Rome Sand Plains is one of only a handful of inland Pine Barrens in the nation, encompassing approximately 16,000 acres within the City of Rome, New York. This natural resource treasure consists of high sand dunes and low peat bogs, along with Pine Barrens and hardwood forests, meadows and wetlands.
The sand plains are a favorite visiting location for nature lovers from all over. The unique bird life, butterflies and plants make it a field trip stop for high school and college classes, bird watching groups and other outdoor enthusiasts.
The Rome Sand Plains is owned and managed by a consortium of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Izaak Walton League, Oneida County, the City of Rome and private landowners. More than 4000 of the 16,000 acres of the Rome Sand Plains are protected.
For more information about the Rome Sand Plains, call the DEC’s Herkimer Lands and Forests office at 315-866-6330 or The Nature Conservancy at 315-387-3600. Email questions or comments on the Rome Sand Plains can be addressed to r5dsptch@gw.dec.state.ny.us.