Spring/Fall-2025
THE FRIENDS OF TIMES BEACH
NATURE PRESERVE
Supporting a Critical Nature Preserve in Downtown Buffalo, New York
Erie County has indicated that work to repair and restore the storm damaged Times Beach Nature Preserve will be undertaken during the spring and summer of 2025. As we recieve details and schedules we will post them here and on our facebook page. Stay Tuned.
Lights Out Buffalo Niagara
New York State Lights Out PolicyLights Out directs State-owned and managed buildings to turn off non-essential outdoor lighting from 11 p.m. to dawn during the spring migration April 15 through May 31 and during the peak fall migration, August 15 through November 15. State agencies will also be encouraged to draw blinds, when possible, and turn off non-essential indoor lighting during Lights Out times. In addition to benefiting migrating birds, Lights Out promotes sustainability and provides cost-savings to the State. The FOTB hopes that our neighbors including the New York State managed Erie Canal Harbor Development Authority meets the state policys during this critical migration period. More Here: lights out
Resource Link: NYS DEC Lights Out Policy
https://shorturl.at/DlPsv
Resource Link: NYS DEC Lights Out Policy
https://shorturl.at/DlPsv
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SPECIAL RULES
Because Times Beach is a nature preserve and not a park -bikes, dogs, and motorized vehicles are prohibited inside the preserve. Please keep your dog (s) and other pets out of the facility so that they will not disturb nesting and wildlife habitat. (Birds, insects, snakes, skunks, turtles, frogs, and so forth) Jogging is discouraged, especially if you are wearing headsets. It is important to pay attention to the wildlife that surrounds you here. Fishing is not allowed in the pond. No fires or camping. Carry your trash out. Please use designated entryways and do not cross into the nature preserve from Wilkeson Pointe Park. Please respect these rules and help protect the many species of wildlife that depend on this special place. Thank-you! |
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UPDATE SUMMER 2023 Some sections of the Nature Preserve remain closed. Erie County and the Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve are working on a feasibility study to help determine the future of the Times Beach Nature Preserve, and how to best preserve the site as a nature preserve. Increasingly volatile storms starting in October of 2019 continue to change the land and waterscape of the outer harbor and of Times Beach. As the video to the right attests, the site is resilient and many sections are doing well. In addition, recent actions by the Erie Canal Development Corporation including a newly announced investment in "improving" Wilkeson Pointe Park, including expanded parking and lighting -are of great concern. In addition we are hoping to find funding to do an evaluation and update of contamination concerns. The site was originally a contained disposal facility for the USACE, and although Times Beach was constructed after initial contamination studies showed that the area was safe, the recent seiches have both damaged the dike and created flooding that may be spreading dredge, out of the facility and into Lake Erie. Stay tuned.
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Special Update January of 2023 During December of 2022 an incredible blizzard with hurricane force winds, heavy snow and ice, and flooding, damaged (again) many sections of the Times Beach Nature Preserve which is located in downtown Buffalo and along the Lake Erie Shoreline. A lot of our Times Beach canopy was lost. We are currently evaluating the future of the site, and how to restore and conserve Times Beach Nature Preserve. Although the destruction was intensely sad, we look at this as an opportunity to plan for a future that will be impacted and carved by climate change, and what we consider inappropriate waterfront development strategies by the State of New York.
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In January of 2023, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) a New York State agency built a new wall at Wilkeson Pointe Park Beach. This wall is designed to protect future "development" at the park, but it directs flood water directly into the Nature Preserve located next door. Photo: Jay Burney, from Times Beach NP.
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SPECIAL UPDATE DECEMBER 2022 During November of 2022, Erie County and the Friends of Times Beach participated in a FEMA funded debris clearing of some of the trail that runs along Fuhrman Blvd between near the MacClennan entrance and overlook, and the Andrle Trail Head. While the trails are not officially open yet, they are cleared and can be accessed.
