Thousand Islands Life, "Birds Rise Above It All . . ."

Honoring the Legacy of Sherri Smith

For many readers of Thousand Islands Life, the arrival of a new birding column was always something to look forward to—an invitation to slow down, look closer, and see both birds and the landscapes they inhabit in a new light. For decades, those reflections—written by Sherri Smith, known to many longtime readers as Gerry Smith—were a highlight.

Always a familiar face at TILT’s annual Zenda Community Picnic, Sherri Smith loved sharing her passion for birds with people of all ages.

A renowned ornithologist, Smith invited readers to notice the natural world around them: the flash of wings over the St. Lawrence River, the distant cry of a hawk riding a thermal, or the quiet presence of a warbler tucked among summer leaves. Her writing blended scientific knowledge with a contagious sense of wonder, reminding readers that birds are not just passing visitors in the sky, but essential threads in the ecological fabric of the Thousand Islands. Smith had a remarkable gift for translating the science of birds into stories that made people pause, look up, and feel connected to the living landscape around them.

At the end of her communications, our friend Sherri often included a signature phrase that captured both her admiration for birds and her outlook on life: “Birds rise above it all.”

Today, that phrase has become the inspiration for a new conservation initiative led by the Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) and the Northern New York Community Foundation (NNYCF) designed to carry Smith’s passion forward, protect habitats, support bird-focused education, and foster a love of birds for generations to come.

The American Bittern’s booming call echoes across the marsh—a performance Smith described as making the bird ‘look about to explode.’ Though secretive and declining, this remarkable species persists, a reminder of the importance of protecting wetlands in the Thousand Islands region.

Seeing the World Through Feathers

One of Smith’s greatest gifts as a writer was her ability to make complex natural history both understandable and memorable. Rather than simply describing birds, she brought them vividly to life.

Writing about the American Bittern, a secretive marsh bird more often heard than seen, Smith captured the male’s remarkable territorial call and display with characteristic humor and clarity. After observing the bird during its booming performance, she wrote, “Having observed male American Bitterns delivering this performance my impression is that they look about to explode. Clearly though it works for their lady love, and although declining, the species persists.”

Moments like these reveal what made Smith’s writing so distinctive. Her work explained behavior and ecology with scientific accuracy, while using language that invited readers into the experience of being outdoors. It made the sounds of a marsh or the rhythms of a forest feel real and immediate.

Smith also reminded readers that birds are more than fascinating creatures: they are indicators of the health of the environments we share.

A Northern Harrier glides low over open grassland, an indicator of healthy habitats. As Smith wrote, these birds are indicators of intact ecosystems—and their presence reminds us why protecting the Thousand Islands’ landscapes matters.”

In writing about Northern Harriers, she noted that the species serves as a sign of healthy ecosystems,

“Northern Harrier as a breeding species is an indicator of generally intact ecosystems… If we hopefully get it right, Northern Harriers will float above the open habitats of our region for eons to come.”

This perspective reflects an important ecological truth: when bird populations thrive, it often means the landscapes they depend on—forests, wetlands, shorelines, and grasslands—are functioning as they should.

A Landscape Connected by Migration

The Thousand Islands region lies within the Atlantic Flyway, one of North America’s major migratory routes. Each spring and fall, millions of birds travel along this corridor between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering habitats. What makes the Thousand Islands especially crucial is its mix of open grasslands, forests, wetlands, islands, and shorelines that provide safe stopovers for resting, feeding, and nesting. For many species, these habitats are irreplaceable refueling stations on journeys that can span thousands of miles. Loss or degradation of these areas can directly impact the survival of migratory birds.

Smith often used familiar species to illustrate these remarkable patterns of movement. Writing about the Ovenbird, a small forest warbler more easily heard than seen, she described its distinctive song as “teacher, teacher, teacher,” noting that the bird arrives in northern forests each May and departs again by early autumn.

These seasonal arrivals and departures form a rhythm that defines the natural world of the region. For Smith, paying attention to that rhythm was a way of understanding how landscapes are connected far beyond the horizon.

Conservation organizations like TILT play a vital role in protecting these critical habitats. By conserving land along rivers, marshes, and forests, the Land Trust ensures that birds passing through this corridor have the resources they need to complete their migrations. This stewardship supports the birds while maintaining ecological integrity, benefiting all wildlife and the communities that depend on healthy landscapes.

