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Help Save Reinstein’s Ash!
Support Friends of Reinstein Woods during “Spring It On,” a 24-hour fundraising event sponsored by United Way!
When: 
Kick-off: 8:00 AM on Thursday, March 19
End Time: 8:00 AM on Friday, March 20
Our goal is to raise $1000 for the continued protection of Ash trees from the destructive Emerald Ash Borer Beetle. You can make your pledge by visiting our fundraising page.
Thank you for your support!
Friends of Reinstein Woods
“Summer Camp: Inspiration in Action”
Explore. Discover. Connect.
Those three words capture the very essence of the “Kids in the Woods” summer camp. Side by side, campers and counselors explore nature all day long, making countless exciting discoveries. By making these discoveries, campers make a personal connection with nature. A sense of joy and spontaneity is paramount to the camp.
Counselors seek to guide and supplement the experience, not dictate it. Our focus is inspiring a sense of wonder in campers and forging lasting connections with nature. We aspire to be role models that teach kids how to love, respect, and have fun out in nature. If we don’t come back as muddy and breathless as the campers, then we didn’t do our job right.
When I designed the camp, I was greatly inspired by explorers, naturalists, and writers. They all had the same message: immersion in nature is a joyous and essential part of childhood. Let me show you how the ideas that inspired the camp translate into powerful experiences.
~ Brittany Rowan, Camp Director
“It is not half so important to know as to feel.” ~ Rachel Carson
“Every child should have tadpoles, frogs, mud, trees to climb, butterflies, pinecones, rocks to roll…”
~ Luther Burbank
“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.” ~ John Muir
“If children are to keep alive their inborn sense of wonder, they need the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”
~ Rachel Carson
“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Dry words and dry facts will not fire hearts.” ~ John Muir
“The sensory approach is vital for the personal awareness of nature that we hope to achieve. Doesn’t it accomplish more to immerse the campers in nature than to tell them about it?” ~ Steve Van Matre
“When your child comes home messy, your child probably…
Worked with a friend
Solved a problem
Created a masterpiece
Learned a new skill
Had a great time.”
~ Sandy Dixon
“For special places to work their magic on kids, they need to be free to climb trees, muck about, catch things, and get wet – above all, to leave the trail.” ~ Robert Michael Pyle
Winter, Winter, Winter! (A message from the President)
Greetings from the frozen North!
When my wife and I returned in February from a warm Florida vacation, my initial thought was “are you kidding” after seeing the snowy landscape. I’m old enough to remember the days when snow was over the roof tops, there was no such thing as wind chill and you stayed outside all day and half of the night. But, this winter seems to be breaking all the records, imagined or otherwise.
My thoughts quickly improved, based on two recent events at “The Woods” which made me adjust my attitude concerning the winter season.
The first event was Winter Wonderland. Not only was the attendance fantastic, over 500 strong, but the families and kids had a great time and enjoyed the outdoors. I didn’t hear one complaint about the weather, the guests had fun, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snow painting, ice fishing and watching the rescue dog Jackson perform.
The second event was an evening snowshoeing tour. On a clear 12 degree February evening, five individuals with disabilities who had never used snowshoes had a great time trekking for almost an hour on the frozen trails. Each explorer took turns leading the group, asked many questions and was excited about being outdoors. It was not the participants who got tired; it was me, the tour guide.
I’m sometimes negative about the winter weather, but I’m always amazed at the active winter related activities that I witness at Reinstein Woods. Lots of individuals and families enjoy the winter season here, either for the first time or as a regular customer. I’m grateful that Reinstein Woods provides these opportunities and that I can play a small role in these worthwhile experiences.
Stay Warm – Spring Will Arrive!!!!!
Mike Gettings
President, Friends of Reinstein Woods
Winter Wonderland Draws Record Crowds
More than 500 visitors celebrated “Winter Wonderland in the Woods” on Saturday, February 7 at Reinstein Woods. Visitors enjoyed learning to cross-country ski, snowshoe and much more. The ice fishing demonstrations, snowball target, live animals and winter-themed crafts were also very popular. Below is a glimpse of some moments from the event.
