The issues affecting our planet often feel extremely overwhelming. Thankfully, Save The River, Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, and Thousand Islands Land Trust are working diligently to make real change. This summer, being a part of these remarkable organizations has shown me how much of a difference can be made when people come together as one to serve the community through conservation, preservation, and education.
Kenneth Deedy, long-time River Rat, founding TILT member and former TILT Board of Trustees President, envisioned an internship where young environmentalists would experience conservation in the Thousand Islands region through local partnerships. This program is shared equally among three organizations: Save The River, Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, and TILT; giving me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain insight on environmental stewardship through different lenses.
My internship began at Save The River where I gained valuable research skills working with the Common Tern restoration project. Lauren Eggleston, STR Program Manager, stated “Her window of time coincided with the annual Tern Census, when biologists and volunteers head out to the nesting grounds of Common Terns to count the bird population. Common Terns are listed as a threatened species in New York. We're so glad Mikey was able to participate in this citizen science project protecting Common Terns, and look forward to having future Ken Deedy interns contribute.”
After three all-too-short weeks, I moved on to the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, where I had the opportunity to provide both children and adults with educational lectures, guided hikes, and informative discussions. Gaby Padewska, Director of MACNC, stated, “Mikey’s a natural Environmental Educator! She hit the ground running, connecting visitors to the biodiversity of Wellesley Island through daily interpretive programming. Mikey even independently developed and led a bird call identification program.”
Lastly, my internship rounded out with TILT, where I gained a new understanding of how important community outreach is in the conservation field. Outreach and Education Coordinator, Shannon Walter stated, “the beauty of the Thousand Islands is in the people; the River Communities understand what a gem they have and are motivated to help us protect it. Mikey was able to make these connections and engage with community members in meaningful ways.” I appreciated engaging in conversations with members and visitors, discussing the significance of what TILT is able to accomplish throughout the St. Lawrence landscape.
