News

CELEBRATE THE JAPANESE CHERRY BLOSSOMS THROUGHOUT THE U.S.

In 1910, the first batch of cherry trees arrived in Washington, D.C. from Japan. And over a century later, the trees drooping with pink blooms cover the country—from upstate New York to Northern California.

Locals and tourists alike flock to the country’s capitol to see the annual bloom, but why not mix it up? Visit these six states that celebrate the same tree, but with different traditions.  

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SOME CONFERENCES PRODUCE RESULTS – MY HOPE FROM THE ITHACA NATIVE LANDSCAPE SYMPOSIUM HELD LAST WEEKEND.

It was designed primarily for landscape architects and environmental scientists, and about 25 ecologically minded citizens and professionals from our region attended.

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DAYBREAK’S HEATHER LY GOT A PEEK INSIDE THE BUFFALO OLMSTED PARKS CONSERVANCY’S MLK GREENHOUSE.

There they grow 100 types of plants to beautify the parks on a budget. Watch the full video interview that was aired on WGRZ – Channel 2 on Sunday, March 6th 2016 at http://goo.gl/viOBVo

BUFFALO, N.Y. – When it comes to keeping the Olmsted Parks beautiful, the conservancy has to do it on a budget.

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EVEN THOUGH I FEEL THAT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS A LOT CLOSER TO SPRING (SPRING IS ONE MONTH AWAY), IT’S STILL A GREAT TIME OF YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE BUFFALO JAPANESE GARDEN AND ITS GLORIOUS CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL.

Each winter, Friends of the Japanese Garden gather together to enjoy incredible food and drink, and to support one of the city’s most inspirational cultural treasures.

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IT WAS A LONG SHOT, TO BE SURE.

When the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy announced a 20-year master plan with $428 million in projects, it was with a combination of hope and dreaming among planners. Even so, the nonprofit that manages the 850-acre system of parks, parkways and circles citywide has accomplished much since the plan was announced in mid-2008, with $35 million in projects completed through 2015.

BUFFALO, NY — Stephanie Crockatt, who joined the nonprofit in the fall as executive director, knows the initial time frame might have been a bit ambitious, but she’s determined to move forward.

She looks at the plan in pieces rather than one project. The No. 1 goal was to brand the park system as historic and restore its integrity. That starts with getting the message out, she said. Read More

FUTURE PLANS FOR THE SCAJAQUADA EXPRESSWAY

“It took some 20 years of pleading, public forums, shelved plans and broken promises. But propelled by a little boy’s traffic-accident death and a do-it-now governor, the expressway that never should have been will be sliced, diced and – mercifully – downgraded to a safer, saner road.” – Donn Esmonde, The Buffalo News

BUFFALO, NY — Matt Driscoll announced the Scajaquada’s coming transformation Wednesday night at SUNY Buffalo State. The state’s new DOT commissioner said the once-50-mph road connecting the Kensington Expressway with the Niagara Thruway will be downgraded to a 30-mph boulevard.

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