Reinstein Woods Festival Will Feature Pollinator Theme

16th Annual Fall Festival Slated For September 17, 2016

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the public to the 16th Annual Fall Festival at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Cheektowaga on Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can spend the day enjoying nature activities, exhibits, live animals, music and more.

Reinstein Woods Education Center Director Meaghan Boice-Green said, “With interactive exhibits from more than 25 organizations, including many with live animals, the festival is a showcase of the best of Western New York’s environmental and nature community.”

This year festival-goers will be celebrating pollinators, those important animals that are responsible for much of our food and flowers. Kids can take the Butterfly Migration Challenge, make crafts and play games related to pollinators ranging from moths to bats and even flies! A pollinator-themed scavenger hunt will have the whole family searching for pollinators among exhibits from organizations like Earth Spirit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Buffalo Zoo.

Special demonstrations happen throughout the day. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Environmental Conservation Officer Hunt and his K9 companion Bear will demonstrate the “Duties of a Detector Dog.” Smokey Bear makes a special appearance at 12:30 p.m. when Forest Ranger Kennedy demonstrates “the Job of a Forest Ranger.” Visitors will buzz about Beekeeper Dan Lipp’s informative bee talks at Reinstein Woods’ observational bee hive at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Visitors can also help celebrate 30 years of DEC ownership of Reinstein Woods by sharing their story of their favorite Reinstein Woods’ moment on the sharing wall. DEC acquired Reinstein Woods from the Estate of Dr. Victor Reinstein in September 1986.

Kids and adults can also take part in perennial festival favorites like the Pond Exploration Zone, “snowshoeing” and simulated fly fishing. Boy Scout Troop 500 will sell food all day, and Mama Earth will provide musical entertainment. There will be something for everyone, rain or shine.

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is located at 93 Honorine Drive, off of Como Park Boulevard in Cheektowaga. A donation to Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve is requested at the door to support the festival. For a complete list of festival activities, contact Reinstein Woods at 683-5959 or visit Reinstein’s festival webpage.