in the news
Western New York Land Conservancy to Host Ed Marx of the Wildlands Network at October 27 Virtual Event to Save the Allegany Wildlands
October 19, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy and the Friends of the Allegany Wildlands are working to save the Allegany Wildlands in 2021. This remarkable 200-acre forest, located only a few hundred feet from the Allegheny Reservoir near Allegany State Park, is home to a spectacular diversity of plants and animals. The community has until the end of this year to reach its fundraising goal of $879,000. Thankfully, it is more than halfway there. The community still needs to raise $330,000 to meet its fundraising goal. Thanks to three generous challenge gifts, the next $120,000 in donations will be matched 1:1. Once the goal is met, the Land Conservancy will purchase the land and keep it open as a publicly accessible nature preserve forever.
The Land Conservancy and The Riverline Join Partners to Highlight Plight of Insects Worldwide at Insectageddon-Buffalo
September 14, 2021: The Land Conservancy and The Riverline are teaming up with the Buffalo Museum of Science, Eastern Monarch Butterfly Farm, Just Buffalo Literary Center, the Old First Ward Community Center, and local artists to present a special one-day event on insects. During the past 50 years, we’ve seen a precipitous decline in insect numbers worldwide—including iconic butterflies like the monarch. How do we stem this decline? Insectageddon-Buffalo will celebrate insects while raising awareness about the critical role they play on our planet. The event will also include a butterfly launch.
Providence Farm Collective, Western New York Land Conservancy Announce Joint $2.3 Million Capital Campaign
September 13, 2021: Providence Farm Collective (PFC) and the Western New York Land Conservancy are announcing a joint $2.3 million capital campaign to “Plant the Future of Farming” at PFC’s 37-acre farm it leases in Orchard Park. Once the goal is met, Providence Farm Collective will purchase the farm, protect it forever, add needed facilities, and sustain it into the future. They need members of the community to donate to the campaign by December 31, 2022
East Aurora Advertiser: Nonprofits join together in fundraising for local farming
Western New York Land Conservancy Announces a $310,000 Matching Gift to Save the Allegany Wildlands
August 5, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy and the Friends of the Allegany Wildlands are announcing a $310,000 matching gift to save the Allegany Wildlands, a stunning 200-acre forest located only a few hundred feet from the Allegheny Reservoir near Allegany State Park. They need members of the community to donate to match the gift by the end of this year. Every dollar donated will be matched, dollar for dollar. The total fundraising goal to save the Allegany Wildlands is $879,000, and they have to secure that funding by the end of this year. Once that goal is met, the Land Conservancy will purchase the land and keep it open as a publicly accessible nature preserve forever.
Land Conservancy Naturalist Encounters Cicada that Only Exists in the Niagara Region
August 5, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy’s naturalist Erik Danielson has encountered a species of cicada endemic to the Niagara region: Okanagana noveboracensis. This rare sighting occurred while he was doing an inventory of the plants in the Niagara Gorge at Whirlpool State Park, an amazingly beautiful park in Niagara Falls managed by NYS Parks. Little is known about this cicada. Like many insects, it has no common name. But its scientific name would translate to something close to “New York Cicada.”
WGRZ Channel 2: The Secret Lives of Cicadas
Niagara Gazette: Rare insect found in Niagara Gorge
The Land Conservancy and its Design Partners to Present Concept Designs for The Riverline
July 19, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy and its award-winning design partners W Architecture, Hood Design Studio, and Green Shield Ecology will present their concept designs for The Riverline at a press conference at the Tewksbury Lodge Pavilion on July 19th at 11:00 a.m. These concept designs are the result of four years of public engagement, as well as community feedback from February’s initial concept designs and April’s first drafts.
WKBW Channel 7: Western New York Land Conservancy releases concept designs for The Riverline project
WGRZ Channel 2: Final plan in the works for proposed Riverline Trail in Buffalo
Buffalo Rising: New concept design for The Riverline
WUTV Channel 29: Final design revealed for urban nature trail
Land Conservancy Completes Purchase of Love Road Property On Grand Island
June 17, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy is pleased to announce that it has purchased a beautiful 44-acre forest on Love Road on Grand Island from the Buffalo Ornithological Society. The purchase was funded by the Greenway Ecological Standing Committee, and was supported by the Niagara River Greenway Commission. With this purchase, the Land Conservancy will establish the Love Road Preserve. The property is not open to the public, but the Land Conservancy hopes to open a walking trail system in future years.
