Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust
Enhance.
Preserve.
Protect.
Protecting Land. Inspiring People.
About Us
OUR MISSION
is to acquire, remediate, and manage potentially contaminated lands along Western New York’s waterfronts for ecological protection, improving public access while educating and inspiring current and future generations to become nature’s stewards.
OUR VISION
As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, our efforts are intended to help create a truly connected system of public waterfront sites, by acquiring additional waterfront lands to link existing public sites, provide new passive and active public sites in underserved areas, and undertake environmental remediation and ecological restoration projects.
OUR CORE VALUES:
- Water & Sustainability
- Community
- Accountability
- Stewardship & Legacy
- Partnership
Board of Directors
Daniel Riker
President
C&S Companies
Matthew Fitzgerald
Vice President
Phillips Lytle
Egon Moldenhauer
Treasurer
Dwight Moldenhauer Inc
Emma Cook
Secretary
Chautauqua County
Jesse Alt-Winzig
Board Member
C&S Companies
Aimee Arceo
Board Member
Michelle Bodewes
Board Member
LaBella Associates
Melissa Brinson
Board Member
Cannon Design
Erin Carmina
Board Member
Evergreen Health
Steve Frank
Board Member
LiRo Engineers, Inc.
Elnora Gaiser
Board Member
LaBella Associates
Joe Kedron
Board Member
Wendel-Retired
Joy Kuebler
Board Member
Joy Kuebler Landscape Architect
Steve Mayer
Board Member
SF Mayer, LLC
Robert Patterson
Board Member
Aurubis
Shelby Romanowski
Board Member
CBRE
Amy Schifferli
Board Member
Niagara County
Josh Smith
Board Member
Rigidized/Silo CIty
Mark Storch
Board Member
Storch Cooperative Development
Evanette Veira
Board Member
Citi
Sandy Smith
Board Member
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Henry Zomerfeld
Board Member
Hodgson Russ
Kacey Stewart
Board Member
University at Buffalo
Staff
Tracy Fletcher
Executive Director
tracy@bnrlandtrust.org
Our committees include:
- Governance
- Finance
- Development
- Engagement
- Land
The Professional Development project was supported with funding from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York's Environmental Protection Fund. The NYSCPP is administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Anti-Discrimination Statement: The BNRLT does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.i
What We Do
Our primary focus is on advancing three of BNRLT’s strategic goals and actions: Land Acquisition, Land Reclamation, and Land Management.
Our team is currently managing five properties and pursuing grants and initiatives to curate a larger inventory of waterfront sites to manage so that they remain clean and well maintained.
Our current portfolio includes 62 acres, with plans to add an additional 45 acres in 2024.
These sites will be made available to the public, allowing everyone to enjoy WNY’s abundant water resources and view these sites as valuable elements of their neighborhoods.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS:
The Tuscarora Nation, City of Buffalo, US Fish and Wildlife, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Deputy Commissioner of Parks & Recreation Andrew Rabb, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, Dept of Public Works Principal Engineer Stephen Buccilli, Council Member Bryan Bolman, The Kaisertown Community, Black Rock Riverside Alliance, Land Trust Alliance, NYS Department of Environment & Ecology, Niagara Greenway Commission - Ecological Standing Committee, C&S Companies, Seneca Babcock Community Association, Machinica Community Center, National Recreation and Park Association, Bobcat Corporation.
Our Projects
Our primary focus is on advancing three of our strategic goals: Land Acquisition, Land Reclamation, and Land Management. Our team is currently managing 5 properties and pursuing grants and initiatives to curate a larger inventory of waterfront sites so that they remain clean and well maintained. These sites will be made available to the public, allowing everyone to enjoy WNY’s abundant resources and view these sites as neighborhoods.
1660 Niagara Street
Approximately 0.4 acre site along the Scajaquada Creek with the goal of creating safe public access to the existing and restored natural features.
Houghton Conservation Area
Approximately 24.56 acres along the north bank of the Buffalo River. The goal is to create improved public access, while maintaining the habitat for native vegetation and local wildlife.
Cayuga Creek
Approximately 37 acres along Cayuga Creek within the Town of Niagara. The forested wetlands found here provide valuable habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Ship Canal
We are excited to share more information about this site as soon as we’re able!
Concrete Central
We are excited to share more information about this site as soon as we’re able!
Future Projects
BNRLT continues to look for opportunities to partner with like minded groups and funding sources to enhance our current inventory of properties and explore additional parcels to increase our portfolio.
If you are a landowner interested in donating your property or would like assistance in protecting the land for generations to come, get in touch!
Drone Video
Houghton
Get Involved
The Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust’s mission is to acquire, remediate, and maintain shoreline properties to benefit the WNY community. Our all-volunteer board contributes their time, talents, and professional services to make this possible. However, we need support from you to continue making a difference for generations to come.
The Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Volunteer
BNRLT is always looking for volunteers with varied interests and skills to help out with the organization. Click the button below to fill out our volunteer application!
Volunteer
Internships
With an internship at the BNRLT, interns will gain experience in a real-world, non-profit setting and have the opportunity to learn how a land trust works. Click the button below to indicate interst.
Internship
Donate
Your support helps us purchase new properties, clean up past environmental damage, and maintain the land, keeping it healthy for native plants, animals, and visitors to enjoy!
Contact us
Thank you for your interest in the Buffalo Niagara
River Land Trust!
BUFFALO NIAGARA RIVER LAND TRUST
52 AMHERST STREET
BUFFALO, NY 14207
716-431-5250
Info@bnrlandtrust.org
www.bnrlandtrust.org
Enhance.
Preserve.
Protect.
Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust - 52 Amherst Street, Buffalo NY 14207 - 716.431.5250 - info@bnrlandtrust.org