Environment DEC
From the December 2006 issue
Governor Designates Vischer Ferry Bird Conservation Area (BCA)
Governor George E. Pataki recently announced the designation of a new Bird Conservation Area (BCA) at Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve in the Town of Clifton Park, Saratoga County. The designation fulfills a commitment made by the Governor in 2005 to add 20 new BCAs in honor of Audubon New York's 100th Anniversary. Designation as a BCA provides for protection of birds and enhancement of bird habitats, and also expands opportunities for bird-watching and outdoor enjoyment.
From the left: DEC Deputy Commissioner of Natural Resources, Ruth Moore; NYS Canal Corporation Chief, Carmella Mantello; David Miller, from the Audubon Society; Phil Bartlett, Clifton Park Supervisor, and Jillian Liner from the Audubon Society
Goal of 20 New BCAs in Two Years Met
"The designation of the Vischer Ferry Bird Conservation Area furthers our commitment to protecting critical natural resources and important bird habitats," Governor Pataki said. "We have worked closely with Audubon New York to raise awareness of bird habitats across the state through the BCA program, and I am pleased that we have met our goal to add 20 new BCA sites over the past two years."
In his 2005 State of the State Address, Governor Pataki committed to adding 20 new Bird Conservation Areas across New York to mark Audubon New York's 100th anniversary. The Vischer Ferry Bird Conservation Area is the 20th designation since that commitment, including 16 designations this year and three in 2005.
BCAs Safeguard and Enhance Bird Populations
New York State's Bird Conservation Area Program, modeled after the National Audubon Society's Important Bird Areas Program (IBA), was signed into law by Governor Pataki in 1997. The program is designed to safeguard and enhance bird populations and their habitats on selected state-owned lands and waters. The law authorizes the designation of state-owned lands and waters that are of particular importance to the conservation of birds. With this latest announcement, the total number of BCAs in New York State increases to 48.
The Vischer Ferry Bird Conservation Area is 740 acres (including underwater lands) situated at the southerly boundary of the Town of Clifton Park, along the Erie Canal/Mohawk River. The lands are held by the New York State Canal Corporation and managed by the Town of Clifton Park as a public nature preserve. The Vischer Ferry BCA is composed of a freshwater wetland complex and open water associated with the Mohawk River, providing important marsh bird and waterfowl habitat. In addition, the site has forested and shrub habitats that provide important migratory stopover habitat for a variety of upland birds. Designation of the BCA will not affect existing recreational activities, and the public will still have access to the many trails throughout the preserve. Waterfowl hunting, which has traditionally been allowed on the property, will continue during specified periods.
There is a tremendous amount of interest in the Vischer Ferry site locally. It was adopted by the Audubon Society of the Capital Region through Audubon New York's Adopt an IBA Initiative. The initiative encourages adoption of IBAs by local groups and involves them in caring for the sites in an environmentally sensitive way. This involvement can include organizing an education program, monitoring effort, cleanup day, or habitat improvement project. This year, the Audubon Society of the Capitol Region performed marsh bird surveys to record the birds that were breeding at the site.
BCAs Preserve Open Space and Increase Recreational Opportunities
DEC Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, "Under the leadership of Governor Pataki, New York State has made extensive strides in our commitment to protect and enhance our precious natural resources, including vital wildlife habitat, open space preservation and increasing recreational opportunities throughout the state. This new BCA designation in Vischer Ferry builds upon these efforts by providing New Yorkers and visitors a place to appreciate the beauty of nature while having a rewarding environmental learning experience."
The BCA Program is guided by an advisory committee of state and private wildlife experts based upon the site's ability to support an exceptional abundance or diversity of birds. The focus of the BCA program is to provide a model stewardship program and to develop interpretive and educational programs for bird conservation.
More Information
Additional information on the BCA Program and other sites that have been designated can be found on the BCA web page of DEC's website (see "Related Links" below).
