The significant nature preserve in the Black Creek Watershed is the Bergen Swamp. It
is a landmark well known across America. Glacial scour about
10,000 years ago during the latest Ice Age, formed a depression in the bedrock where the
Bergen Swamp presently is situated. In 1964, The Bergen Swamp was among the
first sites in the United States to receive the distinguished designation of Natural
History Landmark by the U. S. Department of the Interior.
The swamp has over 2,500 species of plants, including many rare flora and fauna. The
small white Lady Slipper is the Bergen Swamp poster plant. Among the rare plants are
orchids, and the pitcher plant, which devours insects. Northern plants such as
twinflower, clintonia, bunchberry, hobblebush, cotton grass, goldthread, one flowered pyrole,
mountain aster, and stiff club moss are all found in the Bergen Swamp.
Bergen Swamp now a private nature preserve in the Towns of Bergen and Byron in Genesee
County. It is managed by the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society (BSPS).
The Genesee Land Trust owns the Brookdale Preserve and the Reed Road Preserve (131 acres).
The New York Natural Heritage Program - New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation recognizes 2,797 acres within the Black Creek watershed as wetlands or
swamp areas.
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