Nimham Mountain Model Forest

The Nimham Model Forest remains in the developmental stages. This Model Forest was initiated to provide private forestland owners residing in New York City's East of Hudson water supply system with outdoor learning opportunities. Specifically, the Nimham Model Forest is intended to emphasize the importance and feasibility of maintaining contiguous forested landscapes, versus other land uses such as commercial development and forest fragmentation. This message is especially pertinent East of the Hudson River in New York City's water supply system, where forested landscapes are the preferred land use. However, development pressures are strong, threatening the ability of local landowners to sustain their forested parcels. The Nimham Model Forest was designed to provide local owners and citizens with a venue for viewing and learning about methods for sustaining healthy, contiguous forested properties.

Currently, the Model Forest is slated to cover 85 acres of the state's Nimham Mountain property. The Unit Management Plan for the property is presently being revised in accordance with recently submitted public comments. When the comments and plan have been reconciled, efforts to complete the Nimham Model Forest will go forward. Upon completion, the site will provide residents with an outdoor classroom housing well-maintained recreational trails and roads, and environmental, ecological, and cultural learning opportunities. The Nimham Model Forest will also support research conducted by scientists from SUNY-ESF and USGS intended to better understand nutrient cycling as related to different land uses.