Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust

Enhance.

Preserve.

Protect.

Protecting Land. Inspiring People.

Donate now button. 3D illustration.

Upcoming Events

Newsroom

EPA & LTA Funding

Two Awards for BNRLT

Full Press Release

Accreditation

National Recognition

Full Press Release

Bobcat/NRPA

$50k Grant for Houghton

Full Press Release

LTA Grants

2 Grants from the LTA

Full Press Release

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.

El​nora Gaiser

Board Member

La​Bella 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.

SDG Life Below Water Icon

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.

Button Gradient Learn More
SDG Life Below Water Icon
SDG Industry Innovation and Infastructure Icon

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.

Button Gradient Learn More
SDG Good Health and Wellbeing Icon

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.

Button Gradient Learn More
White Star Icon

Ship Canal

We are excited to share more information about this site as soon as we’re able!

Coming Soon Button With Cursor Icon
White Arrows Sign

Concrete Central

We are excited to share more information about this site as soon as we’re able!

Coming Soon Button With Cursor Icon
Arrow White Flat Icon

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!

Website Click Button

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!

Website Click Button

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.

Website Click Button

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.

Black Instagram Logo
White Facebook Logo Social Media Icon
linkedin

Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust - 52 Amherst Street, Buffalo NY 14207 - 716.431.5250 - info@bnrlandtrust.org