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WGRZ- 2 The Outdoors, "The Future of Times Beach" Terry Belke takes us to recovery efforts at Times Beach Nature Preserve. November 27, 2022 CLICK HERE
December 11, 2021 Seiche and Powerful Storm impacts Times Beach and The Buffalo Outer Harbor. Video by Jay Burney |
November 2021
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This month the Friends of Times Beach obtained a special permit from Erie County to reopen a damaged section of the trail between the Paul MacClennan Overlook to the main entryway adjacent to Wilkeson Point. Over 40 volunteers showed up and on November 6, we worked and reopened the trail. Thank-you Friends of Times Beach volunteers!
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January 2021
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Times Beach Nature Preserve is located on Buffalo's Outer Harbor. Much of the surrounding land is owned by the New York State agency, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. For years this development corporation, a subsidiary of Empire State Development has advocated for private development on Buffalo's Outer Harbor including property directly adjacent to the nature preserve. The development corporation considers wildlands including nearby grasslands, woodlands, and scrub lands as "underdeveloped wasteland." The Friends of Times Beach and the Our Outer Harbor Coalition have taken a position against this because we believe that creating privatized condo communities on public land will do irreparable harm to the Nature Preserve and to the valuable habitat that we find throughout the outer harbor. Now there are new plans to develop sites on the Outer Harbor for private residential communities including the marina directly across Fuhrmann Blvd from Times Beach. Download the PDF here for a special report.
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Times Beach is a nature preserve. It is for wildlife and native plants. Times Beach is for the birds. It has unique habitats including forested areas, wetlands, uplands, and a pond. Times Beach was once a real sand beach, later converted into a diked, contained disposal area by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Today it is dedicated to nature conservation with a primary focus on nesting and migrating birds, butterflies, and other important insects. Our location in downtown buffalo, along the Lake Erie and Niagara River shorelines makes this a unique and important place for wildlife.
Winter 2020-2021
Much of the Times Beach Nature Preserve remains closed due to extreme storm damage and covid related issues. Please respect the fragile habitats that are working to reestablish themselves. Thank-you.
-the Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve
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Much of Times Beach remains closed do to the pandemic and the initial storm damage of Halloween's Eve in 2019. In addition a series of 7 subsequent storms and seiches continued to batter the coastline, create flooding and property damage along our shorelines, and on the outer harbor, and at Times Beach Nature Preserve. We have encouraged the county to work with us to develop an appropriate plan to reopen the nature preserve, conserve existing habitat, and manage flooding issues, and create safe human access to the closed part of the preserve. We have made many recommendations to the County, starting with the proscription, "Do no harm". The best place to stay up to date on developments is to visit our Facebook Page by Clicking Here.
Thanksgiving week 2020 and the next saw two storms hit the Buffalo Outer Harbor and bring flooding across Furhmann Blvd. This photo from November 17, 2020.
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Birding at Times Beach Nature Preserve during Covid.This video was made in April to help birders during the spring migration to learn how to bird at Times Beach Nature Preserve this year. It includes footage of the Halloween's Eve 2019 storm that changed Times Beach and the outer harbor. The birding discussion in this video is applicable year round, until further notice.
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Spring 2020
Times Beach Nature Preserve remains partly closed due to high Lake Erie water levels and storms that have battered the shoreline in the past year. The Halloween Eve 2019 storm brought tremendous damage to the northern end of the nature preserve, overtopping the dike, washing out boardwalks and trails and making the preserve dangerous to enter. Please be respectful of the damage and the need to close the northern end of the nature preserve from south of the MacClennan Overlook, through to the Andrle Trail and out to the far blind adjacent to the Coast Guard Station. The southern end of the Nature Preserve, adjacent to Wilkeson Point is reopened. Be careful.
Times Beach Nature Preserve remains partly closed due to high Lake Erie water levels and storms that have battered the shoreline in the past year. The Halloween Eve 2019 storm brought tremendous damage to the northern end of the nature preserve, overtopping the dike, washing out boardwalks and trails and making the preserve dangerous to enter. Please be respectful of the damage and the need to close the northern end of the nature preserve from south of the MacClennan Overlook, through to the Andrle Trail and out to the far blind adjacent to the Coast Guard Station. The southern end of the Nature Preserve, adjacent to Wilkeson Point is reopened. Be careful.
