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Preserves
BUFFALO AUDUBON NATURE PRESERVES
With six separate nature preserves totaling well over 900 acres, Buffalo
Audubon is committed to directly preserving and managing sensitive or
other environmentally important lands. BAS Preserves are for the benefit
of wildlife and plant species, as well for the enjoyment, recreation,
and nature study for the Society's members and for the public. The newest
preserve, North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve, was created in 2000
- 2001 with an initial 17-acre acquisition.
All Buffalo Audubon Preserves are open year round, dawn to dusk. Guided
field trips are scheduled throughout the year to Audubon's preserves.
Donations of land for possible inclusion in the Audubon preserve system
are welcomed.
NORTH TONAWANDA AUDUBON NATURE PRESERVE
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Formerly known as the Klydel Wetlands the North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve was announced in 2000 and became reality in 2001 with the closing of the sale of the first 17 acres of wetland to be in the preserve. Buffalo Audubon is working with the Western New York Land Conservancy, The Citizens for a Green North Tonawanda, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, neighborhood residents, The Niagara County Environmental Fund, the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund, duPont, the Barbara T. and Robert Meech Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, scouts, and other groups to expand the Preserve to protect the fragile wetlands. |
During
2001 Audubon has been working with its partners to mark a limited trail
system and to begin offering regularly scheduled nature hikes open to
the public. The popular owl prowls which have been offered on the site
are expected to be family favorites! The North Tonawanda Audubon Nature
Preserve will become an active site for school-based outdoor learning
lab activities as well as a site for high school and college level research.
Check the online calendar for scheduled owl prowls and other programs
or call (585) 457-3228. Audubon members can also check for scheduled
programs and events in their monthly Outlook
newsletter. Not a member? Click
here to join Buffalo Audubon Society.
<Trail Map>
<directions>
ALLENBERG BOG AUDUBON NATURE PRESERVE
| Allenburg
Bog is also known to some as Waterman's Swamp, Congdon's Pond, and
Owlenburg Bog and is on the border of the towns of Napoli and New
Albion, New York in Cattaraugus County. A unique and fascinating
refuge of 390 acres, it is the jewel of the Buffalo Audubon Preserve
System. Even before the first parcels joined Audubon's preserve
holdings in 1957, the area was famous among botanists for its wild
orchids, more than 30 species of liverworts, nearly 60 species of
mosses, and approximately 258 species of vascular plants. It should
be noted that any collecting of any plants in this or any of our
refuges is strictly prohibited. Please respect the purposes behind
"Preserves." |
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The
unique vegetation and flora includes dense thickets of rhododendrons,
numerous species of wildflowers, ferns, huge hemlocks, pines, black
cherry, black spruce, and tamarack stands. The preserve sports two sphagnum
bogs surrounded by tall trees, fragrant blossoming wildflowers, deciduous
shrubs, clumps of ferns, and shoulder high bracken. Allenburg Bog Preserve
represents one of the finest undisturbed areas in southwestern New York
State.
To reach the Bog, follow NY Route 62 south to the village of Leon. Turn
left on Leon Road and proceed east approximately 6.5 miles. Turn right
on Farm Market Road and proceed south approximately three quarters of
a mile to the right-of-way entrance to the trails on the west side of
the Preserve. This roadway is on the east (left) side of Farm Market
Road. Park your car off the road and proceed from here on foot.
As the entrance to the Preserve is often difficult to find for the first-time
visitor and due to the wild nature of the preserve and its terrain,
it is highly recommended that prospective visitors contact the Society
for additional information or for a guided tour. Additionally, Audubon's
Field Trip program schedules a July trip to the bog every year. Audubon
members can also check for scheduled programs and events in their monthly
Outlook newsletter. Not a member? Click
here to join Buffalo Audubon Society.
<Trail Map>
<directions>
AYER-STEVENSON AUDUBON NATURE PRESERVE
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Located in the town of Evans on Big Sister Creek, this Audubon preserve is about one mile from the lake Erie shoreline. Established in 1975, this 20 acre preserve is mostly young forest with a few large older trees. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant here, especially songbirds. Shinleaf Pyrola, kingfishers, and golden crowned kinglets are often seen as one strolls through this beautiful setting. |
RUSHING STREAM AUDUBON NATURE PRESERVE
This 50 acre preserve located in Chautauqua county is a mixture of lowland marsh and upland woods habitat. The name of the preserve was selected for the year-round stream that flows through the property. The stream is a tributary of the Conewango Creek. A great place for viewing wildlife as the habitat supports such species as great blue heron, pileated woodpeckers, white tail deer, and much more. |
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ROSE ACRES AUDUBON NATURE PRESERVE
Solitude is always the best word to describe Rose Acres. This is a great place to spend the day away from the hustle and bustle of life. Once a summer home for Mrs Clifford Rose, Buffalo Audubon acquired this this 53 acre preserve in 1975. Host to a variety of habitats including mixed upland woods, a small stream, and a 5-acre beaver pond, wildlife abounds. This is a favorite spot for spring wildflower hikes as species such as trillium, hipatica and clintonia are easily found. Although the beaver has vacated the pond, the dam is in tact. Recently geocache box was added to the site for the technologically inclined outdoor enthusiasts. <Trail
Map> |
BEAVER MEADOW AUDUBON NATURE PRESERVE
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Beaver Meadow, while the premiere nature center of Buffalo Audubon Society with a Visitor's Center, full-time staff, and regularly-scheduled programming, is also a 324-acre nature preserve. The first parcels were acquired in 1951 and steadily grew over the years as other parcels were sold or bequeathed to the Society. By the 1960's the Preserve was being used as an outdoor education site and during the 1970s, the first facilities were constructed, tucked away in a corner of the Preserve. The preserve features its namesake "beaver meadow", a five-acre pond with an active beaver lodge, glacial kettle ponds, wetlands with a boardwalk trail, wooded uplands, meadows, a hawk watch, an arboretum, and eight miles of marked and groomed trails. |
Click for more information on Beaver Meadow programming and information about the Visitors Center. Audubon members can also check for scheduled programs and events in their monthly Outlook newsletter. Not a member? Click here to join Buffalo Audubon Society.