Grand Island Nature Alliance

Walk & Talk at Veterans Park Nature Trail
2025-05-07 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Grand Island Library
Join us for a Walk & Talk at Veterans Park Nature Trail!
Get ready to stretch your legs and enjoy nature at its finest. This walk through nature begins in the parking lot of the Grand Island Memorial Library. Please park towards the south east corner of the lot. Our GINA members will lead you through the new nature trail at Veterans Park, pointing out interesting flora and fauna along the way. We will start the walk by showing our fellow walkers how to use the Seek app, which helps us identify whether plants and other species are native or not.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just looking for a fun outdoor activity, this event is perfect for all ages. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty or wet. We can’t wait to see you there!

Guided Bird Walk led by Alec Humann
2025-05-03 08:00 - 10:00 | BEAVER ISLAND KAYAK LAUNCH
Guided Bird Walk: Join us for a walk in search of spring migrants including warblers, thrushes, vireos and other songbirds. Meet at the kayak launch at the end of Ferry Road at 8:00 am. The East River Marsh trail will allow us to see water birds and forest/edge species.
About the Guide: Alec Humann is a resident of Grand Island, a 30-year member of the Buffalo Ornithological Society (BOS) and a leader of bird walks locally and abroad will be our guide. As an accomplished birder, Alec has even contributed to the birding book, Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior, containing beautiful full color illustrations of North American birds, with authoritative text by 48 expert birders and biologists.

Living a Landscape Ethic: Fostering Biodiversity and Wildlife Coexistence
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Alt Nature Center, 2489 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
Join us at the Alt Nature Center to learn how native plants and healthy soils benefit all forms of life, why creating habitat is critical for biodiversity, and how to coexist with wildlife!
Nicole Gerber and David Reilly, founders of the Citizen Coalition for Wildlife & Environment (CCWE), will lead this GINA event. CCWE is committed to wildlife and habitat protection and works to advocate for and educate about humane coexistence. CCWE is partnering with GINA on the Grand Island Habitat Certification Program. This event qualifies as one of the educational elements of the program.

Introduction to Native Plants
2025-03-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Grand Island Library
Join us for an informative session where you can learn all about the beauty and benefits of native plants. Discover how these plants play a crucial role in our ecosystem and why they are essential for a sustainable environment. Our guest speaker for this event will be Kathy Contrino, a Master Gardener, avid birder, and participant in the Feederwatch Program with Cornell University.

'Celebrating Gardening' Master Gardener Education Day
2025-03-08 08:30 - 15:00 | 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, NY 14228, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, NY, 14228, United States
This is a Cornell Cooperative Extension Event. Attendance of this event will count towards the Grand Island Habitat Certification.

Kim Eierman – author of The Pollinator Victory Garden, teacher, ecological landscape designer, founder of EcoBenericial LLC

Keynote: ‘Beyond Sustainability: Using Our Landscapes as a Source of Environmental Change’
Afternoon: ‘Creating a Succession of Bloom in the Native Garden’

Margaret Lapp – Director and Curator of the South Park Arboretum at Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Topic: ‘Purposeful Plant Selection for Sustainable Gardening Solutions’

Cost includes lunch: Master Gardeners: $45 Public: $60
To register, go to: erie.cce.cornell.edu/events or contact jah663@cornell.edu or (716) 652-5400 ext176.
Advanced registration is required. Space is limited. Registration is not complete until payment has been received. Payment for the class is due by March 5, 2025. The registration fee is non-refundable.

Erie County Master Gardener 'Communities in Bloom' Class
2025-02-22 09:00 - 11:45 | Mansion at Knox Farm State Park, 437 Buffalo Road, East Aurora, NY, 14052, United States
This is a Cornell Cooperative Extension Event. Attendance of this event will count towards the Grand Island Habitat Certification.

