Tifft Nature Preserve facts for kids

The Tifft Nature Preserve is a large natural area in Buffalo, New York. It covers 264 acres, which is about the size of 200 football fields! It is one of the biggest nature preserves in New York State that is managed by a city.

History of Tifft Preserve

Early Days and Native Americans

For a very long time, the land that is now Tifft Nature Preserve was used by Native American groups. These groups, like the Haudenosaunee people, used the area for hunting and gathering food.

In 1845, the land was officially recorded. Later, in 1858, a man named George Washington Tifft bought 600 acres. He turned this land into a large dairy farm. His family owned the land until 1883.

From Farm to Shipping Center

Around 1900, the area changed a lot. It became a busy place for moving goods, especially coal and iron ore. It had twelve shipping lanes and could hold 83 boats at once! This busy shipping ended in 1912 because of a new law.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the site became a place where people unofficially dumped trash. In the 1970s, the City of Buffalo bought the land to use it as a landfill. In 1973, a huge amount of trash, about 2 million cubic yards, was moved from another island and spread across the Tifft lands.

Creating a Nature Preserve

Many people were upset about the land being used for trash. Because of this, a special group was formed in 1976 to help the land. A visitor center was finished in 1978.

In 1982, this group joined with the Buffalo Museum of Science. The preserve had to close for a short time in 1983. This was so the NYS DEC could remove some harmful waste from the area.

What You Can Find at Tifft Preserve

A Home for Wildlife

The preserve has 264 acres of natural areas that have been brought back to life. This includes a large marsh filled with cattail plants. It is a very important resting stop for many birds during their long migrations. These birds include large birds of prey, called raptors, and different kinds of waterfowl like ducks and geese.

In 1998, the National Audubon Society named Tifft Preserve an Important Bird Area (IBA). This means it's a special place for birds.

Exploring the Preserve

You can explore the preserve on five miles of nature trails. There are also three boardwalks that go over and next to the cattail marsh. These boardwalks have special viewing blinds, which are like hidden spots where you can watch birds without disturbing them.

Many people enjoy outdoor activities here, such as watching birds, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Herb and Jane Darling Education Center is a great place to visit. It has educational displays, restrooms, and space for indoor programs and events. As of 2019, the parking lot and trails are open every day during daylight hours.

The preserve gets help from a group called the Friends of Tifft Preserve. They are a not-for-profit organization that supports the preserve.