Friends of Reinstein Woods’ Meander in the Woods event was a success thanks to the efforts of event Chair Karen Smith, the fundraising committee a host of volunteers! Additionally, we extend a sincere thank you to the following donors to the auction:

French Pub Restaurant
Gear for Adventure
Mike and Carol Gettings
Cynthia Giardina
Judy Gruchy
Harlequin Distribution Center
Herschell Carrousel Museum
Kentucky Gregs’ Hickory Pit
Lastertron
Tom Lawson
Lodgical
Mary Losi
Mane Street Haircutters
The Market in the Square
Denise Maziarz
Old Fort Niagara
Olive Tree Restaurant
Rolling Hills Golf Course
Chuck and Kristen Rosenburg
Tom Schuler
Karen Smith
Soaptini
The Buffalo History Museum
Union Family Restaurant
Carol Vaughan
Village Sweet Shoppe
What a Woman Wants Boutique

We are grateful to the following volunteers who made the event possible:

Irene Benbenek
Jane Aigner
Jane Albrecht
Jill Thurston
Judy Gruchy
Karen Smith
Keith Gruchy
Linda Arndt
Mary Losi
Michael Aikan
Mike Gettings
Peter Buechi
Richard Glinski
Rita Zwink
Robert O’Keefe
Rose Antos
Sandy Myers
Stefanie Ecker
Steve Wood
Terry Boyle
Tom Schuler
Wende Mix

On July 22, more than 40 volunteers enjoyed food and camaraderie at the annual Reinstein Woods volunteer picnic. Friends of Reinstein provided the main course, beverages and “Reinstein Floats” for all attendees.

Reinstein Woods Center Director Meaghan Boice-Green noted that the volunteer program could not exist without the support of Friends of Reinstein Woods. She noted that in 2013, volunteers made it possible to share nature’s harmony with more than 11,000 children from school and youth groups, and with about 4,600 people at public programs, the fall festival and other events. Volunteers also improved more than 25 acres of forest through Trail Tuesdays and the Garlic Mustard Challenge. Overall, volunteers donated 4,666 hours in 2013, or the equivalent of 2.25 full-time employees!

Brian Engler was announced as the 2014 recipient of the Al Schick Volunteer Recognition Award. Brian has been volunteering since 2010 and is an avid tour guide who also helps promote Reinstein Woods at off-site events.

Joan Scott was announced as the recipient of the Peter Losi Appreciation Award, given to a volunteer who provides service to Friends of Reinstein Woods. Joan is a true “behind the scenes” volunteer, coordinating the Friends of Reinstein’s online newsletter as well as many email announcements about events like the Fall Festival and Earth Day.

At the picnic we also noted two losses in the volunteer family that happened since the last picnic:

• Roy Seiders: For many years, Roy was a tour guide for Saturday morning tours, sharing nature’s harmony with whoever showed up! He was also instrumental in getting the Niagara Frontier Koi and Pond Club involved in building and maintaining the pond next to the education center. Roy was the 2006 recipient of the Al Schick Volunteer Recognition Award.
• Tom Casey: For several years, Tom worked part-time for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as a “green thumb” employee, helping out with maintenance at Reinstein Woods. He was a member of Friends of Reinstein and was a great advocate for Reinstein Woods, bringing friends skiing in the woods and to the Friends’ fundraisers.

We also noted an addition to the Reinstein Woods family: Program Coordinator Kristen Rosenburg and her husband Chuck Rosenburg welcomed a son, Colin David, last August. We expect Colin will be volunteering at Reinstein Woods as soon as he can walk!

As I “meandered” through the woods at the beginning of summer, everything seemed fresher at Reinstein Woods. Maybe it was the fact that I was there right after a heavy summer rain, bringing my granddaughter, Hope, to summer camp.

Hope was excited to start the week long camp, her second year. As we approached the education center, near the deer exclosure, two bright-eyed fawns greeted us. Inside the center, Hope met the new staff, the other campers and her favorite camp director, Brittany.

I gave Hope a kiss when leaving and decided to check on the fawns. They were still there watching closely.

I decided to take a walk and was amazed to find the pink lilies still in bloom and very plentiful. A deer appeared from across the pond, spoke to me, and then leaped away. I traveled around the pond witnessing chipmunks, rabbits, small bunnies and baby chicks. I’m still learning bird sounds but there were many songs, including red winged black birds, woodpeckers and cardinals. I startled several squirrels and painted turtles; the deer returned, bringing her fawn this time.

