Wetlands Research and Education Center

Our project will create a world-class research and education facility for academic and non-profit organizations to study the species and their habitats local to the Orange Lake ecosystem. It will also provide the opportunity for the public to explore the beauty of this unique area and observe its varied plant and wildlife.

This is one of the largest upland forested wetlands in the Southern tier of New York, with Orange Lake itself encompassing 400+/- acres of surface area created from a glacial trough that is fed from the north by Bushfield Creek, and eventually fees into the Hudson River to the southeast.

The 70-acre subject property for the project encompasses the entire north end of the lake, and includes both forested tree stands on the eastern edge and on the "Point" in the middle of the property. There is shallow wetlands between the eastern boundary and the Point, and the inlet from Bushfield Creek is marshland that slopes upward to bogs and eventually to forested high ground.

With the USACE and NYDEC wetlands boundaries flagged and mapped, the project is moving into the conceptual site plan stage to establish locations for the research and education facilities and the accessways to the inner areas of the site. Structures to be developed include a welcome center, residences for researchers and the property caretaker, and a facility for groups to conduct seminars and events both public and private. Additionally, a series of pathways and trails will be created to provide access to the wetlands to include strategically located viewing stands for wildlife observation and study.

This is an exciting project that will take several years to complete! We welcome the participation of interested parties as both beneficiaries of the site's offerings and as financial partners to help us achieve our goals. You may reach us at 888.404.3293 or [email protected] for more information.