Thousand Islands Land Trust

What Thousand Islands Land Trust does

Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organization founded in 1985 and headquartered at 135 John Street in Clayton, New York. It protects over 14,500 acres of wetlands, forests, and grasslands across the Thousand Islands region spanning the U.S.-Canada border through a combination of fee acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements, and operates 10 Signature Preserves with approximately 22 miles of multi-use trails open year-round. TILT also runs environmental education programs (TILTreks, KidsTreks, TILTKids Day Camp, Conservation Connections), the TILT Discovery Center in Clayton, and community facilities such as the Zenda Community Garden and Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail. The organization is nationally accredited by the Land Trust Alliance (first in 2009, most recently renewed in 2020) and has co-developed research partnerships with Cornell University, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and Save The River.

TILT's business model is a charitable nonprofit model: it raises unrestricted and restricted funds through individual donations and a 750+ member base (including monthly recurring "Trailblazer" giving), foundation grants (Fresh Sound Foundation, Northern New York Community Foundation), state and federal grants (NYS DEC, National Fish & Wildlife Service, NYS Conservation Partnership Program), planned/legacy giving (Thousand Islands Forever Legacy Program), corporate sponsorships (50+ business underwriters including Patagonia, Hydro Flask, 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, Barclay Damon, Community Bank, RBC Wealth Management), and merchandise sales through an online shop. The organization states it can leverage $1 of private funding into $3 of state and federal grant funding, and monetizes access indirectly via economic impact studies that quantify $55.9M in nearby property value uplift, $684K in annual property tax revenue increase, 610 jobs supported, and $16.4M in labor income generated annually. Revenue mix spans donations, grants, planned giving, and merchandise, with the largest concentration risk lying in state and federal grant renewals rather than in any single donor relationship.

Name

Thousand Islands Land Trust

Legal name

Thousand Islands Land Trust, Inc.

Website

https://tilandtrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thousand Islands Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1985 and based in Clayton, NY, that conserves over 14,500 acres across the Thousand Islands region through acquisitions and easements, operating 10 public preserves, 22 miles of trails, and educational programs. It is funded by donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Real Estate Dealers (For Their Own Account) (6532)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Scenic Lookouts & Natural Landmarks (Waterfalls, Canyons, Rock Formations) (THAJACAD)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Conservation easement programs
• Environmental education programs
• Habitat preservation
• Nature preserve management

Headquarters

HQ city

Clayton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: Individual donations through membership programs including monthly giving (Trailblazer Monthly Giving Program) and one-time contributions. TILT has 750+ members who support the organization financially.
2. Grants and Foundation Support: Funding from private foundations (Fresh Sound Foundation), state grants (New York State Conservation Partnership Program, NYS DEC), federal grants (National Fish & Wildlife Service), and nonprofit partnerships. TILT can leverage $1 of private funding with $3 in state and federal grants.
3. Planned Giving and Bequests: Thousand Islands Forever Legacy Program accepts bequests, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance beneficiary designations, retirement plan donations, and donor-advised fund contributions.
4. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, and preserve mascot plush toys. Products feature TILT logos and preserve-specific designs.
5. Conservation Easement Services: TILT works with landowners to establish conservation easements, receiving donations of land or funding in exchange for permanent conservation protections. Options include full donation, bargain sale (below market value), or easement before sale.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust that permanently protects natural lands in the Thousand Islands region of New York through fee-simple acquisition and conservation easements. It operates 10 Signature Preserves with more than 22 miles of public trails and delivers environmental education, recreation, and stewardship programming for the local community and visitors.

Product overview

Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) operates as a land conservation nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected services centered on protecting and providing public access to natural lands. The core offerings include 11 Signature Preserves covering thousands of acres of wetlands, forests, and grasslands; outdoor educational programs (TILTreks, KidsTreks, TILTKids Day Camp); the TILT Discovery Center with interactive exhibits; community facilities (Zenda Community Garden, Rivergate Trail); and conservation easement services for private landowners. TILT also offers hunting permits, school programs (Conservation Connections), and a merchandise store. The organization focuses on habitat conservation, public recreation, environmental education, and community engagement across the Thousand Islands region spanning the U.S.-Canada border.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thousand Islands Forever Legacy Program: Planned giving program for donors who include TILT in their estate plans.
• Trailblazer Monthly Giving Program
• TILTrek
• KidsTrek
• TILTKids Day Camp