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February 2020 Announcing:
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
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rNOTICE: The Boardwalk was reopened as of August 20, 2019 after spring storm damage made it impassable. It is now closed again.
The boardwalk that connects the Andrle Trail to the Coast Guard adjacent blind has reopened after extensive repairs. It was damaged during a late winter seiche which carried high water and ice over the breakwall and into the preserve, crushing parts of this elevated walkway. As of late August 2019 there are still several species of nesting birds in this area including Marsh Wren and Least Bittern. Please enjoy this newly reopened area, and please be respectful of the wildlife.
VIDEO Swallows born at Times Beach, and all along Buffalo's Waterfront, winter in the Amazon. We contribute thousands of birds to the Amazon Basin's biodiversity. Swallows nesting at Times Beach include, Tree, Barn, and Rough-winged.
New June 2019 Least Bittern returns to Times Beach- this species is rare in our region, and the restoration at Times Beach has helped to return its habitat!
Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) is a common resident at Times Beach Nature Preserve. They can be found along the breakwall, along the trails, and sunning in spots in the marsh. It is a predator and eats fish, frogs, and small mammals. It can get as big as five feet long. this small snake in the photo is probably a young snake.
The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve and the Pollinator Conservation Association is proud to co-sponsor the 2020 Birds on the Niagara, An International Winter Celebration of Birds on Valentine's Day weekend, Friday February 14, and Saturday February 15. Events will be held throughout the International Niagara River strait including a Beers and Birds kickoff at Flying Bison Brewery on Friday night. Come and experience birds, and bird heros from Buffalo's Outer Harbor to Fort Niagara and From Fort Erie to Niagara on the Lake. Indoor presentations will be held at the Niagara Power Vista in Lewiston including a keynote presentation by Jajean Rose Burney, longtime friend of Times Beach Nature Preserve. For More: www.birdsontheniagara.org
Video: November 1 Seiche/Storm damage first look November 1, 2019. Jay Burney
Late August 2019
Monarch Butterflies have once again begun to use the Times Beach Nature Preserve on their long migration south.
September- October is a great time to see migrating Monarch butterflies at one of their favorite migratory stop overs in the Great Lakes. The image below was taken on August 22, 2019 and shows migrating Monarchs on New York Ironweed. This late flowering and long lasting autumn plant is the perfect food source for hungry and tired migrating Monarch Butterflies. For more information on Monarch Buttterflies in our region: CLICK HERE
VIDEO: Monarch Migration through Times Beach Nature Preserve, Autumn, 2018
Late spring and early summer are primary nesting times for many migratory birds. Other wildlife including skunks, fox, and deer are also raising new families. Turtles are laying eggs. Many of our summer flowers are starting to bloom. Many species of butterflies and dragonflies are using the nature preserve. Please remember that Times Beach is a Nature Preserve, and not a park, not a bike trail, and not a running path. Please do not bring your dogs or bikes into Times Beach. Please carry any trash that you bring into the Nature Preserve, out of the Nature Preserve. It is a great time to observe wildlife. It is up to you to help protect this place and our native plants and wildlife. Thank-you!
New July 2019. Snapping Turtles and Summer "snow". A short video by Jay Burney
Who doesn't love a healthy herd of deer at Times Beach? If you do, you will not feed these deer as it is dangerous to a healthy herd.
Hosted Observation Sites (locations may vary)
REGISTRATION Link (CLICK HERE)
FACEBOOK Event Page (CLICK HERE)Additional LINKS
Buffalo Audubon Society Niagara River Greenway Commission Tifft Nature Preserve Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve Pollinator Conservation Association Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History Western New York Welcome Center 
Snowy Owl on Buffalo's Outer Harbor
Horned Grebe, Buffalo Harbor State Park
Little Gull, and many Bonaparte's Gulls, Niagara River
Bonaparte's Gull emerging from a deep dive in the river.
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Feeding Deer at Times Beach Nature Preserve is both illegal and harms the deer. Please do not feed the deer.