REINSTEIN WOODS CELEBRATES WINTER SEASON “Winter Wonderland” Will Include Free Snowshoeing
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with 
Friends of Reinstein Woods, invites the public to celebrate “Winter Wonderland in the Woods” on Saturday, February 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in the town of Cheektowaga, Erie County.
“Many people make New Year’s resolutions to live healthier and get out more,” said Center Director Meaghan Boice-Green. “This event is a great opportunity to explore new forms of outdoor recreation in a beautiful setting.”
Visitors can try snowshoes and cross-country skis for free in a demonstration area (weather permitting). Snowshoe rentals will also be available for those desiring a longer snowshoe experience. Children will be able to try snowshoeing (regardless of the weather) and take part in a winter scavenger hunt. An ice-fishing demonstration area will introduce youngsters to this winter sport. Kids also can test their snowball-throwing skills and express their creative side in the snow art area.
After enjoying outdoor activities, families can warm up inside the education center with refreshments sold by Friends of Reinstein Woods. The S.P.C.A. Wildlife Department will present informative talks on wild bird rehabilitation throughout the day, and “Nature Mary” will present an interactive program on “Winter Survival Techniques.” The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will be on hand to help kids make nature crafts while they learn about wildlife active in the winter. There will be door prizes, costumed characters, exhibits and more.
Registration is not required for this event. Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is located at 93 Honorine Drive, off of Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga. For more information, contact Reinstein Woods at 683-5959, or visit the Winter Wonderland event page.
Nature’s Timetable (A Message from the Friends President)
As the season change (it’s still fall as I write), we at Reinstein Woods look forward to the upcoming Holidays. It seems that the general trend lately by the retail community is to extend the holiday “season” by pushing the end of year holidays earlier and earlier.
Nature has a different way of doing things, and we are reminded of that every day. Nature ignores the commercial rush, instead following its own time table. At Reinstein Woods we are lucky to have the opportunity and environment to witness nature at its best – we simply have to slow down and enjoy it!
I think another way to appreciate nature, and in turn, the holidays, are through the eyes of children. I’m always amazed at the excitement expressed by kids when they explore nature. That excitement is also expressed during the holidays. But we always ask our children to be patient, waiting for the big day, when we ourselves are busy fighting crowds and trying to grab the best deal. Like nature, it’s sometimes better to slow down and to appreciate the moment.
On behalf of Friends of Reinstein Woods, I wish you joy as you share the Holiday season with family, friends and those you love and care about. Don’t forget we are all part of a larger environment, and take the time to appreciate it.
Share in Nature’s Harmony,
Mike Gettings, President
Friends of Reinstein Woods
Natural Voices
One of the great ways Friends of Reinstein helps others “Share in Nature’s Harmony” is by supporting the Naturalist Intern Program, a paid internship opportunity for college students and recent graduates interested in environmental education. The students learn skills that will help them share nature with others throughout their careers and in their personal lives. Below are the impressions of Blossom Vance and Eileen Lusenskas, interns serving at Reinstein Woods this past season.
Blossom Vance:
“What I love most about the internship here at Reinstein Woods is that I am always learning new things. Between shadowing indoor and outdoor programs, leading tours, going on staff walks, and weekly trail monitoring I have learned so much though exposure to this beautiful place. The internship will definitely be a valuable addition to my educational and professional experience.
“In October I led several school tours and had the opportunity to teach elementary and middle school students about forest ecosystems, pond ecosystems and invasive species. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach and share my passion and enthusiasm for the natural world with others. Seeing students connect and be inspired by nature has been one of the more rewarding aspects of the internship for me. I especially enjoyed working with the more diverse and underserved student groups. I admire the fact that the Friends of Reinstein Woods and DEC are working hard to give underserved students a chance to experience and learn more about the outdoors. The naturalist internship position has taught me so much, and I look forward to my continued involvement in the stellar educational programs offered by Reinstein Woods.” – Blossom is a University at Buffalo graduate and native of Hamburg, New York
Eileen Lusenskas:
“Being an intern at Reinstein Woods has been such a great experience. I have learned so much! I have been able to shadow many on-site and off-site programs and have even led my own tours about a wide variety of environmental topics like pond scooping, invasive species, animal signs and tracks and worm composting, as well as learning the inner workings of an environmental education center. Just being able to walk in the woods to monitor the trails each week has helped me learn the many different species of trees, shrubs and animals that inhabit Reinstein Woods. Reinstein Woods is an amazing place where anyone can come and enjoy the outdoors and experience really beautiful views of nature. The people here, both staff and volunteers, have been so welcoming and helpful with anything I need, and it has made my time here even better than I thought possible.” – Eileen is a University at Buffalo graduate and a native of Long Island, New York
Reinstein Woods, Partners Celebrate “A Day in the Life of the Buffalo River”
In October, eight Western New York schools participated in the second annual “A Day in the Life of the Buffalo River” event.
