Our
18-acre preserve in Vly Creek Marsh was a gift of Gerald Michelson in 2003.
The property has frontage on Martin Road; it is directly across from Voorheesville
High School, and adjacent to the Albany County Soil and Water Conservation
District office. The property is mostly wetland with some upland; Vly
Creek runs through the property, so there is also some open water.
Vly Creek Marsh is a DEC wetland. It lies at the base of the Helderberg Escarpment and is classified as a calcareous fen. Historically, Vly Creek Marsh was Hometo the protected bog turtle. According to Al Breisch (DEC) it would be possible to reintroduce the bog turtle with some limited habitat management (the removal of some trees).
Vly Creek Marsh is rated among the top three wetlands in New York State for amphibian diversity; it has been designated as significant by the New York Natural Heritage Program. 20 species of salamanders and frogs have been found in this area (including Black Creek Marsh).