Mission
Buffalo Audubon leads and inspires Western New Yorkers to connect with and protect the natural world through bird-focused activities, advocacy, and habitat restoration.
Established in 1909 by a group of dedicated conservationists, Buffalo Audubon is dedicated to the promotion, enjoyment, and protection of the natural world through education, advocacy and community conservation. A regional, independent organization and chapter affiliate of National Audubon, we currently steward over 1,000 acres of land throughout Western New York, with our office headquarters located at Beaver Meadow Audubon Center in Wyoming County. We connect people to nature through delivery of educational programs for all ages, and seek to engage participants as advocates and stewards for and of the natural world.
Education delivery and outdoor experiences at Beaver Meadow have been our historical foundation, yet Buffalo Audubon is also engaged in large scale conservation and habitat improvement projects in Niagara and Erie Counties, currently including invasive species management at Buckhorn Island State Park, and the construction of a 14,000 square foot island in the City of Buffalo’s Niagara River Corridor for Common Tern habitat. These projects present long term opportunities to engage the public in meaningful community science efforts while increasing visibility. As Buffalo Audubon looks toward its future, we recognize and embrace the need to engage and represent new audiences while continuing to build on and celebrate the legacy of Beaver Meadow.
Education delivery and outdoor experiences at Beaver Meadow have been our historical foundation, yet Buffalo Audubon is also engaged in large scale conservation and habitat improvement projects in Niagara and Erie Counties, currently including invasive species management at Buckhorn Island State Park, and the construction of a 14,000 square foot island in the City of Buffalo’s Niagara River Corridor for Common Tern habitat. These projects present long term opportunities to engage the public in meaningful community science efforts while increasing visibility. As Buffalo Audubon looks toward its future, we recognize and embrace the need to engage and represent new audiences while continuing to build on and celebrate the legacy of Beaver Meadow.
Meet our Staff
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Ed Sirianno
Executive Director ed@buffaloaudubon.org Ed is delighted and proud to serve the Buffalo Audubon Society as Executive Director. He joins the talented staff and the many volunteers, members, and the Board as we work together to lead and inspire Western New Yorkers to connect with and protect the natural world through bird-focused activities, advocacy, and habitat restoration. From 2001-2019, as President of Creative Communication Associates, Ed and his team at CCA earned the reputation as one of the most trusted and valued strategic marketing communications firms in the US. His experience over more than 30 years ranges from work on well-known consumer brands, ivy league and higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations. Before CCA, Ed's spent 12 years building Sirianno Associates, a consumer advertising agency, working with client brands including Kodak, Ray-Ban, Haagen Dazs, and Michelin Tire, Zippo Lighters. Advertising Age Magazine recognized Sirianno Associates as "One of America's Top 100 Marketing Communications Firms." Ed serves on the Foundation and Alumni boards of St. Mary's College of Maryland, The National Public Honor's College He earned a BA from St. Mary's and an MA from St. Bonaventure University. |
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Kate Watson
Director of Operations kate@buffaloaudubon.org Kate provides administrative support to the Buffalo Audubon team. As a New York State licensed wildlife rehabilitator and founder of Nora’s Ark, a nonprofit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization, Kate clearly has a passion for animals. Along with her nonprofit organizational and administrative familiarity, Kate has over 20 years of veterinary practice management experience. Together, these have given Kate a strong sense of devotion for the nonprofit sector. She brings her deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life for our region to her work as a member of the Audubon team. Kate strives to provide our communities with an educational resource to promote general awareness and understanding of the needs of wildlife. |
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Tom Kerr
Naturalist tom@buffaloaudubon.org Tom has been educating others about the natural world since he began to understand it. With the help of his neighbors as a child, he created a bug zoo from his Tonawanda backyard, and gathered other neighborhood kids to view his collections. Inspired by many family vacations to National Parks, Tom studied environmental science in college. At SUNY ESF he was part of the first class that graduated with a Natural History and Interpretation degree, selecting the major because he understood the growing need to communicate the scientific world. Tom has spent his entire professional career in environmental education. He worked as a Park Ranger in the New York City Parks for five years, teaching school programs, leading an after-school program for high school students, and monitoring piping plover habitat. Living in a major migration fly way in a dense urban environment, it was in NYC he developed a love of birding. Tom came to Buffalo Audubon to lead the For the Birds! program for elementary school students, and now as a naturalist enjoys leading bird tours and teaching people about all nature in Western New York. If you catch Tom in his free time, you will most likely find him with a pair of binoculars around his neck, setting up his spotting scope to make sure everyone gets a chance to view whatever wildlife is around. He also enjoys raising his two sons to appreciate the wonderful natural landscape of Western New York. |
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Breton Sloan
Naturalist breton@buffaloaudubon.org Breton grew a love and appreciation for the outdoors from a very young age. He grew up in rural Oklahoma on a 3,000 acre farm with an abundance of wildlife at his fingertips. He served four years with the United States Marine Corps out of highschool and then continued his education at Oklahoma State University, where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Wildlife Management and Ecology. Soon after, he began his career as a Game Warden with the Oklahoma State Department of Wildlife. His favorite part of the job was educating the public about the state’s natural resources. He spent nearly 6 years as a warden before relocating to the Buffalo area with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he loves hunting, fishing, hiking, and spending time with family. He is elated to be able to continue his passion in outdoor education and conservation with the Buffalo Audubon Society. |
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Shelby Green
Naturalist shelby@buffaloaudubon.org Shelby grew up outside of Buffalo, NY and had always had a love for the outdoors, from hiking and camping in the Adirondack Mountains to playing in her backyard. She graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in environmental studies, and is excited to be back in Western New York. She loves connecting with people through nature and sharing a joy for discovering the natural world. Shelby first fell in love with environmental education as a camp counselor at Beaver Meadow two years ago, and is excited to be back again at such a wonderful place. |
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Becca Struzynski
Camp Counselor Becca has always loved being outdoors and exploring nature in any way she could. She loves to go camping, hiking, and kayaking. She had a connection with animals, so she decided to get her Associate’s degree from Alfred State College in Agricultural Technology. After working in the veterinary field for a few years, she realized her true passion was in education. Becca loves to share the wonder of nature and animals with others. She went back to school to get her Bachelor’s degree from Fredonia State in Elementary Education, and is now a teacher. She enjoys spending her summers at Beaver Meadow camp and is excited to educate and share her love of the outdoors with others. |