NEWSLETTER
A Science Lecture Series
Albany, NY – The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and Friends of the Pine Bush Community will cohost a lecture on January 16, 2025 at 7pm as a part of their Science Lecture Series at the Discovery Center. The first talk of the 2025 Science Lecture Series will focus on recent research conducted by the University at Albany’s archaeological field school in the summer of 2024.
The field school conducted research on a mid-nineteenth century farmstead that was occupied by the Helme family to learn about what life was like on the outskirts of Albany in this unique environment. Initial research indicates that it was occupied for perhaps over 50 years based on hundreds of artifacts recovered from the site and intact architectural features. Many of those artifacts and early analyses of the site will be presented at this talk by the two professors who ran the field school, Drs. Sean Rafferty and Chris Wolff.
Dr. Sean Rafferty is a Professor of Anthropology at the University at Albany. He got his B.A. in Anthropology from Hartwick College in 1990, his M.A. in Anthropology from Binghamton University in 1994, and his Ph.D in Anthropology from Binghamton University in 2001. His research has focused on the use of intoxicating plants by the Indigenous peoples of North America. Recently he has focused on how archaeology and history are misrepresented in popular culture.
Dr. Christopher Wolff is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University at Albany. He got his B.A. in Anthropology from Portland State University in 2001, his M.A. in Archaeology from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2004, and his Ph.D from Southern Methodist University in 2008. His research primarily focuses on the Indigenous peoples of the Far Northeast and their interactions with their various environments, but more recently he has been examining the impact of European colonization on various peoples and landscapes in northeastern North America.
This lecture is being offered both in person and viewing online. It is free and is recommended for ages 15+. Pre-registration is required. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. To sign up, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events or call 518-456-0655.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE ALBANY PINE BUSH:
The 3,400+ - acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch pine-scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many eight rare plants and 114 rare animals, including more than 20 percent of New York State’s wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, National Recreation Trail Site, a New York State Unique Area, Birding Trail Site, Bird Conservation Area, and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and over 20 miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities. The Management Plan for the APBP guides all aspects of expanding and managing the preserve. The Commission’s goal is a preserve of 5,380 acres.
As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, is a “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a fee for some programs). The center is open daily weekdays 9am-4pm and weekends 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518-456-0655.
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