New York's Tug Hill Plateau

The Nature Conservancy in June 2002 partnered with New York state to preserve 44,650 acres of forest lands in northern New York. One of the largest and most important forested landscapes in New York, the Tug Hill Plateau provides critical habitat, vital water resources, beloved outdoor recreation and supports the forest-products industry.

Beaver

Preservation Impact: The property, known as the East Branch of Fish Creek Site, is the largest privately-owned parcel in the Tug Hill Plateau, just to the west of the 6 million-acre Adirondack State Park.

Ecological Importance: The Tug Hill Plateau is the westernmost extension of the Great Northern Forest, which stretches from Maine to New York. It includes intact spruce and northern hardwood forests, extensive wetlands and the headwaters of three major river systems: Fish Creek, the Salmon River and the Mad River.

Partners: New York state, the private timber investment firm Hancock Timber Resource Group, and The East Branch of Fish Creek Working Group, a coalition of local residents, hunting club members, conservationists and winter sports enthusiasts.

Plans: The Nature Conservancy will retain ownership of 13,000 acres and convey a conservation easement preventing future development to New York state. The state will purchase a 1,350-acre corridor from the Conservancy and acquire a "working" forest conservation easement on 30,300 acres to be purchased by GMO Renewable Resources of Boston, a private timber company, subject to the conservation easement. Public recreation will be allowed on the property, which receives an average of 20 feet of snow per year—the most in the eastern United States—making it one of the premier winter sports locations in New York.

Tug Hill Plateau Facts

• Size: 44,650 acres
• Location: Lewis County, about 30 miles north of Syracuse
• Species: fisher, mink, bobcat, beaver, brook trout, waterfowl and songbirds
• Recreation: hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting and fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling

Aerial view of Tug Hill

Learn More:

• About this acquisition, the largest-ever Conservancy land deal in New York
• About The Nature Conservancy's success stories worldwide
• About how The Nature Conservancy works to achieve conservation results