The Nature Center is THRILLED to announce that we have received an endowment that will allow us to complete MANY projects. The first of these will be to repair and upgrade our entire trail system. Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, this means that we will be closed to visitors until the work is complete. Keep checking back here for updates!

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Welcome to the James A. Zaepfel Nature Sanctuary and Research Center

A Magical Wilderland
Beaver Dams Galore
The Winter Calm
Sprouting Out
Colorful
Old
Hidden Worlds
Unique Bedding
The Views
Time Forgotten
Secret Homes
Majestic Skies
Calming Waters
See the Bald Eagles?
Winter Bogs
Translucent Ponds
Deep Woods
Commanding Lands
Mythical Places
Prolific Life
Soothing Waters
There are those Bald Eagles!
Trees Forgotten
Beavers Galore
A Restful Sojourn
Nature at Work
Hidden Friends
Ahhhhhh
An Animal Habitate
History

The location of the Nature Sanctuary has a storied past. From the last glacial retreat to...

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Projects

There have been many projects completed at Zaepfel. These include...

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Donate

We take on many projects every year that help both the Nature Center and community...

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Rules

Open May 15th-Sept 30th

Dawn to Dusk

Carry-in/Carry-out...

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We have partnered with Cattaraugus County to photograph and record all the invasive species throughout Zaepfel. The application that we are using also allows us to plot many other items such as maintenance issues, animal signs, species of interest, and much more! This is an ongoing project.

App to collect Invasive Species

Latest Project

Latest letter from the USDA pertaining to the Wetland Reserve Program.

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How nature helps you:

National Geographic

New York Times

USA Today

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Information