At long last, Tifft Nature Preserve is on its ways towards being repaired and restored. The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences (BSNS) recently held a ribbon cutting, commemorating the beginning of the construction phase of a $2.15 million accessible trail that will be wheelchair, walker, and stroller friendly.
The trail will offer:
- Concrete walkways leading to the entrance and emergency exits of the Education Center
- A welcome kiosk with tactile map at the trailhead
- A compacted stone dust trail surface
- Simplified trail intersections
- A complete rebuild of the Heritage Boardwalk
- An elevated ADA-compliant viewing area will be added to the widened boardwalk for unobstructed views of Tifft’s cattail marsh
The $2.15 million project – anticipated to open by fall 2025 – will entail three-quarter-mile trail loop that will begin at the Herb and Jane Darling Environmental Education center and lead visitors through woods and around the Preserve’s Heritage Boardwalk.
Gary Siddall, President and CEO of the BSNS which operates Tifft and the Buffalo Museum of Science, said the impetus for an accessible trail was driven by visitor request. “We’re excited and look forward to realizing a collective vision to make the Preserve’s most-traveled pathway accessible to Tifft visitors of all ages and mobility.”
The BSNS received financial support for the accessible trail from Erie County, New York State, Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund, NYS Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera, NYPA, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and the Montgomery Family Foundation. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo also provided the funds necessary to perform the feasibility study and develop the initial trail designs with architectural firm Stantec. The BSNS is partnering with Nature’s Way Contracting, a New York State Women Owned Enterprise based in Akron, NY, to complete the project.
Separate from the trail project, Siddall announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a $1,034,940 grant to Erie County, of which $810,940 will be directed to Tifft Nature Preserve to:
- Support several habitat restoration and stewardship projects, including the installation of a new pump for cattail marsh water level management
- The creation of a turtle nesting beach
- Removal of invasive species north of Lake Kirsty
- Cattail removal and replanting on five acres within the marsh
“The Buffalo Society of Natural Science is proud to ensure that Tifft is available as a resource for all that nature can teach us and offer free, year-round access to its 264 acres and five miles of trails and boardwalks. This financial support from the EPA is instrumental to our ability to maintain the important habitats that make the Preserve such a special place for environmental education, respite, and wonder,” said Siddall.
Congressman Tim Kennedy said, “Today’s groundbreaking at Tifft Nature Preserve is a powerful example of how we can connect our community with nature while ensuring inclusivity and opportunity. The new accessible trail loop and ADA-compliant viewing area will allow visitors of all ages and abilities to experience the Preserve’s beauty, enriching lives and fostering connection with our environment. This project is more than a trail; with a local women-owned business leading the construction, it is boosting our regional economy and creating jobs right here in Western New York. I am proud to have secured $1 million at the federal level to enhance the preserve’s natural habitats and $350,000 at the state level to improve accessibility—all to uplift our economy, and bring us closer to the natural world.”
“The Accessible Trail Project represents a significant step towards enhancing our community’s access to nature, and NYPA is proud to contribute through funds tied to the relicensing agreement of the Niagara Power Project,” said NYPA Chairman and Buffalo resident John R. Koelmel. “This project will further support ongoing ecological restoration efforts at the preserve and bolster the sustainable future of the Niagara River Greenway.”
City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, “During my tenure as South District Council Member on the Buffalo Common Council, I was proud to have Tifft Nature Preserve as part of my district and saw how it enriched our community through its natural beauty and educational programs. Now, as Mayor of the City of Buffalo, I am thrilled to see the completion of the accessible trail project, designed to be wheelchair, walker, and stroller friendly, ensuring that individuals of all abilities can fully experience everything Tifft has to offer.”
The trail will be available to visitors daily from dawn to dusk when not covered by snow or ice. Trail architects advise against clearing snow to maintain the longevity and integrity of the trail surface.While the trail is under construction, Tifft will continue to maintain the other four miles of trails and boardwalks for visitors to enjoy.
More information on the accessible trail project and ecological management at Tifft can be found at tifft.org.