Regenerating Urban Forests, Reimagining Stewardship: The Irvington Woods Urban Forestry Plan
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The Irvington Woods Park (IWP) is a 251-acre ecological preserve that encompasses nearly 14% of the Village of Irvington, NY. As one of the largest intact forest ecosystems in southern Westchester County, IWP plays a vital role in water filtration, stormwater buffering, and climate regulation. Located at one of the village’s highest elevations and draining into the Hudson River watershed, the park supports seven distinct forest stand types and is home to rare old-growth specimens—some over 300 years old—documented in collaboration with Harvard Forest. In 2024, IWP was formally inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network, a national recognition of its biodiversity, ecological value, and history of community stewardship. This capstone project, developed with support from the NYSDEC CoRe Urban Forestry Grant (2024–2026), builds on the Village’s longstanding investment in civic ecology, environmental education, and forest resilience.