The Friends of Times Beach Nature Preserve
Times Beach is a Nature Preserve
Times Beach Nature Preserve is located literally in downtown Buffalo New York on the shoreline at the convergence of Lake Erie and the Niagara River. This Nature Preserve is arguably one of the most valuable bird and pollinator conservation sites in the Great Lakes.
It is considered to be the western gateway to the Niagara River "globally significant" Important Bird Area. Birds migrating throughout the Niagara River corridor and many breeding species depend on Times Beach. To date over 240 species of birds have been identified here. That is more than almost any other location in the Great Lakes. The site is part of a reclamation effort that effects the Buffalo and Erie County waterfronts and watersheds, as well as those through out the Great Lakes.
The history of Times Beach described briefly below. We can chronicle its 100 or so year journey, Its turn of the century era popular recreational beach on the outer harbor, its 1930's era closing due to industrial contamination, its mid-century designation and construction as a contained disposal facility for river and harbor dredge, and its decommissioning and transformation into a nature preserve in 2005. Today it is an evolving ecological resource that is playing an important role in conservation efforts. The Nature Preserve is surrounded by rivers and canal corridors, the wilderness of Lake Erie, extensive shorelines and adjacent habitats, parkland, and open space. Times Beach Nature Preserve has five on-site identified ecological zones. The nature preserve and adjacent habitats support a diversity of flora and fauna. This biodiversity supports important wildlife such as breeding and migrating birds, many species of aquatic species including breeding game fish, and pollinators including native bees and butterflies. Times Beach is also is adjacent to a dense urban downtown (Buffalo) and thousands of acres of industrial legacy in various states of reclamation or redevelopment. Our immediate region, our waterfronts, and Times Beach Nature Preserve are part of a world class biodiverse ecosystem. Human impact on this ecosystem drives the quality of our air, water, food, health, and overall quality of life. The conservation or the loss of the ability to support this biodiversity will continue to characterize quality of life for the human species. Our health, resilience, and economy will be impacted by decisions and actions based on conservation choices. Today the Times Beach Nature Preserve is owned by the City of Buffalo which has a management agreement with Erie County. State and Federal agencies have continuing active interests in the site.
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Times Beach Nature Preserve has trails, boardwalks and observation blinds that encourage viewing access to the five on-site ecological zones. This is part of why Times Beach Nature Preserve is unique.
Times Beach Nature Preserve is the "western gateway" to the Niagara River globally significant Important Bird Area.
Times Beach is an important part of a critical ecosystem
The Great Lakes make up an important bioregional ecosystem that makes consequential contributions to the sustainability of the planet. The Great Lakes contain nearly 1/5 of the world's fresh surface water. Fresh water has become an increasingly valuable global natural resource because clean water is vanishing. Every continent on earth including North America is experiencing fresh water resources issues. The waters of the Great Lakes and including especially Lake Erie are in a dramatic decline. Times Beach is an important part of that ecosystem. |
Wildife of Times Beach
Many species of breeding and migrating birds, pollinators, and other important plants and animals depend on Times Beach Nature Preserve. To see our resources and list of iconic species at Times Beach go here
Originally the site was identified as critical habitat for migrating and breeding bird species including warblers, raptors, shorebirds, gulls and waterfowl. Over 240 species of birds have been identified here. That is more than almost any other location in the Great Lakes.
Pollinators are also dependent on Times Beach. many species of insects including honey and wild bee populations are in steep decline. Many species of Butterflies and moths are are on the edge of collapse.
The once familiar Monarch Butterfly is a vanishing species that has an important connection to Times Beach. A 2012-14 decline of the Monarch population of 90% has stimulated an ongoing US Fish and Wildlife Service evaluation of the iconic species. There will be a determination as to whether the Monarch Butterfly needs to be protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act.
As recently as a decade ago there are reports of thousands of migrating Monarch's seen on a single autumn day at the Nature Preserve. They would cross Lake Erie from Canada, and stop to rest, feed, and stage on our shoreline habitats. From here they faced a two month long 2,000 mile journey to Mexico.
In 2013 no Monarchs were seen at Times Beach. But- but 2014 there were several days during the migration season where 8-10 Monarchs were present between Wilkeson Point and Times Beach!
Many species of breeding and migrating birds, pollinators, and other important plants and animals depend on Times Beach Nature Preserve. To see our resources and list of iconic species at Times Beach go here
Originally the site was identified as critical habitat for migrating and breeding bird species including warblers, raptors, shorebirds, gulls and waterfowl. Over 240 species of birds have been identified here. That is more than almost any other location in the Great Lakes.
Pollinators are also dependent on Times Beach. many species of insects including honey and wild bee populations are in steep decline. Many species of Butterflies and moths are are on the edge of collapse.
The once familiar Monarch Butterfly is a vanishing species that has an important connection to Times Beach. A 2012-14 decline of the Monarch population of 90% has stimulated an ongoing US Fish and Wildlife Service evaluation of the iconic species. There will be a determination as to whether the Monarch Butterfly needs to be protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act.
As recently as a decade ago there are reports of thousands of migrating Monarch's seen on a single autumn day at the Nature Preserve. They would cross Lake Erie from Canada, and stop to rest, feed, and stage on our shoreline habitats. From here they faced a two month long 2,000 mile journey to Mexico.
In 2013 no Monarchs were seen at Times Beach. But- but 2014 there were several days during the migration season where 8-10 Monarchs were present between Wilkeson Point and Times Beach!