Albany Pine Bush Preserve in Albany, NY
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is an ecologically unique area in the city of Albany, New York. It is a treasured environment that has been maintained as an ecosystem since the last Ice Age, over 10,000 years ago. It is located in a narrow stretch of land between I-90, the Thruway, and the Mohawk River, encompassing about 3,200 acres of rare, sandplain pine barrens. The Preserve is home to a variety of endangered and threatened species, several of which can only be found in this ecosystem. Learn more here.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission was established in 1988 to manage and restore the area, and the Nature Conservancy began the purchase of land in this area in 1989. Since then, the Preserve has grown to encompass the entire 3,200-acre area, and it is now one of the most protected and beloved public spaces in the region. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is home to many rare, threatened, and endangered species, including the Karner blue butterfly, bald eagles, bobcats, foxes, mink, deer, and a variety of bird species. Uniquely, there are a number of plants and animals in this ecosystem that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. These include species of goldenrod, wildflowers, grasses, and orchids. In addition, the Preserve is home to several species of reptiles and amphibians, including the blue-spotted salamander, red-backed salamander, and spotted turtles. Learn more about Jackson's Garden in Schenectady, NY.