Buffalo Museum of Science & Tifft Nature Preserve

Organizational Overview

Founded in 1861 as a collecting and researching organization, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, (BSNS), has a proud reputation of providing experiential learning for people of all ages. With the support of the City of Buffalo, the Society opened the doors to its permanent state-of-the-art facility now known as the Buffalo Museum of Science, (BMS) on Buffalo’s East Side on January 19, 1929.

 At the BMS, we believe science creates opportunities and shapes our world. The BMS is the only AAM accredited science museum within an hour’s drive of Buffalo. Dedicated to inspire, grow and support a community of lifelong learners, the BMS utilizes its unique collection of over 750,000 items to provide opportunities for all people to develop a scientific understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural world. The collection is utilized by scientists and students from all over the world for academic research in disciplines such as botany, anthropology, geology, and vertebrate and invertebrate zoology. A 40,000+ volume Research Library and Archives of the Society’s history are also available for scholarly pursuits. The Museum welcomes approximately 225,000 guests each year, roughly 15% of whom are school children.

 In 2008, the BMS launched an extensive renovation of the museum facility, transforming exhibits that had been untouched for years in to hands-on, engaging “Science Studios.” Using the BMS’s unique collections as primary tools to interest and educate visitors, these science studios have been highly successful in cultivating curiosity and self-directed discovery.

In addition to Science Studios, the BMS is proud to bring to WNY audiences world class STEM-based traveling exhibits. In recent years, the BMS hosted the sold-out The Art of The Brick Lego brick exhibit, and was selected as the U.S. premier destination for the Manchester Museum’s Golden Mummies of Egypt.

Today, BMS activities are guided by the organization’s ambition of raising the level of science literacy and engagement for all in our community.  To do this, we prioritize efforts to make science accessible and relevant; increase programming for teens and adults; invest meaningfully in diversify of our organization and audience, particularly in relation to the Museum’s East Side neighborhood; and positioning our collections as central to all we do.

In 1982, the BSNS entered into an agreement with the City of Buffalo to assume operation of Tifft Nature Preserve, (Tifft) a former brownfield now dedicated to environmental and sustainable education. This 264 acre preserve features five miles of hiking trails, a 75-acre freshwater cattail marsh, and man-made lakes that attract wildlife throughout the year. BSNS staff actively work to conserve the various native eco-systems on the Preserve. In addition, Society educators produce a variety of nature-based STEM programming at Tifft for guests of all ages. Recent upgrades to and expansion of the Herb and Jane Darling Environmental Education Center at Tifft have allowed the Society to keep pace with the growing demand for public and school-based environmental activities and experiences. Further renovations are planned, with the intent of continuing Tifft’s standing as a major destination of Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.

Gifts to the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve allow us to:

-Invest in our visitor experience for our 200,000 annual guests. 

-Provide the needed infrastructure to bring world-class traveling exhibits to the Western New York community.

-Advance science learning for more than 30,000 school children each year.

-Care for our collections.

We inspire joyful exploration of science and nature through engaging experiences, unique resources, and exceptional staff.