by Delaney McIlrath I Community Engagement Coordinator
The Land Trust’s Conservation Connections program continues to grow, connecting local students with the natural world through hands-on learning both in the classroom and out on conserved lands.
This school year, the program is reaching students across multiple districts, along with homeschool groups, providing meaningful opportunities to explore local ecosystems, learn about invasive species, and how to practice environmental stewardship.
Each program begins with an in-school lesson designed to introduce key ecological concepts and spark curiosity. Students then visit a TILT Preserve, where those lessons come to life. Whether identifying native and invasive plants, observing wildlife, or simply experiencing habitats firsthand, students gain a deeper understanding of the place they call home.
“The Thousand Islands region provides a rich playground for outdoor experiences,” said Dana Seeley Hayse of the Leonard C. and Mildred F. Ferguson Foundation, whose support has helped make the program a success. “My hope is that every child will get ample opportunities to explore and benefit from this incredible landscape, while simultaneously learning the importance of protecting and sustaining it for the generations to follow.”
This spring, field trips are fully booked, a testament to the enthusiasm from teachers and schools. Looking ahead, TILT plans to expand the program, welcoming more classrooms and further enriching a curriculum that already aligns with New York State education standards. By connecting students to the environments around them, Conservation Connections helps the next generation of conservationists understand the importance of caring for the world they live in.