“New Documentary Celebrates 100 Years of New York Land Conservation”
While land conservation efforts began in the 19th century, it wasn’t until 1924 that an organized statewide agency was established. Now, in 2024, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP), in partnership with WMHT, is celebrating its centennial with a new documentary titled “From Land to Legacy: 100 Years of New York State Parks & Preservation.”
New York State’s geographic diversity is on full display in the documentary, which explores state parks ranging from Long Island’s beaches to the peaks of the Adirondacks and the iconic Niagara Falls. The film delves into the history of these parks, the significance of their preservation, and the dedicated individuals working to protect them.
Nicole Van Slyke, Content and Production Manager at WMHT and producer of the documentary, hopes viewers will gain a sense of pride in their local parks and appreciate the state’s conservation efforts. “I want people to take pride in their parks and know that there are parks for all of us to go to, and to show all the work that the state is doing to [conserve them],” Van Slyke says.
Throughout the production, Van Slyke discovered the extensive resources of the Parks Department in the Capital Region, including Peebles Island, which houses a wealth of historical documents and artifacts thanks to OPRHP.
The documentary not only highlights the historical aspects of New York’s state parks but also sheds light on current and future efforts to safeguard these invaluable habitats.
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