The Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) is thrilled to announce a significant restoration project at its Tibbetts Point Preserve, aimed at revitalizing this ecologically significant property. Supported in part by funding from SLELO PRISM, this initiative highlights TILT’s ongoing commitment to conservation and enhancing natural habitats throughout the Thousand Islands region.

Tibbetts Point, like many areas in the region, has been impacted by invasive species. Buckthorn and honeysuckle, two particularly aggressive woody shrubs have created conditions that allow pale swallowwort, an invasive vine, to spread rapidly. These invasives have significantly altered the landscape, threatening native plant communities and the wildlife that depends on them.

The Land Trust’s immediate focus is reclaiming these overgrown areas. Starting this September, TILT’s stewardship team will deploy a skid steer-mounted forestry mulcher to clear the invasive brush down to the ground. This critical first step will make it easier to treat the persistent pale swallowwort, setting the stage for future restoration efforts.

Once the invasive species are under control, TILT will begin transforming the cleared areas into thriving native grasslands. Using a carefully selected native meadow seed mix, the reseeding will begin in late Spring 2025. This will support grassland nesting birds and wintering raptors, restoring the natural balance of the ecosystem. By removing invasive species and restoring native habitats, the Land Trust is ensuring that Tibbetts Point becomes a thriving environment for both wildlife and the community.