Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center

Location

Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center is located at the Dr. Victor Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve - a unique 292-acre complex of forests, ponds, and wetlands surrounded by suburban development. Reinstein Woods offers a variety of opportunities to explore and learn about nature for families and people of all ages. In addition to free guided tours of the woods, DEC offers a variety of special programs each month, including snowshoe and ski adventures, walks on seasonal topics, and a fall nature festival. DEC invites you to visit this fascinating area!

Wildlife to Watch for:

Many species of wildlife native to western New York State, including white-tailed deer, beavers, waterfowl, red-tailed hawks, pileated woodpeckers and majestic great blue herons, live in or visit Reinstein Woods and thrive under its protection. Native wildflowers, ferns, and fungi are also found in "The Woods."

Reinstein Woods Public Programs and Events Schedule

Public Guided Tours

Guided nature walks for the general public are conducted on Saturdays at 10:00 AM. These tours last about 90 minutes and are free of charge. Advance registration is not required. These tours are not held on state holidays.

*NOTE: We are unable to accommodate organized groups (scouts, schools, hiking clubs, etc.) at our public programs. Please call 716-683-5959 to schedule a separate program for your group.

Schedule of Upcoming Educational Programs

Programs are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Dress for the weather!

All children attending programs must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

We welcome people with disabilities to all of our programs. If you call ahead to let us know your specific needs, we will be happy to learn how we can best serve you.

All programs require advance registration, unless otherwise noted. For further information or for registration, call Reinstein Woods at 716-683-5959. In the event of severe weather, programs may be canceled or modified. Please call the center to confirm.

To be notified by email when our program schedule is updated, sign up for the listserve.

Special Programs

• Educator Workshops - Reinstein Woods offers a variety of professional development workshops for educators. Participants receive a hands-on environmental education curriculum. For more information, visit the educator workshop page.
• After-school Escape - Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5 and their caregivers. No registration required.

August

Trail Tuesdays
Tuesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
6:30 to 7:30 PM
Turn your love for the outdoors into rewarding action. Assist with hour-long projects to help maintain and improve ecosystems and trails throughout the preserve. A variety of projects ensures there is something for almost every age and ability. Refreshments provided. Registration preferred; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Knee-High Naturalists
Wednesdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31
10:00 AM
Each hour-long session will feature a variety of activities-such as stories, games, crafts and snacks. Participants must sign up for the entire series. For children ages 3 to 5. Materials fee = $15.00 per child; $10.00 per child for FORNP members. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Senior Stroll
Thursday, August 4
9:30 AM
Come experience nature at your own pace, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the woods. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Soak Up the Sun
Thursday, August 4
10:30 AM
Catch some rays, and learn about solar energy with fun activities and demonstrations. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Alien Invader Investigation
Friday, August 5
10:00 AM
Aliens are invading Reinstein Woods! These are not creatures from outer space but plants and insects that could harm our forests and ponds. Explore where these "aliens" are found and learn what we are doing to protect our ecosystems. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Tour Guide Training
Saturday, August 6
9:00 AM to noon
Attend this training session to become a volunteer tour guide at Reinstein Woods. No experience is necessary-just a love of nature and the desire to share it with others. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Educator Workshop: Project Learning Tree
Thursday, August 11
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary environmental education program featuring an interdisciplinary, hands-on curriculum that uses the forest as a window on the world. The activity guide includes 96 lesson plans correlated to national and state learning standards. For educators of students in grades K-8. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Full Moon Walk
Saturday, August 13
7:30 PM
Join us on the trails to view planets, stars and full moon. If it is cloudy, we will search for wildlife. Please bring binoculars, and dress for the weather. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Senior Stroll
Thursday, August 18
9:30 AM
Come experience nature at your own pace, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the woods. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Outdoor Adventure Club: Forests of the Future
Thursday, August 18
10:30 AM
Discover how forests and wildlife may respond to climate change on this guided walk. For youth age 12 and older. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Educator Workshop: Growing Up WILD
Saturday, August 20
9:00 AM to noon
This new curriculum for early childhood educators builds on children's sense of wonder about nature. Educators will receive an activity guide featuring 27 standards-based activities incorporating art, music, reading, math and more. Refreshments provided. For educators of students in grades preK-2. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Insects of the Night
Wednesday, August 24
7:30 PM
The night offers a different world of insects that is rarely explored. Join us as we search for moths and other insects attracted by light and scent. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Senior Stroll
Saturday, August 27
9:30 AM
Come experience nature at your own pace, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the woods. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Soak Up the Sun
Saturday, August 27
10:30 AM
Catch some rays, and learn about solar energy with fun activities and demonstrations. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

