Times Beach has a complicated social and environmental history. Time Beach has become an important and rare lakefront habitat for a number of animals and plants, including birds. It is one of the largest more or less "wild" sites remaining on the great lakes. Of course it is a built site, but it has somewhat reclaimed itself as a wildlife habitat. That it is in downtown Buffalo is astounding and very important. Making this site more accessible to bird watchers, nature enthusiasts, citizens, and others makes economic and political sense. It is also a site of tremendous scientific importance and is one of the most studied Great Lakes habitats. Both Times Beach and Tifft Nature Preserve are part of the Niagara River Corridor Globally Significant Important Bird Area.

Jay Burney