Products and services

• Land Conservation and Easement Program Program that permanently protects natural and cultural lands in the Thousand Islands region through fee-simple acquisition and legally binding conservation easements, for the benefit of landowners, wildlife, and the public.
• Signature Preserves Public Access Program Network of 10 publicly accessible nature preserves spanning the Thousand Islands region, providing more than 22 miles of trails for hiking, nature study, and low-impact recreation for residents and visitors.
• Environmental Education Programs School and community environmental education programs that use TILT's preserves as outdoor classrooms to teach regional ecology, conservation, and natural history to K-12 students, families, and adult learners.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership program offering individual, family, and business/sponsor tiers that provide recurring financial support for conservation in exchange for recognition, event access, and program benefits.
• Community Garden Plots Rental of individual garden plots within a TILT community garden for local residents seeking space to grow food and flowers, generating earned revenue that supports the trust's mission.
• TILT Merchandise Branded apparel and merchandise sold to members, visitors, and supporters, generating earned revenue and brand visibility for the land trust.
• Planned Giving and Legacy Gift Program Program through which supporters make planned gifts such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, or beneficiary designations to support TILT's long-term land protection mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased nearby residential property values by $55.9 million
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• River YogaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRiver Yoga partners with TILT to create yoga sessions at TILT Preserves. Offers 1.25 hour customized yoga sessions for up to 4 people at $100, with 100% of session fees benefiting TILT's preserve maintenance.
• Northern New York Community FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports TILT's Conservation Connections School Program through the Youth Philanthropy Council. Helps make environmental education possible for students across Northern New York.
• Trust for Public LandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with TILT to develop the Economics Benefits Study assessing land conservation's economic impact in the Thousand Islands region. Study conducted in 2018 and peer-reviewed by Clarkson University.
• US Fish & Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships including Common Tern nesting grid installation, Goose Bay Marsh wetland restoration, and Delaney Bay Marsh Fish Ladder in collaboration with Ducks Unlimited.
• Ducks UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for wetlands mitigation program and restoration projects including Delaney Bay Marsh Fish Ladder installation.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with Jefferson County Soil & Water to plant 5,000 trees as part of conservation efforts.
• Ontario Bays InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting informational presentation on Chaumont Bay conservation efforts with TILT.
• Land Trust AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-administers the New York State Conservation Partnership Program with NYS DEC. Provides national accreditation standards for land trusts.
• Cornell University (PhD Candidates)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassland bird research partnership with Cornell PhD candidates Tim Boycott and Trifosa Iin Simamora conducting acoustic monitoring and point counts on TILT grasslands.
• NYS Department of Environmental ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding through Conservation Partnership Program for Edward & Marlene Schmeer Preserve restoration including observation tower and trail development.
• Schmeer FamilycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated land for Edward & Marlene Schmeer Preserve and partnered with TILT on restoration including native grass seeding and hedgerow removal.
• Wood FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in restoration of Edward & Marlene Schmeer Preserve land.
• NYS Sea GrantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in restoration work at Edward & Marlene Schmeer Preserve.
• Save The RivercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Save Blind Bay initiative to oppose eminent domain threat for a 50,000 sq ft Customs and Border Patrol station. Joint volunteer efforts for Common Tern nesting grid removal.
• Northeast Wilderness TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to further protect lands in the A2A (Algonquin to Adirondacks) corridor as Forever Wild.
• Antique Boat MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrail access to S. Gerald Ingerson Preserve from East Line Road across from the museum's Doebler Storage Building.
• 1000 Islands Harbor HotelminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 underwriter for TILTreks and events. Hospitality partner supporting conservation.
• PatagoniaminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 underwriter for conservation programs. Ventura, CA-based outdoor gear company.
• Hydro FlaskminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 underwriter for conservation programs.
• Barclay DamonminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 underwriter - Syracuse, NY law firm supporting conservation.
• Community BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 underwriter for conservation programs.
• RBC Wealth ManagementminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 underwriter - Watertown location supporting conservation.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Scenic Hudson: New York State land conservation and advocacy organization focused on the Hudson River Valley. Comparable as an accredited nonprofit land trust with public preserves, education programs, and easement-based conservation.
• Adirondack Land Trust: New York State regional land trust conserving land across the Adirondack region. Highly comparable operating model (conservation easements, public preserves, member-supported) in adjacent northern New York geography.
• Finger Lakes Land Trust: New York State regional land trust serving the Finger Lakes region. Comparable as a New York-based accredited land trust operating preserves, conservation easements, and education programs under a similar nonprofit structure.

Broad incumbents

• Ducks Unlimited: National wetlands and waterfowl habitat conservation organization that co-runs TILT's wetlands mitigation program and the Delaney Bay Marsh Fish Ladder project. Closely aligned in wetland conservation focus.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation nonprofit that partners with TILT on Jefferson County reforestation (5,000-tree planting initiative) and operates in similar conservation easement, habitat protection, and climate resilience spaces. Comparable as a much larger but overlapping mission peer.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit land conservation organization that partners with local land trusts (including TILT on its 2018 economic benefits study) to acquire and protect land for public access. Directly comparable as a peer accreditation-grade land conservation organization with overlapping mission.

Direct peers

• Save The River: Regional St. Lawrence River advocacy and conservation nonprofit partnering with TILT on the Save Blind Bay initiative and Common Tern nesting grid work. Operates in the same Thousand Islands footprint with similar riverside conservation priorities.
• Northeast Wilderness Trust: Regional wilderness conservation nonprofit partnering with TILT on the Algonquin-to-Adirondacks (A2A) corridor as Forever Wild. Directly comparable as a northeastern U.S. land trust with similar conservation easement and wilderness protection model.
• Ontario Bays Initiative: Regional conservation nonprofit focused on Chaumont Bay and the eastern Lake Ontario shoreline that co-hosts educational presentations with TILT. Direct regional peer operating shoreline conservation easements and stewardship in nearby geography.

Others

• Land Trust Alliance: National membership organization that administers TILT's national accreditation and co-runs the NYS Conservation Partnership Program. Not a direct peer but the umbrella body that defines the standards and funding mechanisms for accredited land trusts like TILT.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tilandtrust
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ThousandIslandsLand
• Facebookfacebook.com/ThousandIslandsLandTrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thousand-islands-land-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/tilandtrust

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thousand Islands Land Trust