The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission released its Draft Management Plan Update for public review and comment on Oct. 4. The preserve, which covers over 3,200 acres, protects the globally rare pitch-pine scrub-oak barrens.

In 1988, state law established the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, requiring that the Preserve Management Plan be reviewed and, if necessary, updated every five years. The current update is a minor revision of the 2010 Management Plan, according to a release from the commission.

This current draft refines education, outreach, and communication recommendations; provides an updated five-year operating plan and updates the Invasive and Overabundant Species Management Plan.

The plan also updates the preserve’s descriptive statistics, such as the number of acres managed, and updates designations such as National Natural Landmark, Important Bird Area, and National Heritage Site.

As no substantive changes are proposed, the action has been classified as a State Environmental Quality Review Act Type II Action.

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road.

People may participate at the hearing or provide written comments by email to or by postal mail to: Management Plan, Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.  The comment period of the Draft Management Plan Update ends at the close of business on Nov. 25.

The Draft Management Plan Update is available for public review at public offices and libraries around the Capital Region.  A list of these locations is available by calling the commission at (518) 456-0655 or from its website at www.AlbanyPineBush.org/commission/management-plan.