September

After-School Escape
Thursday, September 1
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Fall Fruits and Flowers
Saturday, September 3
10:30 AM
Discover the bounty of the fall season on a guided walk in the woods. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

After-School Escape
Thursday, September 8
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Wildlife in Disguise
Saturday, September 10
10:30 AM
Many animals are camouflaged or mimic other things in their environment to avoid being seen. We will be searching for these hidden creatures on this guided walk. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Full Harvest Moon Walk
Monday, September 12
7:30 PM
Take a walk in the Woods at night as we observe nocturnal wildlife under the light of the full moon. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

After-School Escape
Thursday, September 15
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

11th Annual Fall Festival
Saturday, September 17
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Kick off the fall season by spending a day in the woods. Enjoy crafts for kids, live animals, hands-on activities, food, live music by Nan Hoffman and more. No registration required for this event.

Decorate your own walking stick!

• Interactive exhibits from local nature and historical organizations
• Learn how "robo-deer" help DEC catch criminals
• Have your picture taken as a DEC Spill Responder
• Live animals
• Games
• Food
• Go on a nature scavenger hunt and win a prize
• Decorate a walking stick
• Kids: try "snow"shoeing in a winter wildlife exhibit
• Create a fall leaf vest and tree cookie necklace
• Make an emerald ash borer mask and play the alien invaders game
• Explore the amazing world of the pond
• Make a nature button
• Toddler Zone for kids ages 0 to 3 and their caregivers
• Face painting, costumed characters, and more!

Scoop for critters in Lily Pond!

Special Events

Duties of a DEC Detector Dog demonstrations by ECO Hunt and Matz at 10:30 AM
Musical performances by Nan Hoffman at 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM
Live animals from the Buffalo Zoo from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Exhibitors

DEC Exhibitors: Law Enforcement, Spill Response, and Wildlife

See live animals from our exhibitors!

Other Exhibitors: Buffalo Zoo, Cheektowaga Historical Association, Cheektowaga Police Department, Cheektowaga YES, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo/GrowWNY, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Earth Spirit, Erie County Dept. of Environmental Protection, Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District, Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Messinger Woods, Lost Ladybug Project, New York Power Authority, NYS Parks, Niagara Frontier Koi & Pond Club, Penn Dixie Paleontological Society, Public Service Commission, SPCA Wildlife Department, Tifft Nature Preserve, US Fish & Wildlife Service, WNY Energy Smart Communities
 

After-School Escape
Thursday, September 22
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Mushrooms and Fungi: A Kingdom of their Own
Saturday, September 24
10:00 AM
Celebrate National Mushroom Month by exploring the forest floor on a guided fungus foray. For adults and children age 8 and older. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Fall Bird Walk
Sunday, September 25
9:00 AM
Start your day with a guided walk to look for resident and migrant birds. Bring binoculars if you have them. For adults and children age 8 and older. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Habitat Hunt
Sunday, September 25
2:00 PM
Who are the critters in our "neighborhood"? Learn about our resident wildlife-what they eat and where they live. For children under age 12. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

