biology and Environmental Sustainability. “I went to CofC for Sailing, as they had the largest, and arguably most competitive, team in the country,” she says. “I sailed with the dinghy team for two years and the offshore team for the other two. On the Sailing team I met my closest friends. I won Charleston Race Week in 2021 sailing a VX One with Doug Clark and Rod Favella, and was part of CofC’s first all-women’s offshore team where we competed and won at the 2022 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta.
“My semester abroad was aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer where I studied hydroid biodiversity in the Sargasso Sea. During covid, my roommate Roxy and I adopted a puppy and named her Sailor! She now lives with my roommate in St. Croix, and has a better life than all of us.
“It wasn’t until after college that I became interested in birds. I realized that unlike fish, which must be pulled from the water to be studied, birds can be observed and identified anytime, anywhere. Also, they’re absolutely everywhere when it comes to sailing! I interned at the Avian Conservation Center and Center for Birds of Prey where I studied raptors, learned basic falconry skills, and worked in animal husbandry.”
The Centre Island Bird Sanctuary (CIBS) enjoys a partnership with the Stirling Harbor Foundation (SHF) in Greenport, New York. “SHF is a legacy foundation committed to preserving classic maritime heritage and nautical skills,” Emmi explains. “Its mission centers on restoring, maintaining, and sailing historic vessels, allowing people to engage directly with maritime history in a hands-on, meaningful way. These beautifully preserved boats are not museum pieces, but living, working vessels that offer unforgettable experiences on the water.
“The Centre Island Bird Sanctuary (CIBS) can be thought of as SHF’s sister foundation. While SHF provides the fleet, CIBS brings the natural world aboard, using those vessels as platforms for immersive birding expeditions, citizen science, and practical conservation education. Our mission is to inspire a deeper connection to wildlife—particularly birds—through experiential learning, and to foster stewardship of our local ecosystems, both on land and at sea.
“What makes CIBS particularly special is the way it connects ecology, education, and maritime heritage, especially in a place as historically rich as Oyster Bay. Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy of conservation leadership looms large here. TR believed deeply in the power of nature to educate and shape character, and his passion for the natural world guides the spirit of our work. No two days are the same, but a typical day might involve preparing lesson plans, coordinating outreach, running public programs and, of course, birding!
“Each week we head out aboard Tartan, a beautifully maintained 1952 wooden picnic boat. Join us Tuesdays from 9–11am or Wednesdays from 6–8pm for a unique birding experience. We also sail aboard Chicane, our cherished 1926 Alfred Mylne, for additional outings throughout the season.
“Chicane tours are captained by Jeff Truelove of SHF, and Tartan tours are co-captained by myself and Mike Duhammel, also of SHF. The boats we bird aboard are part of what makes our tours so special. In partnership with SHF, we bring together birding, natural history, and maritime heritage aboard vintage vessels that offer a truly timeless experience.
“We’re also thrilled to welcome a new member to the CIBS team. Gabby Berrito is a passionate nature lover and schoolteacher. With Gabby onboard, we’re looking forward to expanding CIBS beyond the water—bringing birding into classrooms and learning centers across Long Island.
“I like to describe birding as the sport of birdwatching. Birding is to birdwatching as racing is to sailing,” notes Emmi, whose avian fave is the Osprey. “Osprey and I both love fish!” she enthuses. “They are a very unique raptor species. Osprey are not Eagles, Hawks, or Falcons. They’re actually the only species in the family Pandion. They eat exclusively fish and are highly adapted for doing so! Join us to discover these incredible adaptations firsthand and learn about the inspiring recovery of the osprey population!
“My first boat is a 1969 Sailfish that I bought last summer. After getting her cleaned up and back on the water, I named her Istiophorus, the Latin family name for sailfish. Working for SHF has made me fall in love with older and classic sailboats, so it felt like the right kind of first boat for me.
“My favorite sailing happens right here in Oyster Bay, whether it’s taking my Sailfish out or sailing the SHF classics. This summer, I’m excited to race aboard the vintage 12 Metre Gleam in Maine. I’m also looking forward to the possibility of more tall ship voyages, a great opportunity to continue honing my offshore teaching skills. The absolute best part of sailing is always getting to be outside…no matter how hot, humid, rainy, foggy, stormy, cold, or absolutely freezing it is.” ■
