Environment DEC
From the March 2005 issue
Governor Announces Milestone in Protection of Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Governor George E. Pataki recently announced that the state has reached a milestone in its conservation of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. The addition of 70 acres in the Town of Colonie expands the size of the preserve to a total of 3,010 acres, exceeding the Governor's goal of protecting 3,000 acres.
"The Albany Pine Bush is an important local resource and a truly unique part of the Capital District and New York State," Governor Pataki said. "Over the past 10 years, we've added more than 770 acres to the preserve, which has protected critical habitat for the Karner blue butterfly and other indigenous wildlife, increased recreational and educational opportunities for residents, students and outdoor enthusiasts, and expanded one of Albany's greatest natural assets," he added.
The Governor was joined by local officials, members of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and representatives of The Nature Conservancy in making the announcement at the former State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU) building-site of the future Pine Bush Discovery Center on New Karner Road in Albany.
In 2002, Governor Pataki announced that SEFCU would relocate its offices on New Karner Road to the State Office Campus to allow development of the Pine Bush Discovery Center with public and private support, including a donation of $1 million from Trustco Bank toward the center's operating endowment. The center is expected to open in 2006.
Support from EPF
Governor Pataki's 2005-06 Executive Budget includes $600,000 from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for the Albany Pine Bush Commission to promote habitat management and restoration, as well as educational and recreational opportunities for the public. This funding also would support continued progress on construction of the Discovery Center.
The acquisition also includes seven properties totaling 70 acres located on Apollo Drive, Curry Road and Morris Road in the Town of Colonie. The state will pay a total of $1.12 million from the EPF for these properties. The lands originally were acquired from private landowners by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a non-profit land conservation organization that works closely with the state on open-space conservation and management of the unique resources in the Albany Pine Bush.
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, "Governor Pataki has made the protection of the Albany Pine Bush a personal priority. These critical additions will promote a continued increase in the contiguity of Pine Bush Preserve lands, reducing fragmentation and protecting priority habitat. These linkages will allow the Pine Bush Commission to expand its efforts in restoring populations of the Karner blue butterfly and other rare species, while protecting open space for the residents of the Capital Region and beyond."
Unique Ecosystem
The Albany Pine Bush is
home to the endangered
Karner blue butterfly
Located within the Capital District and encompassing portions of the towns of Colonie and Guilderland, as well as the City of Albany, the Albany Pine Bush represents one of the best remaining examples of an inland pine barrens ecosystem in the world. This gently rolling sand plain is home to a unique variety of rare plants and animals, including the endangered Karner blue butterfly.
Intense efforts by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission's public and private partners have resulted in the protection of more than 3,010 acres of this valuable ecosystem. The commission will continue to work with willing sellers to acquire additional acreage in the future. The commissioner's goal, as outlined in its 2002 Management Plan, is to increase the size of the preserve to 4,610 acres to create a viable preserve for long-term sustainability of this sensitive habitat.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission was created by an act of the New York State Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the unique and endangered natural communities and species of the Albany Pine Bush for ecological, recreational and educational benefits. The commission consists of representatives of DEC, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the City of Albany, Albany County, the towns of Colonie and Guilderland, and four private citizen representatives who are appointed by the Governor.
