The inland pine barrens ecosystem is made up of different ecological communities. Ecological communities are "assemblages of species that occur together in a definable area within a given period, have the potential to interact with one another, and depend on similar ecological processes and conditions to maintain themselves" (APBPC Management Plan, see sidebar).
Like the rooms of a house, the communities of an ecosystem are recognizably different from one another, yet they are connected under one "roof" sharing a common environment including soil conditions, climate and patterns of disturbance. Where they differ is their composition of plants, animals and other organisms. In New York State, ecological communities are defined by the New York Natural Heritage Program. Explore some of the communities of the Albany Pine Bush below.
The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center will be closed to the public on the following dates:
Thursday November 28, 2024- All day
Tuesday December 10, 2024- 11:30-4
Tuesday December 24, 2024- All day
Wednesday December 25, 2024- All day
Wednesday January 1, 2025- All day
Preserve trails will remain open on these dates.
October 16, 2023
Preserve Management: Mowing Treatments
Pine Barrens restoration mowing will be starting in the preserve on Monday, November 4. Various trails will be temporarily closed with signage for several days at a time. For your own safety please do not enter these areas while this work is taking place. Consider visiting a part of the preserve that you have maybe never visited before until the mowing is completed. Thank you.
If you have any questions or concerns about this management work, please contact Stewardship Director, Joel Hecht at 518-456-0655 or jhecht@albanypinebush.org
November 30, 2022
Preserve Management: Pine Barrens Restoration
Pine Barrens Habitat restoration is scheduled to begin the week of October 28 on 45 acres in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. This forested site, at the intersection of Kings Road and Morris Road, will be thinned in late 2024 and then stumped and planted in early 2025. The objective is to restore this site to the pine barrens it once was.
During this time this site is CLOSED to all public use. For your own safety please visit some of the many other parts of the preserve while this work is underway.
Click here if you need a mobile friendly version of our trailmap.
Please contact Stewardship Director, Joel Hecht with any questions or concerns. 518-456-0655 or jhecht@albanypinebush.org
October 12, 2020
Hunting, Fishing & Trapping
Hunting, fishing and trapping are recreational activities that are carefully regulated in the preserve and across NYS.
