A bird sanctuary, hidden away in some woods...........like the Korean movie.................about the magician in Qin dynstay/Choson era Korea.........

In 1934, NYC Parks Commissioner Robert Moses sealed off this natural woodland area, preserving it as a bird sanctuary. For decades, it served as a sort of experiment, showing the Parks Department what would happen to the land if they did nothing to maintain it. In 1986, it was renamed to commemorate George Harvey Hallett, Jr., a naturalist, birdwatcher, and civic leader. It remained untouched until 2001, when the Conservancy began to restore it, reintroducing native plants and weeding out invasive species.

In 2013, the Conservancy opened the Hallett Nature Sanctuary up to the public for the first time in 79 years. Today, the Conservancy constantly tends the plants, though they’re unsure of how many plant species thrive here. They’re working to increase the numbers of birds and butterflies too.

“Hallett Nature Sanctuary is a perfect example of how even the ‘wildest,’ most naturalistic habitats in Central Park require constant planning and care in order to thrive,” says a statement on the Conservancy’s website. Yet, human intervention is limited. When a large tree was uprooted by Hurricane Sandy, it was left to become part of the natural habitat instead of being cleared away.