BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Looking at the 264 acres that make up the Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo, it is hard to imagine that 2 million cubic feet of solid municipal waste is buried underneath. The area was once part of a large dairy farm, was later a transshipment center for coal and iron ore, while in the 1950s and 60s it was a dumpsite for city refuse.
The transformation to a nature preserve began in the early 1970s. The waste was enclosed in clay and covered with soil excavated elsewhere.
Ponds were enlarged, trees and wildflowers were planted and a large cattail marsh was conserved. Five miles of nature trails were constructed along with three boardwalks with viewing blinds in and adjacent to the cattail marsh.
"t's an urban sanctuary in the middle of the City of Buffalo. It's home to a variety of animals and plants, from deer and raccoon, to rabbits, fish, insects, birds amphibians reptiles we are a great spot for wildlife viewing," said Kimberly Adriaansen, program coordinator.
The former brownfield provides valuable wildlife habitat and needed green space. The 75-acre cattail marsh is the largest in Erie County.
Past and ongoing research projects include examining factors that limit native tree regeneration, invasive versus native plants, groundwater flow modeling and the impact of an abundant deer population working with the University of Buffalo, Buffalo State College, Canisius College and others.
The Tifft Nature Preserve trails are open daily from dawn until dusk. The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday.