Grand Island Nature Alliance

Wildlife Winter Wonderland!
2025-12-13 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Alt Nature Center, 2489 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
Join the Citizen Coalition for Wildlife and Environment at the Alt Nature Center for the 3rd Annual 2025 Wildlife Winter Wonderland! Walkable displays will include holiday-themed nature scenes and wildlife educational displays! This free event includes hot chocolate and cookies and craft-making appropriate for all ages inside the holiday-decorated historic schoolhouse. Make your own holiday cards, paper snowflakes, and more! Wear your boots, dress for the weather and come to engage in festive foofaraw while learning how wildlife survives and thrives in wintertime!

Winter Sowing with Native Seeds
2026-01-31 10:30 - 12:00 | Nike Base
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.

Composting Event
2026-03-05 16:30 - 18:00 | Grand Island Library
Join us on Thursday, March 5 at 4:30 PM at the Grand Island Memorial Library for a composting workshop led by the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning. The workshop will cover what composting is, why it matters, and how to get started at home. Attendees will also see a demonstration of composting bins available for purchase and learn about reusable water bottle recycling and other sustainable practices. The presenter will bring composting bins and water bottle products for viewing and discussion. This event is free and open to all!

Ecological Restoration on Grand Island with Paul Leuchner
2026-03-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Grand Island Library
Join us for a presentation on the ecological history of Grand Island’s archipelago and the restoration of the East River Marsh at Beaver Island State Park. Paul Leuchner, Environmental Scientist and Wetlands Restoration Advocate, will share how this coastal wetland, shaped since the end of the Wisconsin Ice Age, faced severe erosion in the 1990s from high water levels, storms, and wave action.
Learn how a dedicated restoration effort helped save this important ecosystem and how wetlands like the East River Marsh support wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and protect shorelines.

Grand Island Arbor Day
2026-04-25 11:00 - 14:00 | WNY Welcome Center, 1999 Alvin Rd, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
Join your neighbors for a celebration of trees and community! Bring the whole family for a fun and engaging day featuring hands-on crafts, local vendors, and interactive demonstrations and presentations.

Native Plant Fair
2026-05-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Alt Nature Center, 2489 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
Join the Grand Island Nature Alliance (GINA) and the Citizen Coalition for Wildlife and Environment (CCWE) on Saturday, May 16 from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM for a Native Plant Sale and Education Event at the Alt Nature Center (2489 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island). This collaborative event brings together regional native plant nurseries, educational resources, and presentations focused on ecological gardening and supporting local wildlife. Shop for native plants, learn how to garden sustainably, and connect with local conservation groups. The event is free and open to the public.

Invasive Species Talk
2026-06-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Alt Nature Center, 2489 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
Join us on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 PM at the Alt Nature Center for an informative talk on invasive species, led by WNY PRISM. The presentation will provide a high-level overview for general audiences, covering a variety of common invasive plants and aquatic species, their impacts, and practical control options. Topics may include buckthorn, teasel, phragmites, aquatic invasives, and invasive insects such as the emerald ash borer. Attendees will also learn why invasive species matter and what steps they can take to help mitigate their spread in the local environment. This event is free and open to all!

Wildlife on Grand Island - Let's Talk Deer & Ticks
2026-07-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Alt Nature Center, 2489 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY, 14072, United States
Join us on Grand Island to chat all about deer, ticks, and keeping safe outdoors!

Wildlife on Grand Island: Let’s talk Deer & Ticks
Please join Citizen Coalition for Wildlife and Environment (CCWE) and the Grand Island Nature Alliance (GINA) for an informative discussion exploring the complex relationship between deer, ticks, and the environment on Grand Island, NY.
This presentation will cover deer biology and behavior, tick life cycles and ecology, environmental conditions that influence both species, and the growing concerns surrounding tick-borne diseases and prevention practices. The program will also examine environmental mitigation strategies and practical approaches for reducing tick exposure while supporting ecological balance.
The speakers, Nicole Gerber and Dave Reilly are both NYS Master Naturalists and founders of CCWE. Nicole holds a PhD in Biological Sciences and is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and wildlife control operator. The information presented will be grounded in established reference sources and peer-reviewed scientific research.
Whether you are a homeowner, gardener, outdoor enthusiast, or simply interested in local ecology, this program offers a science-based look at one of Grand Island’s most important and timely environmental topics.
