Click on each section below to learn about this research project.
Introduction to the researcher - Neil
Introduction to the researcher - Neil
Neil Gifford, Conservation Director
Hi! I'm Neil.
As the Conservation Director, I'm the Commission’s lead scientist, providing oversight for all management and research activities, within the preserve. I’ve authored several scientific publications on various aspects of pine barrens conservation, and I am a licensed USGS master bird bander.
The videos in each section below are about our bird research. At the end you will see a poster with all of this information. We use the poster as a succinct, visual way to represent the work.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve - Bird Research
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve - Bird Research
Point Counts - Bird Research
Point Counts - Bird Research
Bird Banding - Bird Research
Bird Banding - Bird Research
Prairie Warblers - Bird Research
Prairie Warblers - Bird Research
Nighthawks - Bird Research
Nighthawks - Bird Research
Poster Presentation - An Overview of Bird Research
Poster Presentation - An Overview of Bird Research
This poster is the tool scientists use to present their work about the project.
Starting on Tuesday September 3 at 6 AM, the parking areas at four trailheads will be temporarily CLOSED to allow for preserve visitor parking area paving. Locations to temporarily close are trailheads #2 Rapp Barrens, #7 Madison Avenue Pinelands, #9 Kings Hwy Barrens and #12 Truax Trail Barrens.
Parking at these four trailheads will remain closed until Monday, September 16 to allow the pavement and parking space paint to cure. Please visit any of our other eight preserve trailheads during this time.
February 07, 2024
Prescribed Fire Notifications
We cannot provide a specific schedule for prescribed fires in a given area due to the unpredictability of weather and fuel conditions. If you would like to be notified the morning of a prescribed fire, please subscribe below.
November 30, 2022
Preserve Management: Pine Barrens Restoration
The Kings Highway Barrens, at trailhead #9, is temporarily CLOSED while habitat restoration work is being completed. This site was cleared of invasive black locust trees in early 2024. Next the site will be stumped, graded and then planted with native pine barrens plants. This is the first phase of restoring these 38 acres back to a pine barrens. Please view the interactive trail map to see the tree removal locations as well as other preserve areas you can visit during this time.
Click here if you need a mobile friendly version of our trailmap.
Please contact Stewardship Director, Joel Hecht with any questions or concerns. 518-456-0655 or jhecht@albanypinebush.org
October 12, 2020
Hunting, Fishing & Trapping
Hunting, fishing and trapping are recreational activities that are carefully regulated in the preserve and across NYS.
April 03, 2019
Tick Awareness
Please be aware that ticks, including deer ticks (also known as black-legged ticks), are present in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve as well as other natural areas in our region.
