Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center

The Albany Pine Bush, referred to locally as the Pine Bush, is one of the largest of the 20 inland pine barrens in the world. It is centrally located in New York's Capital District within Albany and Schenectady counties, between the cities of Albany and Schenectady. The Albany Pine Bush was formed thousands of years ago, following the drainage of Glacial Lake Albany.The Albany Pine Bush is the sole remaining undeveloped portion of a pine barrens that once covered over 40 square miles, and is "one of the best remaining examples of an inland pine barrens ecosystem in the world." By 2008 it included all parcels of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, the properties that connect these protected parcels, and some of the surrounding areas that abut the preserve.