Offering many opportunities for the community to celebrate open space and connect with the agricultural heritage of the region. Zenda Farms Preserve Explore this site.
The TILT staff continues to do an outstanding job of furthering our mission. Several members of the staff have received promotions, and new staff have been
appointed to complement our programs and administration.
Spencer Busler has been appointed Assistant Director for the organization. He will assist the Executive Director in certain administrative duties, and will continue to oversee TILT’s Land Conservation activities. Spencer joined the TILT staff in 2016 as Director of Land Conservation.
Since then he has helped TILT conserve over 1000 acres through conservation easement and fee acquisition. He has continued to expand TILT’s use of GIS technology for mapping and documenting conservation lands, and has secured over $1,070,000 in grant funding for TILT’s conservation and outdoor recreation programs.
Terra Bach has been promoted to fill the new position of Director of Development and Communications. Terra served as Education and Outreach Coordinator since 2015 where she improved and expanded TILT’s education programming and more than doubled underwriting support. In her new role, she will use her communications skills and local knowledge to work with the Board of Trustees’ Development Committee, building a comprehensive fundraising and development program and directing communications for the Land Trust.
Rebecca Dahl has been named Zenda Farms Program Director and will play a larger role in defining the future of Zenda Farms Preserve. On staff since 2015, she has been involved with the initial planning for Zenda Farms, bringing originality and vision to the discussions around the potential of the Preserve. She will continue to oversee activities there, building partnerships with local agricultural businesses, and developing new programs that showcase the Preserve’s unique character.
Alaina Young has been hired as TILT’s Education and Outreach Coordinator. Alaina is a graduate of Lafayette College, and has just completed a Masters Program in Environmental Management at Duke University. She has a passion for environmental education and is experienced in marketing and coordinating events. As Education and Outreach Coordinator, Alaina is responsible for planning and implementing TILT’s environmental education program of TILTreks & Talks. She will also serve as marketing liaison, under the direction of Terra Bach, to spread the word about TILT’s activities and conservation work throughout the Thousand Islands region. “Alaina brings wonderful enthusiasm and great ideas to TILT,” said Terra Bach. “I am excited to have her joining the communications staff.
Today, many students are drawn to land trusts because of their passion for protecting natural spaces, climate change issues, and preserving biodiversity. Internships allow them to actively contribute to environmental conservation efforts and make real impacts. This summer, four TILT interns —Jack Gates, Cole Munro, Finn O’Neill and Taylor Towne—each connected uniquely with the land, the River, and the community, gaining invaluable experiences.
In honor of the Thousand Islands Land Trust’s (TILT) 40th anniversary, we’re celebrating by highlighting our Signature Preserves. First up is the Foster-Blake Woods Preserve, a 9.4-acre gem in Clayton along the stunning St. Lawrence River that offers a serene and invigorating escape for nature lovers and adventurers alike.