Buffalo, N.Y. – Tifft Nature Preserve and the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences (BSNS) is celebrating a golden milestone — the 50th anniversary of Tifft being a nature preserve. To mark the occasion, Tifft has unveiled a new brand identity and invites the public to the preserve for a free “Tifftieth” celebration this Saturday, August 29.
Tifft’s last 50 years represent a fraction of the land’s storied history. Once farmland, then a transshipment center and later a city landfill, concerned citizens advocated for its restoration and it became a nature preserve in 1976. Since 1982, the 264 acres of city-owned land has been a department of the Buffalo Museum of Science (BMS), serving as the Museum’s “living collection” and an extension of its educational mission.
Earlier this month, the BSNS cut the ribbon on a three-quarter-mile accessible trail loop at Tifft that is wheelchair, walker, and stroller-friendly. The trail allows visitors of all abilities to enjoy some of the most scenic areas of the Preserve and features a fully rebuilt ADA-accessible boardwalk through its cattail marsh. Further efforts to make Tifft more accessible are underway and include plans to pave Tifft’s driveway and parking lot.
“Tifft inspires people to explore and connect with nature in a landscape shaped by both ecological renewal and a storied industrial past. It is a living classroom, a place of exploration and a space where wonder inspires deeper connections to nature and science,” said Gary Siddall, president and CEO of the BSNS, the parent organization of Tifft and the Buffalo Museum of Science. “It’s remarkable to celebrate Tifft’s ongoing transformation into the accessible urban nature refuge that was envisioned a half century ago. We hope that the next 50 years will continue its legacy of preserving wonder for future generations.”
To further mark Tifft’s 50th anniversary, the BSNS introduced a new brand identity for the Preserve. Tifft’s new logo was inspired by Tifft’s weaving trails, winding waterways, and flourishing plant life. The new brand acknowledges Tifft’s purpose with the tagline “preserving wonder” to reflect what Tifft has become, BSNS’s shared mission to inspire joyful exploration of science and nature, and its commitment to preserving wonder for all who visit Tifft.
Tifft’s trails and boardwalks are free to access and open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. The Darling Education Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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