Archives
The Pines Conservation Society (Est. 1962)
One of the most striking things about Fire Island Pines is its natural beauty. A community embedded amongst a lush haven of trees, flowers, and dunes, with pristine beaches and surrounded by wildlife, for many it’s nothing short of paradise.
But paradise doesn’t just happen. For decades, generations of residents have poured their time, love, and resources into keeping the Pines as breathtaking as it is today. Among the heroes leading that charge is the Pines Conservation Society, whose quiet, tireless work has helped preserve and protect this special place.
Pines Profile - Eric L. Sawyer (b. 1954)
“Eric is a true hero. What he did – and still does -- the sacrifices he makes and what he has accomplished for our community, is simply remarkable.”
- Jim Pepper, Former Board Member GMHC, and Founder of Stonewall Community Foundation.
No Kings Protest (2025)
There were two No Kings Protests held in the Pines in 2025. The community has a long history of activism. In the early years it took the form of organizing, strategizing and fundraising to support the fight for gay rights and to fight AIDS. In recent years, these efforts have become more traditional, with a Black Lives Matter march in 2020. The two No Kings protest rallies in 2025 continue in that vein.
The Pines Halloween Party (est. circa 1975)
The Pines Halloween Party is not just a costume ball. It is a life-affirming, booty-shaking, sexy, flirty celebration. Fueled by an energizing mix of summer hits and classics, off the chart decorations and a crowd that’s dressed (or some cases, undressed) to slay, it’s the Pines way of saying, “See you next season, darling!”
Gaying the Pines
Today, Fire Island Pines is known as a Gay Mecca. LGBTQ+ people from around the world flock to enjoy its beaches, homes and entertainment in the full knowledge they can safely be their authentic selves here. But it wasn’t always that way. In a previous article Keeping The Gays Out: The Pines in the Late 1950s FIPPOA Board member and long time Pines resident Gary Clinton described the extensive efforts taken by some community members to keep gay people out of the Pines. As he noted, those efforts died down in 1959 after the largely gay population in Cherry Grove flocked to help the Pines fight the Memorial Day fire that destroyed the Botel. In this article, Gary describes when the shift occurred in the Pines and gays came to be in the majority.