The Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) announces that both proposals submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Land Trust Alliance (LTA)’s Conservation Partnership Program (CPP) have been awarded funding.
The CPP program is a nationally recognized public-private initiative between the NYS DEC and the LTA, funded through NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The program provides competitive matching grants to qualified land trusts across the state. These grants support projects that advance land conservation, enhance public access, protect farmland, and promote community engagement.
One grant will support the creation of the Edward & Marlene Schmeer Signature Preserve on Tibbetts Point—the very first TILT Signature Preserve in the town of Cape Vincent. This landmark project will bring TILT’s mission to life by creating new opportunities for the public to get out on the land and connect with nature. Plans for the Preserve include a scenic trail system, an observation tower overlooking Lake Ontario and the restored grasslands, interpretative materials that highlight the area’s ecological importance.
This 209-acre Signature Preserve will provide an outstanding birding destination, with species such as the Bobolink, Short-eared Owl, Eastern Meadowlark, Snowy Owl, Osprey, and other rare grassland birds and native pollinators calling the area home. Located at the intersection of the Atlantic Flyway, the site is a designated wintering raptor congregation area and an ecological hotspot.
Acquired in 2023, the Edward & Marlene Schmeer Preserve was previously an intensively farmed soybean field. In partnership with the Schmeer family, Wood Farms, and NYS Sea Grant, TILT reseeded the land with native grasses and wildflowers to begin restoring the ecosystem. More recently, this past winter, a hedgerow clearing that took place by the Land Trust’s Stewardship team to further enhance habitats by connecting fragmented fields, and promoting a more natural, cohesive grassland habitat.
Through thoughtful land management and ongoing habitat renewal, TILT is ensuring that native ecosystems like the Edward & Marlene Schmeer Preserve thrive, delivering long-term benefits to wildlife, water quality, and the community. “The development of this new Signature Preserve will offer the Cape Vincent community new ways to connect with the outdoors,” said Ken Nims, TILT’s Stewardship Director. “It’s not just about conserving land, it’s about creating welcoming spaces where people can experience and appreciate the landscapes we’re working to protect.” The Land Trust looks forward to inviting residents and visitors alike to explore, learn, and enjoy the natural beauty of the new Preserve upon its opening.
“I recognize the great work that TILT has been able to accomplish through the establishment of its Signature Preserves” stated Scott Gray, New York State Assemblyman. “Community enhancement projects like these allow organizations to have a lasting impact by providing new and improved outdoor experiences, which, in turn, connect more people to the natural world.”
The second grant award will fund an update to TILT’s Strategic Conservation Plan using advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. The updated model will incorporate new data layers, including Algonquin to Adirondack (A2A) wildlife connectivity, tax parcel updates, and solar development considerations. These enhancements will allow the Land Trust to refine conservation priorities, identify ecological threats, and improve the region’s climate resilience. Additionally, two planning documents—one for internal staff, and one for external outreach—will be produced to guide TILT’s ongoing land protection work.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support of the Conservation Partnership Program,” said Natalie Gates, TILT’s Land Protection Specialist. “This funding will allow us to better identify and prioritize the most critical lands for long-term conservation and public access.”
In July 2024, the Land Trust welcomed conservation organizations for an engaging workshop held by the A2A Collaborative. This workshop highlighted the A2A Collaborative’s Wildlife Corridor Mapping Project, developed in partnership with Northeast Conservation Services. The interactive mapping tool showcases protected lands and key migratory linkages across the region, emphasizing the importance of connectivity. Ground-truthing—visiting mapped areas to confirm on-the-ground conditions—is a core component of the project, improving accuracy and guiding conservation efforts more effectively. The mapping tool, once implemented through funding sourced from the grant award, will guide TILT’s conservation initiatives to the most crucial land and wildlife networks.
“Connectivity is key objective of the A2A Collaborative, and this grant will allow TILT to incorporate new connectivity data into their GIS model,” stated Kate Cleary, Board President of the U.S. side of the A2A Collaborative. “TILT’s service area is the bottleneck of a critical ecological corridor…with an updated model, TILT can prioritize conservation projects in crucial corridors and address these threats, ultimately preventing further fragmentation.”
Both projects and scheduled to begin this summer. Stay tuned for updates! To view the official DEC announcement, visit: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/open-space/grant-partnerships-land-trust-alliance#Partnership.