This fall, the Thousand Islands Land Trust lost a friend and supporter, Will Salisbury.

Most of the River community knew of Will Salisbury. If you didn’t, you most certainly recognize his landmark sculptures and one-of-a-kind fixtures sprinkled throughout the greater Thousand Islands. Whether it be the 3 Crows or the Breaching Muskie, Will took inspiration from the natural world, and especially the Thousand Islands when creating his art. From private commissions to public works, Will’s spirit shall live on through his masterful art and his unforgettable love for the River.

Will’s vibrant legacy will also carry on through the lands that he preserved with TILT on Grindstone Island.

In the autumn of 2020, Will’s love of the Thousand Islands resulted in the protection of 13 acres on the Picton channel. This parcel added more protected lands to buffer the nearby Heineman Songbird Forest, a critical habitat for migratory songbirds. In this way, Will worked with TILT to ensure that the lands he cherished the most would be kept natural, open and wild, forever.

This generous act exemplified Will’s character; one the River community will not soon forget.