January 23 ~TILTrek ~ 10:00 am

Haywagon Ride on Wellesley Island

Take a ride through the woods and fields of the historic Boldt property on Wellesley Island. Ornithologist Gerry Smith will be along to help us look for birds and share his extraordinary knowledge.

February 7 ~ TILTrek ~ 9 am

Bald Eagle Watch

Thousand Island Park, on the upriver end of Wellesley Island, will be the site of this trek to look for wintering Bald eagles. Once again, Gerry Smith will be along to interpret and inform. And T.I. Park resident Dick Greene has graciously offered his home as a base from which you can take a walk on the Park's trails. Sign up here!

February 14 ~ TILTrek ~ 10 am

Snowshoeing on the Macsherry Trail

Our annual winter snowshoeing trek takes place on Valentine’s Day this year. Once again we will walk on the beautiful Macsherry Trail through the woods of the Crooked Creek Preserve. If there isn’t enough snow for snowshoes, we’ll go without .

February 27 ~ TILTrek ~ Noon-4

Winterfest at Zenda

Come out to Zenda Farm in Clayton and join us for winterfest activities like cross-country skiing. We’ll have a bonfire, and the Clayton Lions Club will serve up hotdogs and hot chocolate. And if we’re lucky with the weather, Jan Brabant will bring his kites for a demonstration of kite-skiing. 

(Kite-skiing on the ice in front of Clayton.)

March 14 ~ TILTrek ~ 10 am

“Signs of Spring” Walk with Peter O’Shea

Naturalist Peter O’Shea will help us look for signs of the approaching Spring at Crooked Creek. Animal tracks, greening twigs, emerging buds… Just when it seems that winter will never end, Peter will show us the hopeful signs of the new season. 

During the week of April 12-16 ~ TILTrek ~ TBA

Installation of Tern Grid on Eagle Wings Shoals

Every year Save The River and TILT install a gull exclusion grid on the Eagle Wings shoals to minimize the impact of predators on nesting Common terns. With the help of volunteers, we install it early in April before the terns arrive and remove it in August after chicks have fledged.  

April 24 ~ TILTrek ~ 7:30 am at TILT ofc.

Bird Migration at Derby Hill Observatory

Derby Hill Bird Observatory near Pulaski is one of the premier hawk watches in the Northeastern US. Migrating birds pass over Derby Hill at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, giving observers an incomparable view of their flight. On average over 40,000 raptors are counted annually. We will have ornithologist Gerry Smith as our guide. Dress in layers, bring a lunch, and don’t forget your binoculars! 

June 11, Friday ~ Zenda Picnic ~ 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Community Picnic at Zenda Farm

Welcome the return of warm weather with friends and neighbors at Zenda Farm. Hotdogs and hamburgers. Critters, exhibits, music and fun! Tickets are $10 per person; kids under 12 free; families $25

TILT is participating in the Clayton River Festival with
two birdwatching TILTreks led by Ornithologist Gerry Smith.

June 25 ~ TILTrek 8 am Looking For Henslow’s Sparrow Gerry will lead a field trip near Perch River State Game Management Area to see the endangered Henslow’s Sparrow. Meet at the TILT office to caravan to the site on Dog Hill Road. Bring your binoculars! Cost: $5 per person.

June 27 ~ TILTrek 10 am Grindstone’s Grassland Birds Nature Boat Tour and Haywagon ride Gerry will lead a Nature Boat Tour with an extended stop on Grindstone for a haywagon ride to see the island’s grassland birds. Meet at the Clayton Island Tours dock. We will walk through wet fields, so wear appropriate footwear and bring binoculars. Cost: $15 per person (includes ticket for Nature Boat Tour). Call office for more information and to sign up!

July 6 ~ TILTrek 6 pm

Kayaking Trip - Grass Lake

Join TILT and the Indian River Lakes Conservancy for a kayak trip on beautiful Grass Lake, one of the Indian River Lakes. Explore IRLC’s newest preserve, the Mark A.F. Baker Island Preserve. Sign up in advance and secure your kayak rental if needed ($15). Meet at the Grass Lake boat ramp.

