Ironsides Island is an uninhabited rocky island in the Saint Lawrence River, and part of the Thousand Islands region near Alexandria Bay, New York. It is in both Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.[1] Most of the island lies in the town of Alexandria, in Jefferson County, while its northeasternmost corner lies in the town of Hammond, in St. Lawrence County. The island is located near Kring Point State Park.[2]
  Ironsides Island Location of Ironsides Island in New York State | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | St. Lawrence River |
| Coordinates | 44°23′46″N 75°51′2″W / 44.39611°N 75.85056°W |
| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Highest elevation | 272 ft (82.9 m) |
| Administration | |
| State | New York |
| Counties | Jefferson St. Lawrence |
| Towns | Alexandria Hammond |
| Owner | The Nature Conservancy |
| Designated | 1967 |
The 30-acre (12 ha) island has 30-to-40-foot (9 to 12 m) cliffs along its waterfront, and its vegetation is dominated by white pine trees.[3] It was donated by former Reader's Digest ad executive William Browning to The Nature Conservancy in the late 1960s to ensure protection of the island's great blue heron rookery.[4][5] Over a thousand herons return to breed every April.[6] It was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1967.[7]
Prior permission from The Nature Conservancy is required to land on the island, but it can easily be viewed from the water.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Ironsides Island". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ "National Park Service: Great Lakes Shoreline Recreation Area Survey (New York)". National Park Service. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ "Coastal Fish & Wildlife Habitat Rating Form: Ironsides Island" (PDF). New York State Department of State Division of Coastal Resources. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ Smith, Susan W. (February 13, 2013). "TI Life in February 2013". Thousand Islands Life Magazine. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ Laughlin, Linda (February 27, 2013). "Lives Lived: William E. Browning, 87". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ "Natural Events Almanac - New York". The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original on May 17, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
Year designated: 1967
- ^ "Route 7" (PDF). Thousand Islands Water Trail. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2015.