I really enjoy talking to the young school kids on nature tours at Reinstein Woods but sometimes I miss the quiet solitude of an early morning walk by myself. I headed back to the center when I almost collided with a deer at an intersection (thankfully no one was hurt).

Before summer is gone and we start toward winter, I recommend a visit to Reinstein Woods! Although every season has something to offer, this time of year always seems more exciting.

Thanks to all the summer camp staff, all the “campers” had a great week, even some of the parents and grandparents. Keep up the good work!!!!!

Share in Nature’s Harmony

Mike Gettings, President
Friends of Reinstein Woods

The Town of Amherst Youth and Recreation Department has teamed with Wegmans supermarkets to provide a “Passport to Family Wellness” program that includes Reinstein Woods. The passport highlights Williamsville and Amherst trails, waterways and parklands as well as a few “Trails of Western New York” locations like Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve.

Passport holders visit each site and make a rubbing in the passport as a souvenir of their outdoor adventure. Look for the passport post near the Nature Play Area at Reinstein Woods.

Passports can be picked up at the Amherst Senior Center, area Wegmans supermarkets and Amherst Youth & Recreation Department.

Thanks to all of the volunteers and attendees who made the 2014 Meander in the Woods a success! We’ve had lots of requests for the recipes from the sweet & savory snack trail, and Event Chair Karen Smith has graciously provided them here: Meander Recipes – 2014  Enjoy!

On Saturday June 14 at Beaver Meadow Audubon Center, Reinstein Woods’ Cara Politi announced the  winners for the fourth annual Garlic Mustard Challenge. More than 300 volunteers removed 5,100 pounds of the invasive garlic mustard plant from three nature preserves in Western New York, improving hundreds of acres of habitat! The Challenge is a joint effort of Friends of Reinstein Woods, NYSDEC’s Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center, Buffalo Audubon Society and the Western New York Land Conservancy.

To increase their impact , 17 volunteers also removed garlic mustard at the Lewiston Plateau Habitat Area in Lewiston, Niagara County, during a one-day “Super Pull.” Volunteers pulled 277 pounds of garlic mustard in just three hours.

Beaver Meadow Audubon Center claims bragging rights as “Challenge Champion” for harnessing the most volunteer power (pounds of garlic mustard per person) of the three nature preserves. The organization’s 52 volunteers pulled more than 2,394 pounds of garlic mustard!

Thank you to all of the volunteers who participated in the Challenge!

Garlic Mustard Challenge Winners

 Reinstein Woods:

First Place: Riptide Plus, Buffalo (168.75 pounds)
Runner Up: Pack 592, Orchard Park (123.75 pounds)

Beaver Meadow Audubon Center (North Java):

First Place: Olivia’s Mustard, Lancaster (1,113 pounds)
Runner Up: East Pembroke Grange, Pembroke (769 pounds)

Kenneglenn Preserve:                 

First Place: Boy Scout Troop 513, East Aurora (1,016) pounds)
Runner Up: Cub Scout Pack 514, East Aurora (348 pounds)

Lewiston Plateau Habitat Area ‘Super Pull”:

First Place: Unicorn Troop, Kenmore (151.5 pounds)
Runner Up: Daemen YALT, Daemen College (55 pounds)

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting registrations for a Schoolyard Habitat Institute happening Tuesday, July 29 to Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center in Depew. The Institute, designed for educators of students in pre-K to grade 12, will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

 

During the Schoolyard Habitat Institute, teachers will learn how to effectively use their schoolyard as an outdoor classroom. Participants will learn experience hands-on activities that align with Common Core and New York State learning standards. The activities are designed to fit into existing curricula in math, English language arts, science and other subject areas.  Additionally, resources for how to enhance outdoor spaces in and around schools will be provided. 

 

The two-day program provides 12 hours of instruction for which in-service or continuing education credit may be available. Participants will receive written materials to enable them to transfer their new knowledge directly to their school.  A materials fee of $40 includes lunch on the second day.

 

A registration form can be downloaded here (pdf, 14 Kb) or you can receive one by calling Reinstein Woods at (716) 683-5959.  Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.  Teachers must register by July 9, 2014.  

