The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission has been a local conservation partner with L.L. Bean since the opening of its Colonie Center retail store in 2007.  Last week, the privately held company donated additional support to this partnership, in recognition of the commission staff’s long-term commitment to natural resource protection and education. 

The commission will use this donation to recognize employment milestones of every five years of service; several commission staff members have been with the organization for more than 15 years; the longest tenured began over 20 years ago. 

Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as one-man operation and is now a global organization with annual sales of $1.52 billion. The company’s headquarters are in Freeport, Maine, just down the road from the original store.

The 3,200-acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve is one of only 20 inland pine barrens left in the world and widely considered to be the best example. Home to more than 55 New York State-designated Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly, this globally rare ecosystem has 18 miles of trails.