News from the Friends of Reinstein
Scouts Build Library, Make Trail Improvements
Cheektowaga is home to two libraries built with donations from the Reinstein family. It is fitting that this summer, Reinstein Woods added a third, albeit smaller, library to the town. The “Library in the Woods,” constructed by Eugene Maciejewski of Boy Scout Troop 601 for his Eagle Scout project, provides a weather-proof space for books … Continue reading Scouts Build Library, Make Trail Improvements
Read MoreStudents Experience “Day in the Life”
By Jill Zerkowski, Naturalist Intern On September 29, more than 300 students, teachers and volunteers arrived on the shores of the Buffalo River and its tributaries. Equipped with tools such as nets, tubes, clipboards and data sheets, students from six schools from across western New York were ready to explore the complex relationships that are … Continue reading Students Experience “Day in the Life”
Read MoreJunior League Grant Provides Summer Experience
“This week was the highlight of my summer.” So proclaimed one of the campers who attended Camp Rushford, an environmental education summer camp in Allegany County. The camper was one of more than a dozen kids who attended camp through NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s campership program, offered in partnership with Friends of Reinstein Woods. The … Continue reading Junior League Grant Provides Summer Experience
Read MoreNature Sightings
It is a great time to enjoy the brilliant foliage at Reinstein Woods on a sunny day. The forest is painted with bright reds, oranges, yellows and green. Raptors such as red-tailed hawks have been spotted frequently. Look in the sky for soaring turkey vultures during their migration south. Spring peepers have been heard on … Continue reading Nature Sightings
Read MoreAnnual Meeting Features Owl Ecology Presentation
The Friends of Reinstein Woods’ annual meeting was very well attended. Board member, Vinod Suchak was congratulated for receiving the Peter M. Losi Volunteer Award. This award recognizes his hard work for the Friends of Reinstein as our treasurer and finance committee chairman. We also welcomed new board members Jerry Krajna and Esther Clabeaux to … Continue reading Annual Meeting Features Owl Ecology Presentation
Read MoreBuffalo Animal Adventures Presentation
As part of a membership drive, new and existing members of the Friends of Reinstein Woods enjoyed a live animal presentation by “Buffalo Animal Adventures”. Anthony Kelly shared animals from New York during this presentation. These animals included a tiger salamander, massasauga rattle snake, porcupine, red fox, snapping turtle, eastern box turtle, and cottontail rabbit. … Continue reading Buffalo Animal Adventures Presentation
Read MoreNature Sightings
Grasses and sedges have crept into many of our ponds because of the dry summer. Nodding beggarticks and smartweed are flowering around the pond edges. There are noticeably less dragonflies patrolling the ponds this year because of the drought and low water levels. In normal years, meadowhawk dragonflies would be very abundant right now. Trees … Continue reading Nature Sightings
Read MoreCarnivorous Plant Presentation
Members of Friends of Reinstein Woods enjoyed a presentation by the WNY Carnivorous Plant Club. Pitcher Plants, sundews, fly traps, and many other specimens were passed around for everyone to get a close look. There is a lot of interesting natural history behind these unique plants. Members please check a listing of our upcoming programs … Continue reading Carnivorous Plant Presentation
Read MoreNature Sightings
If you have walked the trails at Reinstein Woods any morning in the last few weeks, you may have noticed either snapping turtles or painted turtles laying their eggs in loose soil along the trails. Black cherry trees just lost all of their flower petals. Baltimore orioles have finished weaving their hanging nests. There are … Continue reading Nature Sightings
Read MoreReinstein Woods Offers Summer Teacher Institute
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with Friends of Reinstein Woods, is accepting registrations for a Summer Teacher Institute to be held August 3-4 at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center in Depew. The Institute is designed for educators of students in Pre-K to grade 12, and will run from … Continue reading Reinstein Woods Offers Summer Teacher Institute
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