A local and national treasure.

In July 2014, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell officially designated the Albany Pine Bush as a National Natural Landmark (NNL).

The Albany Pine Bush was selected because of its unique combination of outstanding geologic (sand dunes) and ecological (pitch pine – scrub oak barrens) features. The dunes found in the Pine Bush are the result of wind-moving sand that had accumulated in glacial Lake Albany after the Wisconsin glacier melted 12,000 years ago. According to the National Park Service, which administers the NNL program, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve supports the largest field of inland parabolic sand dunes is eastern United States.

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National Recreation Trails are existing land-based and water-based trails that provide close to home recreation opportunities on Federal, State and local lands. National Recreation Trail designation promotes some of our country's highest-caliber trails with the intention of providing recreation access to rural and urban communities, economic development through tourism, and healthy recreation opportunities. National Recreation Trails are recognized by the federal government, with the consent of any Federal, State, Tribal, local, nonprofit, or private entity having jurisdiction over these lands. Today almost 1,300 of these trails have been designated throughout the country. They are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

In March 2016, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area officially designated the Albany Pine Bush as a Heritage Site. The Albany Pine Bush was selected because of its unique combination of outstanding ecological (pitch pine – scrub oak barrens) features and its rich human history which starts with Native Americans who settled in this area almost 10,000 years ago. The Mohawks and Mohicans sold the furs they harvested from the Pine Bush to Europeans at Fort Orange, present day Albany. Both settlers and Native Americans used the “Mohawk Path” later named the Kings Highway, as a travel corridor through the Pine Bush. For centuries the Albany Pine Bush has provided resources of many different kinds for people. It provided land for farms, sand for glass manufacturing, trees for lumber and posts and was a place for hunting and food gathering.

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The Albany Pine Bush Preserve was designated an IBA because this globally-rare ecosystem contains several at-risk birds, including the American woodcock, red-shouldered hawk, and prairie warbler.  The preserve also provides essential breeding-season habitat for a large variety of declining Young Forest shrubland birds, and has proven to be an important staging area many shrubland and forest birds during their long annual fall migration. The high abundance of regionally-declining Young Forest birds, documented by Commission scientists, is great for birds and bird watchers, and a strong indication that our land management effort to restore a healthy pitch pine - scrub oak barrens is on the right track.

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In 1973 the Albany Pine Bush Preserve was created as a New York State Unique Area. 

[ ECL 51-0703 (4)]: "A state project to acquire lands of special natural beauty, wilderness character, geological, ecological or historical significance for the state nature and historical preserve and similar lands within a forest preserve county outside the Adirondack and Catskill parks"

Definition: A parcel of land owned by the state acquired due to its special natural beauty, wilderness character, or for its geological, ecological or historical significance for the state nature and historical preserve, and may include lands within a forest preserve county outside the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve meets four of the BCA criteria: migratory concentration site; diverse species concentration site; individual species concentration site; and species at risk site (ECL §11-2001, 3.e, f, g, and h). Bird species of interest include whip-poor-will, red-shouldered hawk, gray catbird, brown thrasher, pine warbler, prairie warbler, ovenbird, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee, and field sparrow.

This extraordinary ecosystem also provides habitat for many plants and animals and supports 75 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the endangered Karner blue butterfly.

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The New York State Birding Trail highlights world-class birding opportunities across the state. The trail provides information on places anyone can go to find birds amid beautiful settings. The trail is not a physically connected or built trail, but a network of promoted birding locations that can be accessed by car or public transportation and providing an inclusive experience for all. Click here to see a map of all NYS Birding Trail sites.

Want to see soaring eagles? Spectacular moose? Playful river otters? The New York Wildlife Viewing Guide includes descriptions of more than 100 of the state's best wildlife viewing sites. Together with DEC's Watchable Wildlife webpage, this guide will help you plan your next adventure. The webpage includes a full list of viewing sites and the best locations for finding your favorite mammals, bird, reptile or insect.

New York State has millions of acres of State Parks, forests and wildlife management areas that are home to hundreds of wildlife species, and all are open to the public. Choose from hundreds of trails and miles of rivers as well as marshes and wetlands.

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The Discovery Center has recieved several awards for outstanding exhibits. Come check them out!

On February 9th, 2010, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center, sponsored by TrustCo, was awarded a LEED® Gold rating, established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is a federation of 90 BOMA U.S. associations and 18 international affiliates. Founded in 1907, BOMA represents the owners and managers of all commercial property types including nearly 10.5 billion square feet of U.S. office space that supports 1.7 million jobs and contributes $234.9 billion to the U.S. GDP. Its mission is to advance a vibrant commercial real estate industry through advocacy, influence and knowledge.​​

The Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Awards honor the best of the best in commercial buildings. The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center received this honor in 2012.

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