Fox Preserve

Fox Preserve. . , This 70-acre property was donated to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy by Dr. Patricia Fox in 2015. Dr. Fox owned the property for over 30 years, and it is one of the last remaining areas of open space in this area of the Town of Colonie. Through her generous donation, this Preserve was opened to the public in 2017., Property History , It was the Mohawk people who first farmed this land, planting crops along the fertile flood plains and naming the area "Canastagione", which roughly translates to "where corn is grown". Over time, this word was mispronounced by European settlers and became “Niskayuna"., The Shakers, a religious group fleeing persecution in England, came to the open flats of the Mohawk River in the 1700s. Over the next century, the Shakers began to plant broomcorn (Sorgum vulgare) along the banks of the Mohawk. Broomcorn, a coarse, annual grass known for its straight, smooth, and pliable fibers, was harvested and stitched into Shaker brooms, an important trade good. This is how Shaker Creek, which flows along the western edge of the Preserve, earned its name., This valuable piece of land continued to be farmed under multiple landowners until it was purchased in 1983 by Dr. Fox., Forest, Field, And Stream , The Fox Preserve's trail system winds through diverse habitats. The trail passes Shaker Creek, where oxygen-rich waters create hatching grounds for dragonflies and damselflies (such as the ebony jewelwing, Calopteryx maculate, pictured at right). Old oak trees provide habitat for migratory birds like the Baltimore oriole, and open fields create ideal nesting areas for eastern bluebirds, the state bird of New York., The Preserve is a wonderful stop for visitors from the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail to walk the trails, enjoy river views, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the bald eagles who frequent the Mohawk River to hunt., Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy , Conserving and Connecting Communities since 1992 , Founded in 1992, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the distinct natural, scenic, agricultural, and cultural landscapes of the Mohawk and Hudson River valleys. We partner with landowners, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and governments for the benefit of current and future generations., This Preserve is one of many properties the Conservancy opens to the public for hiking and outdoor recreation. See our brochure or website for the location of our other preserves., 425 Kenwood Avenue . Delmar, NY 12054 , 518.436.6346 , www.mohawkhudson.org