Environment Archives - Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com

Look for ways to help on Arbor Day & Earth Day in WNY

Two environmental holidays are coming up next week: Earth Day is on Wednesday, April 22 and Arbor Day is on Friday, April 24. There are a lot of ways to celebrate and help our communities. Take a look at the events listed here. What events have we missed? What do you do to help the environment? Please leave a comment below. Earth Day on the East Side Community Clean-Up Earth Day on the East Side: Community Clean-Up will take place from 9…...

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Apr 14, 2026

biochar kiln at the beginning of the burn in Eden NY

See biochar demonstration at Henry’s Gardens, plus Easter fun for kids

A biochar demonstration will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4 at Henry’s Gardens, 7884 Sisson Hwy., Eden. On the same day, there will also be an Easter egg hunt and coloring contest for kids. Biochar Biochar is a carbon-rich material made by burning wood or plant waste in a low-oxygen environment. This isn’t a lecture — it’s a hands-on, eyes-on experience. The presenters will be John Maher of Lake View (near Hamburg), a board member…...

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Mar 31, 2026

hyacinths and daffodils in Amherst New York

March brings hope to gardeners; see tips

“It’s March! There’s hope in this month’s calendar,” said Peggy Koppmann, Master Gardener. “Hope for sunshine, warming temperatures, a hint of green and growing things, and the official start of spring. Pour your beverage of choice at 10:45 a.m. on March 20 and toast the beginning of the season.” Here are some things you can do in March: You can find more uplifting and useful ideas from Koppmann in the article “This Month in the Garden.” Also see the article…...

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Mar 17, 2026

Enjoy the birds, get a patch, learn about nature

Whether you are in your own backyard, a local park, your nearest beach or a trip elsewhere in New York State, you can enjoy the I BIRD NY Challenge, initiated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). To take the challenge, identify any 10 bird species of your choosing anywhere in New York State. Participants who successfully complete the challenge will be awarded a commemorative patch and a completion certificate, and be entered into a drawing for…...

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Mar 10, 2026

Help study mammals in WNY with trail cameras in your yard

Snapshot NY is a statewide network of trail cameras powered by volunteers throughout the state. By sharing wildlife photos, you contribute to research that helps us learn more about mammals in our area. It helps wildlife professionals better manage and conserve wildlife in the state. By setting up a trail camera on your land and using the Snapshot NY app, the data collected by Snapshot NY allows researchers to monitor trends in the abundance and distribution of mammals such as…...

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Feb 24, 2026

houseplant with shadow in winter copyright Connie Oswald Stofko

Houseplants, wildlife & more from Orleans County Master Gardeners

Here is the newest edition of Digging In, the newsletter published by Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. Your January Garden Checklist a Garden planning Houseplants Birds and wildlife Upcoming events Second annual seed swap The Orleans Community Seed Share is hosting its annual seed swap from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Cornell Cooperative Orleans Trolley Building, 12690 Route 31 in Albion. It is free. Take home free seeds for your 2026 garden. Enjoy seed demonstrations and activities…...

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Jan 20, 2026

recycling courtesy rawpixel.com on Freepik

Your opinion: Is recycling a waste of time?

by Connie Oswald Stoko Last week I published an article on “National Recycling Day is Nov. 15: What to do with electronic devices.” EeVeE from Buffalo responded with this comment: “We at Unity Buffalo’s EarthCare Animal Ministry team are considering bringing more ‘recycling awareness’ to our church and community. I am wondering if there is a program where you can have someone come to our church and give an informed guidance on how the process works and how to get…...

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Nov 18, 2025

National Recycling Day is Nov. 15: What to do with electronic devices

by Connie Oswald Stofko If you’re reading this, you’re using an electronic device. At some point that device will be obsolete. What will you do with it then? National Recycling Day is Nov. 15, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) offers two tips here on how to keep your old equipment out of a landfill. Old cell phones In New York State, you can take your old cell phone to any wireless service provider’s retail store…...

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Nov 11, 2025

How to choose wildflower seeds, plus more tips from Erie Master Gardeners

You may be looking now for “wildflower” seed mixes to sow later in winter, wrote Peggy Koppmann in “This Month in the Garden,” an article in the newest edition of WNY Gardening Matters. Gardeners may look for wildflower seeds to create a meadow that attracts and supports pollinators, said Koppmann, a Master Gardener. But a meadow is complicated and it’s important to choose the right seeds. Purchase only seed mixtures that list the botanical names, she said. That way you…...

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Nov 11, 2025

What to do with worn-out pumpkins

by Connie Oswald Stofko Do you think Halloween monsters are horrible? Here’s something more horrible: throwing a jack-‘o-lantern into the trash! When you’re done with your pumpkin, compost it. You can smash it, too. It’s quite entertaining! Before you place your rotting pumpkin in your compost bin, you need to get it into smaller parts so it will decompose more quickly. You could use a knife, but smashing it on a hard surface is faster, easier and more fun. Remember…...

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Oct 28, 2025