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Conservation by Numbers

TILT by the Numbers
465+
trees planted at Zenda Farms Preserve
22
miles of trails
8,286
acres preserved by
TILT ownership
5,674
acres protected under conservation easement
550+
people at the
 community picnic
1,000+
TILTTrekkers
10
signature preserves
 open to the public
40
years of conserving
 the place we love
121
stewardship 
volunteers trained
$55.9+
million increase in nearby property values
$650k+
increase in property tax revenues per year 

Value of Land Conservation

The Economic Benefits of Preserves, Trails, and Conserved Open Spaces in the Thousand Islands Region

A study conducted in 2018 by the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and peer-reviewed by Martin D. Heintzelman, PhD, Associate Professor and Frederic C. Menz Scholar of Environmental Economics at Clarkson University, assesses the impact of preserves, trails, and open spaces on the Thousand Islands region’s economy.

It draws from several case studies of TILT Preserves, and illustrates that preserves, trails, and conserved open spaces in the Thousand Islands region (Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties) are key economic drivers that contribute millions in economic benefits annually throughout our community.

The study found in 2018 that preserves, trails, and conserved open spaces:

  • Increase the value of nearby residential properties by $55.9 million.
  • Increase property tax revenues by $684,000 per year.
  • Increase market values of properties in proximity of conserved open spaces up to 2,000 feet by 20% or more.
  • Attract visitors and tourists, generating $16.4 million in labor income and 610 jobs each year, as well as $2.58 million in local taxes and $2.1 million in state taxes annually.

This study was funded by a grant from the Fresh Sound Foundation.

Read the study, the literature review, and the fact sheet for more information.