After-School Escape
Thursday, September 29
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Educator Workshop: Project Learning Tree Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood
Thursday, September 29
6:00 to 9:00 PM
This new curriculum helps early childhood educators engage young children in outdoor exploration. Attendees receive a curriculum guide and music CD that incorporate investigations of nature with art, literature, math, music and movement. For educators of students ages 3 to 6. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Alien Investigation Hike
Thursday, September 29
7:00 PM
As the sun sets over Reinstein Woods, join us for a guided nature walk focused on non-native species that are invading the forests and ponds. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

October

Educator Workshop: Project WILD
Saturday, October 1
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Project WILD is an award-winning environmental education program for teachers and youth leaders of K-12 students. Participants receive a Project WILD Curriculum and Activity Guide with more than 100 lesson plans. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Busy Beavers
Wednesday, October 5
6:30 PM
Take a guided walk to look for beavers in action, and learn about our official New York State mammal. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

After-School Escape
Thursday, October 6
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Technicolor Leaves
Saturday, October 8
10:30 AM
Enjoy a fall walk as we learn how leaves change color and what colors to watch for on our trees. For adults and children age 8 and older. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Fall Plant Hike
Saturday, October 8
2:00 PM
Come see what plants fall has to offer, before the land enters its winter sleep. Trees will have nuts, and fruits will be ready. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Full Hunter's Moon Walk
Wednesday, October 12
6:30 PM
Take a walk through the woods as we search for nocturnal creatures during the full moon. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

After-School Escape
Thursday, October 13
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Secrets of the Old-Growth Forest
Saturday, October 15
10:30 AM
Take a guided walk among Reinstein Woods' oldest trees and learn about this beautiful and historic forest. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Alien Investigation Hike
Tuesday, October 18
6:30 PM
As the sun sets over Reinstein Woods, join us for a guided nature walk focused on non-native species that are invading the forests and ponds. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

After-School Escape
Thursday, October 20
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Owl Prowl
Friday, October 21
6:30 PM
Learn about our local owls, and listen for them on a walk in the woods. For adults and children age 8 and older. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Nature Journaling
Saturday, October 22
10:00 AM
Make your own nature journal, and learn some basic drawing and painting techniques before hitting the trails to observe and record seasonal changes. For adults and children ages 8 and older. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

After-School Escape
Thursday, October 27
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Outdoor Skills
Saturday, October 29
10:30 AM
In this program, you will create rope from plants and learn how to build a survival shelter from natural materials. For adults and children age 8 and older. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

November

After-School Escape
Thursday, November 3
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Surviving White-tailed Deer
Saturday, November 5
1:00 PM
Learn how to cope and get along with white-tailed deer. Discover which plants are deer resistant, methods to keep deer away from gardens and flower beds and the dangers of feeding deer. For adults only. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

After-School Escape
Thursday, November 10
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

The Scoop on Poop
Saturday, November 12
10:00 AM
Scat (animal poop) can tell us a lot about which creatures are in the woods and where they roam. Join our exploration to learn how to identify scat from different animals. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Nature's Gathering: An Evening of Art, Wine and Cheese
Saturday, November 12
5:00 to 8:00 PM
Knights of Columbus Hall, 2735 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY
Enjoy a tasting of fine regional wines, cheese and hors d'oeuvres and help support Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve. Western New York artisans will be showcasing their nature-themed artwork, which will be available for purchase. Call 716-683-5959 for ticket information.

After-School Escape
Thursday, November 17
4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K-5. No registration required.

Recycled Robots
Saturday, November 19
10:30 AM
Turn your trash into nature toys! We will be transforming old gadgets into insects, spiders and hovercrafts. For adults and children ages 8 and older. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Turkey Stroll
Friday, November 25
10:30 AM
The day after Thanksgiving is a great time for a walk in the woods. Join us on a guided nature walk as we look for wild turkeys and the clues they leave behind. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

Leaf Hunt
Saturday, November 26
10:00 AM
Explore the forest as you search for leaves from different trees. Registration required; call 716-683-5959 to sign up.

93 Honorine Drive
Depew, NY 14043
Phone: (716) 683-5959
Fax: (716) 686-0210
Email: rwnp@gw.dec.state.ny.us