The Thousand Islands Land Trust Reflections VOL. 20 NO. 1 SPRING 2020 PO Box 238 . 135 John Street . Clayton, New York 13624 (315) 686-5345 . www.tilandtrust.org A Letter from the Director: TILT in the Time of Quarantine MacFarlane Trail at Zenda Farms Preserve Dear Friends, Supporters So much is beyond our control as schools, workplaces and businesses & Community Members, shut their doors. Even fitness centers and yoga studios are closed. While While I sit here writing this, our world seems to be filled with so there is no doubt in my mind that life much uncertainty, there continues to has changed dramatically for each of be a constant — the human need to us in a very short time. If you are like connect with nature. When it comes to me, you are search- clearing my head, While our world seems to be ing for ways to help what I have found filled with so much uncertainty, (and to keep your works best is sim- there continues to be a constant The Thousand Islands sanity). I have been ply getting outside. — the human need to connect Land Trust works to trying to stay on top Whether it is a walk with nature. conserve the natural of every changing in the woods or beauty, diverse wildlife regulation to keep down the sidewalk, habitats, water quality & our amazing staff safe and working, getting outside always seems to be the outdoor recreational op- juggling working remotely, tak- perfect remedy. portunities of the Thou- ing care of my family at home, and At TILT, our staff has made a sand Islands region, now checking in on distant (and not so seamless transition to working re- and for future generations. distant) friends and family. It is not motely. And even though our 2020 an easy task. continued on page 2 Action Plan will experience some adjustments, I am confident that we will collectively maintain momentum, staying focused on advancing our important conservation mission. Re- Board of Trustees cently, Governor Cuomo designated Greg McLean, President New York’s land trust stewardship Larry Kingsley, Vice President staff essential, allowing our team to Robin Hoffman, Secretary work independently in the field each Mike Phelps, Treasurer day to ensure our preserves and trails Jane Heffron, Member at Large Art Mack, Member at Large stay safe and clean, so you can focus Todd Atkinson on enjoying spring’s emerging beauty. Sue Ballard I am also pleased to inform all of Cindy Bower our friends, supporters and commu- Jake Tibbles and his daughter, Harper with Molly the Golden Retriever Jeff Burt nity members that TILT’s preserves John Cardamone Jane Carver and nature trails are open and waiting We encourage you to try a scav- John Farrell for you. enger hunt with the kids, take a solo Dave Lucas With incredible views and miles walk and listen to the relaxing sounds Molly Macsherry MacWade of trails, people are able to watch of nature or visit a preserve that you Janice McPhail birds, look for the first wildflowers of know and love or one that you have Ben Walldroff Carol Munro, Trustee Emerita spring, listen to rippling streams, and never experienced. It is a wonderful, breathe the fresh air. If you are not inexpensive and safe way to de-stress, familiar with our various outdoor rec- get some sunshine and fresh air, and reational opportunities, visit https:// to connect with nature. tilandtrust.org/explore/preserves-trails While we are encouraging every- to discover 11 fantastic Signature one to be outdoors and to experience Preserves to explore. Click the links our trails and preserves, our top prior- for each preserve to see descriptions, ity remains the health of the visitors, photos and trail maps. our nearby communities, and our Recently, Alicia, Harper, Molly staff. To help keep our most vulner- (our youngest golden retriever) and I able community members safe, please made time first thing in the morning remember to follow the CDC's guide- lines including maintaining social TILT’s preserves and distancing, covering your mouth and nature trails are open nose when you cough or sneeze, and and waiting for you. staying home if you feel unwell. TILT and our River community have been through varying crises in to walk the MacFarlane Trail at Zenda the past. While this one is unique in Farms. It was an absolutely perfect its own right, it too shall pass. Rest morning. Harper learned all about assured, we will get through this the critters that call Zenda home— together. stopping and asking questions at each As always, thank you for your of the interpretive signs and searching continued dedication to TILT and the trail for hidden birds and insects. everything our organization stands It was a win for the parents currently for. It means a great deal to everyone homeschooling! Next weekend, we at the Land Trust. plan to hike the Otter Creek Nature Trail and to see what new things Warm regards, Harper learns on this nature walk. 2 Good Luck, Rebecca! It is bittersweet