For years, Smith highlighted stories of conservation successes, celebrating the people and projects that safeguard the region’s wildlife and inspiring generations of readers to become stewards themselves.

Reflecting on the recovery of Bald Eagles after decades of decline, she noted that increased public awareness and stronger environmental protections had helped the species rebound, writing that Bald Eagle populations are now “soaring.” Her voice blended optimism with realism, celebrating victories while urging vigilance. These stories remind readers that the presence of birds today is often the result of hard-won environmental progress, a principle that continues to guide TILT’s work across more than 15,000 acres of conserved land.

Birds and People: A Shared Responsibility

Smith believed strongly that conservation is a shared responsibility. She encouraged participation in citizen science initiatives such as the Christmas Bird Count, the Loon Census, and eBird, highlighting that even small contributions help monitor species and inform conservation strategies. Writing about the importance of systematic observation, she explained, “Systematic data gathering on important habitats in our region…will greatly contribute to assuring these birds remain part of our natural communities.”

Her enthusiasm for sharing knowledge was evident at local events like TILT’s annual Zenda Farms Community Picnic, where she could turn a casual encounter as the resident and self-proclaimed “bird nerd “into a lesson in discovery. As a renowned ornithologist, she dedicated much of her time to helping the community understand the importance of birds in the landscape, and if you knew Smith, you know she wasn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers in the name of bird conservation.

Smith inspiring the next generation of bird watchers and citizen scientists, encouraging everyone to take part in initiatives like TILT’s annual Loon Census. Her belief in hands-on involvement helped communities connect with conservation in meaningful ways.

Carrying Sherri Smith’s Legacy Forward

Inspired by Smith’s life and work, TILT and the Northern New York Community Foundation have established the Birds Rise Above It All Fund, a permanent endowment supporting bird conservation, habitat restoration, and education across the Thousand Islands region. After last year’s $25,000 match was fully claimed, the Community Foundation has offered another $25,000 in 2026, giving donors a renewed chance to double their impact.

The fund supports projects that restore critical wetlands, grasslands, and forest edges; engage students, families, and visitors in educational programs; and encourage participation in citizen science programs. By protecting migratory stopovers and breeding habitats, the fund ensures that birds can safely traverse the Atlantic Flyway and that people can continue to experience the ecological richness of Northern New York.

Smith’s vision of community involvement, data-driven conservation, and long-term stewardship is embedded in every aspect of the fund. She once wrote, “Dedicated people who cared… gave them that future,” a reminder that lasting conservation depends on people working together to protect the habitat birds rely on. Through the Birds Rise Above It All Fund, that vision continues.

Smith helped readers notice what often goes unseen: the call echoing from a hidden marsh, the pulse of migration overhead, or the quiet persistence of wildlife adapting to a changing world. Through her writing, she reminded us that birds are more than creatures of flight—they are messengers of the landscapes we share and indicators of the health of our natural world. Her words continue to inspire us to pause, to look, and to act, ensuring that these connections endure. Because as Smith so beautifully wrote, no matter the challenges, birds rise above it all—and so can we.

For more information regarding the Fund see: Learn more about the fund visit the TILT page dedicated to the fund and/or please contact Terra Bach, Development Director, at 315-686-5345.

Looking Up

The Northern Goshawk — one of Smith’s favorite birds, and the inspiration behind TILT’s Birds Rise Above It All endowment — soars through the forests she loved. Fierce, elusive, and powerful, it stands as a fitting symbol of her legacy and dedication to bird conservation.

By Bridgett McCann

Bridgett McCann recently joined TILT as Communications Specialist. She is a graduate of St. Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Government and Environmental Studies. As a copy editor with experience communicating about conservation topics, she looks forward to making a positive impact in the Thousand Islands region, a place close to her heart. Originally from Rochester NY, Bridgett spent many summers in the Thousand Islands. Outside of professional pursuits, she enjoys spending quality time outdoors and on the River with her family, friends, and two rambunctious black labs River and Rosie.

See 23 of Sherri Leigh Smith's TI Life Articles published after 2019: https://thousandislandslife.com/author/sherri-leigh-smith/