Our Mission

Karner Blue ButterflyThe mission of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park (WWPP) is to protect land ensuring the survival of wildlife, rare and endangered species, and the natural communities that support them, and to create a natural area for educational and recreational benefits.

The WWPP represents a partnership between the Town of Wilton, The Nature Conservancy, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Created in 1996, its goals are to protect and restore the endangered Karner blue butterfly, preserve open space, and provide recreational and environmental education opportunities.

There is a board of directors that oversees preserve and park activities.

Wild Blue LupineThe goal is to protect 3,000 acres of land for these purposes. Efforts to achieve these goals are occurring east of I-87 from the Ballard Road area in the north to south of King Road in the south. Within this area ten parcels encompassing approximately 800 acres are currently protected. In addition, there are 587 acres of county forestland within the study area. Four of the protected parcels are developed with trails for passive uses.

In order to achieve identified goals, preserve staff and volunteers work to protect land, manage Karner blue butterfly habitat, restore areas for the Karner blue butterfly, develop passive recreation opportunities, and educate the public.

Wilton is part of a geologic area that extends from Glens Falls to Albany. Following the retreat of the glaciers some 10,000 to 20,000 years ago, this area was low lying and became the basin of a large lake, Glacial Lake Albany. Rivers emptied into the lake and deposited sand and silt. The lake's basin slowly rebounded from the pressure the glaciers had exerted. The soil was very sandy. Prevailing winds blew these sandy soils into dunes. These actions are largely responsible for the preserve and park's geology and topography.