Join award-winning photographer, and geologist, Chris Murray as he shares his enthusiasm for documenting the natural beauty of our region, and discuss the techniques and equipment used as he shoots. Participants must have a working knowledge of their cameras. *This trek is reserved for TILT supporters. If you'd like to become a member and join us on the trek, call the office at 315-686-5345 or visit the TILT website to make a contribution: www.tilandtrust.org

Join life-long summer resident Mark Behan, and TILT trustee Robin Hoffman, to experience a bike tour of the places on Grindstone Island that TILT protects. The ride will include Potters Beach, the Heineman Family Preserve and the Delaney Bay Marshland, as well as the historic and cultural buildings of Grindstone. The tour will culminate at one of Grindstone’s NY State Parks, so bring a picnic lunch. *This trek is reserved for TILT supporters and has limited space.

Pick Your Preserve! Tackle Your Trail! TILT is calling all volunteers to help steward our Macsherry Trail on the Crooked Creek Preserve, Otter Creek Preserve Nature Trail, Grindstone Island Nature Trail, Potters Beach Preserve or MacFarlane Trail at Zenda Farms Preserve to get these popular outdoor recreation destinations ready for another busy summer season. Wear your work clothes and be sure to bring gloves and tools if you have them. TILT will provide water and Subway of Clayton will provide lunch.

Bring the whole family as TILT’s famous naturalist Don Brown leads a hike in search of fall foliage on the Macsherry Trail in Hammond’s Crooked Creek Preserve. The Macsherry Trail is a 1.5 mile loop and a 3 mile loop that winds through wetlands and woods along Crooked Creek, with the long loop offering a fabulous view of Chippewa Bay. It’s a favorite hiking destination because of these views and the interesting glacial striations left on enormous boulders that line the trail. A perfect family outing for a Sunday afternoon! We’ll meet at the trailhead on Indian Point Road at 1pm.

Bring the whole family as TILT’s famous naturalist Don Brown leads a hike in search of fall foliage on the Macsherry Trail in Hammond’s Crooked Creek Preserve. The Macsherry Trail is a 1.5 mile loop and a 3 mile loop that winds through wetlands and woods along Crooked Creek, with the long loop offering a fabulous view of Chippewa Bay. It’s a favorite hiking destination because of these views and the interesting glacial striations left on enormous boulders that line the trail. A perfect family outing for a Sunday afternoon! We’ll meet at the trailhead on Indian Point Road at 1pm.

Pick Your Preserve! Tackle Your Trail! TILT is calling all volunteers to help steward our Macsherry Trail on the Crooked Creek Preserve, Otter Creek Preserve Nature Trail, Grindstone Island Nature Trail, Potters Beach Preserve or MacFarlane Trail at Zenda Farms Preserve to clean-up these popular outdoor recreation destinations after another busy summer season. Wear your work clothes and be sure to bring gloves and tools if you have them. TILT will provide water and Subway of Clayton will provide lunch.

TI Park is the perfect place for a peaceful teen paddle! We will be meeting at the Park’s pavilion and end with refreshments. A limited number of paddle board rentals are available for a $15 rental fee, in partnership with Riverbay Adventure Inn. Teen kayakers are welcome as well! Please register in advance (and let us know if you need a paddle board!) by emailing treks@tilandtrust.org, by calling the TILT office at 315-686-5345, or by signing up on the TILT website at www.tilandtrust.org

Calling all storytellers: TILT has been conserving land for 30 years, and we bet you have a story to tell about the 1000 Islands and what its protection means to you! We’re asking area residents and visitors alike to email your best 1000 Islands story to TILT at info@tilandtrust.org. We’ll pick a few of our favorites to be shared during our annual Guthrie and Louise Birkhead Lecture & Reception at Zenda Farms Preserve. The rest will be collected in a limited edition book, available for purchase later this year.

For the last KidsTrek of the season, join TILT at Cross Island Farms on Wellesley Island for a day “on the farm!” Families will enjoy a farm tour that includes getting up-close-and-personal with chickens, ducks, turkeys, cattle, goats and pigs; learning about the Farms’ eco-friendly edible forest garden; and enjoying a scavenger hunt (can you find the active beaver lodge?). Snack will be provided. KidsTrek participants must be accompanied by an adult. Please wear clothing and footwear appropriate for outdoor play.

Join TILT and the Indian River Lake Conservancy’s (IRLC) at Hyde Lake for a fascinating, geological exploration of this secluded lake nestled in the woods of Theresa! Retired geologist Kenneth Schwarz will share his knowledge of Hyde Lake’s impressive rocky cliffs and light refreshments will be served. Limited kayak rentals are available for $15, in partnership with Riverbay Adventure Inn.