Along 4 The Hike: Beaver Meadow Nature Preserve

NORTH JAVA, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Beaver Meadow Nature Preserve in North Java, Wyoming County, is a 324-acre nature preserve that serves as the headquarters of the Buffalo Audubon Society. There’s a big focus on education here, with a storybook trail where pages of a children’s book are displayed every few feet.

The trails are very well marked, and you can get some nice views from both sides of Beaver Pond. If you’re hoping to see the preserve’s namesake beavers, it is possible, although they do tend to be nocturnal creatures. One more note: dogs are not welcome here because of the numerous other animals who call the preserve home.

• Address: 1610 Welch Road, North Java, NY 14113
• Difficulty: Medium
• Learn more: Visit the Buffalo Audubon Society website and dig into the Western New York Hiking Challenge.