See for yourself!
Our Trails & Preserves
Beaver Meadow is a 364-acre nature preserve in North Java, NY. It features ponds, wetlands with a boardwalk trail, wooded uplands, meadows, an arboretum, and eight miles of well-marked trails. It is the only Buffalo Audubon property with a fully staffed Nature Center.
Renovations of the first two floors of the Trillium Nature Center were completed in 2024, with more exciting developments to come!
Most of our trails are low in elevation and difficulty.
You are welcome to bring snacks (or pack a picnic!) to the property but ask that you please be respectful and pick up after yourself. We have a carry-in/carry-out policy. Garbage cans are not available.
For the safety and comfort of all our guests, pets are not permitted on the premises. Service dogs, as defined by the ADA, are always welcome. Emotional support animals (ESAs) and pets not trained to perform a specific task for a disability are not considered service animals under federal law and are not allowed. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
If you’re visiting with children, be sure to visit our Nature Play all-natural playground and Fairy House Lane. Nature Play is most suited for elementary-aged children and may be found near Trillium Nature Center.
Fairy House Lane is also located near the Nature Center — Beaver Pond Trail will take you there! Also, be sure to visit our Storybook Trails found down Chipmunk Run and near Nature Play to make your hike a storybook adventure!
Click here to read more about our upcoming projects in progress!
Easier family trails include Trillium Trail and Chipmunk Run (both Storybook Trails), Beaver Pond Trail, Old Homestead Trail, and Jenny Glen Boardwalk.
Long Trail is our most challenging trail due to its elevation and length (1.5 miles).
For those with mobility concerns, we offer the Jenny Glen Boardwalk as well as the ADA-accessible Trillium Trail through the front meadows—also a Storybook Trail.
Planning a visit? Download the trail map or check out the interactive trail map!
Trail Closure Update
A portion of Old Woods Bracken Trail between the Old Woods Lean-to to Tulip Summit is still closed due to bridge repair.
We will update when it has been repaired and is open again. Thank you, and happy trails!
Other Trails & Preserves
North Tonawanda Audubon Nature Preserve
Kinkead & Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda, NY
This 36-acre preserve is partially co-owned by the Western New York Land Conservancy, and home to a variety of different wildlife, including mammals, birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles. One of the largest contiguous urban wetland ecosystems of its kind remaining in Western New York, it is also a habitat for many birds that depend on its unique environment, including Wood Thrushes, Scarlet Tanagers, Ovenbirds, and Eastern Screech-Owls—like our animal ambassador, Zelda—who you might recognize by their characteristic, ghostly calls. You’ll find a network of walking trails at this preserve, along with a mature oak forest, ample wildflowers and native plants, and old growth trees.
Ghost Pond
1639 Welch Rd., Java Center, NY 14082
Ghost Pond is a 60 acre nature preserve adjacent to Beaver Meadow Nature Preserve. The trail is approximately .8 miles long and is low to moderate in difficulty.
Rose Acres
Torry Hill Rd. & Java Lake Rd., Java Center, NY 14082
Solitude is always the best word to describe the experience of visiting Rose Acres. This is a great place to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of life. Once a summer home for Mrs. Clifford Rose, Buffalo Audubon acquired this this 53-acre preserve in 1975. Host to a variety of habitats including mixed upland woods, a small stream, and a 5-acre beaver pond, wildlife abounds. This is a favorite spot for spring wildflower hikes as species such as trillium, hepatica and clintonia are easily found. Although the beaver has vacated the pond, the dam is intact. Rose Acres is located near the intersection of Torry Hill road and Java Lake Road.
Conservation Preserves
Each of the seven preserves Buffalo Audubon owns and protects offers something unique to wildlife and people. Currently four of our conservation properties are not open to the public: Ayer-Stevenson, Rushing Stream, Allenberg Bog, and Meadowlark Hill preserves.
Because Allenberg Bog is a very special 390-acre gem loaded with carnivorous plants and rare orchids, we offer limited public guided walks and scheduled private walks.
Please contact Naturalist Breton Sloan at breton@buffaloaudubon to learn more.
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