Buffalo Blueway

Congratulations to our friends and partners at Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust - BNRLT! We were happy to join them today to celebrate the permanent protection of Concrete Central and the City Ship Canal through conservation easements that will keep these incredible waterfront properties available for the public benefit forever. After more than 30 years of working toward this goal, we're excited to see these unique places preserved for habitat restoration, wildlife, and future generations to enjoy. For more information about the project, visit https://www.bnrlandtrust.org/our-projects.

TOMORROW!

Help us celebrate 20 years of Paddles Up Niagara right here at Beaver Island on July 25th! All events are FREE! This event has grown to more than just paddling, we have;
🥾A guided Eco-Hike to learn more about native flora and fauna and how important it is to our wildlife.
🐟Free fishing clinics, no permit or equipment needed. Niagara Musky Association will be there helping us out.
🚴‍♀️Free e-bike trial rides by Bert's Bikes & Fitness
🛶Free Learn to Kayak sessions, no need to bring anything.
🚢Antique and classic motor boats, including a replica from the war of 1812!
Many exhibitors and vendors, including WNY Raptor and Wildlife Care, Inc.🦅
Plenty to see and do for everyone! Plus, we will be raffling off a complete kayak package and a $500 gift certificate to Bert's Bikes!
Learn more and register here: https://www.niagararivergreenway.com/paddles-up

HAB ALERT: Harmful algal blooms have been confirmed by the NYSDEC at two new recreational areas: in Tonawanda Creek at the Ellicott Island Bark Park, and in Ellicott Creek near Eastern Park, a newly designated Buffalo Niagara Blueway site. PLEASE KEEP YOUR PETS AND FAMILIES OUT OF THE WATER IN THESE AREAS, and anywhere you see discolored water. For more information on HABs, visit bnwaterkeeper.org/harmful-algal-bloom or the link in our bio.

HAB ALERT: We are into the full swing of harmful algal bloom season in WNY, with confirmed HABs in Hyde Park Lake, Green Lake and Ellicott Creek. The weather has unfortunately created optimal conditions for these to grow and spread so we can expect more immediately. It is important to note that different waterbodies are experiencing different types of harmful algal blooms, and the appearance of these blooms can widely vary. It is important to keep your family and pets out of any discolored water. Your support of our work monitoring HABs as well as helping us be eyes on the water has been invaluable to the safety of our community. Thank you for staying vigilant! For more information, visit bnwaterkeeper.org/harmful-algal-bloom

July is here and you know what that means...GIVE 716 is right around the corner! Get ready to for fun challenges and prizes and the chance to help the organizations that help our community, our families and our home. Stay tuned for more details!

Our Buffalo YELP student's final session was an amazing kayak tour on the Buffalo River. Launching from the Buffalo Blueway site at Red Jacket Riverfront Park, the group ventured past restored shoreline habitats and the historic Concrete Central grain silos. For most students, this was their first time kayaking.

Through YELP, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper helps students from Buffalo Public Schools learn about their relationship to their environment in their home community to feel empowered to ask questions, know how to advocate for change, and to see themselves as leaders and stewards of their environment.

From the students:

"I believe I can make a difference in the environment because I have experience and knowledge."

"I have confidence to talk to people about the environment."

"I enjoyed visiting places in Western NY I haven't had a chance to visit before, and this experience was eye-opening."

Learn more about our Young Environmental Leaders Program at bnwaterkeeper.org/yel

We had an amazing Blueway Bike Tour on Friday evening with our friends from GObike and Reddy Bikeshare. The beautiful night made for a great opportunity to highlight the Blueway as well as talk about the progress with the Buffalo River AOC! We always love working nonprofit partners to make Buffalo more walkable, bikeable, and paddleable!