The Blue Line’s Legacy: Birth of the Adirondack and Catskill Preserve
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
May 15, 1885
On this day in 1885, a momentous event occurred that would forever shape the landscape of New York and indeed, the very notion of conservation in America.
Governor David B. Hill, with a flourish of his pen, signed into law the creation of the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, decreeing that these lands "be forever kept as wild forest lands."
Oh, what a delightful phrase! It rings with the poetry of nature itself, does it not?
But let us, dear readers, cast our minds back a year earlier, to 1884.
It was then that Charles Sprague Sargent, a name that should set the heart of any true botanist aflutter, was appointed to lead a triumvirate of learned individuals.
Their mission?
To investigate the untamed wilderness of the Adirondacks.
One can almost picture these intrepid explorers, notebooks in hand, traversing the rugged terrain, their eyes wide with wonder at the natural bounty surrounding them.
The fruits of the Sargent commission's labor were twofold. Firstly, and most importantly, they ensured the preservation of this vast, verdant expanse. But secondly, and no less fascinating to the cartographically inclined among us, they produced two maps of the Adirondacks that have since become historical treasures.
Allow me to paint a picture of the 1890 map for you.
Imagine, if you will, the lush forest areas outlined in a vibrant red, while the park itself was delineated by a striking blue line. It is from this very map that we derive the term "blue line," now used to denote the boundaries of both the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.
How marvelous to think that a simple stroke of ink could become so deeply ingrained in our geographical lexicon!
And here's a delightful tidbit for those of you with a penchant for the effects of time: should you ever have the good fortune to gaze upon the original map, you'll notice that the once-blue ink has deepened to an almost inky black.
A century of aging has left its mark, much as the passage of time leaves its imprint on the forests themselves.
But let us not dwell solely in the past!
The story of these parks is one of growth and expansion. Over the years, the protected lands have blossomed like a well-tended garden, spreading their roots and branches ever wider.
Today, the Adirondack and Catskill Parks together encompass more than 6,000,000 acres of pristine wilderness.
To put that into perspective, dear readers, this combined area surpasses the size of Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks - combined! It's enough to make one's head spin, is it not?
As we reflect on this anniversary, let us take a moment to appreciate the foresight of Governor Hill, the diligence of Charles Sprague Sargent and his commission, and all those who have worked tirelessly to preserve these wild lands.
Their efforts ensure that we, and generations to come, will always have a place where nature reigns supreme, where the air is crisp with the scent of pine, and where the wilderness can forever remain... wild.
So, my fellow garden enthusiasts, the next time you find yourself tending to your own little patch of green, remember the vast forests of the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Let them inspire you to nurture your plants with the same care and dedication that has preserved these magnificent parks for over a century.
After all, whether we're cultivating a window box or safeguarding millions of acres, are we not all stewards of the earth?