Buffalo Rising: Land Conservancy Purchases 44-acre Forest on Grand Island
Grand Island Dispatch: Land Conservancy Completes Purchase of Love Road on Grand Island
Land Conservancy Welcomes Dr. Suzanne Simard, Pioneering Scientist and Author of Finding the Mother Tree
June 1, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy is thrilled to host Dr. Suzanne Simard, author of the memoir Finding the Mother Tree, for a livestreamed virtual event on June 16th. Simard will give a brief presentation on her pioneering work and participate in a conversation with Nancy Smith, the Land Conservancy’s Executive Director. Dr. Suzanne Simard is a pioneer on the frontier of plant communication and intelligence; she’s been compared to Rachel Carson and hailed as a scientist who conveys complex, technical ideas in a way that is dazzling and profound.
Buffalo News: Author will speak on communication by trees
Land Conservancy awarded grant to help create the Western New York Wildway
May 6, 2021: The Land Conservancy is pleased to announce that it has received a $25,000 grant from the Nature Conservancy in New York toward the planning of its proposed Western New York Wildway. The grant is part of the 2021 Resilient and Connected Network Grant Program. With this funding, the Western New York Land Conservancy will create the Western New York Wildway, a conservation plan for a new landscape-scale conservation initiative centered on protecting and connecting some of the most climate resilient lands in the Great Lakes region.
Buffalo Rising: The Western New York Wildway
Olean Times Herald: WNY Land Conservancy Eyes Purchase of South Valley Property
WGRZ: "2 the Outdoors: Preserving the Allegany Wildlands, beyond
Niagara Gazette: Land Conservancy gets Western New York 'Wildway' grant
Western New York Land Conservancy to Host Renowned Author Joan Maloof at October 29 Virtual Event to Save the College Lodge Forest
October 23, 2020: This year, with the help of the Friends of the College Lodge Forest and the Western New York Land Conservancy, the community is trying to save the College Lodge Forest near Fredonia. The College Lodge Forest is home to one of the last remaining groves of old-growth forest in the region, as well as rare wildlife, colorful orchids, and carnivorous plants. The community has until the end of this year to match a $200,000 challenge gift and reach its fundraising goal of $790,000. The Land Conservancy will then purchase the land and maintain it as a publicly accessible nature preserve. If not protected, the land could be logged.
Buffalo Rising: Help Save the College Lodge Forest!
The Western New York Land Conservancy and its Design Partners Seek Photos from the Community that will Influence Designs for The Riverline
December 9, 2020: The Western New York Land Conservancy and its design partners W Architecture, Hood Design Studio, and Green Shield Ecology are seeking photos from people in the Western New York community that can help provide ideas for the design of The Riverline, the proposed nature trail and greenway being developed along the former rail corridor running from Canalside to the Buffalo River.
Buffalo Rising: Seeking photo feedback to help shape The Riverline
Buffalo News: Land Conservancy seeks photographs for Riverline ideas
Niagara Gazette: Land Conservancy, design partners seeks photographs
The Riverline: A First Look at Design Drafts
April 26, 2021: The Riverline is coming into focus with a design concept now emerging. The Western New York Land Conservancy and its award-winning design partners W Architecture, Hood Design Studio, and Green Shield Ecology are at the midpoint of a community centered conceptual design process. Building on four years of engagement, as well as community feedback from February’s initial concept designs, plans for The Riverline are taking shape as a place of refuge where nature has reclaimed this former rail corridor.
WIVB Channel 2: Non-profit pitches new plans for Buffalo Nature Trail
Spectrum News: Plans unveiled for Buffalo’s new Riverline greenway project
Buffalo Business First: The Riverline urban trail project in Buffalo takes step forward with latest design concepts
The Land Conservancy and Its Design Team Seek Input on Early Design Concepts for The Riverline
February 12, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy and its design team will display early concept designs for The Riverline during a live-streamed YouTube event at 7:00 p.m. on February 24. During the event, Western New Yorkers will see design alternatives for The Riverline and hear from Barbara Wilks of W Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Walter Hood of Hood Design Studio.
