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

About 40 members of the Friends gathered in mid-October to elect a new board member, thank an award winner and hear about Friends of Reinstein Woods’ accomplishments in 2013-2014.

The Peter Losi Memorial award was presented to Joan Scott for outstanding service to Friends of Reinstein Woods. Joan has been a behind the scenes volunteer for the last six years, assembling and editing Friends of Reinstein’s e- newsletter.  In past years she has also sent email reminders about special events like the fall festival and put together photo books that were raffled off as door prizes at Friends’ events or used to market Reinstein Woods’ programs to new teachers and administrators.

President Mike Gettings also thanked Joe Rembold, who completed a term on the board of directors. Joe has chaired the Marketing Committee since its inception and guided the process of developing a new logo, position statement (slogan) and website for the organization. Joe put in countless hours behind the scenes helping the Friends’ board communicate better online, securing a grant from the National Environmental Education Foundation to help them complete a marketing plan, and working on integrating credit card sales into the new website. Joe works for Delaware North Company and lives in Kenmore with his wife and new baby daughter.  Although Joe will no longer be on the board of directors, he will be continuing to help the marketing committee, and we hope to see him and his new daughter in the woods soon!

Stefanie Ecker was elected to a three year term with the board of directors. Stefanie works for Ingram Micro, Inc. and previously worked for Hospice Buffalo. Stefanie jumped right into volunteering for the Friends early this year, acting as chairperson for this year’s Nature’s Gathering event.  We are glad to have her continuing her leadership by officially joining the board of directors.

Committee chairs shared our successes in fundraising, member events, and finance. Most importantly, meeting attendees heard about the programs that the Friends supported this year, including:

• transporting 25 kids from urban, underserved areas to DEC’s Camp Rushford environmental education camp
•  the growing Kids in the Woods summer day camp program
• stewardship of Reinstein Woods, including the Garlic Mustard Challenge, Earth Day in May, and Trail Tuesdays
• workshops for teachers, including the successful “Schoolyard Habitat Institute” held over the summer
• Great Lakes education of teachers and students, in partnership with Buffalo Urban Outdoor Education (BUOE)
• an expanded Day in the Life of the Buffalo River program
• the successful launch of Family Nature Clubs, in partnership with the Buffalo Zoo.

We look forward to continuing our success in sharing nature’s harmony in 2015!

HOURS:
Monday – Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 1 pm – 4:30 pm
Some Sundays: 1 pm – 4:30 pm Jan. 4 – Feb. 1, March 1 & 8
CLOSED on State  Holidays

NEW THIS YEAR: For parents looking to enjoy snowshoeing with a very young child, we have infant/toddler sleds available to rent for $5.

Cost:
$5 per pair, $2 for Friends of Reinstein members (not a member? Join now!)
Credit cards accepted for sales of $10 or more
Cash only on Sundays

During the Education Center business hours, Friends of Reinstein Woods, in partnership with DEC, rents snowshoes and cross-country skis to use at Reinstein Woods. We have a large selection of snowshoes (fitting small children to large adults). We have a decent selection of adult cross-country skis and a limited number of skis for youth. Rentals are made on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A minimum of 6″ of snow on the ground is required in order to use the snowshoes and skis, and we reserve the right to refuse rentals during inappropriate or dangerous trail conditions.  One renter from each party must be at least 16 years old and leave their driver’s license or non-driver photo ID at the reception desk. Friends of Reinstein members must show their membership card to receive the discount.

Summer is a time when we think students and teachers take a break from learning.  This summer, 22 teachers from school districts as far away as Syracuse got an outdoor education by participating in Reinstein Woods’ summer teacher workshop, the Schoolyard Habitat Institute.

This two-day training highlighted techniques for using schoolyards to teach math, science and English Language Arts. The goal of the program was to make teachers comfortable taking their students outside, whether into a concrete courtyard or out along their school’s nature trail. We tried provide sparks of inspiration for how to use existing resources like a grassy area or pavement to fan the flames of learning in students.

The program included training in Project WILD, one of several curricula that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) offers through Reinstein Woods.

The program’s best result was the change in the number of teachers who plan to take their students outside in the upcoming school year: in a pre-workshop survey, only 26% of teachers said they’d take their kids outside once a month or more, but 76% responded that they would after participating in the Institute.

A thank you note from one teacher read:

“To all the Instructors at Reinstein Woods,
Thank you for running the Schoolyard Habitat Institute. It was the best workshop ever.”

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

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)

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