COLONIE – The Town Board, by unanimous decision, dedicated 41 acres off Cordell Road to the Albany Pine Bush.
The dedication does not transfer ownership but provides the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission the “authority for management, custody and control” of the land “including fire management and other habitat management.”
“With the collaboration between the Town of Colonie and the Pine Bush Preserve Commission, we can protect and manage the ecological features of the dedicated land,” said Supervisor Peter Crummey.
The Pine Bush is known for its rolling sand-dunes and is home to a unique variety of rare plants and animals, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly.
The Pine Bush Preserve was created along with the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission in 1988. Protection of the unique land began in the 1970s. The 41 acres dedicated by Colonie will bring the total acreage under Pine Bush protection to about 3,400 acres with the ultimate goal of reaching 5,280 acres.
The preserve has over 20 miles of official multiple use trails for passive, non-motorized recreation including hiking, running, wildlife watching, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing.
Ecosystem restoration and management involves numerous methods. These include prescribed fire, tree removal, mowing and chemical treatments.