Buffalo News: Early designs for the Riverline to be shown Feb. 24
WIBV: Check out the early concept designs for The Riverline in a virtual event next week
WKBW: WNY Land Conservancy wants public input on Riverline Project designs
WBFO: Riverline connecting Canalside to Buffalo River begins public review
Niagara Gazette: Input sought on early designs for The Riverline
Buffalo Rising: Design The Riverline
WGRZ: Input sought on Riverline designs revealed during YouTube event
Post-event press:
WBFO: Refuge, recreation, gardens and the design philosophy behind Buffalo's Riverline Project
WIBV: Connecting Canalside to the Outer Harbor, the first look at Riverline Trail designs
The Land Conservancy Receives Two Major Grants to Support the Concept and Schematic Design Phase of The Riverline
January 13, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy has announced two major grants to support the Concept and Schematic Design phase of The Riverline, part of the Land Conservancy’s efforts to transform the former DL&W rail corridor running from Canalside to the Buffalo River into an iconic, innovative, and inspiring nature trail and greenway. The First Niagara Foundation in partnership with KeyBank awarded $40,000 (in addition to a $20,000 grant earlier in 2020), and Moog Inc. awarded $75,000 to be distributed over three years.
Buffalo News: Land Conservancy gets grants for Riverline
Spectrum News: Grants Awarded for Riverline Greenway Project in Buffalo
Community Reaches Fundraising Goal, Western New York Land Conservancy to Purchase the College Lodge Forest
January 5, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy and the Friends of the College Lodge Forest are pleased to announce that the community has matched a challenge gift and reached their fundraising goal to save the College Lodge Forest. Located near Fredonia, NY, this spectacular forest has long been a cherished community gathering place in Chautauqua County. Once purchased, it will be permanently protected.
Dunkirk Observer: Fundraising goal reached to purchase the College Lodge Forest
The Land Conservancy Protects WBB Farm in Alden, NY
January 29, 2021: The Western New York Land Conservancy is pleased to announce that it has protected the award-winning WBB Farm in Alden, NY, owned by Brenda and Warren Bippert. As a result of this project, this important farmland will always be available for agricultural use. Agriculture and agriculture-based business play a vital role in Western New York, where small family farms like WBB have dotted the landscape for generations. These farms and businesses employ thousands of Western New Yorkers and pump millions of dollars into the local economy each year.
The Western New York Land Conservancy Awarded a $50,000 Transaction grant from NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)
December 21, 2020: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance last week announced approximately $2.2 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants for 50 nonprofit land trusts across the state. A total of $268,393 was awarded to land trusts in the Western New York/Finger Lakes/Southern Tier regions, including a $50,000 Transaction Grant to the Land Conservancy.
Niagara Gazette: Conservation grants awarded to local land trusts
The Margery Gallogly Nature Sanctuary Trails Now Open on Grand Island
September 2, 2020: The Western New York Land Conservancy is pleased to announce the opening of publicly accessible trails at the Margery Gallogly Nature Sanctuary on Whitehaven Road in Grand Island. The Land Conservancy purchased the forest surrounding Assumption Cemetery in 2018 from Catholic Cemeteries of the Roman Catholic Diocese, which still owns Assumption Cemetery. With the trails now open at the sanctuary, Grand Island residents and visitors will be able to enjoy activities like hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Buffalo News: Grand Island Preserve Opens with Trails
The Land Conservancy Unveils Old First Ward Students’ Pride Mural on The Riverline, Names W Architecture as Design Firm for Concept and Schematic Design Phase
August 26, 2020: This spring and summer, under the tutelage of Buffalo-based artist Christopher Kameck, students from the Old First Ward Community Center’s arts program conceived and painted a mural for the National Fuel building adjacent to the future home of The Riverline. That mural, located at the intersection of Mackinaw and Alabama Streets in the Old First Ward, is now complete and was publicly unveiled at a press conference on August 26.