July 10 ~ TILTrek 9 am

Island Bike Tours with Elaine Tack - Grindstone Island

This 3-hour (approx.) ride explores the roads and trails of Grindstone Island. Meet at the TILT office for a boat ride to the island. Bring your own lunch; we will provide water.

July 17 ~ TILTrek ~ 8-9 am

Annual Loon Census with Adirondack Loon Conservation Program

Help count Loons in the Annual Loon Census! The Adirondack Loon Conservation Program collects data from throughout northern New York in order to better understand trends in the population and implement management efforts if indicated. If you are interested in being a census observer please contact TILT by July 4th.

Photo by Mark Scarlett

July 17, Saturday ~ Annual Summer Gathering ~ 6-8 pm

TILT's 25th Anniversary!

Celebrating 25 years of land conservation in the Thousand Islands, this year's Annual Summer Gathering fundraiser will be held at Zenda Farm Preserve. More details to come!

2009 KidsTrek explores the barns at Zenda Farm

July 20 ~ KidsTrek ~ 1 pm

Adventures in the 1000 Islands

Discover the wonders of nature with some great activities on a TILT Preserve. Quests, games, creepy crawlies; it’s sure to be a fun afternoon! Call for more information.

July 27 ~ TILTrek ~ 8:30 am

Grindstone Island Mule Tour *

TILT’s now legendary tour of inland Grindstone Island is led by Grindstone Island resident and know-it-all, Ken Deedy. We will embark on a fascinating tour of the 4th largest island in the 1000 Islands to learn about the cultural and natural history of the area. Transportation to Grindstone provided from the TILT office in Clayton.

* TILT Supporters Only

Biking on the Wellesley Island road.

August 3 ~ TILTrek ~ 10 am

Island Bike Tours with Elaine Tack - Wellesley Island

Beginning at T.I. Park, we will ride to Cross Island Farms for a tour of this organic farm. Back on the bikes, the ride will continue to Wellesley Island State Park. Meet at the Guzzle in T.I. Park. We will provide water.

August 9-13 (TBD) ~ TILTrek ~ 9 am

Tern Project Grid Removal

Come help TILT and Save The River remove the protective grid from the Eagle Wings Preserve and Tidd Island, now that breeding season has ended. Learn how this method protects this ideal tern breeding ground from gull disruption and predation. Date TBD - weather permitting. Transportation will be provided from TILT office.

Volunteers “wind up” the grid work that protects Common Tern chicks.

In 2008, Bikers stopped at Brown’s Bay Provincial Park.

August 14 ~ TILTrek ~ 10 am

Island Bike Tours with Elaine Tack
Canada - Gananoque to Brockville*

Enjoy this 52 kilometer ride from Gananoque to Brockville along the Thousand Islands Parkway. Meet in Gananoque. Transportation is provided back to your car from Brockville.

* Be sure to bring a passport for the border crossing. Call for more information.

August 14 ~ TILTalk ~ 4 pm

Guthrie & Louise Birkhead Lecture
Loons with Nina Schoch

Learn about the Common Loon and its importance to the region from expert Nina Schoch. This 3rd Birkhead Lecture is made possible by the vision and generosity of lifelong educators, Guthrie & Louise Birkhead. At the TILT office.

Photo by Mark Scarlett

August 17 ~ KidsTrek ~ 1 pm

Adventures in the 1000 Islands

Explore a TILT Preserve and learn about nature in a fun, creative atmosphere. Call for more information.

August 26 ~ 5-7 pm

Islander Party *

A thank you to our “Islander” & “Friend of the Land” supporters! Your personal invitation will be arriving soon.

* If you’d like to become an “Islander” or “Friend of the Land” supporter, please contact Andrew Wood, 686-5345.

Volunteers from Grindstone Is. and local ATV clubs help clean Potters Beach in 2009.

September 11 ~ TILTrek ~ 9 am

Potters Beach Clean-Up

Help steward of one of TILT’s preserves. Wear gloves, bring tools if you have them and spend an enjoyable afternoon on the beach tending and caring for a preserve.