With the help of DEC environmental educators, partners and volunteers, more than 150 students in grades 4-12 collected scientific data along the Buffalo River and its major tributaries, creating a “snapshot” of the watershed at one point in time. Students calculated current speed, measured water and air temperature, observed aquatic life, and investigated water chemistry and weather conditions.
“Providing hands-on experiences for students is something our organization strives to do,” said Friends President Michael Gettings. “This was a great opportunity for area students to connect with this important water resource while practicing skills used by real scientists.”
Many sites had a “river expert” from a partnering organization who shared their knowledge with the students. Partners included the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Buffalo Audubon Society, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, DEC’s Division of Environmental Remediation, DEC’s Great Lakes program, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
When asked about their favorite part of the day, one student said, “Being able to actually go in the river and scoop for fish and living things.”
More than half the students came from schools with underserved populations, and schools used this opportunity to enhance what students were already learning in the classroom. Additionally, high school students from Buffalo Public Schools’ International Preparatory School served as mentors to younger students participating at their site at Red Jacket Riverfront Park.
Friends of Reinstein Woods’ educator Brittany Rowan coordinates the program, working to educate teachers about the program ahead of time.
“This program was great! The staff was well trained and knowledgeable,” said Carol Clark, a teacher from St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. This was the first time that St. Mary’s participated in the program.
Data from all sites will be shared on a website built by SUNY Buffalo State College students so classes can compare their data with other participants and previous year’s results.
Bird Brain Delight
Many people who attended the Friends’ holiday party requested the recipe for a fabulous mystery dessert brought by Valori Victor. Below is the basic recipe that can turn out somewhat differently each time. Generally speaking, just mash enough of the bottom layer mix into your serving container (a pie pan; a green plastic Christmas-tree shaped snack tray; there are no rules with this dish).
- Raw sunflower seeds and/or your favorite chopped nuts (enough to cover bottom of serving container)
- Chopped date pieces (try a fistful and continue with the scientific method of taste/add in increments, keeping in mind and tastebud-memory the amount in top mixture)
- (optional) Cherry-infused or plain dried cranberries (available where raisins are in the supermarket)
- (optional) Add a dash of almond extract.
- Raspberries (fresh or frozen) sufficient to generously and juicily cover the bottom layer
- Chopped dates (the amount depends on how many in bottom layer). I like it when the chopped dates are plentiful in the top mixture because the raspberry juice softens them and a mouthful of raspberries and sweet dates is the best. Take the scientific approach and taste/add dates in increments. Feel free to enlist tasting assistants.
- Blackberries (optional) I like that when I smash the raspberries, the fresh blackberries remain intact and offer decorative options.
Nature’s Gathering a Big Success!
On November 1, our supporters enjoyed an exceptional evening of good wine and nature art at Nature’s Gathering: An Evening of Art, Wine and Cheese. This event raised money to support Reinstein Woods’ environmental education programs. Friends of Reinstein wishes to thank all of the artists and volunteers who donated their time to the event. We also would like to extend our thanks to the wineries and companies that made donations to ensure a successful evening!
Special Thanks to:
Rich Products Corporation
Yancey’s Fancy, Inc.
Julia A. Reinstein
Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
Midnight Run Wine Cellars
Niagara Landing Wine Cellars
Willow Creek Winery
Village Sweet Shoppe & Gifts
D’Avolio Olive Oils
Americana Vineyards
B & B Liquor
Battistoni Italian Specialty Meats
Camellia Foods
Christa Skura- Tastefully Simple
Chrusciki Bakery , Lancaster
Cordially Yours Wine & Spirits
Key Liquors
McCullagh Coffee
Toro Run
Universal Market Liquor & Wine