Ironsides Island facts for kids
 Ironsides Island
Location in New York
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 |
Ironsides Island is a special, rocky island located in the Saint Lawrence River. It's part of the beautiful Thousand Islands region, which is near Alexandria Bay, New York. This island is unique because it's home to many great blue herons.
Contents
Discovering Ironsides Island
Where is Ironsides Island?
Ironsides Island is found in the St. Lawrence River, a large river that forms part of the border between the United States and Canada. The island is split between two different counties in New York State: Jefferson County and St. Lawrence County. Most of the island is in the town of Alexandria, while a small part is in the town of Hammond. You can find it close to Kring Point State Park.
What Makes the Island Special?
Ironsides Island is about 30 acres in size. It has tall cliffs along its edges, reaching about 30 to 40 feet high. The island is covered mostly by white pine trees.
The most important feature of Ironsides Island is that it's a very important place for great blue herons. These large birds use the island as a "rookery," which is a special place where they gather to build nests and raise their young. Every April, more than a thousand herons return to the island to breed.
Protecting Ironsides Island
In the late 1960s, a man named William Browning, who worked for Reader's Digest, gave Ironsides Island to The Nature Conservancy. This organization works to protect important natural places. Mr. Browning wanted to make sure the island and its heron rookery would be safe forever.
Because of its importance, Ironsides Island was named a National Natural Landmark in 1967. This means it's recognized as a nationally important natural area.
If you want to visit the island, you need to get permission first from The Nature Conservancy. However, you can easily see the island and its cliffs from the water if you are in a boat.
