Protecting Western New York Wetlands
Ronald Andrews directs a portion of art sales to protect the wetlands and forests of his own home ground near Short Tract, New York — ensuring that the landscapes inspiring his paintings will endure.
Background:
Keeney Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
The primary purposes of Keeney Swamp WMA are wildlife management, wildlife habitat conservation, and wildlife-dependent recreation. Located just northeast of Short Tract in Allegany County, this 708-acre area includes nearly 530 acres of shrub swamp, emergent marsh, and open water, alongside 150 acres of brush and grassland.
Historically drained for farming in the 1800s, the land was later abandoned and re-colonized by beavers. Their dams rebuilt wetlands, but in the 1990s several large impoundments failed, resulting in the loss of 300 acres of shallow wetland and a decline in bird populations. In 2001, DEC restored habitat by constructing new water impoundments. Today, Keeney Swamp is recognized as a Bird Conservation Area, hosting diverse waterfowl and songbirds and ensuring the permanent preservation of this unique ecosystem.
Black Creek Preserve and Watershed
The Black Creek watershed, protected by the Western New York Land Conservancy, encompasses 539 acres of wetlands and forests in Allegany County — a cornerstone of the WNY Wildway. These lands provide critical habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species, while protecting drinking water supplies and water quality for rural residents.
Class I wetlands in the watershed are among the most ecologically valuable landscapes in New York State. They filter pollutants and sediments, recharge aquifers, and act as buffers against flooding — services increasingly vital in the face of climate change. The watershed ultimately feeds the Genesee River and Great Lakes system, linking local stewardship to one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the world.
Why It Matters
Wetlands are among the most imperiled habitats in New York State. Protecting Keeney Swamp and Black Creek is about more than saving wildlife — it is about sustaining the natural systems that provide clean water, flood control, and healthy ecosystems for people and future generations.
