On October 25, 2001, Citizens for a Green North Tonawanda was awarded the "2001 Certificate of Appreciation" by the Western New York Land Conservancy at their annual dinner, "For imagining the possibility of an urban wetland nature sanctuary in North Tonawanda and for the drive and stamina necessary to see that vision through to reality as the Klydel Wetlands Preserve (now known as the North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve).

Buffalo Audubon Society recently dedicated its newest nature preserve in North Tonawanda�s Klydel Wetlands.� The�preserve, at the corner of Raymond Street and�Birch�Drive, has a large nature preserve�sign which was�unveiled by Buffalo Audubon Society President Tony Wagner.

Students from North Tonawanda High School volunteered their�time to blaze a new trail in the preserve.� Hikes on the new trail system, developed with the assistance of North Tonawanda High School students and teachers, will be provided at 3 PM on Saturday, October 27, 2001.� At�7�PM that evening, there will also be an "Owl Prowl".� Meet at the corner of Birch and Raymond in North Tonawanda to attend these free programs.

Education and conservation programs as well as information on how the wetlands will be preserved is part of the role of�Buffalo Audubon Society.� The preserve is open to the public.� All are welcome to hike the trails and enjoy the quiet of the woods and the abundance of birds and wildlife.� The property will be preserved as a nature sanctuary in perpetuity for the benefit of the local community.

Buffalo Audubon Society plans many educational programs at the site, both with scheduled school groups and for the general public.�

In conjunction with the dedication,�National Audubon Society's Bird Conservation Director for New York State,�Dr. Michael Burger,�appeared at the North Tonawanda Public Library and�discussed the bi-national Niagara River Corridor Important Bird Area.� The wetlands play an important role year-round and during annual migrations of birds.

Among those who helped protect the wetlands from being lost to imminent development pressures, are�Citizens for a Green North Tonawanda and the Western New York Land Conservancy, which acquired almost�18 acres of open space from two landowners in what is commonly referred to as the "Klydel Wetlands." Other groups�include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Niagara County Environmental Fund, DuPont, the Great Lakes Habitat Network and Fund, the North Tonawanda School District, the Barbara T. & Robert B. Meech Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, the City of North Tonawanda Mayor�s Office and Dept. of Public Works, Boy Scouts, and countless individual volunteers and donors from Buffalo Audubon and from the immediate neighborhood. Special thanks are due to the former landowners, the Padlo and Shamrock families,�who chose to sell for preservation, not development.

Buffalo Audubon Society is a local, member-based non-profit organization which provides nature education services for the public, schools, and community groups throughout the Buffalo-Niagara region. It has 92 years experience in nature education and conservation promotion and operates the Beaver Meadow Audubon Center in Wyoming County which serves 25,000 people every year. It works extensively with school systems to provide science-based outdoor education. With 3,800 members, Buffalo Audubon also provides public education, nature festivals, and outdoor activities for families and individuals at area Audubon sanctuaries and other community sites.

North Tonawanda Nature Preserve Opens

Published on October 4, 2001 in the Buffalo News

NORTH TONAWANDA - A nature sanctuary of hiking trails snaking through a forest of old-growth trees and marshland was opened to the public Wednesday.

"We want to save the last piece of green space in the area," said William McKeever, executive director of the Buffalo Audubon Society. "The property will be preserved as a nature sanctuary in perpetuity for the benefit of the local community."

A large sign proclaiming "North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve" was unveiled at Raymond and Birch streets by Audubon Society President Tony Wagner.

The society plans to conduct educational programs such as "owl prowls" and nature hikes on the site.

The society recently bought the property from a private owner, with the Western New York Land Conservancy controlling any development rights, which McKeever referred to as "a double layer of protection."

The 18-acre parcel is part of the Klydel Wetlands, a federally protected old-growth forest that covers 70 acres in the northern part of this city.

Only about 40 percent of original wetlands in Western New York survive, according to the Land Conservancy, which describes the remaining area as "an irreplaceable resource we cannot afford to lose."

"Also at the Audubon banquet, two naturalists will be honored. The Harry J. Kord Award for Conservation will go to Chuck Rosenburg for his help in protecting the Klydel Wetlands in North Tonawanda. I know Chuck from his work with Mike Galas constructing and mounting dozens of barn owl boxes in local silos. He is a wonderful choice for this award."

