Like most college graduates, shortly after commencement, I began to get the question. “What’s next?” After months of searching, I found the Kenneth Deedy Environmental Internship Program. This internship seemed like a perfect fit: a true environmental internship in the Thousand Islands. I would learn how to look at the world around us through the lens of nonprofits and environmental advocates in the beautiful place where I grew up.
When I received the call from TILT, I was beyond excited! As the Deedy Steward, I would spend time at three different nonprofits based in the Thousand Islands in an effort to follow in the footsteps of the program’s namesake, Kenneth Deedy. TILT Founding member and long-term President of the Board of Trustees, Ken Deedy worked closely to connect TILT, Save The River, and Friends of the Minna Anthony Nature Center (MACNC). He helped foster relationships between these organizations because he recognized that while each of these nonprofits have different niches, the goal of conserving and protecting the Thousand Islands is upheld by all.
I began the program at Save The River (STR). Growing up as a Junior Riverkeeper, I was the most familiar with this organization. I knew that STR worked to protect and preserve the St. Lawrence River through initiatives like their Trash Free River clean-ups, but I learned so much more. From teaching classes, designing resources and educational program materials, participating in site visits with property owners about how to best establish a natural shoreline on their property and assisting with common tern research, my time at STR showed me that the organization works to protect and preserve the River through many different avenues. Education, monitoring water quality and tern populations, and advocating with both public and private parties are ways that STR works to protect the St. Lawrence River.
After three all too short weeks, I moved across the street to the organization that made this internship possible, TILT. I had been to the Zenda Community Picnic when I was younger, but this was the first time I truly got a sense of the depth of TILT’s efforts. TILT’s primary goal is land conservation with an emphasis placed on conserving land that has been identified as highly impactful to the environmental landscape. I learned that conserving land is not all that TILT strives for. The organization works to rehabilitate the land, restore it so that ecosystems can thrive upon it, and they also work to make land accessible to the public. I worked on outreach and graphic design projects to promote public use of TILT’s trails and engage trail users by providing access to social media platforms, website and more. I connected with the community through treks and events by helping with event planning and preparation, and I interacted with the diverse group of members, local business partners and guests that make up the River communities.
I learned about the balancing act of protecting land while also still running a successful and thriving nonprofit. The scale of TILT’s conservation efforts is extensive, and they are able to accomplish so much with such a small team. This is largely due to the hard work and dedication of each and every employee. My experience at TILT provided me with a new set of skills that will continue to serve me on my career path.
One month later, I was on the move again; the final rotation of the internship program brought me to the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center (MACNC) at Wellesley Island State Park. As a former Parks lifeguard, I was looking forward to experiencing a new perspective. While at MACNC, I led and designed environmental education programs, learned about captive animal care, and witnessed how nonprofits collaborate with the government. The relationship between the New York State Parks system and the Friends of the MACNC is what allows the organization to flourish and reinforces the organization’s message of environmental protection and education through accessible resources. Seeing how much the public gained from having access to this land and the exhibits was an impactful and hopeful way to end my internship.
The goal of the Kenneth Deedy Environmental Internship Program was to provide a well-rounded introduction to environmental nonprofits in the Thousand Islands. I gained a broader experience than I expected and learned that each organization had commonalities but interacted differently with the environment and River community.
I watched three incredible organizations work their hardest to make the largest impact they possibly could. These organizations and their staff are working every minute of every day, pouring their heart and souls into their work, protecting and preserving the beauty of the St. Lawrence River. What they do behind the scenes, after hours, and off the clock for their community and the Thousand Islands is nothing short of extraordinary.
Before this internship experience, if I had been asked what the differences between these three organizations were, my answer would be very different than it is today. After seeing all of the work that is put in behind the scenes, I can truly appreciate the impact these organizations have and the ways in which they work together. Each organization is tackling environmental conservation, education, and stewardship in the Thousand Islands differently, while working together to inspire present and future generations of environmental stewards. I wish everyone could see what I had the privilege to witness over the last few months.
In order to protect something, you must first care for it deeply. I believe that there are two components to inspiring environmental consciousness: a love for the natural world, and the knowledge of what we are doing to our planet. Save The River, the Thousand Islands Land Trust, and the Friends of the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center work tirelessly to spark that love and spread that knowledge. I am grateful that Kenneth Deedy cared deeply enough about this area to walk an uncharted path, one filled with passionate people and enthusiastic partnerships. And I am thankful that this year, I was fortunate to walk in his shoes.
