Tifft Nature Preserve - Visitor Information

The Tifft Nature Preserve site is about 6 miles from the Buffalo Museum of Science, in the southwest corner of Buffalo, 3 miles from downtown.  This 264-acre habitat features walking trails, a 75-acre freshwater cattail marsh, and man-made water bodies, formerly used as shipping canals.  Wild plants and animals abound throughout the year.  Tifft’s location near the Lake Erie shoreline often attracts over 200 species of birds annually.  The cattail marsh teems with life during the summer.  Tracks in snow give clues to animal behavior in winter.  The Makowski Visitor Center offers visitor services.  The Preserve is dedicated to conservation and environmental education.  Located in a unique urban setting, formerly called Tifft Farms, named 150 years ago and used as livestock yard, dairy farm, and railroad yard over the years, Tifft now provides valuable habitats for wildlife. Admission is free; donations gratefully accepted. 

Visitor Highlights

• Five miles of nature trails – trail map and rules available at Visitor Center
• Three boardwalks with viewing blinds in and adjacent to cattail marsh
• Trails open year around during daylight hours
• Guided walks— Thursdays 10 am– 12 pm; $2.00 donation.
• Official “Important Bird Area” offers outstanding bird watching
• Fishing at Lake Kirsty Only (Except North Shoreline)
• Snowshoe rental
• Discovery Kit Rentals
• Cross-country skiing permitted
• Live Animals 

Admission: Donations gratefully accepted

For more information and bookings, please call (716) 896-5200, ext. 338

Click Here for Tifft's Guided Tours, Workshops, and Other Programs