Buffalo News, 6 March 2016
Another Voice: Feeding deer does them more harm than good by Jay Burney, Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve On Feb. 21, 2019, The Buffalo News published a photograph of a woman feeding deer at Times Beach Nature Preserve. The photo caption reads: “Her actions help the deer by making sure they don’t have to forage as much to survive the winter when the food is scarce.” This is exactly the opposite message that conservationists, including New York State conservation officers, have regarding the ecological health and conservation value of the Outer Harbor, the Times Beach Nature Preserve, the health of individual deer and the deer herd. The next day I witnessed several cars visit the site and people were happily feeding the deer along the road at the nature preserve. In New York State, feeding deer is illegal. New York State Environmental Law Title 6, Codes, Rules and Regulations, makes it illegal to feed deer except under special circumstances that are not present at Times Beach. Corn is a deer killer. The deer’s digestive system this time of the year is finely tuned to natural forage and browse. A sudden addition of the high carbohydrate diet provided by corn can lead to acidosis and death, sometimes within 72 hours. Feeding deer corn, vegetables, fruits and other products promotes bad nutrition. In truth, science tells us that this human-manufactured diet weakens the animals, and opens the door to chronic wasting disease, an easily transmitted brain disease that is devastating the deer population. Not that long ago, a women feeding deer in Cheektowaga’s Stiglmeier Park was prosecuted, after repeated warnings, and spent time in jail. This is a serious law. No doubt the woman depicted in the recent photo, and those that are flocking to the nature preserve to feed the deer, have good intentions. We applaud their concern and love for wildlife. But the facts are that by feeding the deer, people are creating harm where previously none existed. These actions will lead to poor deer nutrition and will help encourage concentrations of deer, which will open the doors to the chronic wasting disease that New York State is trying to prevent. The good news is that this year, as in most winters, even after heavy snow, there is plenty of natural and nutritious natural browse for the deer population. This is true at Times Beach and throughout the Outer Harbor. Ironically, feeding the deer so that they do not have to forage introduces a dependence on non-nutritious food substances that will lead to disease. The deers’ biology is being starved of healthy, natural food. If you want to help the deer, do not feed the deer. Jay Burney is a founder of the Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve. The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve is a proud partner of
PRESS RELEASE
January 2019 For Immediate Release BIRDS ON THE NIAGARA: A Winter Celebration. January 25-26 2019 Locations: Tifft Nature Preserve, Buffalo Harbor State Park, Grand Island, Niagara Falls, Niagara University and at other sites throughout the Niagara River strait. Buffalo Audubon, the Niagara River Greenway Commission, New York State Parks, Friends of Times Beach, Tifft Nature Preserve, the Pollinator Conservation Association, and New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan announces the 1st Annual BIRDS ON THE NIAGARA: A Winter Celebration. Bird life along the Niagara River Corridor is fascinating year-round, but during wintertime, birds flock to the river from all corners of the world. This FREE, family- friendly event will include guided bird-watching activities, hands-on workshops and demonstrations, and keynote address by Twan Leenders, President of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI) in Jamestown, New York. The weekend’s events will highlight the Niagara River Corridor as a designated Globally Significant Important Bird Area, due to the diversity of habitat and migratory bird species that call the river home throughout the year. “Birdwatching is such a gift during these winter months when outdoor activities can be limited and/or costly. It’s a delight to find birds right in our backyard that have traveled from Alaska and beyond to winter along the Niagara River. Most Western New Yorkers are unaware of the incredible diversity of species that can be found only here, and we’re hoping to share that story with a broader audience, engaging new folks in birding as an accessible activity that can be enjoyed in any part of the region, any time of year.”, said Melissa Fratello, Executive Director, Buffalo Audubon. "This festival is an important way to both recognize the significance of the Niagara River Globally Significant Important Bird Area and the species that use it, its conservation needs, and the importance of this resource to an eco-tourism economy.", said Jay Burney, Friends of Times Beach and the Pollinator Conservation Association and Festival Co-organizer. “Our programming will include important lessons about how and where to see winter birds, and provide ethical guidelines for both bird watchers, the general public, and photographers that work hard to capture the beauty of our incredible diversity of winter birds in the Niagara River strait." "This is a great event that uplifts natural assets that all of us benefit from. The incredible natural biodiversity that depends on the Niagara, including the many species of birds and fish that help make our local and global natural systems healthy and productive, and the very valuable economic development contexts that involve tourism, quality of life, and conservation will all be on display during this festival. I am proud to be a part of this.", said Sean Ryan, NYS Assemblyman 149th District. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
