Who We Are

Jake was appointed Executive Director in May 2012. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the State University of New York at Cortland, majoring in both Biology and Chemistry. He first came to the Land Trust in 2007 in a research internship and continued on as Director of Stewardship. Since being appointed Executive Director, he has overseen TILT’s Reaccreditation by the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission, and its growth in conserved lands, in educational programs, and staffing.

A native of Redwood, NY, Jake has a life-long passion for the environment and especially the Thousand Island region. He hikes, fishes, hunts and enjoys water sports. He has a keen appreciation for the importance of the St. Lawrence River system and is pleased to have the opportunity to work in its behalf.

Spencer joined TILT in 2016 as Director of Land Conservation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Management from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry as well as a master’s degree in Water and Wetland Resource Studies from the same institution.

Previous to TILT, he worked along the St. Lawrence with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Lafave, White & McGivern, L.S., P.C. He grew up in Theresa and spent the vast majority of his childhood summers on the numerous waterbodies of the Indian River Lakes chain where he developed his deep appreciation for our natural surroundings.

Spencer looks forward to contributing to the continued protection of the diverse natural resources of the Thousand Islands ecosystem.

Terra is responsible for planning, organizing and directing all of TILT’s fundraising including special events, writing grants and annual appeals. She works closely with the Executive Director, Membership Coordinator and the Board of Trustees in all development and fundraising endeavors. Additionally, she manages and directs the organization’s internal and external communications.

A SUNY Buffalo graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English and minor in Environmental Studies, she has a strong commitment to the well-being of the environment, which she attributes to her family’s more than 100 year history on and in the St Lawrence – a true river rat at heart.

Terra has been actively involved in the community as a member of the Zenda Community Garden for 8+ years and enjoys volunteering with various organizations. She, her husband and son live in the village of Clayton.

Ken is responsible for managing TILT’s fee-own Preserves, monitoring conservation easements, collaborating with environmental partners on various projects, as well as supervising Summer Land Stewards and Land Managers.

Ken holds a B.S. in both Marketing and Finance from Syracuse University and comes to TILT with diverse professional experience ranging from project management to portfolio development. Ken also shares a passion for community involvement. Having committed to making a difference in the community, Ken volunteers his time helping to coach youth sports. A former athlete, he is happy to connect school children with team sports and share the life-lessons he has learned on the field.

Originally from Watertown, Ken also shares a deep connection to the Thousand Islands. A true River Rat at heart, Ken has spent all of his childhood summers exploring the shores of Grenell Island. His family has called the Island home for five generations. In his spare time, Ken enjoys hiking, boating on the River, biking, and spending time with family and friends. He and his wife Meredith reside in the village of Clayton and they both look forward to helping TILT continue its mission of conservation in the Thousand Islands.

In January 2019 Kate joined the TILT team as the organization’s new Membership Coordinator. She is the key liaison between the land trust and its 750 plus members. She is also responsible for the coordination of the administrative matters of the organization, assisting with outreach and communications activities, and fielding and directing questions about TILT’s land conservation work.

Kate brings over fifteen years of experience coordinating and implementing environmental stewardship and education programs within the Golden Gate National Parks in San Francisco, CA and here along the St. Lawrence River. During her time in San Francisco, she led education and volunteer programs at the Presidio Native Plant Nursery and oversaw the removal of invasive plants and the out-planting of native species in sensitive habitat areas with the Park Stewardship Program. Most recently as Save The River’s Program Manager, she managed the organization’s wide range of community programs.

Natalie joined TILT in December of 2023 as the Land Conservation Director. She is responsible for upholding land protection policies, providing landowner outreach, and supporting easement and property acquisitions as well as stewardship activities.

Natalie holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Wildlife Science from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF). During her undergraduate career, she worked at The American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project through SUNY-ESF, leading the summer pollination efforts. This project focuses on research with the ultimate goal leading to the development of a blight-tolerant American chestnut tree. Her success was celebrated with the pollination of over 10,000 chestnut flowers each summer.

Originally from Cincinnatus, NY in the eastern part of Cortland County, Natalie is no stranger to close-knit communities and looks forward to getting to know the Thousand Islands. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys hiking, painting, reading, and bird watching. Her passion lies in discovering new places to experience a variety of bird species.

Bridgett joined TILT in February of 2024 as the new Communications Specialist. In this role, she will be instrumental in advancing TILT’s mission through the strategic development and execution of communication initiatives across various channels.

Graduating from St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Government and Environmental Studies, Bridgett’s commitment to environmental advocacy and proficiency in crafting engaging content align with TILT’s dedication to land conservation. She possesses working knowledge of the River communities, nonprofit and donor centric communications best practices, and digital marketing trends. As a copy editor with experience communicating about conservation topics she looks forward to making a positive impact in the Thousand Islands region, a place close to her heart.

Originally from Rochester, NY, Bridgett spent many summers in the Thousand Islands and looks forward to building a career here. Her time at the River fostered a deep appreciation for the natural environment, conservation and sustainability. Outside of professional pursuits, she enjoys spending quality time outdoors and on the river with her family, friends, and two rambunctious black labs River and Rosie.

Delaney joined TILT in September of 2024 as the new Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC), a role that is key to connecting people to the lands and waters of the Thousand Islands. She is responsible for developing and implementing education and outreach programs, organizing community events, and creating volunteer opportunities that foster support for land conservation.

A native of Cape Vincent, NY, Delaney holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Political Science and History from the State University of New York at Potsdam. Spending her summers on Grindstone Island instilled her love for the St. Lawrence River, and fueled her passion for community involvement, and inspired her to help others discover the benefits of connecting with nature.

Outside of work, Delaney enjoys teaching yoga, exploring the river, and spending time in nature with her dogs. Her passion for helping people find joy through intentional movement and outdoor experiences aligns perfectly with the Land Trust’s mission to encourage community involvement in land conservation.