There’s something magical about the Picton Channel. At its narrowest point, just 500 feet wide, the towering mature hemlock and pine stands on either side create a dramatic gorge effect. In the winter, Bald Eagles gather to roost in these undisturbed forests. In the spring, a diversity of songbirds such as Cerulean Warbler, Wood Thrush, and Scarlet Tanager fill the canopy with melodious songs as Common Terns soar across the shore. The turquoise hue of the water here is simply breathtaking. In a word, picturesque.

Over the years, TILT has made strides to protect this special part of the River with conservation easements and land acquisitions on Grindstone Island and Picton Island. This past autumn, the Foltz family played a pivotal role in advancing that goal with a 12-acre conservation easement on Grindstone.

The Foltz Easement protects 160± feet of undeveloped shoreline, and is entirely bordered by other TILT conservation lands and easements. This ultimately provides forest connectivity across the Grindstone, Picton, Murray and Wellesley Island corridor, ensuring a robust and healthy ecosystem. The easement allows the Foltz family to continue to own and enjoy their private land, while ensuring that the property remains in its natural state in perpetuity.

The Foltz's generous easement donation was used as match, helping catalyze two additional conservation grants, multiplying the impact of this one gift to expand meaningful conservation initiatives throughout the Thousand Islands. In essence, the Foltz Easement pays it forward for the common good in more ways than one.