The Charles Flood Wildlife Management Area

The Charles Flood Wildlife Management Area. at the Empire Brickyard. , Scenic Hudson purchased this 590-acre property to conserve it for the public. Nature had full rein to heal the land, mined for its clay by the Empire Brick Co. through the late 1930s. Despite subsequent decades of human neglect, wildlife habitat gradually returned-clay pits became wetlands and forest grew around the ruins of Empire's kilns, Some local residents who helped defeat a plan to locate a landfill here in the 1980s contributed funding for Scenic Hudson's acquisition 30 years later. After removing tons of debris from the property, the organization allowed public access for hiking. observing wildlife, hunting, and enjoying views of the Catskill, Taconic and Berkshire mountains. In 2018, Scenic Hudson sold the land to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to be held in trust for the public., The Wildlife Management Area is named in memory of Charles Flood (1938-2015). Strongly committed to protecting and connecting people to the Hudson Valley's natural treasures, he provided leadership support for Scenic Hudson's work. Charlie made a generous contribution to conserve this land as a lasting gift of love to his wife, Kristin Gamble, who adds to his legacy through her dedication to the region and to Scenic Hudson.,

"Charlie absolutely loved this area-the people, the land, the nature. It spoke to his soul… To me, and I hope to others, this will always be known as 'Charlie's Place.’” , -Kristin Gamble

, [Caption:] , Employees at the Empire Brickyard ca. 1905. The community of worker and their families that grew up around the brickyard once contained as many as 700 people. Collection of Columbia County Historical Society Museum and Library.