The Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) has taken another step in its ongoing effort to restore and enhance grassland habitat at the Schmeer Preserve. From February 24th through March 3rd, the Land Trust’s stewardship team conducted a hedgerow clearing using a forestry mulcher, aimed at improving habitat connectivity for grassland-dependent species.
Acquired by TILT in 2023, the Schmeer Preserve was once an intensively farmed soybean field. In partnership with the Schmeer family, the Land Trust reseeded the land with native grasses to restore the native ecosystem. The recent hedgerow clearing continues these efforts by connecting smaller fields and fostering a more natural, unfragmented grassland ecosystem.
Hedgerows, while historically a product of agricultural land use, can create barriers that reduce the suitability of grasslands for certain species. Birds such as Bobolink, Henslow’s Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrows, and Upland Sandpipers require large, open expanses—often exceeding 100 acres—to successfully nest and breed. Removal of the hedgerows at Schmeer Preserve will help to restore the natural landscape, allowing these species to thrive.
“Grassland connectivity is critical for species that depend on unbroken expanses of habitat,” said Natalie Gates, TILT’s Land Protection Specialist. “By removing these hedgerows, we are not only restoring the land to a more natural state but also enhancing the viability of the Preserve as a home for some of our region’s most at-risk grassland birds.”
During the clearing process, stewardship staff carefully removed dense brush while preserving mature trees, ensuring a balanced approach to landscape management. This work aligns with the Land Trust’s broader conservation goals, which include protecting and restoring vital ecosystems throughout the Thousand Islands region.
The Schmeer Preserve restoration is part of TILT’s commitment to land conservation and biodiversity enhancement. By improving grasslands, TILT is ensuring that species reliant on these environments have the space they need to thrive for generations to come.
