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Upcoming Events:
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Open Meeting
July:
Wednesday July 10, 2024 at 6:00 pm July meeting as well as a pot luck dinner (bringing a meal to share is optional) and retreat at the Gardens at Murder Creek and CW Native Plant Farm (Host Kathy Contrino and Ron Winkelman). The Gardens at Murder Creek has a self guilded tour, a bird trail along the creek, nesting birds and fish in the 3/4 of an acre pond. Stay until dusk to see the spectacular firefly display.
The Gardens at Murder Creek
Kathy Contrino and Ron Winkelman
12288 Tonawanda Creek Road
Akron, NY 14001
The Gardens at Murder Creek include 10 acres in Newstead NY where we are recreating the Great Lakes Ecosystem on a parcel that previously served as a horse pasture. Our property includes a mature forest, five meadows, a pond and Murder Creek that joins Tonawanda Creek just past our property. These habitats help to provide balance with nature while our restored native plants support pollinators, birds, insects and mammals.
As you walk the demonstration gardens you will find a biodiversity not found in other communities. Our restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem has transformed the landscape. While we have a nursery on the property (the CW Native Plant Farm) the mission of the property was to demonstrate what restoring native plants would mean to the community. We open the gardens so others can see the possibilities.
August:
Saturday, August 23 10 AM - 2 PM Private property conservation with George Klemens and Mary Carol Dearing, Saturday 8/24 from 10:00-2:00. Please RSVP with Joshua Konovitz at [email protected] by Wednesday 8/21 if you plan to attend. After party at Mystic Hills Brewing (https://www.mystic-hills-brewing.com/)
George and Mary Carol will lead a guided tour of their property that has both exceptional natural communities and serves as a stellar example of private land stewardship. This event is open to members and non-members.
George Klemens and Mary Carol Dearing are located on just over 100 acres of land in the Town of Concord, just north of Springville. George purchased the property 22+ years ago. An early goal of repairing existing wetlands led him to the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Services) and at purchase a 30 year conservation easement on 50 acres of wetland and riparian areas was created.
George has spent more than two decades engaging in a variety of habitat restoration projects. The result is nothing short of remarkable - a former farm (used mostly for grazing cattle) is now an incredibly rich and diverse ecosystem. The property includes woods, wetlands and meadows. Thousands of trees have been planted on the property, the majority of them oaks. The restoration work is ongoing and ever adapting. George and Mary Carol now live in the home they built on the property.
George and Mary Carol offer an example for private landowners of the benefits of habitat restoration and responsible land stewardship. They have connected with local resources such as WNY Prism, the DEC, and NYFOA. The property is identified as a "Linkage area" for the Western New York Wildway. The fisher, beaver, otter, fox, mink, coyote and bear - whether living there or traveling through - are evidence of the accuracy of the designation.
** Please note the RSVP request for the above events. This will help us share event-specific information in a timely way.
If you are looking for native plants in our area, please visit these Native Plant resources.
Wednesday July 10, 2024 at 6:00 pm July meeting as well as a pot luck dinner (bringing a meal to share is optional) and retreat at the Gardens at Murder Creek and CW Native Plant Farm (Host Kathy Contrino and Ron Winkelman). The Gardens at Murder Creek has a self guilded tour, a bird trail along the creek, nesting birds and fish in the 3/4 of an acre pond. Stay until dusk to see the spectacular firefly display.
The Gardens at Murder Creek
Kathy Contrino and Ron Winkelman
12288 Tonawanda Creek Road
Akron, NY 14001
The Gardens at Murder Creek include 10 acres in Newstead NY where we are recreating the Great Lakes Ecosystem on a parcel that previously served as a horse pasture. Our property includes a mature forest, five meadows, a pond and Murder Creek that joins Tonawanda Creek just past our property. These habitats help to provide balance with nature while our restored native plants support pollinators, birds, insects and mammals.
As you walk the demonstration gardens you will find a biodiversity not found in other communities. Our restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem has transformed the landscape. While we have a nursery on the property (the CW Native Plant Farm) the mission of the property was to demonstrate what restoring native plants would mean to the community. We open the gardens so others can see the possibilities.
August:
Saturday, August 23 10 AM - 2 PM Private property conservation with George Klemens and Mary Carol Dearing, Saturday 8/24 from 10:00-2:00. Please RSVP with Joshua Konovitz at [email protected] by Wednesday 8/21 if you plan to attend. After party at Mystic Hills Brewing (https://www.mystic-hills-brewing.com/)
George and Mary Carol will lead a guided tour of their property that has both exceptional natural communities and serves as a stellar example of private land stewardship. This event is open to members and non-members.
George Klemens and Mary Carol Dearing are located on just over 100 acres of land in the Town of Concord, just north of Springville. George purchased the property 22+ years ago. An early goal of repairing existing wetlands led him to the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Services) and at purchase a 30 year conservation easement on 50 acres of wetland and riparian areas was created.
George has spent more than two decades engaging in a variety of habitat restoration projects. The result is nothing short of remarkable - a former farm (used mostly for grazing cattle) is now an incredibly rich and diverse ecosystem. The property includes woods, wetlands and meadows. Thousands of trees have been planted on the property, the majority of them oaks. The restoration work is ongoing and ever adapting. George and Mary Carol now live in the home they built on the property.
George and Mary Carol offer an example for private landowners of the benefits of habitat restoration and responsible land stewardship. They have connected with local resources such as WNY Prism, the DEC, and NYFOA. The property is identified as a "Linkage area" for the Western New York Wildway. The fisher, beaver, otter, fox, mink, coyote and bear - whether living there or traveling through - are evidence of the accuracy of the designation.
** Please note the RSVP request for the above events. This will help us share event-specific information in a timely way.
If you are looking for native plants in our area, please visit these Native Plant resources.
