The BRRAlliance hosted its Spring Environmental Speaker Series in April 2024. Over the course of four Saturdays, selected speakers spoke about important environmental issues relevant to inhabitants of Buffalo New York.
For Spring, the speakers selected emphasized Buffalo’s maritime environment and the importance of stewardship of our waterways.
Engagements were held on April 06th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the Black Rock Harbor Center, 52 Amherst St Buffalo NY 14207. All engagements were open to the public and free to attend.
Here are the Spring presenters, the organizations they represent, and their topics of discussion:
Tracy Fletcher, Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust
Tracy comes to the BNRLT with over 15 years of work in the non-profit sector, most recently as Executive Director of Music is Art. Previously she was Director of Operations for Leadership Niagara and ran her own event planning company. Her leadership and organizational skills are a welcome addition to the Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust.
About the BNRLT
The Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust’s 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.
Discussion Topic: What is the Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust?
Land Trusts do important work in our communities and the Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust is no exception. Recently accredited with the Land Trust Alliance, the BNRLT is focused on improving waterfront access and remediating impaired lands along them. Tracy discussed the work of the BNRLT and provided an update about each of its different project sites.
Connie Adams – Wildlife Biologist – NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Connie Adams has worked in the field of Ornithology since she graduated from Cornell in 1983 where she did her bachelors and masters in Natural Resources. She studied Double-crested diet on Oneida Lake, NY for her masters in 1993. She worked at temporary jobs for federal, state, and university agencies with birds, seals, and fish for 15 years, and has been a wildlife biologist for the DEC in Buffalo since 2005. She is from North Tonawanda and she loves to garden with perennials, native trees and shrubs and flowers.
About NYS DEC Bureau of Wildlife:
The mission of the Bureau of Wildlife is to provide the people of NY the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of the wildlife of the State through sound management of the wildlife species in a manner that is clearly described, consistent with law, and in harmony with Public need.
Discussion Topic: Wonderful Winter Waterfowl of the Niagara
This talk focused on the diversity of waterfowl species that spend from December through March on Lake Erie and the Niagara River.
As a wildlife biologist for NYS DEC, Connie Adams examined what draws these ducks, geese and swans to Western NY from the high Arctic every winter, and she discussed some of the challenges they face as they spend a chilly season on this waterway we treasure.
Scott Kitchen, Treasurer and Conservation Director – Niagara Musky Association
Scott Kitchen has served as the Treasure and Conservation Director for the Niagara Musky Association since 2008. During that time he has worked with various governmental and environmental organizations to advance preservation and enhancement of the Lake Erie and Niagara River aquatic environments.
About the Niagara Musky Association
The goals of the Niagara Musky Association education, conservation, research, and cameraderie. This organization formed 30 years ago with a goal of creating a culture of responsible catch-and-release angling for the largest aquatic predator in the Great Lakes region, the Great Lakes Muskellunge. The mission of the NMA also includes aquatic habitat research and preservation not just of the Muskies, but also of their prey fish, including the Emerald Shiner.
Discussion Topic: NMA Conservation Efforts
Scott provided overview of the basis for the conservation efforts by the Niagara Musky Association that focus on preservation and enhancement of the Lake Erie and Niagara River aquatic environments, and discussed some issues of concern that might have lasting effects on those environments, including the proposed Unity Island Turbine Project.
Anne K.C. McCooey – Executive Director, Black Rock Riverside Alliance