The Neversink Preserve is located in Deerpark, Orange County, New York. It was created in 1993 by The Nature Conservancy. They purchased 170 acres (69 ha) of land on the Neversink River and created the Neversink Preserve in order to protect the newly discovered and federally endangered species of mussel, the dwarf wedge mussel.[2] Over time they have purchased more land so that the Neversink Preserve covers 550 acres (220 ha). Theodore Gordon, considered the father of modern American fly-fishing, perfected his dry-fly techniques here in the 19th century. Nearly 15 million people rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin for drinking water and industrial use, making the Neversink Preserve a top priority of The Nature Conservancy.[3]
| Neversink Preserve | |
|---|---|
 Neversink River at Cuddebackville | |
  Map of New York | |
| Location | Deerpark, Orange County, New York |
| Coordinates | 41°25′24″N 74°37′16″W / 41.42333°N 74.62111°W[1] |
| Area | 550 acres (220 ha) |
| Established | 1993 |
| Official website | |
Flora
editTrees
editWildflowers
editFauna
editMammals
edit- Otters and beavers live in the creeks and wetlands that crisscross the preserve.
- Bobcats, black bear and wild turkeys inhabit the forests and meadows.
Birds
edit- Common merganser
- Wood duck
- Osprey
- Great blue heron
- Belted kingfisher
- Bald eagle
- Ruffed grouse
- Northern harrier
- Owl
- Warbler
Fish
editReptiles and amphibians
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Neversink Preserve Map" (PDF). The Nature Convservancy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-20.
- ^ DePalma, A. (April 26, 2004). "Rebuilding a River Upstate, For the Love of a Tiny Mussel; Dam to Be Demolished to Save an Endangered Species". The New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
- ^ "Neversink Preserve - Eastern New York: Nature Preserve". Nature.org. The Nature Conservancy.