to share the plete restoration of the Creamery news that Rebecca Dahl, TILT’s into Zenda’s Welcome Center, Zenda Farms Program Director, establishment of the Coyote Moon accepted a position with the Con- Vineyard and Homestead Heritage necticut Land Conservation Coun- Cheese partnerships, and expansion cil earlier this year. While TILT is of TILTreks and TILT’s KidsCamp. losing a very talented member of She also secured critical state fund- its team, each and every one of us ing that will soon bring municipal has gained an incredible friend and water and sewer to all Zenda Barns. advocate for land conservation. When not completely im- “It has been an absolute mersed in advancing Zenda’s pleasure working with Rebecca future, Rebecca was a selfless over the last four years,” said Jake member of the TILT team. She Tibbles, Executive Director. “There regularly assisted stewardship staff is no doubt in my mind that her with trail maintenance and preserve dedication and passion for advanc- management. And she helped Rebecca Dahl ing Zenda Farms as a community ensure that all of TILT’s events, focal point will be felt for years to including the Zenda Community such a unique and beautiful way.” come.” Picnic and our Annual Arbor Day “I am confident that Rebec- During Rebecca’s tenure at Celebration, were enjoyed by all. ca will continue to excel in her new TILT, she played an integral role in “It is hard to express how position as Program Coordinator. the development and implementa- grateful I am to have had this op- The Council is a strong organiza- tion of TILT’s strategic vision for portunity to work for TILT and how tion and is very fortunate to have Zenda Farms Preserve as a center much I have enjoyed working with her joining their team,” stated Greg for community engagement, sus- everyone involved,” said Rebecca. McLean, TILT’s President. tainable agriculture, and environ- “Working for TILT has provided Join us in congratulating mental education through partner- me with an incredible foundation Rebecca and wishing her well in ship development and outreach for my conservation career and a this next chapter. initiatives. A few of Rebecca’s once in a lifetime opportunity to achievements include the com- experience the Thousand Islands in Rebecca’s contributions to TILT far exceeded her job description as Zenda Farms Program Director. One of her many talents, shared generously with the organization and the community, was her creation of wonderful sandwich board signs for our events. 3 Tributes October 8, 2019 - March 20, 2020 In memory of Stanley Bach Linda Bach In memory of David Barclay Susie Wood & David Duff In memory of Bruce Brooks Joan Flint Jake Tibbles In memory of Don Brown Allan Newell Jake Tibbles A (Very) Brief Geologic History In honor of Margaret Chapman Bill Munn & Elizabeth Chapman of the Thousand Islands Region In memory of Frank Cole Karen & Bruce Harrison In memory of Robert O. Cox and the Frontenac Arch Ted & Kathy Drum In honor of the Ken Deedy by Kristy Carey caused by plate tectonics and the Environmental Internship John & Lori Arnot opening and closing of oceans (proto- John Burt ew York State has a rich and di- Atlantic oceans) that resemble the cur- Steve & Vici Diehl verse geologic history, and much rent Atlantic Ocean. These large-scale Dan Dolan N Allan Newell of this complex history is evident in mountain building events were the Minna Anthony Common Nature the North Country. The story begins result of the closing of ancient oceans Center with the Canadian Shield, a vast con- and the collision of landmasses that are Mike & Amy Phelps Will & Mia Ramseier tinental rock that forms the basement currently North America and Europe, Gil Schmidt & Mary Clark for much of North America and can and they also contributed to volca- Emmy Sorth be seen at the surface extensively in nic activity and deformation of rocks Zell Steever & Liz Raisbeck Canada. The Thousand Islands region already in place by this time. Plate In memory of Richard DiSalvo is underlain by a portion of the Cana- Charlie DiSalvo & Kathleen Kennedy tectonics has been at work for much of In memory of Dodenhoff Family dian Shield known as the Grenville Earth’s history and has been recorded Susan & Howard Charbonneau Province. These rocks have been in the rock record across the Adiron- In memory of EP radiometrically dated to between 1.1 dack Mountains and the North Country. Patti Wood & Jim Schnauber and 1.3 billion years old, some of the Evidence of intermittent openings In memory of John Eustance oldest rocks on the planet! However, of the proto-Atlantic can be seen in the Nancy Eustance the most interesting aspect of the geol- widespread sedimentary deposits of In memory of John Haley Richard & Kathryn Gamble ogy of this region isn’t the age, it’s Cambrian to Devonian age (roughly In memory of the influence that outside forces, such 600 to 350 million years ago).