Susie Wood posted on September 09, 2009 07:43
by Phoebe Dembs
The St. Lawrence River is a source of relaxation for more people than there are islands in the region. I am lucky enough to be one of those people. After a hectic final year at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., I was anxious to return to the River. Keeping in mind that a summer without a job was not feasible, I remembered the internship that a couple of my friends held a few years ago at the Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT), which they enjoyed very much. I researched the summer steward position and submitted an application. Shortly after, Jake Tibbles, the Director of Stewardship, requested a phone interview with me. Finally, he called me a week later (mere days before my English major thesis was due) and offered me a summer position at TILT. I readily accepted it.
Being a summer steward has been a lot more than just another summer job. This has been one of the most exciting summers I’ve had at the River, mostly because of TILT. My two fellow interns provided hours of companionship and entertainment during our River endeavors for TILT. The three of us worked on our marketing skills through creating TILT’s trail guides, writing press releases, making posters and signs, and helping with community events such as the TILTreks and Zenda Picnic. We worked many hours on the Macsherry Trail and the Grindstone Nature Trail. I learned how to use weed eaters, drive ATVs, and start various types of engines, how to monitor land under easement, and that repairing trails is a huge undertaking! In addition, I honed my boat handling skills, and learned the waters around Clayton.
I also met a lot of people this summer, including the TILT’s dedicated trustees and volunteers. I am very impressed by the commitment they to have to the Thousand Islands. Their efforts to conserve the region’s “natural beauty, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities” are impressive. Whether it is helping prepare for events, taking down the tern grids, or conserving the land they love, the trustees and volunteers are doing what they can to preserve the Thousand Islands.
I have learned a great deal this summer, and am happy that I had the opportunity to work with TILT and be a part of their various conservation efforts throughout the Thousand Islands region. I could not have asked for a better first job out of college, or a better way to spend a summer on the River.