THE EMPIRE STATE PLAZA was built in Albany between 1965 and 1976, and the Poestenkill Community Forest was mined to help build it. The sand that is abundant in the southern part of the Forest was the perfect material to be used as an agent in making mortar, so for almost 10 years the Forest was mined for it. After the Plaza finished construction, there was no longer a high demand for the sand and the quarry in the Forest closed. At the time, there were few regulations regarding mine reclamation, and the mined area was left to recover on its own. Environmental care is important in geology, which is a science all about explaining the past. If the present is not preserved, then there will be no stories to tell. The trees you see around you have all grown up by natural reseeding since the mining operation closed down.