Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve |
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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
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 Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
Location in New York
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| Location | Town of Cheektowaga, Erie County, New York |
| Nearest city | Buffalo |
| Area | 292 acres (118 ha) |
Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is a special place near Buffalo, in the Town of Cheektowaga, New York. It's a large area of 292 acres, which is about the size of 220 football fields! This preserve has forests, wetlands, and ponds, all tucked away in a busy suburban area.
It's a great spot to explore nature and learn about the environment. Reinstein Woods also has an Environmental Education Center. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation takes care of this amazing place.
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Fun Activities at Reinstein Woods
Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is open for everyone! You can visit alone, with your family, or with a school group. It's a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors and study nature.
The staff at Reinstein Woods offers many cool programs each month. You can go on snowshoe or ski trips in winter. There are also guided walks to learn about different plants and animals during each season.
If you are part of a school or scout group, you can get special guided lessons and tours. These tours teach you about the environment and local history. You can even rent snowshoes and cross-country skis there!
Every year, Reinstein Woods hosts fun events like an Earth Day Celebration, a Winter Wonderland, and a Fall Festival. These events are a great way to enjoy nature with friends and family.
Exploring the Education Center and Trails
The Environmental Education Center at Reinstein Woods opened in 2007. It's a "green" building, which means it was built to save energy and protect the environment. It uses natural light and recycled materials.
Inside the center, you'll find a special area to watch wildlife. There are also exhibits that teach you about nature, plus classrooms and restrooms. The center is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It's closed on Sundays and state holidays.
Outside, the Nature Preserve has self-guided trails. These trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset. You can pick up pamphlets and read signs to learn about nature as you walk. Some parts of the trails can only be explored with a guided tour.
Amazing Animals and Plants
Reinstein Woods is home to many different animals that live in western New York. You might see white-tailed deer, mink, and beavers. Many birds also live here, like waterfowl, red-tailed hawks, pileated woodpeckers, and great blue herons.
The preserve also has beautiful plants. You can find native wildflowers, ferns, and many types of trees. A special plant called the Reinstein pink water lily can also be seen here. Reinstein Woods is a safe place for all this wildlife, even though it's in a suburban area.
History of Reinstein Woods
The story of Reinstein Woods began in 1932. Dr. Victor Reinstein bought the land to create his own private nature sanctuary. He loved nature very much.
In the early 1960s, Dr. Reinstein, his son Robert, and their helpers John Ream and his son Fred J. Ream Sr., worked hard to improve the land. They planted 30,000 trees! They also built 19 ponds, marshes, and swamps.
Dr. Reinstein was very dedicated. He would even clean out the ponds every year by draining them. He would keep the fish safe in his home during this time. In the cold winters, he and his sons would gather geese and ducks to keep them warm and healthy.
After Dr. Reinstein passed away in 1984, his wife, Julia Boyer Reinstein, gave the land to the State of New York. This was what her husband wanted. The state took over the property in 1986. The Dr. Victor Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve was officially dedicated on August 23, 1989. In 2007, the Environmental Education Center was finished and opened to the public.
Friends of Reinstein Woods
The Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve, Inc. is a group of volunteers. They are a non-profit organization that helps support the education programs at Reinstein Woods. These programs are run by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The "Friends" group provides important money and volunteer help. They support programs for school children, teachers, and the general public. Their main goal is to help people learn about nature. They want everyone to appreciate and take care of the special environment at Reinstein Woods.
Location of the Preserve
Reinstein Woods is located on Honorine Drive. This road runs south of Como Park Boulevard. Como Park Boulevard connects NY Route 277 (Union Road) to NY Route 78 (Transit Road).
