DOINews: NPS: Albany Pine Bush Designated a National Natural Landmark

Albany Pine Bush is now a national natural landmark. Photo by USFWS.

Albany Pine Bush provides suitable habitat for the federally listed endangered Karner blue butterfly. Photo by USFWS.

National Park Service News Release

July 21, 2014

WASHINGTON – The National Park Service today announced the designation of Albany Pine Bush in eastern New York as a national natural landmark, as it is an outstanding example of a globally rare ecosystem. Albany Pine Bush joins 596 other sites across the country recognized as places that contain the best remaining examples of specific biological or geological features.

“The National Natural Landmarks Program encourages preservation of our nation's natural heritage and enhances our scientific understanding of these unique places,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “The diverse flora and fauna of the Albany Pine Bush are an appropriate addition to the great scientific, conservation and educational resources preserved by national natural landmarks across America.”

Located in Albany County, N.Y., Albany Pine Bush was designated as one of the best examples of inland pine barren ecosystems in the world, providing habitat to more than 1300 species of plants, 156 species of birds, more than 30 species of mammals, and 20 species of amphibians and reptiles. The globally rare pitch pine-scrub oak barrens that occupy the site's upland dunes and diverse wetlands support the federally listed endangered Karner blue butterfly, among numerous species of special concern. The site is owned and cooperatively managed by multiple private and public organizations working in partnership as the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission.

Administered by the National Park Service on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, the National Natural Landmarks Program was established in 1962 to encourage the preservation of the best remaining examples of the nation's biological and geological features in both public and private ownership. New national natural landmarks are identified and evaluated through a rigorous process, including a scientific evaluation and public comment period. National natural landmark designation is not a land withdrawal, does not change the ownership of the site, and does not dictate nor restrict activity at the site.