Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper & Cradle Beach announce partnership on resilient shoreline, habitat restoration projects

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Press Release and Photos

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (BNW) and Cradle Beach (CB) on Friday announced BNW will lead two companion projects at Cradle Beach to create a resilient shoreline in response to extreme weather impacts, and to restore native tree and plant habitat to help improve water quality.

The projects are being funded by a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo (phase I of the shoreline resiliency project), The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation (phase I of the shoreline resiliency project) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (tree and habitat project).

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with Cradle Beach, another amazing Western New York nonprofit, to support their organization with two critical projects that will help improve ecological health and build resilience along their shoreline for the continued threats of extreme weather and climate change impacts,” BNW Executive Director Jill Jedlicka said. “In addition, we are looking forward to working with Cradle Beach through education and engagement efforts around this project, that will help develop the next generation of water stewards in our Great Lakes community. We are grateful that the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have all lead the way in providing first-in financial support to these projects, and we hope additional funders will be inspired by this collaboration to support phase II of the shoreline project.”

Cradle Beach CEO Ann-Marie Orlowski said, “We are deeply grateful to Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper for their invaluable support and expertise in advancing two critical Cradle Beach initiatives – coastal resiliency of our cherished shoreline and driving reforestation efforts to restore our treasured woodlands and habitat. Their dedication and success in protecting and revitalizing our region’s natural resources has been instrumental in advancing Cradle Beach’s knowledge, identifying funding opportunities, and co-creating companion coastal resiliency and reforestation plans. We're thrilled to have Waterkeeper join us in providing camper education and hands-on programming in support of our living classrooms initiatives. Thank you to our philanthropic partners: The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation and Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, whose initial grant funding serves as a catalyst for our collective partnership and activates others desire to support Cradle Beach, as one of Western New York’s longest-serving and relied-upon nonprofits. Creating a resilient shoreline and restoring our habitat not only enhances our immediate environment, it creates a lasting and positive impact for our communities served, near and far. Through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s support, we are intentionally creating deeper connections to our environment and building a stronger, healthier, more resilient community for generations to come.”

The shoreline project is the critical first step toward long-term resiliency of the Lake Erie coastline along the Cradle Beach property by completing data collection, identifying and assessing design approaches for a stabilized shoreline, and advancing one design through the conceptual phase.

Engineering firm Ramboll has been contracted for the conceptual design phase of this project. Funding is still being sought for the final design and implementation phases of the shoreline resiliency project.

The native tree restoration project will rehabilitate 20 acres of important riparian forested wetland along Little Sister Creek at Cradle Beach, a tributary to Lake Erie that has been severely impacted by the invasive emerald ash borer. The planting of 1,500 new trees will absorb about 500,000 gallons of rainfall annually, avoiding about 100,000 gallons of runoff into the creek each year and improving water quality and coastal resilience along Lake Erie. The project will also revitalize the forested wetland there, which will benefit both the community and migratory birds that frequent the area. In addition, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper will provide educational programming related to the project for the Cradle Beach supported population, including leading a volunteer planting effort, tree planting lessons and permanent educational signage.

“One of the ways the Community Foundation advances our mission is by bringing partners together to advance change in our community on behalf of the clients who have entrusted us to do so,” said Cara Matteliano, senior director, policy and strategic partnerships. These specific collaborative projects align with our leadership work, which includes stewarding significant environmental resources in the context of climate resilience. As we see local changes in our climate, we commend Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and Cradle Beach for working together to improve our region’s ability to prepare for, adapt to, and recover from climate impacts.”

New York State Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan said, “I thank Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and Cradle Beach for collaborating on these much-needed restoration projects to protect the Lake Erie shoreline and improve water quality in the area. Funding from the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation illustrates broad-based community support for these projects and the important work of both organizations. Congratulations to all involved.”

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is a community-based nonprofit organization that protects and restores our waters and surrounding ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. For over 35 years, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has been the guardian of Western New York's fresh water, protecting clean water, restoring the health of ecosystems, connecting people to the water, and inspiring sustainable economic growth and community engagement. For more information, visit www.bnwaterkeeper.org.

More about Cradle Beach

Nationally recognized and regionally celebrated, Cradle Beach is a nonprofit organization founded in 1888 on the ideals of diversity and inclusion. We unite individuals and families, with a focus on empowering children with special needs and the underserved, to become their best selves, through lifechanging experiences in a safe and inclusive environment. Located directly. on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, Cradle Beach’s serene 66-acre campus provides an oasis for our year-round quality programming, including overnight summer camp, day and overnight respite programs and premium retreat facilities. We specialize in bringing individuals with and without disabilities and/or from economic disadvantages together to enjoy magical moments on our sandy beach, nature-filled woodlands, paved trails, gardens, recreational fields, heated accessible swimming pool, climate-controlled lodging, seasonal cabins and one of New York’s first accessible tree houses. Cradle Beach offers growth, inspiration and joy, through every season.

More information on both companion projects can be found at https://bnwaterkeeper.org/cradle-beach/. 

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka speaks of the need to build resilient shorelines in the face of climate impacts at Cradle Beach and across WNY.