                                   

Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center is located at 93 Honorine Drive in Depew, about three miles from the Walden Galleria mall.  For more information, contact Reinstein Woods at (716) 683-5959 or visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1837.html. 

Friends of Reinstein’s annual Earth Day Appeal is underway, and we would like to extend a huge thank you to all the community members who have donated to date. The funds help Friends of Reinstein continue to provide quality environmental education programs for students, teachers and the general public. Donations are still being accepted, so if you didn’t receive a letter in the mail, feel free to contact Reinstein Woods to request one.

Thank you to the following donors:

Karen Cool
Marlyn Gross
Tom & Andrea Mudd Sr.
Christine Whalley and Kelley Kobel
Ray & Tess Wolniewicz

Cottonwood Level ($25-$49):
Therese Adriaansen
Robin Bobowicz
Patricia Buettner
Gary Degener
Stefanie Ecker
Nancy Fernandez
Carl & Elise Fila
Don Gordon
Roger Gray
Barbara Guancial
K. Juzdowski
Dennis & Rebecca Kaniecki
Dolores Koenig
Irene Konowka
Dennis and Sandra Needham
Sandra Szwarc
Michael & Marcia Szmania
Mare Steiniger
Elaine Hansen
Stuart & Barb Rubin
John & Sally Zloty

White Ash Level ($50):
Maxine Barber
David & Kathy Boice
Michael Campanella
Peter & Teresa Corrigan
Danell DelPrince
Helen Erkkila-Kaukeano
Jade Feeney
Arthur Grupp
Alice LaGraves
Thomas & Sue Lawson
Richard & Nancy Lipka
Charles Rauch
Bob & Shari Rembold
Colette Roseboro
Brigitte Schick
Alan & Carol Lynn Winship

Yellow Birch Level ($75-$99):
Ernest & Mitzi Czapla
Alfred Dittenhauser
Michele Sanner
Michael & Kimberly Tonovitz

Black Walnut Level ($100):
Linda Arndt
Peter & Cheryl Buechi
Mike & Carol Gettings
Scott & Meaghan Green
David & Joyce Hodgson
David & Carolyn Karb
Kenneth Mazur
K. Michaels
Scott & Karen Smith
Thomas Stoll

Sugar Maple Level ($250):
Mary Losi
Paul and Sylvia Tokasz
 

Despite a light rain and threatening skies, almost 60 volunteers helped during Reinstein Woods “Earth Day in May” service day. Reinstein Woods’ volunteers, Buffalo AmeriCorps volunteers, and University at Buffalo fraternity Alpha Kappa Chi eagerly helped with service projects at Reinstein Woods. Volunteers removed trash from wetlands, repaired deer exclosures, maintained the trails, and planted trees. Volunteers also wrapped trees to protect them from beaver damage along the newly opened West Pond trail.

Thank you to all the volunteers!

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In celebration of Earth Day, DEC Regional Director Abby Snyder announced today the opening of additional trails at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Cheektowaga.

“Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center is a designated New York State Watchable Wildlife site, where wildlife viewing opportunities abound,” said DEC Regional Director Abby Snyder. “By providing access to more trails at Reinstein Woods, we are pleased that the public will have more opportunities to view birds, mammals and other wildlife in this suburban setting. With the addition of these trails, there are now about 3.5 miles of trails available at Reinstein Woods for the public to enjoy from sunrise to sunset.”

“Our visitors have repeatedly asked for more trails to explore on their own,” said Reinstein Woods Center Director Meaghan Boice-Green. “In keeping with the property’s management plan, we are opening more of the gravel road system built by Dr. Reinstein for people to enjoy at their own pace.”

Unlike other trails open to the public at Reinstein Woods, these trails do not contain wayside signs or posts with information about the trail’s natural features. The trails provide a chance to commune with nature with fewer man-made distractions.

The new trails at Reinstein Woods total about a mile in length and open up the western end of the preserve to exploration by the public. Two trails make adjacent loops and provide views of West Pond and Lower Pond, ponds built by Dr. Victor Reinstein in the first half of the twentieth century. The trails can be reached from the north end of Hidden Pond trail, a short trail opened about two years ago, and end at an intersection near the Champion Beech tree, the largest forest-grown beech tree in New York State.

Trails at Reinstein Woods are open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is located at 93 Honorine Drive, off of Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga. To learn more about Reinstein Woods, call 683-5959, or visit DEC’s website.