|
The Nature Preserve of Binghamton
University
The Binghamton University campus in Broome County, New York currently
encompasses almost 900 acres of land, of which over 600 is presently
undeveloped and in its natural state. The core of this undeveloped land
is officially designated the Nature Preserve and at present encompasses
182 acres of land which includes a 20 acre wetland.
Binghamton University is unique among other schools in that it has such
a large, on campus resource. Few other schools have such direct, easy
access to such a variety of natural systems as found here, making this
university a valuable resource for teaching
and learning, ecology,
arts, literature and outdoor
recreation. Among other things, it is also the largest and
best-used laboratory
on the Binghamton University campus. While it has no workstations,
sinks, computers or petri dishes, it is home to deer, beaver, fox,
mink, muskrat, porcupines and other mammals,
a diverse amphibian
and reptilian population, and over two-hundred
bird species, the broadest range to be sighted in any one
place in the Southern
Tier. Its habitats
include hemlock forest, oak woodlands, a beaver pond, streams,
wetlands, shrubbed meadows and lichen-covered dry sites. The Preserve
includes a number of maintained hiking
trails and a wooden footbridge.
Overall, the Nature Preserve is home to an amazing array
of species and is a beautiful
area for study and recreation. It’s setting, as part of the
campus directly adjacent to the developed portion, makes it a welcome
sight for students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community.
Rules for Respectable Use
Nuthatch Hollow Bird
Sanctuary
|
|
