Dylan Schmidt

Over this past summer, I have been able to obtain hands-on experience working in the field of land management and wildlife conservation. During the bulk of my weeks, I was performing maintenance duties on nature trails scattered throughout the numerous preserves owned and managed by TILT. This involved a lot of hiking, lawn mowing, weed whacking, etc. In addition, these duties extended to the upkeep of bridges, boardwalks, and infographic signs also placed in certain areas of said preserves. Lesser duties included working the front desk at the TILT office in Clayton, assisting with major wildlife management projects, and accompanying fellow staff members to special events hosted by TILT.

One of the best parts about working as a summer land steward was being able to work with such a great team of people, both in the office and in the field. My fellow land stewards were always supportive, encouraging, and respectful throughout all the tasks we’d accomplish on a daily basis, no matter how hot and humid the weather was. Also, getting to meet so many partners, trustees, and friends along the way have allowed me to gain valuable contacts which could later help further my career in wildlife conservation.

The Thousand Islands region is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and ecosystems on the east coast of North America. It has been an absolute pleasure to work towards conserving this natural beauty and preserving the habitats of countless native flora and fauna.

Shane Fitzsimmons

I had a great summer with TILT. I liked working with the TILT staff and really enjoyed the different projects and experiences, even if some were more rigorous than others. Each task was a fun experience and made you feel physically accomplished at the end of the day. I could not have been gifted with better partners or mentors. I am more than grateful for what TILT has taught me this summer and I will always remember the work we accomplished together.