9:00am – 10:15am ‘Plant Propagation Methods’ Carol Ann Harlos
10:30am – 11:45am ‘Can We Preserve Boxwoods in our Landscapes?: A Look at Box Tree Moth and Other Insect and Disease Threats’ Margery Daughtrey, Cornell University and Sharon Bachman, CCE Erie

Fee: Master Gardeners: $20 Public: $25
To register, go to: erie.cce.cornell.edu/events or contact jah663@cornell.edu or (716) 652-5400 ext.176

Bird Basics Talk
2025-02-16 15:00 - 15:45 | WNY Welcome Center, 1999 Alvin Rd, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
3:00pm- 3:45 pm | Birding Basics for Beginners | Diane Evans will introduce tools and techniques to help you identify birds in your backyard or local greenspace.
Register for the Bird Basics Talk

Winter Waterfowl on the Niagara
2025-02-16 10:00 - 10:45 | WNY Welcome Center, 1999 Alvin Rd, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
10:00am-10:45 am | Grand Island Winter Waterfowl Talk | Diane Evans, representing GINA, will discuss the diversity of waterfowl and ducks that appear on the Niagara River during the winter.
Register for the Winter Waterfowl Talk

Erie County Master Gardener 'Communities in Bloom' Class
2025-02-08 09:00 - 11:45 | Aurora Senior Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora, NY, 14052, United States
This is a Cornell Cooperative Extension Event. Attendance of this event will count towards the Grand Island Habitat Certification.

9:00am – 10:15am ‘Building a Climate Resilient Garden’ Peggy Koppmann
10:30am – 11:45am ‘Critter Management’ Mary Kamien, Michelle Dunham

Fee: Master Gardeners: $20 Public: $25
To register, go to: erie.cce.cornell.edu/events or contact jah663@cornell.edu or (716) 652-5400 ext.176

Reimagining The Perfect Garden: Gardening for a Purpose
2025-02-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Grand Island Library
Join us to explore creative ways to design and cultivate gardens with a purpose in mind! Peggy Koppman, long time Grand Island resident, GINA member and Master Gardener will be discussing how our gardens need not be perfect, but purposeful. Learn about sustainable gardening practices, planting for pollinators, how to make your garden beautiful but beneficial for plants, benefits of native plants, eliminating pesticides, reducing your lawn, and adding diverse layered landscapes.

Winter Sowing with Native Seeds
2025-01-25 15:00 - 16:30 | Nike Base Community Center, 3278 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
Come join us for a hands-on workshop on winter sowing with native seeds at Nike Base Park – Community Center! Learn all about the benefits of using native plants in your garden, including how easy they are to maintain and how they improve the quality of your soil. If you love gardening and miss it during the winter months, this event is for you! It is perfect for both beginners and seasoned gardeners looking to enhance their knowledge. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature and learn new skills. See you there!

You must bring your own transparent milk or water jugs that have been thoroughly washed and sanitized in hot water. You can bring up to 3 jugs, the Grand Island Nature Alliance will provide the soil, seeds and labeling materials. Since we are working with soil, things can get a little messy, so be sure to wear appropriate clothing not your expensive cashmere sweater! Bring a smock (apron) and gloves if you like.

Presentation: NYS Parks Habitat Projects on Grand Island
2025-01-07 18:00 | Grand Island Library
Come join us for an exciting event where we will delve into the past, present, and future of habitat projects on Grand Island! Learn about the incredible work that has been done to preserve and enhance our natural spaces. This in-person event will take place at the Grand Island Library Community Room at 1715 Bedell Rd. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about the unique natural qualities of Grand Island and discover what’s in store for the future of our parks!

Owl Prowl
2024-11-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Buckhorn Island State Park, 5807 East River Road, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
Join us for a night of adventure and mystery as we search for owls under the moonlit sky at Buckhorn Island State Park!

Get ready to embark on a thrilling night adventure at our Owl Prowl event, led by avid birder and wildlife professional Chuck Rosenburg! Join us at the East River Entrance at Buckhorn Island State Park 5807 E River Rd as we explore the mysterious world of owls. Carpool if you can! There is limited parking available at the meeting spot. Bring a low intensity or red light flashlight as we search for these majestic creatures in the dark. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to witness these nocturnal hunters up close. See you there!
About the Leader: Chuck Rosenburg developed a keen interest in wildlife while growing up near Klydel Wetland in N. Tonawanda. He applied that interest toward earning a B.S. in wildlife management from Purdue University and an M.S. in wildlife biology from the College of William and Mary. His master’s thesis focused on barn owl habitat use, as determined using radio-telemetry. His professional career has included 15 years as a private environmental consultant followed by 18 years as a Wetlands Ecologist and Habitat Protection Manager with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Chuck is an avid birder and has led numerous Owl Prowls for a variety of groups in WNY.