January 25th 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM - Birding the Buffalo Harbor: Gulls, Fowl and Owls! Meet at Buffalo Harbor State Park Parking Lot 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Celebration Kickoff at Tifft Nature Preserve: Why WNY is a Big Deal in the World of Birds, and "Be a Responsible Birder", a panel discussion led by Jay Burney with a focus on the the ethics and conservation strategies needed to be a responsible birder and photographer, see great birds, and get great photos. 7:00 PM - Owl Prowls with Chuck Rosenberg and Tom Kerr, Tifft Nature Preserve. January 26th 8am-12:00 Western New York Welcome Center, Grand Island. Meet and Greet, Niagara River Winter Birds Video by Jay Burney, Free Parking, food, coffee, tea, available at the center. 9:00-10:00AM -Beaver Island Birds: MorningGuided Walk - Meet at the Casino 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM OR 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Birding for Families Guided Walk at Tifft Meet at in the Nature Center at Tifft 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Goat Island Gulls Meet at Parking Lot 3 12:00PM-5:00PM -TheBirdHub: Workshops,Vendors, Demonstrations and Special Guests, Niagara University, St Vincents Hall 4th Floor 2:00 PM - 2:45PM - So You Want to Be a Birder? Optics, ID Workshop for Beginners with Tom Kerr OR WNY Wildlife Rehab with SPCA Erie County 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM - Community Science/E-Bird 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Keynote Speaker Twan Leenders of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Niagara University St Vincent's Hall *There will be warming stations at the WNY Welcome Center at Alvin Rd, Grand Island from 8AM – 12PM and at Niagara University, St Vincent’s Hall, 4th Floor from 12PM – 5PM on Jan 26th. Watch Jay Burney's newest video:
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Images of Times Beach Nature Preserve
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Sunday Morning Television
with The PUBLIC Check out our Sunday Morning local nature videos, produced in partnership with GreenWatch, The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve, The Pollinator Conservation Association, and The Public Click Here |
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March 2018
The Young Birder's Backyard Guide A Great resource for beginning birders of all ages! Sent to us by a young birder! Click Here April -June
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Summer 2018!
Horned Grebe (s) at Times Beach
Very uncommon but this spring in big numbers as they migrate north. Check out this is a funny lookng little diving waterbird. Grebes behaviours include babies riding on the backs of the mothers, and because the legs are designed for water propulsion, if they land on roads or parking lots (which they sometimes do mistakenly at night) they cannot take off. Same goes for Loons. We are lucky to see a dozen of these in any one place during this time of the year as they are migrating north. Hundreds of these birds have been seen here this week. Video by Jay Burney Snowy Owl(s) on the Buffalo Outer Harbor Dozens of these birds made an appearance during the last few weeks of April 2018. The winter irruption of this species into the US, and the spring migration north coupled with difficult weather have driven these birds into our area. Some have been seen at Times Beach
Learn About New York State's "Lights Out New York" program during bird migration seasons and the bird conservation programs associated with "Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP)" based in Toronto
Migrating Whimbrel on Buffalo's Outer Harbor. This bird nests in the arctic and travels to South America for wintering. It uses the Niagara River Globally Significant Important Bird Area of which Times Beach is the Western Gateway
The Our Outer Harbor Coalition, of which the Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve is a founding partner, is working hard to both make sure that public property remains public on Buffalo's Outer Harbor and to promote conservation strategies that will generate a positive quality of life for people and wildlife for generations to come. Keep up to date by seeing the informative Our Outer Harbor newsletters by CLICKING HERE |
Additional Sunday Morning Televisions titles include these favorites
Times Beach Spring 2017
2016 Migrating Birds
"Outer Harbor Grasslands"
Times Beach Red Fox March 2017
See our complete Sunday Morning Television Archives
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ABOUT Friends of Times BeachThe Times Beach Nature Preserve is a city of Buffalo owned nature preserve, managed by Erie County and located on the shores of Lake Erie and the Niagara River in downtown Buffalo N.Y.
