The Cary Institute
October 13, 2018 by mmaguire
Recently we visited the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, which is a leading institution for environmental research. They are a “living lab to study ecological processes”, with 2,000 acres of property, and 15 full time scientists on staff. We met with one of their scientists, who told us about the history of the institute. The property was originally owned by Mary Flagler Cary who with her passing in 1967, left her land to a charitable organization. For some time, the property was a botanical garden/arboretum. Later in 1983, the Institute of Ecosystem Studies (IES) was established, and became the start of what exists today.
Today the IES has many long-term research projects. Some include; freshwater health, infectious diseases, urban ecology, invasive species, climate change, and biogeochemistry. One of their main focuses is controlling the deer population on the property. Deer population can double in two years if left untouched. Therefore a few decades ago, the IES started a hunting program, with an emphasis on hunting female deer in order to help regulate the population. Deer are very harmful to an ecosystem, given that they eat large quantities of vegetation. IES also is currently focusing on tick research, in order to study the effects of infectious diseases.
Besides research, the Cary Institute also has connections with the outside world. They allow outside researchers to use small parcels of their land for field studies, and they have 2.7 miles of hiking trails for public use. The hiking trails are open April 1st- October 31st, and then the hunting season follows. On the trails you can find many signs teaching you about various things in your surroundings, such as frogs, plant species, and ticks.
Additionally many different vegetation habitats exist on the property, and they also have a Fern Garden. The Fern Garden helps one remember the history of the property as a botanical garden. The Cary Institute allows one to connect with nature, and have an educational experience.