Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Wagner College Forest Preserve, located on the campus of Wagner College in Staten Island, New York, spans approximately 120 acres of primarily wooded habitat. This forest preserve provides a rare and valuable natural area within the urban environment of New York City, offering students, faculty, and visitors a space for environmental education, recreation, and scientific research. The area features deciduous and mixed hardwood forests, supporting typical regional flora such as oaks, maples, and hickories, as well as a diversity of native fauna including songbirds, small mammals, and amphibians. Historically, the land has remained relatively undeveloped, allowing for a mature forest to thrive within an otherwise built-up region. Recreation in the preserve includes walking, birdwatching, and nature study, with multiple unpaved trails and quiet, shaded spots ideal for contemplation or fieldwork. The forest serves as a living laboratory for Wagner College’s environmental science programs and represents an important green space protecting regional biodiversity. Visitors appreciate the preserve’s peaceful atmosphere, educational significance, and access to nature without leaving the city limits.
