September at Scajaquada Creek

What should the future of the Scajaquada Creek look like? What’s even possible?

In order to envision the future, it’s important to understand the past, and a four-part speaker series hosted in partnership by the Black Rock Riverside Alliance, the Black Rock Historical Society, and the Scajaquada Corridor Coalition will begin the journey there. The speaker series will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Avenue.

Starting Tuesday, September 3 and running each Tuesday through September, a series of speakers will discuss the history of the creek and its importance to Buffalo and our region.

The first session is titled “History of Scajaquada from Indigenous to Industrial,” with a presentation from Jason Corwin, PhD, a clinical assistant professor of Indigenous Studies from UB and a member of the Seneca Nation Deer Clan, looking at how Indigenous people initially used the creek, in addition to a discussion from Ryan Austin, PhD, from UB’s Department of Archeology, about the creek’s history from the War of 1812 and the attraction of industry to the waterway.

The second session, on September 10, is centered on the environmental importance of the creek and the potential for the future, discussing the creek’s significance as a waterway for migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife in addition to its potential as a navigable waterway and resource for ecotourism, and how that can set the table for a healthy and robust future. Speakers will include Connie Adams and Erin Redding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Sandra Smith from Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper.

For the third Tuesday, September 17, the theme will be “Power of the Creek - Flowing towards Economic Development,” as the bigger picture comes into focus on what the Scajaquada’s future could and might be, featuring Paris Roselli and Lisa Ludwig of the Scajaquada Cultural Corridor and Hal Morse of the Greater Buffalo Niagara Region Transportation Council.

The series will end on September 24 with a panel discussion with community leaders, taking into consideration questions from the audience and possible actions that can be taken now and in the future to make and keep the Scajaquada healthy, strong, and safe for all to enjoy. 

More information can be found here; free tickets for the speaker series can be secured here.