WARRENSBURG, NY — An Open Space Institute (OSI) property has been added to the Lake George Wild Forest, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and OSI announced today. The addition expands recreation in the southern Adirondack region, and creates new public access to the popular Forest Preserve.
The 848-acre “Huckleberry Mountain” property contains ecologically valuable land and offers opportunities for hiking, hunting, camping and nature observation. Formerly a large in-holding within Lake George Wild Forest, Huckleberry Mountain’s acquisition eases management of the Forest Preserve by eliminating 10 boundary lines, and improves access to almost 4,000 acres of bordering Forest Preserve land.
“The conservation of Huckleberry Mountain is a resounding win for outdoor recreationists and expands the public’s access to this beautifully rugged property,” said Kim Elliman, OSI’s president and CEO. “We congratulate our conservation partners at DEC and thank the Governor Cuomo and the legislature for their continued support for the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, which continues to protect New York’s most scenic and critically important landscapes.”
“This acquisition, made possible by the Open Space Institute, consolidates the Hudson River Recreation Area within the Lake George Wild Forest and will provide great new recreational opportunities within an easy drive of Warrensburg and Lake George Village,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Segos. “Governor Cuomo continues to make protecting New York’s irreplaceable open space a priority, and preserving open space near population centers encourages the public to enjoy our state’s diverse and beautiful landscape.”
The property has several types of cover, from large wetland complexes and a pond to upland hardwoods, supporting a variety of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals, including several game species. Views from Huckleberry Mountain include the Hudson River and points within the neighboring Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, including the popular Crane Mountain.
“As evidenced by projects like Huckleberry Mountain, the state’s investment in the EPF places New York at the forefront of smart, effective and innovative environmental policies and standards,” Elliman said.
Huckleberry Mountain can be accessed via the end of Alden Avenue in Warrensburg, or across the surrounding Hudson River Recreation Area of the Lake George Wild Forest. Additional access points and recreational opportunities should distribute the current intensive use of the Hudson River Recreation area over a larger area. The site was acquired using $410,000 from New York’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and was listed as a priority in the State’s 2016 Open Space Conservation Plan.