For Release: Wednesday, November 8, 2006
DEC Announces Groundbreaking for the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Center Will Enhance Environmental Education in the Capital Region
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced the groundbreaking for the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, an interpretive center that will promote environmental education and stewardship of these environmentally-sensitive lands.
"Under Governor Pataki's leadership, more than 770 acres have been added to expand the Pine Bush Preserve to protect critical habitat for the Karner blue butterfly and other native species, and increase recreational and educational opportunities for residents, students and outdoor enthusiasts. The programs and facilities at the Discovery Center will further build upon these efforts to preserve and manage the Pine Bush while providing substantial public benefit," Commissioner Sheehan said. "The Discovery Center will promote environmental stewardship for people of all ages through interactive exhibits, universally accessible trails, interpretive programs, educational resources, native gardens, and opportunities for involvement with conservation projects."
In 2001, Governor Pataki announced that SEFCU would relocate its offices on New Karner Road to the State Office campus which would allow the State to develop the Pine Bush Discovery Center with public and private support, including a $1 million donation from Trustco Bank toward the Discovery Center's operating endowment. This year, the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) allocated $2.2 million for capital construction needs to retrofit the former credit union into the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center.
The Albany Pine Bush Commission will apply for certification as a "Green Building" upon final building commissioning and submission of associated LEED documentation. The LEED certification is based on energy efficiency for heating, cooling and lighting, the use of recycled and other environmentally friendly materials and indoor environmental quality. Not only is the site one of adaptive reuse, but the majority of the interior demolition necessary to make way for the Discovery Center's programs has resulted in extensive recycling or reuse of materials. In addition, the 25,000-square foot Discover Center will use wood from sustainably harvested forests, install cork and linoleum countertops and flooring, use green label carpets, supplement 50% of the electric supply with wind energy, institute an occupant recycling program, among other green initiatives.
The 3,010-acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve receives nearly 100,000 visitors annually, including more than 3,000 students. The addition of the Discovery Center will enhance the quality of life in the Capital Region by providing a facility where visitors can learn about the unique ecology and rich cultural history of this local natural treasure. The Discovery Center will be centrally located and serve as the main facility for visitor orientation, discovery based programs, trail information, among other services and is expected to open in 2007.
New York State Office of General Services Commissioner John J. Spano said, "We at the Office of General Services are pleased to have been instrumental in the development of the Pine Bush Discovery Center thanks to our outstanding design team that includes OGS, Envision Architects, Hudson & Pacific Landscape Design, Amaze Design for exhibits and Excel Engineering. Their genuine commitment to the principles of creative green building design provided the momentum for our progress to date, which includes the completion of Phase 1, offices for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission staff, and the beginning of Phase 2, the Discovery Center. I would also like to acknowledge the work of NYSERDA which is providing not only monetary incentives for energy efficiency measures but also for technical assistance in complying with Governor Pataki's Executive Order 111 for 'Green and Clean' Buildings."
State Senator Neil Breslin said, "I'm very pleased to see the Albany Pine Bush Preserve breaking ground on its new Discovery Center. This center will provide a unique experience for visitors to this important natural resource."
State Assemblyman Jack McEneny said,"The Albany Pine Bush is unique in many ways - not just a butterfly or the blue lupine - but an entire ecosystem, a systems that is less endangered year by year. What we will have here is also unique - a green building for our Discovery Center. It is rare that we get something back, but the determination of all the supporters of the Pine Bush have made good things happen."
Albany County Executive Mike Breslin said, "The Albany Pine Bush is a unique ecological treasure and magnificent resource for education, recreation and research. I'm pleased that we can adapt an existing building to become the Discovery Center, serving as a focal point for people of all ages to learn about the Pine Bush's unique environment and history."
City of Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings said, "The Albany Pine Bush has always been, and continues to be, one of the most unique ecological treasures in the entire region. The addition of the Discovery Center - a site for all ages to fully appreciate the significance of the Pine Bush Preserve - will not only compliment a valued educational experience, but also enhance those programs already in place."
Christopher A. Hawver, Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission Executive Director, said, "The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center is an exciting development in the Commission's education and outreach plan and is quickly becoming a reality. This much needed interpretive education center will allow the Commission to meet the needs of the growing number of Preserve visitors and expand the awareness, appreciation and accessibility of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve as a resource for schools and individuals in the Capital District Region and beyond. During the construction phase of the Discovery Center we invite the public to become involved in supporting the Center and its programs. We hope our friends and neighbors will help us meet our exhibit funding goals and build an endowment that will assist us in maintaining and expanding this community resource for future generations."
Andy Beers, Acting State Director of The Nature Conservancy, said, "The Discovery Center will be a vital new destination and resource for the Capital District Region, serving as the home for enhanced environmental education and ecological stewardship programs for the Albany Pine Bush. We are grateful to Governor Pataki, Assemblymen McEneny, Canestrari, and Reilly, and Senator Breslin for providing state funding for this project."
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 left 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.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission was created by 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 from DEC, OPRHP, the City of Albany, Albany County, the towns of Colonie and Guilderland, The Nature Conservancy and four private citizen representatives appointed by the Governor.
For more information on the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and Discovery Center please visit www.albanypinebush.org .
