World Water Day - Ramsar and the Niagara River

On behalf of the Niagara River Corridor Ramsar Site Steering Committee and the Niagara River Greenway Commission, we invite you to join us on World Water Day, Tuesday, March 22, to learn about a proposal to recognize and celebrate our greatest water resource, the mighty Niagara River!

Western New York and its waterfronts are being transformed from their blighted industrial past into thriving, economically vibrant communities, with waterfronts serving as our region’s front doors. The mission of the Niagara River Greenway Commission is to enhance and redevelop our Niagara River waterfront, improving its ecological health while making the river and its shoreline more accessible and attractive to residents and visiting tourists.

Among the top Niagara River Greenway projects under consideration this year is the proposal to nominate the Niagara River Corridor as a Ramsar Site, or wetland of international importance. This would put the Niagara River on par with places like the Everglades and the Nile River delta. This honor is an opportunity for increased economic activity that we can’t pass up. Rather than creating new restrictions, the Ramsar Site designation will support the conservation of the river’s natural resources while also encouraging recreation like fishing and boating, promoting tourism of our natural wonders, and attracting outside funding. Pursued in partnership with our Canadian neighbors, this will be the first Transboundary Ramsar Site in North America, an incredible accomplishment worth celebrating.

To learn more and to show your support, please join us for presentations about this exciting and important initiative.

Where: Atrium@Rich's on Niagara St. & West Ferry St. in Buffalo

When: Tuesday, March 22, 2016, from 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.

Free parking is available in Rich’s lots and on the street.

Greg Stevens, Chair of the Niagara River Greenway Commission, and Sam Hoyt, WNY Regional President of Empire State Development, will introduce the event. Presentations will be given by: students from UB’s Environmental Law and Policy Clinic; John Hartig, Manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and Humbug Marsh Ramsar Site; and Jajean Rose-Burney, Development Director at the Western New York Land Conservancy and Co-Chair of the Niagara Corridor Ramsar Site Steering Committee.

Look for more information on UB’s Environmental Law and Policy Clinic website (www.law.buffalo.edu) or the Western New York Land Conservancy’s website (www.wnylc.org). You can also contact me at (716) 687-1225 or jajean.rose@wnylc.org.

Your participation and views are critical to the continued transformation of Western New York’s waterfront.

We hope to see you there!