Paddles Up!
2024-07-27 08:00 - 13:00
GINA will be tabling at Paddles Up! Come visit us to learn more about our group and engage in great family fun activities! We will have a tank with crayfish, BINGO, and even a paint your own mini kayak project. We hope to see you there! Register here: https://www.niagararivergreenway.com/paddles-up.

Grand Island Garden Walk
2024-07-14 10:00 - 16:00
One of our GINA members, Sue Tomkins, has her yard featured in the Grand Island Garden Walk this year! Come visit us and her garden this Sunday, July 14th from 10 am to 4 pm at 761 West River.

GINA will be tabling there and handing out brochures on native plants and lawn reduction. Sue has an impressive garden with quite a few native plants, as well as a large vegetable garden.

We hope to see you there! More information is available here: https://www.gardensbuffaloniagara.com/events/grand-island-garden-walknbsp-z94c6.

Kayaking Eco-Tour
2024-07-08 18:00 - 20:00 | BEAVER ISLAND KAYAK LAUNCH
Join us for an unforgettable Kayak Tour around the East River Marsh and Motor Island! Explore the beauty of nature while paddling through serene waters and learning about the local ecosystem. Our experienced guides will lead you on a journey to discover the wonders of the environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy a day of adventure on the water. Book your spot now!

Need a Kayak? We have a number of kayaks and life jackets available on a first come first serve basis. Please let us know if you will need a kayak upon registering. If you own a kayak please bring it, so that others who do not have a kayak have an opportunity to experience this great tour.

Please review the following safety measures:
– All participants must possess and properly wear a USCG approved life jacket at all times.
– The event starts at 6 pm, close to dusk. With the nearness of dusk all paddlers shall have a working flashlight as required by NYS law. The flashlight should be tethered to the lifejacket.
– A working whistle is required for every participant. The whistle required by NYS law should be tethered to the life jacket so its readily available.
– NO SAFETY EQUIPMENT NO KAYAKING
REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eco-kayak-tour-tickets-902403261447?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-source=cp&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing

Tree ID Walk with Joe Killian
2024-06-24 09:00 - 11:00 | Nike Base
Join us for a fun and educational walk through Nike Base Park to learn about the different types of trees that call this park home. Our knowledgeable guide will help you identify various tree species and teach you interesting facts about each one. This is a great opportunity to connect with nature and expand your knowledge of the local environment. Don’t miss out on this chance to appreciate the beauty of nature right in our own backyard!
Date: June 24th
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Nike Base Park
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tree-identification-walk-tickets-902341436527?aff=oddtdtcreator

Explore the World of Purple Martins
2024-06-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Beaver Island Lagoon
This event will run on June 10th and 17th at 1 PM and June 14th at 4:30!
Register here: https://WorldofPurpleMartin.eventbrite.com

Native Plant Sale
2024-05-10 17:00 - 18:30 | Nike Base
Learn about native plants from the Citizens’s Coalition for Wildlife and the Environment & then have the opportunity to purchase natives from CW Plant Farm, Amanda’s Native Garden, & North Tonawanda Botanical Garden!

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEunJglAKXbqz6fBkukn9Xal5eCI4DneOhynYSmPNHbYS1qQ/viewform

Foraging Walk with Ellen Owens
2024-04-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Scenic Woods
Join us in foraging for various kinds of mushrooms and fungi at Scenic Woods on Grand Island! Ellen will guide the group through the event, explaining what the various mushrooms are and giving helpful tidbits to enhance your foraging!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-foraging-walk-with-ellen-owens-tickets-864033797347?aff=oddtdtcreator

A Conservation Conversation
2024-04-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Grand Island Library