---

CONSERVANCY GROUP BUYS PART OF KLYDEL WETLANDS

�

Front page, Tonawanda News - April 4, 2001

�

The Western New York Land Conservancy has purchased a 17.2-acre parcel of the Klydel Wetlands in North Tonawanda, saving it from development.�

�

The parcel was bought from Wanda and Edward Padlo for "less than one-third of its appraised value," according to a press release from the WNYLC.� The group plans to turn over the parcel to the Buffalo Audubon Society for use as an educational area and wildlife preserve.

�

The wetlands, located across from North Tonawanda High School off of Meadow Drive, has been the source of much controversy in recent years.� Land developer and Klydel land owner Herman Probst, who owns 18 acres of the wetland's nearly 70 acres, is working for approval to build a senior citizen home at the site.

�

The North Tonawanda Planning Commission tabled an approval of a site sketch plan for the three-story senior citizen's home in the wetlands in July of 2000.� Probst was told that three conditions must be met before the commission can approve the sketch.� The commission held its approval of the plan until the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation can review the State Environmental Quality Review form submitted to the commission by Probst.

�

The board also requested that Probst review the concerns of city department heads regarding the project.� It must also be determined if the site proposal is in a properly zoned area, commission members said.

As reported in Buffalo Audubon's Outlook, the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund has awarded Buffalo Audubon Society $1,500 for a trail building and protection project at the future North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve (aka the Klydel Wetland).

Western New York Land Conservancy Protects Aquatic Habitat

Published in the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News , Vol. 9, #2; March-April 2001

The newsletter of the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund

Western New York Land Conservancy Acquires First Klydel Wetlands Parcel

East Aurora, NY � After more than three years of planning, negotiating and fundraising, the Western New York Land Conservancy (WNYLC), a regional land trust serving the eight counties of Western New York State, has closed on the purchase of its first acquisition within the City of North Tonawanda�s "Klydel Wetlands," according to WNYLC President and N. Tonawanda resident, Paul Lehman. The 17.2 acre assembly of parcels was purchased from Wanda and Edward Padlo. "This conservation acquisition was made possible through contributions from a number of sources but still would not have been feasible had the Padlos not been willing to sell the property for significantly less than the appraised value," said Lehman. "We very much appreciate their �bargain sale� which also has potential for charitable contribution tax benefits. The Padlo�s generosity allowed us to acquire the property at approximately one-third of its appraised value," Lehman added.

"A grant from the Niagara County Environmental Fund, administered by the New York State Center for Hazardous Waste Management at the State University of New York, funded many of the transactional costs including appraisals, environmental audits, surveys, title searches," said Lehman. Funds to purchase the property came from a many sources including the Buffalo Audubon Society, local fundraising including two grants totaling $3,500 from E.I. DuPont de Nemours� corporate office and its Niagara Falls plant, and contributions from different developers.

"We are pleased to support the wetland protection and conservation education work of the Citizens for a Green North Tonawanda and Buffalo Audubon," said Lehman. "Our plan for the property is to turn it over to the Buffalo Audubon Society to manage as an outdoor education area and wildlife preserve. We will retain a conservation easement on the property to ensure that it can never reenter the market for residential, commercial or industrial development," added John Whitney, co-chair of the WNYLC�s conservation committee. William McKeever, Executive Director for Buffalo Audubon, noted that the parcels represent the nucleus of a hoped-for Audubon Nature Preserve to protect the wetlands and keep them accessible for public enjoyment and nature study.

The Western New York Land Conservancy is working on a variety of projects throughout the region including farmland protection projects in the Towns of Amherst and Marilla in Erie County, and development of the Kenneglenn Scenic Preserve in the Town of Wales. As a membership-based organization, the Western New York Land Conservancy is also hoping to increase the number of members involved in and supporting its conservation efforts. Membership information and project updates can be seen on the WNYLC�s web page:� http://www.wnylc.org/

According to Amy Holt, Land Protection Manager for the Western New York Land Conservancy, a number of other transactions are in the final stages of negotiation.� Owners of land in the Klydel Wetland or other areas of Western New York who may be interested in donating or selling their land to the Western New York Land Conservancy or establishing conservation easements with the WNYLC for permanent conservation purposes may contact the WNYLC office at 21 South Grove Street, Room 120, East Aurora, NY 14052; phone 716-687-1225;� e-mail:� [email protected].

View our latest news.

Archives of 2004 news.

Archives of 2003 news.

Archives of 2002 news.

Archives of 2000 news.

Archives of 1999 news.

Archives of 1998 news.

Archives of 1997 news.

Back to our MAIN PAGE.

We welcome comments or suggestions sent to the e-mail address listed below.

� 2001 [email protected]

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws