Stewardship of the land in our care is our primary responsibility.

Conservation Easements

TILT is legally bound by a conservation easement to monitor the land regularly and assure that the specific terms of the easement are being met. When the easement is created, the property is thoroughly documented with photographs, maps and visual inspection to record its initial status (baseline data). It is TILT’s practice to visit the property annually to observe its condition and compare it to the baseline data. This annual monitoring visit is also a great opportunity for TILT and the landowner to get together and discuss any matters relating to the property or the easement.

TILT works closely with the landowner to remedy any violations of the easement.

TILT-owned Property

Stewardship of property owned by TILT is more intensive in the case of the preserves that are open to the public.

Crooked Creek Preserve:

The land trust grants permission to hunt on the preserve in the fall (click here to apply for a permit). Participating hunters help with stewardship by observing and reporting any problems or issues they see in the woods. TILT asks hunters to volunteer some time to help maintain the preserve.

Rocks & Shoals:

The land trust owns many rocks & shoals in the St. Lawrence. In the Spring, the Eagle Wings shoals near Grindstone Island, and Tidd Island, near Murray Island, are home to Common Tern colonies. A joint project between TILT and Save The River places gull exclusion grids on these islands to prevent gulls and other large birds from predating on the tern eggs and chicks. The islands are monitored regularly during the nesting season.

  Zenda Farm:

The meadows at Zenda are hayed by a local farmer, but they are not mowed until after August 1st. This allows nesting songbirds to finish raising their young. This kind of habitat is among the most threatened by development and changing agricultural practices, so it is important to keep large tracts of open grassland available for these species.

Trail Maintenance

Macsherry Trail at Crooked Creek: 

The Macsherry Trail is mowed and trimmed throughout the summer. One of the two annual trail maintenance TILTreks is dedicated to this trail, and in recent years, volunteers have built footbridges of swampy areas, taken down falling trees and the like.

Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail:

This rails to trails project is a collaboration of many partners. ATV and snowmobile clubs like Rivergate Wheelers, the Lodge ATV Club and Indian River Lakes ATV & Snowmobile Club help maintain the trail. The trail crosses several municipalities, all of whom participate in its upkeep. New York State built the Interstate 81 underpass for the trail near Theresa.

Otter Creek Preserve:

A trail will be built on this Alexandria Bay preserve in 2010. Contact the TILT office (315-686-5345) if you are interested in this project.

Grindstone Island Nature Trail:

This trail connecting Canoe Point and Picnic Point State Parks at the foot of Grindstone is maintained by volunteers from Grindstone Island as well as a collaboration between TILT and NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

LoisJean and John MacFarlane Trail at Zenda Farm:

A new trail will be built in 2009 around the perimeter of the meadows of Zenda Farm. Named for donors & benefactors, the LoisJean and John MacFarlane Trail will be a non-motorized, accessible trail for hiking & cross-country skiing. Its maintenance will include trimming, upkeep of benches along the trail, and signage. TILT received a grant from NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to build the trail.