Buffalo, NY – Friends of Reinstein Woodsis accepting orders for its annual plant sale which includes plants grown from seeds collected in Western New York. Orders will be accepted from February 1 to February 28, 2025. The sale will raise funds to support environmental education programs offered by Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. 

Nineteen native varieties are available for pre-order, including Virginia Mountain Mint, New York Aster, and Red Cardinal Flower. Many of these plants are not widely available at standard garden centers. The sale also includes limited quantities of several plants grown from seed collected in Western New York. 

“Each year we look forward to this plant sale,” said Friends of Reinstein Woods President Daniel Haeusser. “It’s a great opportunity to pick up new additions for our yard, or to donate to others, to provide beautiful native species for our landscape, and to safely attract and benefit wildlife.” 

Orders may be placed online at www.reinsteinwoods.org/plantsale or by requesting an order form by calling (716) 683-5959. Plants will be available for pick-up on Saturday, May 28, 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043. Purchases can also be picked up on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 2 pm to 7 pm. 

For more information about which plants are available, descriptions of the plants, or any questions regarding the sale, please call (716) 683-5959 or visit www.reinsteinwoods.org/plantsale. 

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Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Grant Supports Place-based Great Lakes Education

Buffalo, NY – Friends of Reinstein Woods and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are collaborating to present a Niagara River/Lake Erie (NRLE) Classroom workshop series this January and February. The NRLE Classroom program connects students to their local watershed and the Great Lakes through hands-on, place-based field trips and classroom activities. Friends of Reinstein Woods received a $7,315 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to provide water testing equipment, teacher stipends, and free student field trips for participating teachers.

Ten local educators of students in grades 4-12 were accepted into the 2025 NRLE Classroom program. Participants will attend four workshops to plan Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for students while also being trained in the nationally recognized Project WET (Water Education Today) curriculum. Teachers will receive a $150 stipend for participating in the four-week program.

Participants will become familiar with water quality testing equipment and protocols before planning their spring field trip. The grant covers all field trip expenses, allowing the new NRLE teachers to provide a free, hands-on science experience for their students.

“We have supported watershed experiences through ‘Day in the Life’ field trips for thirteen years,” said Friends of Reinstein Woods President Daniel Haeusser. “We are extremely grateful for the generous support of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, which allows us to expand our network of NRLE teachers and connect more youth to local water quality issues. There is excitement over this important opportunity to connect broader ecological issues to the local Niagara River/Lake Erie environment.”

Teachers come from six school districts (Amherst, Buffalo, Cheektowaga Central, Orchard Park, Frontier, Eden) and from Cattaraugus Allegany BOCES.   

Media members are invited to learn more about the program during the “Day in the Life of the NRLE Watershed” workshop on January 21. To attend, contact Joann Flores at (716) 683-5959.

About Friends of Reinstein Woods:

Friends of Reinstein Woods is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization that supports the environmental education programs offered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center. We provide vital financial and volunteer support for programs aimed at school children, teachers, youth from underserved neighborhoods, and the public. We also support stewardship projects designed to protect and restore the natural habitats at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve.

About The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo:

For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.

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The $25,435 grant will fuel the Pathways to Environmental Learning Project

Buffalo, NY – Friends of Reinstein Woods received a competitive grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to support a program that will connect local students to their environment and science-based careers. The Pathways to Environmental Learning (PEL) program will connect 10 teenagers at Cheektowaga High School with local community leaders working on climate action, show them job opportunities and empower them to act as environmental leaders.

“It is our duty to equip our youth with the knowledge, connections and resources to strengthen the environmental community,” said Friends of Reinstein Woods President Eric Gallo. “We intend to build pathways for youth from racially diverse backgrounds to engage with their environment and gain the confidence to pursue environmental careers.”

This program will provide personal, face-to-face interactions between students and government and nonprofit staff, increasing the likelihood that students will consider these types of jobs in the future. This Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo grant is a critical investment in stewarding our significant environmental resources and preparing the next generation of environmental advocates.