The Western New York Land Conservancy Announces a $200,000 Challenge Gift to Save the College Lodge Forest
August 5, 2020- The Western New York Land Conservancy and the Friends of the College Lodge Forest are announcing a $200,000 challenge gift to save the College Lodge Forest, a spectacular 168-acre property located near Fredonia, NY. They need members of the community to donate to match the challenge gift by the end of this year. The community has already raised more than $400,000 toward its goal of $790,000 to save the forest. Once the challenge gift is matched, they will meet that goal, purchase the land, and keep it open as a publicly accessible nature preserve forever.
Buffalo News: As subdivisions eat up land, conservancy works to save its 96th property
Dunkirk Observer: Land Conservancy announces $200, 000 challenge gift to save the College Lodge Forest
WRFA (Radio interview): Community Matters: Jajean Rose-Burney on saving the College Lodge Forest
Silo City to Get Goatscaping Treatment, Makeover as part of Pilot Project for The Riverline
July 10, 2020: A team of Let’s Goat Buffalo goats has deployed to the campus of iconic Silo City, one of Buffalo’s most notable landmarks. The pilot project is aimed at eliminating invasive Mugwort and is sponsored by the Western New York Land Conservancy as part of its ongoing effort to develop The Riverline in downtown Buffalo.
The Riverline Joins the High Line Network of Infrastructure Reuse Projects
June 29, 2020 - The Riverline announces today that it is one of 15 new members of the High Line Network, a community of nonprofit infrastructure reuse leaders. Since its start by High Line co-founder and Executive Director Robert Hammond in 2016, the Network has grown from an initial group of 11 leaders to include 39 projects, showing the growing trend of transforming underutilized and abandoned infrastructure into new urban landscapes. Redefining what a park can be, these hybrid spaces are also public squares, open-air museums, botanical gardens, social service organizations, walkways, transit corridors, and more. Members of the Network also commit to building truly equitable spaces for their communities.
Buffalo Rising: The Riverline Announces that it is one of 15 New Members of the High Line Network
Buffalo News: Riverline Recognized Nationally with other Green-minded Reuse Projects
Buffalo Business First: Two City Parks Projects Receive a Boost
The College Lodge Forest, a Sanctuary for Migratory Birds, Wildflowers, Amphibians— and Western New Yorkers
June 17, 2020: With our region slowly reopening, Western New Yorkers are hungry to get outside. For those who are searching for the serenity of a spectacular forest off the beaten path, where they can practice social distancing and enjoy nature, what better place is there than the College Lodge Forest near Fredonia?
Buffalo Rising: The College Lodge Forest, a “Forever Wild” Sanctuary for Wildlife and Western New Yorkers
Dunkirk Observer: Natural Setting in Our Own Back Yard
Western New York Land Conservancy Receives Two Major Grants to Protect the College Lodge Forest Near Fredonia
January 28, 2020: The Western New York Land Conservancy has received two major grants toward the protection of the College Lodge Forest, located in Chautauqua County near Fredonia. The grants include $150,000 from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and $203,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Combined with $40,000 already donated by community members, the Land Conservancy has now raised nearly $400,000 to protect the forest. The Land Conservancy has until Dec. 31, 2020, to raise at least $790,000 to buy the property, keep it open as a publicly accessible nature preserve, and maintain the land forever.
Dunkirk Observer: Organization gets grants to protect College Lodge Forest near Fredonia
Western New York Land Conservancy Reaches $1.6 million Goal and Will Purchase Mossy Point near East Aurora
January 2, 2020: The Western New York Land Conservancy is pleased to announce that it has met its $1.6 million goal to save Mossy Point. As a headwater forest, the land will provide clean water and prevent flooding in communities downstream. During the past two years, the Land Conservancy and the Friends of Mossy Point carried out an ambitious fundraising campaign to protect the property. “This campaign was a tremendous effort by everyone involved,” said Nancy Smith, executive director of the Land Conservancy.
WKBW Channel 7: WNY Land Conservancy has enough money to purchase Mossy Point
East Aurora Advertiser: Land Conservancy Reaches Goal in Mossy Point Campaign