PLYMOUTH – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the completion of a new viewing platform on Round Pound wetland complex in Pharsalia Woods State Forest on Thursday.

Representatives from the Bullthistle Hiking Club, Chenango Bird Club, Galena Growlers Composite Mountain Bike Team, and Commerce Chenango joined the DEC for a ribbon cutting of the 150-foot, handicapped accessible viewing platform––a $50,000 project funded through the NYS Works Program.

DEC Region 7 Director Matthew Marko said, "It was inspired by the interest of improving opportunities for visitors to experience the benefits of public lands ... The elevated structure provides a sheltered observation point overlooking the 25-acre Round Pond wetland complex that contains several protected plants, including the carnivorous pitcher plant with the ability to digest insects."

Marko said the wetlands also provide habitat to wetland bird species, including sandhill cranes, which are not all that common in New York. Several birdwatchers were admiring a sandhill crane's nest from atop the viewing platform before the ribbon cutting. Pharsalia Woods is designated as an "Important Bird Area" by the National Audubon Society.

"The design of the platform was customized to uniquely fit within the local site and yield limited disturbance of the natural surroundings," said Marko. "Construction of the platform and the 150-ft boardwalk was accomplished entirely through the craftsmanship of the NYS DEC Divisions of Operations staff."