Natural Resources of New York State: Minerals, Water, Forests, and More

Minerals

• Iron, zinc, lead, copper ores
• Gold, silver (minor)
• Salt (major—fingers lakes region)

Water

• Great Lakes (Erie, Ontario)
• St. Lawrence River
• Hudson River
• Niagara River & Falls
• Lake George, Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake

Forests

• Adirondack Park (6M acres, largest state-protected area in contiguous U.S.)
• Catskill Park
• Shawangunk Ridge

Farmland

• Hudson Valley (fruit, veg, wine)
• Mohawk Valley (dairy, corn)
• Genesee Valley (grains, beans)
• Long Island (nursery, sod, wine)

Fish & Wildlife

• Salmon, trout, bass, walleye
• Pheasant, white-tailed deer, black bear, moose (Adirondacks)

These resources underpin New York's economy, recreation, and biodiversity.