Plotter Kill Preserve

Plotter Kill Preserve. The Plotter Kill Preserve is a nature reserve located in Schenectady County, New York, near the Mohawk River and the Adirondack Park. It is managed by the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources of the Capital District. The preserve is situated near the Schenectady County Community College and the General Electric research facility, and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, including fans of Henry David Thoreau and John Muir.

Introduction

The Plotter Kill Preserve is a unique and diverse natural area, featuring a mix of forests, wetlands, and grasslands. The preserve is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bald eagle, and is a popular destination for birdwatching and hiking. Visitors to the preserve can explore the many trails and boardwalks that crisscross the area, including the Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and the Erie Canalway Trail, which connect to nearby Albany and the Hudson River Valley. The preserve is also near the Schenectady Museum and the Proctors Theatre, making it a great destination for those interested in history and arts, including works by Frederic Remington and Grant Wood.

Geography

The Plotter Kill Preserve is situated in the Mohawk Valley region of New York State, near the Schenectady River and the Mohawk River. The preserve covers an area of approximately 632 acres, and features a mix of glacial and fluvial landscapes, including drumlins and eskers. The area is also home to several wetlands and vernal pools, which provide habitat for a wide variety of amphibians and insects, including species found in the Adirondack Park and the Catskill Mountains. The preserve is near the New York State Thruway and the Adirondack Northway, making it easily accessible from nearby Utica and the Finger Lakes region, including Ithaca and Syracuse.

Ecology

The Plotter Kill Preserve is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including deciduous forests, coniferous forests, and grasslands. The area is also home to several wetlands and vernal pools, which provide habitat for a wide variety of amphibians and insects, including species found in the Hudson River Valley and the Champlain Valley. The preserve is a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 100 species of birds documented in the area, including the American goldfinch, the red-winged blackbird, and the bald eagle, which can also be found in nearby Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and the Saint Lawrence River. The preserve is also home to a wide variety of mammals, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bobcat, which are also found in the Adirondack Park and the Catskill Mountains.

History

The Plotter Kill Preserve has a rich and varied history, with evidence of human presence in the area dating back to the Native American tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, including the Mohawk people and the Oneida people. The area was later settled by European-American farmers and traders, who established the nearby city of Schenectady and the Schenectady County Community College. The preserve was established in the 1990s, when the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy acquired the land and began to manage it for conservation and recreation, with support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Today, the preserve is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, including fans of Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot.

Recreation

The Plotter Kill Preserve offers a wide variety of recreational activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing. The preserve features over 5 miles of trails, including the Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and the Erie Canalway Trail, which connect to nearby Albany and the Hudson River Valley. Visitors to the preserve can also explore the many boardwalks and observation decks that crisscross the area, including the Schenectady Museum and the Proctors Theatre. The preserve is a popular destination for outdoor education and environmental education programs, including those offered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Park Service, which also manages nearby Saratoga National Historical Park and the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.

Conservation

The Plotter Kill Preserve is managed by the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources of the Capital District. The conservancy works to protect the preserve's unique and diverse ecosystems, including its forests, wetlands, and grasslands. The preserve is also protected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which work to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the area's natural resources, including the Mohawk River and the Hudson River. The preserve is a model for conservation and sustainability efforts in the region, and is a popular destination for those interested in environmentalism and ecology, including fans of Rachel Carson and Aldo Leopold. Category:Protected areas of New York