What is the Pine Bush?
The Pine Bush is the only sizable inland pine
barrens sand dunes in the United States, and is recognized world-wide
as a unique pine barrens ecosystem. It contains over 300 species
of vertebrate animals, over 1,500 species of plants, and over
10,000 species of insects and other invertebrate animals. Many
of them are rare and restricted to the Pine Bush habitat. Its
most famous occupant, the Karner Blue Butterfly, is on New York
State's endangered species list and finally was listed on the
Federal Endangered Species List in December of 1992.
Where is the Pine Bush?
The Pine Bush is located in the Capital District
of New York State, between Albany and Schenectady. The boundaries
are Fuller Road on the east, Route 5 (Central Avenue) on the
North, Route 146 on the west, and Route 20 (Western Avenue)
on the South. The Pine Bush is located in three municipalities-Albany,
Guilderland and Colonie. The Pine Bush originally encompassed
58,800 acres . Now, there are only 5,800 acres remaining.
What makes the Pine Bush famous?
The Pine Bush has played an important historical
role in the development of Albany and Schenectady and is enshrined
in the literary heritage of the United States. The Song of Hiawatha
by William Wadsworth Longfellow is sung by the Indian brave
from the Vale of Tawasentha located in the Pine Bush. George
Washington wrote of the Pine Bush in his diaries while traveling
in upstate New York during the Revolutionary War. In Moby Dick,
Herman Melville describes the dark beauty of the Pine Bush in
a long account of a stage coach ride from Albany to Schenectady.
Vladimir Nabokov and other writers have written about the mystery
and beauty of the Pine Bush.
Why is the Pine Bush in danger?
The Pine Bush is located in the geographic center
of the Capital District and is subject to great development
pressures. Developers are making new proposals every day to
construct houses and office buildings which would destroy the
Pine Bush.
What is Save the Pine Bush?
Save the Pine Bush is a not-for-profit community
group which was formed in 1978 to stop destruction of the Pine
Bush. We have been successful in preventing or delaying the
construction of many developments in the Pine Bush.
