Protect a Lake Erie Nature Preserve and Public Park from Private Development

Please Sign a Petition to Protect an Existing Nature Preserve and a Public Park on the Lake Erie Shore

Extensive private development (grey buildings, above) has been proposed along Times Beach Nature Preserve (left), an important resting area for migrating birds, and in Wilkeson Pointe (right), the popular wind-sculpture park built with Public Funding last year.

Times Beach Nature Preserve and Wilkeson Pointe are part of the Buffalo Outer Harbor on the Lake Erie shore, as shown below [click image to enlarge].

Developers' Building Plan

This waterfront property represents a significant aspect of our national heritage and it should be protected for public access as well as for historical, environmental, and educational purposes. Proposals to this effect have been put forward by several citizen groups, but current developer proposals still appear to be fast-tracked for approval.

Please support efforts to save this valuable property for our prosperity.

To Read and Sign the Petition, Click Here

Please help to spread the word by sharing the petition link below with others: 

http://www.change.org/p/preserve-the-buffalo-outer-harbor

Thank You for your Support! 

UPDATE: The Buffalo News, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 - Nature Watch: Outer harbor land should be dedicated to public access, By Gerry Rising

 

[Click image to enlarge]

 

RALLY: Save Times Beach Nature Preserve - Saturday, 12:30pm

The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve have an urgent Rally scheduled for this Saturday, 12:30pm, at Times Beach Nature Preserve [Map].
  
The WNY Environmental Alliance (WNYEA) has adopted a set of principles focused on Outer Harbor development that can be found at the GrowWNY Website: Click "Covering the Outer Harbor".

The Final Plan for the Outer Harbor will probably be released early next week without further public comment. We have been informed that the final plan will be as presented at the ECHDC (Erie County Harbor Development Corporation) open house two weeks ago. It shows the development of a new "neighborhood" surrounding Times Beach Nature Preserve, including Wilkeson Pointe, the popular wind-sculpture Park built with Public Funding last year. 

The Final Plan will turn the Nature Preserve into 

a Condominium compound. 

Final Plan [Click image to enlarge]

We want a Nature Preserve, NOT a Condo compound.   We want Public Parks, NOT Private Residences.
We need your help and support to demonstrate public opposition and support of the WNYEA principles. Please consider attending the Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve's Rally on this Saturday at Times Beach starting at 12:30 [Map]. 

Bring signs, your voices, and come to learn about, talk about, and participate in what options we have left.
 
For more information and links, Click Here.
 
To see a Photo Album of last weeks wonderful Times Beach Nature Preserve Dedication Ceremony, Click Here.

Please share this with friends and ask them to Bring Signs!

Questions: Email Jay Burney at lscampaign@aol.com

Thank you to GrowWNY, WNYEA and all Supporters.

 
Visit:  Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve

Reinstein Woods -- Summer Program Schedule

The sun is shining and summer is on the way! Come out to Reinstein Woods and enjoy programs about birds, bugs and much more.

See the Summer Public Program brochure for events taking place in June through August. 

Call 716-683-5959 for more information or to register for a program.

We look forward to seeing you at the Woods this summer!

New Programs at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

Programs Explore Writings of Aldo Leopold; Power of Animals    

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be hosting two special programs at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Cheektowaga.

On Saturday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m., Reinstein Woods Naturalist Intern Ben Carpenter will host "Axe in Hand: An introductory discussion of Land Ethic." The program will start with an introduction to the written work of Aldo Leopold, considered by many to be the father of wildlife management and of the United States’ wilderness system. The round table discussion will explore excerpts from his historic text on conservation, A Sand County Almanac. 
Group members will be discussing Leopold's essay, Land Ethic, and what its implications are for the contemporary sustainability movement. In 1949, Leopold called for a land ethic that “enlarges the boundaries of the [moral] community to include soils, water, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.” 
The dialogue will be followed by an interpretive walk through Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, with discussion and reflection on themes from the book set in the local and regional contexts. Light refreshments will be served.

On Sunday, November 17 at 1:00 p.m., families are invited to attend “The Power Animals of Reinstein Woods: What Does the Fox Really Say?” This family-friendly tour of Reinstein Woods will explore local Native American traditions that relate to wildlife. Many native beliefs include the idea that animals can teach us important lessons to guide us through our lives. Using animal Medicine Cards, participants will receive insight and life lessons from the local animals that live at Reinstein Woods.

Both programs are free, however registration is required. To register, call (716) 683-5959.
Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is located at 93 Honorine Drive, off of Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga [MAP].