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LOCATION

The over 23 square miles (60.7 kilometer square) of the Shingle Shanty Preserve is located at the top of three watersheds in a remote part of the Adirondack Park, approximately 9 miles west of Long Lake, NY. The Preserve bridges the gap between the Pigeon Lakes and Five Ponds Wilderness Areas to the west, a historic private park to the south, Lake Lila Primitive Area to the north, and the William C. Whitney Wilderness area to the east.
BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The property has over 1700 acres of pristine boreal wetlands, 9 lakes and ponds, 6 miles of headwater streams and over 12,600 acres of northern hardwood and successional northern hardwood forests. It ranges in elevation from 600 ft to 2600 ft and is host to numerous species that benefit from large scale protection. Within its matrix are high elevation hardwood forests and water resources which make this preserve ideal for a multitude of research initiatives. Highlights of the Preserve’s include:
  • Over 2,400 acres of forested shrub and emergent wetlands
  • Seven remote ponds that host breeding loon and waterfowl populations.
  • Ecological communities recognized as exemplary by the New York Natural Heritage Program including Dwarf Shrub Bogs, Black Spruce, Tamarack Bogs, Marsh Headwater Streams, Shrub Swamps and a single oligotrophic pond.
  • Nine of the ten miles of the Shingle Shanty Stream are contained within its borders.
  • Over 100 oxbows define this waterway before draining into Lake Lila.
  • Over 40 miles of headwater streams feeding the Beaver and Moose River watersheds.
  • Well documented animal and plant species, of which 12 are rare bird species including the Spruce Grouse, Bald Eagle, Osprey, American Bittern and numerous hawks.
Mud Pond, early August.
MULTIPLE HEADWATER PONDS AND OVER 40 MILES OF HEADWATER STREAMS

The Preserve's location at the top of multiple watersheds is a unique attribute of exceptional value. This topograpy helps assure the purity of the waters, and is conducive to the control and eradication of aquatic invasive species. The ponds on the property include:
AN ECOLOGICAL "ICEBERG"

In terms of climate and ecology, the Preserve has a lot more in common with regions hundreds of miles to the north than the immediately surrounding area. The Preserve is located in an unusually cold area for its latitude in the southernmost area of USDA hardiness Zone 3 in the northeastern United States. Species common 50 miles away, such as oaks, are not present in the area. Changes in species composition resulting from climate change are likely to occur much more rapidly in ecologically isolated areas.

1990 USDA Hardiness map from Cornell University. The Arbor Day Foundation updated the map in 2006 to reflect the increase in minimum temperatures since 1990. This animation shows the northward retreat of the colder hardniness zones, leaving only a few small areas in the Northeast still in Zone 3, the most southern of which the Preserve is located within.

The 2006 arborday.org Hardiness Zone Map, showing the location of the Preserve within Zone 3. Visit arborday.org for more maps and details.
PREVAILING WINDS AND ACID RAIN
While the Preserve's topography protects it from waterborne sources of pollution, its location in the west-central Adirondacks puts it directly downwind from the smokestacks of the Ohio River Valley. Anecdotal reports indicate that the area might have been affected by acid rain as early as the 1930s. By the 1980s the area was severely impacted by acid rain, leaving some waters devoid of fish life, while others were on the edge of collapse. Following the 1990 amendment to the Clean Air Act, the waters have recovered to some degree, but continue to be severely impacted by pollutants such as mercury.

The Preserve is an ideal location for the study of the ecological impact of air pollution, and for monitoring the effects of changes to public policy with regards to air quality.

CONVENIENT, BUT CONTROLLED ACCESS

The Preserve has a network of logging roads that was created when the property was owned by International Paper. Shingle Shanty Pond, South Pond, Deer Pond and Thayer Lake are all easily accessible via road.

The Preserve receives limited and highly restricted usage. The recreational use of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines such as ATVs, motorboats or jet skis is prohibited. Those with access to the property are particularly concerned about the introduction of invasive species and are subject to a number of rules to prevent the accidental introduction of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species.
SILENCE AND DARKNESS
Limited access and tight restrictions on the use of internal combustion engines means that the Preserve is exceptionally silent when it comes to human noise. Researchers making audio recordings don't need to worry about contending with the din of distant motorboats, passing vehicles, dogs barking, or conversations drifting across water or through the woods. While it is certainly possible to find similarly quiet areas in the Northeast, it typically requires long treks away from vehicles.

The Preserve is located in one of the darkest areas in the Northeast, making it a fantastic location for astronomy education or any other educational or research activity that would benefit from minimal light pollution.
EXTENSIVE HISTORICAL RECORDS

Extensive historical records stretching back over a century are readily available. The records document everything from logging operations to wildlife observations to hunting tallies to natural disasters.

Portion of entry from October 1948 noting the presence of coyotes in the northeastern section of the Preserve.
CITIZEN SCIENTISTS

For researchers who need help conducting point count surveys or other research that would benefit from a large number of observers, the Project Manager can put you in touch with a number of knowledgeable people and organizations who would be happy to help.
Click the image above to view a map of the ecological communities found in the Preserve. This map was prepared as part of an Ecological Assessment, Inventory and Management Plan drafted in 2011.
Long Pond Outlet, headed towards Upper Sister Lake, early November.
ADDITIONAL READING:
South Pond, early November. This pond has a very small watershed and has been severely impacted by acid rain. Until recent years it has been considered "dead," but there have been reports of fish activity in 2010. South Pond is easily accessible by road.
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) in the North Pond Flowgrounds, early August. Although the "klunk-ker-plunk" call of this heron might not be as iconic as that of the Common Loon, it is no less peculiar or enigmatic. You can listen to a recording of the American Bittern call at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station is a member of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.
Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station is partners with The Wild Center.

Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station | P.O. BOX 732 | Tupper Lake, NY | 12986