New York State DEC Commissioner Sheehan Announces Groundbreaking for the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center

Funding from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund Launches Construction on the Pine Bush Nature Center in the Capital District

Albany, NY—November 8, 2006—New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced the groundbreaking for the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, an environmental education facility for the Capital Region and beyond.

The Commissioner was joined by local officials, members of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, teachers, students and other supporters in making the announcement at the former State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU) building and site of the future Pine Bush Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road in Albany.

"Right here in 2005, Governor Pataki announced that the Pine Bush Preserve exceeded 3,000 acres of protected open space. The Governor promised that we would be back to announce the groundbreaking for the Discovery Center next year. And here we are to fulfill that promise….The programs and facilities at the Discovery Center will advance our mission to preserve and manage the Pine Bush while at the same time providing substantial public benefit. This Center opens to the public in the summer of 2007 and will promote exciting, memorable experiences with interactive exhibits, universally accessible trails, interpretive programs, education resources, native gardens, and opportunities for hands-on involvement in our habitat work." Commissioner Sheehan said.

"Under the Governor’s leadership over the last decade, more than 770 acres have been added to the Pine Bush Preserve to protect critical habitat for the Karner blue butterfly and other native species, increase recreational and educational opportunities for residents, students and outdoor enthusiasts, and expand one of Albany's greatest natural assets," the Commissioner added.

In 2001, Governor Pataki announced that SEFCU would relocate its offices on New Karner Road to the State Office campus which would allow the State to develop the Pine Bush Discovery Center with public and private support, including a donation of $1 million from Trustco Bank toward the Center's operating endowment. This year, $2.2 million was provided in the State’s final Environmental Protection Fund specifically for capital construction needs to retrofit the former credit union into a nature center focused on the Pine Bush. Not only is the site one of adaptive reuse, but the majority of the interior demolition necessary to make way for the center’s programs has resulted in extensive recycling or reuse of materials. An essential goal of the project is to receive Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

The 3,010-acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve receives nearly 100,000 visits annually, including more than 3,000 students. Although the Preserve hosts 9 trailheads with 20 miles of official trails and provides numerous outreach programs throughout the year, there is currently no central location for people to begin their visit. The Discovery Center will serve as a front door to the Preserve, enhancing the quality of life in the Capital Region by providing facilities to meet the needs of thousands of visitors of all ages. It will be a central location for visitors to learn about the unique and fascinating ecology and rich cultural history of this local natural treasure and a place for visitor orientation, discovery based programs, trail information and other services.

Christopher A. Hawver, Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission Executive Director, said, "The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center is an exciting development in the Commission's education and outreach plan and is quickly becoming a reality. This much needed interpretive education center will allow the Commission to meet the needs of the growing number of Preserve visitors and expand the awareness, appreciation and accessibility of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve as a resource for schools and individuals in the Capital District Region and beyond. During the construction phase of the Discovery Center we invite the public to become involved in supporting the Center and its programs. We hope our friends and neighbors will help us meet our exhibit funding goals and build an endowment that will assist us in maintaining and expanding this community resource for future generations."

Andy Beers, New York State Deputy Director of The Nature Conservancy, said,"The Discovery Center will be a vital new destination and resource for the Capital District, serving as a home for enhanced environmental education and ecological stewardship programs for the Albany Pine Bush. We are grateful to Governor Pataki, Assemblymembers McEnery, Canestari and Reilly and Senator Breslin for providing state funding for this project."

Located within the Capital District and encompassing portions of the towns of Colonie and Guilderland as well as the City of Albany, the Albany Pine Bush represents one of the best remaining examples of an inland pine barrens ecosystem left in the world. This gently rolling sand plain is home to a unique variety of rare plants and animals, including the endangered Karner blue butterfly.

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission was created by an act of the NY State Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the unique and endangered natural communities and species of the Albany Pine Bush for ecological, recreational and educational benefits. The Commission consists of representatives of the Department of Environmental Conservation, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the City of Albany, Albany County, the towns of Colonie and Guilderland, The Nature Conservancy and four private citizen representatives who are appointed by the Governor.

For more information on the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and Discovery Center please visit www.albanypinebush.org.