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.