Wolf Creek Falls Preserve

Wolf Creek Falls Preserve. . , Drs. Patricia and Stephen Brown, biology professors at Siena College and the University at Albany, purchased the property in 1976. Following the death of his wife, Patricia Stocking Brown in 2004, and his retirement to his home state of Michigan in 2006, Steve Brown generously donated this 145-acre property to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC) to be maintained and preserved for public enjoyment. The two private residences that remain are the original homestead of the Brown Family. , History , Human presence in this region can be traced as far back as 8,000 years ago. Descendants of these first inhabitants, known as the Indigenous peoples of Eastern Woodlands, relied heavily on hunting. Like many areas in the Helderbergs, the streams and Bozen Kill Ravine guided Indigenous peoples moving through this region toward the Mahicannatuck (Hudson River) and lands to the north for trapping and trading. The arrival of Europeans in the 1600s introduced epidemics that decimated these Indigenous populations. Those who survived were eventually displaced as conflict arose with colonists., This particular parcel was once part of the 12,000 square mile Van Rensselaer estate known as Rensselaerwyck. In 1864, Andrew Van Auken received title to the property and cleared the land. Stone walls visible throughout the property once contained the sheep he raised for the felt industry. The property was then used as a source for quarry stone to support construction of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad that bisects the property. Later, it served as a pheasant hunting facility and grazing land for beef cattle. , Natural Resources , The current forest cover of hardwoods (maple, oak, hickory) is second growth. When the Browns acquired the land, they cleared an extensive network of paths winding over three miles through the property. These trails provide views of the natural features-two streams, multiple waterfalls, a wetland, as well as plants and animals. The two streams merge just north of the property. Wolf Creek is a tributary to the Bozen Kill, which eventually enters the Watervliet Reservoir, a public water supply on the Normans Kill., Connected Landscrapes , Wolf Creek Falls Preserve is a part of a greater Bozenkill Conservation Corridor protected by MHLC. This 400+ acre conservation corridor, which includes the Bozen Kill Preserve, is a part of MHLC's larger vision of connecting the Catskills to the Adirondacks. Protection of this land ensures a balance between humans and wildlife while preserving unique plant species and geology for generations to come., The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve and steward lands and waters of the Mohawk and Hudson River Valleys for the benefit of people and the environment., MHLC's commitment to preserving these natural resources honors the legacy of the Mohican and Mohawk peoples as the stewards who nurtured this land since time immemorial. We honor and respect their care of the natural world and commit our efforts to making these lands a more inclusive and equitable environment for all., This Preserve is one of many properties the Conservancy owns and opens to the public for hiking and outdoor recreation. Visit our website for the location of our other preserves. , 518.436.6346 . www.mohawkhudson.org, Funding for this kiosk has been provided by Suzette Tanis-Plant.