“The New York State Department Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders to explore exciting and rewarding careers in the climate and environmental field, especially those whose backgrounds are currently underrepresented in these careers,” said Reinstein Woods Center Director Meaghan Boice-Green. “We are excited that this program will build a pathway for local students to connect with DEC and encourage them to pursue careers in conservation, as a diverse and empowered workforce is key to meeting the greatest challenges of our time.”

During the school year, students will meet once a week with environmental professionals, learn about local climate resiliency efforts, and explore and test local waterways. The students will have opportunities to put their new knowledge to immediate use by leading science activities for elementary students in a local after-school and developing and leading an Earth Day community service project.

“We are pleased that this program will connect students with their local environment, introduce them to real scientists working in their community, and broaden their science and communication skills,” said Karin Cyganovich, Cheektowaga High School Principal. “We are eager for our students to have this unique opportunity outside the formal school setting.”

Friends of Reinstein Woods is considering this effort to be an inaugural year for what they intend to be a long-term program. The PEL program will compensate its participants, which allows students to fully commit to the program and attend all sessions instead of seeking other after-school employment options that may not have an educational focus. The grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo ensures that this pilot year will provide the students with ample opportunities and interactions to make the program a success.

About Reinstein Woods:

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is a 292-acre complex of wetlands, ponds, and forest. Friends of Reinstein Woods is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization that supports the environmental education programs offered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Reinstein Woods. We provide vital financial and volunteer support for programs aimed at school children, teachers, youth from underserved neighborhoods, and the general public. We also support stewardship projects designed to protect and restore the natural habitats at Reinstein Woods.

About Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.

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The expanded market will host more than 45 vendors and food trucks

Buffalo, NY – Friends of Reinstein Woods invites the WNY community to its annual Artisan Market on Saturday, July 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This free, rain-or-shine event will take place at Reinstein Woods, 93 Honorine Dr. Depew, NY 14043. This year’s market will feature more than 45 artisans and vendors selling handmade jewelry, soy candles, paintings, photographs and more.

“We are always excited to spend a day at the woods, enjoying nature’s harmony, and this event also lets us support local businesses at the same time,” said Friends of Reinstein Woods President Eric Gallo. “We hope to see a lot of familiar faces and new families come out to support these local artisans, as well as discover everything that Reinstein Woods has to offer them!”

The event, sponsored by M&T Bank and West Herr, will also feature kids crafts, a basket raffle and five different food truck vendors. All proceeds go to furthering Friends of Reinstein Woods’s mission: to promote knowledge of nature through awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of the unique and diverse environment of Reinstein Woods and its programs.

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is a 292-acre complex of wetlands, ponds, and forest. Friends of Reinstein Woods is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization that supports the environmental education programs offered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Reinstein Woods. We provide vital financial and volunteer support for programs aimed at school children, teachers, youth from underserved neighborhoods, and the general public. We also support stewardship projects designed to protect and restore the natural habitats at Reinstein Woods.

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Yesterday, AM Buffalo hosts Emily Lampa and Mercedes Wilson came to Reinstein Woods to learn how to cross-country ski! Educator Mike Adriaansen showed them the equipment and gave them some tips before they got into their skis. Check out the action here!

Friends of Reinstein Woods is hiring a Development and Marketing Associate to work closely with staff and volunteers to promote the long-term financial well-being of Friends of Reinstein Woods. The Associate will be responsible for diversifying the organization’s funding streams and growing our donor base. This is a full- time position. Occasional weekend and evening hours related to special events required.

For details about the job, see the attached announcement. Application deadline: January 15, 2023. 

While we are SNOW excited that winter is here, both the grounds and the Education Center will be CLOSED on Saturday, November 18, to let us safely clear the parking lots and walkways from the recent storm. While it may be nice at your house, the heavy wet snow at Reinstein Woods has jammed our snow removal equipment and made it hard for us to do proper cleanup. And the heavy wet snow isn’t great for skiing or snowshoeing anyway, so please stay home! Have some hot chocolate! Check out a Christmas movie a little early… and we’ll see you soon.