History, Natural History & the Arts
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has announced the permanent protection of more than 3,300 acres in the Herkimer County towns of Salisbury and Norway. The tract is comprised of hardwood and softwood forests and significant wetlands within the Mohawk River watershed.
OSI purchased the Spruce Creek property for $3 million from Datum 9 Forestry LLC. [Read more…] about 3,300 Acres Protected Along East Canada Creek Tributary
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has announced the permanent protection of forested land in the Towns of Chesterfield and Lewis in Essex County. [Read more…] about 2,200 Acres Protected In Split Rock Wildway, Eastern Adirondacks
Building on more than three decades of protecting land in and around the Adirondack Park, the Open Space Institute (OSI) has announced the permanent protection of land in the Town of Lake Luzerne.
The newly protected 1,260-acre “West Mountain” property is located west of the West Mountain Ski Area, between the southeastern boundary of the Adirondack Park and Moreau Lake State Park and adjacent to Ralph Road State Forest.
[Read more…] about OSI Protects Land Near West Mountain, Warren County
The Open Space Institute, in coordination with research scientist and Cub Scout representative, Christopher Nadareski, released four rehabilitated peregrine falcons on OSI’s River-to-Ridge Trail.
The late summer release occurred following their rehabilitation at The Raptor Trust‘s Bird Rehabilitation and Education Center in Millington, New Jersey. Local Cub Scout and other trail users we also on hand. Peregrine falcons are known as the fastest bird for the ability to reach speeds over 200 mph while diving for prey. [Read more…] about Rehabilitated Peregrine Falcons Released Near Shawangunk Ridge
Continuing its longstanding efforts to expand and improve Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York’s Ulster County, the Open Space Institute (OSI) has announced the final phase of its fundraising campaign to support the park’s new, four-season visitor center. [Read more…] about Update On Minnewaska Preserve Visitor Center Project
The Open Space Institute (OSI) has announced that a series of projects aimed at improving public access at its historic, 212-acre Adirondac Upper Works property in Newcomb in the Adirondacks, are near completion. The property serves as a southern entrance to many popular High Peaks Wilderness Area trails. *
OSI acquired the 10,000-acre Tahawus tract in 2003. OSI then transferred most of the property to DEC, but retained 212 acres for educational, historic, and recreational purposes. Since then, OSI and partners have invested nearly $900,000 in improvements at Adirondac Upper Works, including site planning; the initial stabilization of the blast furnace; the creation of an interpretative trail with educational panels that guides visitors from the northern parking area, through the former Village of Adirondac, to the historic 1854 Blast Furnace; and the structural preservation of MacNaughton Cottage. Built in 1845, MacNaughton Cottage is the site from which then Vice President Theodore Roosevelt began his midnight ride to the presidency in 1901. [Read more…] about Historic High Peaks Trailhead Area Getting Makeover
While attendance at New York State Parks and Historic Sites has been increasing, staffing levels are on the decline advocates say, as much 22% in the past seven years. That means a decrease in lifeguards, park maintenance, and rangers, a decrease in public pool hours, and more trash and vandalism. [Read more…] about Feinman: Staffing Issues At State Historic Sites
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has purchased a half-acre parcel adjacent to the Poughkeepsie entrance of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park from the Open Space Institute (OSI), which will provide growing room to improve visitor services at the 1.28-mile linear park.
State Parks purchased the parcel for $550,000 with funds from the Environmental Protection Fund. [Read more…] about State Parks Purchases Hudson Walkway Parcel
Should the New York State history community lobby in Albany and if so, for what? These questions occurred to me as I recently participated in two days of lobbying. The events were arranged by Parks & Trails New York and the Open Space Institute’s Alliance for New York Parks on Park Advocacy Day, and by the Tourism Industry Coalition for Tourism Action Day. The former is works essentially on behalf of NYS Office Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) while the latter consists of 23 organizations including 9 counties, 2 cities, New York and Syracuse, one region, the Finger Lakes, and hospitality organizations. [Read more…] about Should the History Community Lobby?
The Open Space Institute (OSI), Historic Huguenot Street (HHS) and the Thomas and Corinne Nyquist Foundation have announced the preservation in perpetuity of the Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary, a 56-acre nature preserve located on Huguenot Street in the town and village of New Paltz.
OSI, through its land acquisition affiliate, the Open Space Conservancy, acquired the Sanctuary for $110,000 on June 21st from Historic Huguenot Street. HHS owns and maintains a National Historic Landmark District which includes a number of historic houses dating to the early 18th century set on ten acres in downtown New Paltz. [Read more…] about Historic Huguenot Land: The Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary