in the news
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 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