The Friends of the Times Beach Nature Preserve came together in the early 1990's as the Times Beach Oversite Committee. They helped to establish the nature preserve which was created formally in 2006. In 2008 the Friends group was established by the Oversite Committee to continue citizen advocacy and engagement of the publicly owned and managed preserve. WHAT WE DO
Advocate Our Mission is to advocate for the protection and conservation of the nature preserve and learning and educating about the importance of the place and the wildlife that depend upon it. This includes developing and promoting a wider awareness of the regions biodiversity and sustainability. We work with local governments, community organizations, schools, and individuals to promote the conservation of Times Beach Nature Preserve and the species that depend on it as well as wider issues of biodiversity and sustainability Programs and Education We provide tours, speakers, and special programs about Times Beach Nature Preserve, Buffalo's expansive Outer Harbor waterfronts and related habitats, the Niagara River, urban ecology, and biodiversity. Read More Here ResourcesOur Pages Pollinators, Butterflies, and Insects of Times Beach Birds of Times Beach Niagara River Globally Significant Important Bird Area Sunday Morning Videos Iconic Species at Times Beach Check out this educational resource about some of the important species of wildlife that you will find at Times Beach Nature Preserve Advocacy Document Archive/Special Reports/Media Outside Links
eBird Times Beach Nature Preserve is known as an eBird hotspot. Use this valuable citizen science resource to report and view other reports of observations of birds made at Times Beach |
Read From Our Archives
"November's Birds" A Profile of Bird Migration and the Powerful and Magnificent Niagara River Gull Migration which occurs between November and January
October 2015 Friends of Times Beach concerns that ECHDC "permanent lighting" of neighboring Connecting Terminal will harm the nature preserve, migration, and breeding birds. Read our Letter to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation.
August 2015 Proposed Erie Niagara Marine Sanctuary- NOAA
The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve along with partners including the Western New York Environmental Alliance is pleased to support the nomination of The Erie Niagara Marine Sanctuary to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration as part of a network of marine sanctuaries in the Great Lakes.
To learn more Click Here
The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve along with partners including the Western New York Environmental Alliance is pleased to support the nomination of The Erie Niagara Marine Sanctuary to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration as part of a network of marine sanctuaries in the Great Lakes.
To learn more Click Here
New August 2, 2015- Special Monarch Butterfly Release
There will be a special event at Times Beach nature Preserve at 430 pm on Wednesday August 5. This will be a release of Monarch Butterflies and caterpillars in honor of MaryAnne Coyle, a long time friend of Times Beach who passed away unexpectedly last week. She had been working with us on restoring pollinators at Times Beach and was looking forward to this event. The event will be followed by a tour of Times Beach by Jay Burney and a presentation at 7pm focused on the proposed Erie Niagara Marine Sanctuary. The Presentation will be held at Sail Buffalo, located across Fuhrmann Blvd. from Times Beach. Admission free, all welcome.
More Information on the event/Facebook
Special Video Tribute to MaryAnne Coyle
Pollinator Conservation at Times Beach
There will be a special event at Times Beach nature Preserve at 430 pm on Wednesday August 5. This will be a release of Monarch Butterflies and caterpillars in honor of MaryAnne Coyle, a long time friend of Times Beach who passed away unexpectedly last week. She had been working with us on restoring pollinators at Times Beach and was looking forward to this event. The event will be followed by a tour of Times Beach by Jay Burney and a presentation at 7pm focused on the proposed Erie Niagara Marine Sanctuary. The Presentation will be held at Sail Buffalo, located across Fuhrmann Blvd. from Times Beach. Admission free, all welcome.
More Information on the event/Facebook
Special Video Tribute to MaryAnne Coyle
Pollinator Conservation at Times Beach