The Western New York Land Conservancy and residents of Grand Island hope to create a new 140-acre forested nature preserve along the Niagara River. That dream came closer to reality this month when funding was committed by the Niagara River Greenway Ecological Standing Committee and the Gallogly Family Foundation totaling more than $700,000. This funding will be just enough for the Land Conservancy to purchase the property and open it to the public. The Land Conservancy is hoping to raise at least another $600,000 to create an even better walking trail system, restore wildlife habitat and help maintain the preserve in the long run. 

Bases Loaded Sports Collectibles will host Charles Stabile, Northeast Regional Sales Manager from Beckett Grading Services, for a card and memorabilia grading event from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, in the store located at 794 French Road, Cheektowaga.

The Western New York Land Conservancy will host its annual gala in the Golden Ballroom at Statler City from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26. For more than 26 years, the regional land trust and its thousands of supporters have saved more than 6,000 acres of forests, wetlands, meadows and farms in the eight counties of Western New York. These places include, among many others, the Stella Niagara Preserve in Lewiston, Owens Falls Sanctuary in Aurora and farmland throughout the region. These places are protected forever because of the Land Conservancy and the efforts of its members.