A partnership between the Ken-Ton School District, Town of Tonawanda, and Niagara River Greenway has resulted in a long-awaited project centered around three ecologically significant islands in the Niagara River and the species of birds that inhabit them.

The islands go by different names but are commonly referred to as Strawberry Island, Tern Island, and Motor Island. They are located between the Town of Tonawanda and the southern tip of Grand Island. Throughout the year, a variety of species of migratory birds live and nest on these islands such as Bald Eagles, Great Egrets, Common Terns, and Great Blue Herons. Thanks to the work of Ken-Ton School District students and staff in partnership with the Town of Tonawanda and Niagara River Greenway, Aqua Lane Park is now home to signage with information about the birds and viewfinders to allow guests to observe them.

"Aqua Lane Park is a treasure, and these viewfinders have given people one more reason to visit here," said Sabatino Cimato, Superintendent of Schools. "None of this would have been possible without the Town of Tonawanda’s tireless efforts in achieving a successful partnership with the school district and the Niagara River Greenway’s ceaseless work to beautify and enhance the Niagara River shoreline. Our strong partnership with these two entities is what made this project possible. This is a prime example of how school districts, local municipalities, and nonprofit organizations can partner together to make the community a better place.”

The idea had its inception at last year’s inaugural Environmental Ambassador Summit, an event organized by the Niagara River Greenway. At the event, teams from local high schools presented proposals to improve green space in the zip codes affected by the former Tonawanda Coke plant. Students from the Kenmore West High School Environmental Club under the leadership of former club advisor Denise Amato worked with Lisa Davidson, Instructional Support Specialist for Science, to present a proposal to install viewfinders and signage along the shoreline. The project cost went beyond the amount allotted for each school under the Environmental Ambassador Summit, so Davidson and her family set out to raise $6,000 to make the project a reality. Teaming up with the Rotary Club of Kenmore, they held a meat raffle in December to support this effort. She also partnered with Michelle Lockett from the Niagara River Greenway and graphic design artist Sonia Merkel to design the signage and the Town of Tonawanda to install the viewfinders. Additionally, a bench was hand-made by retired Kenmore West High School Technology Teacher Kevin Day and his students.

“A project that started as a vision of a handful of students turned into something quite spectacular because of the collaboration from many different professionals, including Jay Burney, Pollinator Conservation Association; Connie Adams, Department of Environmental Conservation; and Paul Leuchner, retired from Army Corps of Engineers,” said Michelle Lockett, Community Engagement Director for the Niagara River Greenway. “It was heartwarming to see so many contribute their talents and resources to see this project come to fruition. What a great message it sends to our youth, that great things can happen when we all work together!”

The Ken-Ton School District has a close relationship with Aqua Lane Park, which is operated by the Town of Tonawanda and located on River Road along the shoreline of the Niagara River. Through the park runs the Shoreline Trail, a multi-use path along the Niagara River, connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The Niagara River Greenway, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring and improving access to the Niagara River, coordinates the development and activation of the Shoreline trail and has given partner organizations the opportunity to “adopt” and maintain sections of it. Through this initiative, the Ken-Ton School District adopted the section between Aqua Lane Park and the Erie County Water Authority. During the school year, students and staff regularly come together and devote their Saturday to picking up trash at Aqua Lane Park and cleaning up this section of trail to ensure it remains in excellent condition for guests.

“Niagara River Greenway is truly grateful to Ken-Ton Schools for being one of our best Adopt-a-Trail groups,” Lockett said. “Their large group of students and adults, close to 80 at one point, reuses five-gallon pails to collect litter and dispose of it in large garbage bins provided by Casella Waste Systems, eliminating the need for plastic garbage bags. This past spring, they worked on removing microplastics out of the river. These motivated students continue down the trail, past their adopted section, to clean up Casella’s section of the trail too! These students deserve an A+++!”

A celebration to commemorate the completion of the project will take place in the spring.