Participants in Audubon Community Nature Center’s recent annual meeting included 2025-26 board of directors members. Pictured from left are: Lynn Schaffer; Tina Downey, CFRE; Nadine Westover; Jennifer Bliss; Carey Lee; Antoinetta Lindell; Steve Riczker; Dr. Eugenie Poignard; Linda Sobina; Pat Evans; Dr. Erin Pender; Louise Boutwell (recently retired from the board); and Peter Stark.

Tina Downey, chair of the board of directors, welcomed members, board and staff to Audubon Community Nature Center’s recent annual meeting.

Downey recognized staff and board members and announced election results. In addition to herself, continuing board members are First Vice Chair Dr. Erin Pender, Second Vice Chair Dr. Eugenie Poignard, Secretary Netta Lindell, Treasurer Peter Stark, and Pat Evans, Carey Lee, Steve Riczker and Lynn Schaffer. Poignard was re-elected for a second term, and Pender appointed to fill a departing member’s term.

Elected to new board terms are Linda Sobina and Jennifer Bliss, both of Warren. Appointed to fill a departing member’s term and also from Warren is Nadine Luvison Westover.

With thanks and small tokens of appreciation, Downey acknowledged outgoing board members Dave Burlee, Louise Boutwell and Laurie Korb.

From nature education programs to conservation initiatives, visitor experiences, and community engagement, each ACNC staff member gave a brief reflection and cited the accomplishments of the past year.

Treasurer Peter Stark gave a positive report on Audubon’s annual audit and current financial position.

Jenna Miller of Well & Wild Child gave a presentation describing her outdoor pediatric occupational therapist center that serves areas around Lakewood, Jamestown and Warren. Her work helps children who are struggling with coordination, self-confidence, making friends or managing emotions. The goal is to support families in navigating challenges, building resilience, and achieving well-being through the transformative power of outdoor occupational therapy. More information can be found at WellWildChildOT.com.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, use the natural play space, and hike more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Check out AudubonCNC.org/about for a quick fly-by.