Jamestown, NY – Entries have begun to arrive for Audubon Community Nature Center’s 2017 Nature Photography Contest.

Now in its seventh year, the competition is designed to encourage anyone who enjoys doing photography – from beginners to professionals – to enter their images for consideration.

“The Photo Contest helps us fulfill our mission of connecting people with nature in two ways,” said Audubon Photo Contest Coordinator Ruby Miller. “The photographer experiences nature while shooting pictures and the viewer becomes inspired to connect with nature when looking at the often stunning results.”

Prizes are awarded in four categories and two divisions. The Youth Division is for ages 8-18 or still in high school; Adult is 18 and over or post-high school.

Buffalo is recognized as having one of the best collections of architecture among American cities, with outstanding examples of a wide variety of architectural styles. Join Explore Buffalo for a four-week course on architectural styles to see how the entire city of Buffalo is a true architectural museum. This course will be led by Chuck LaChiusa, Explore Buffalo Board President and creator of BuffaloAH.com.

Each session will be 90 minutes in length, from 7 pm to 8:30 p.m., including a brief break. This course can only be purchased as a whole; individual sessions cannot be purchased separately. Sessions will include the following:

Three upcoming events in February and March will showcase the wide ranging activities that regularly take place at Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, located at 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road in Amherst.

Heritage Village is pleased to announce that it will host its second annual First Ladies Tea from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. The event will pay homage to our region’s female political leaders and recognize local historical figures such as First Lady Abigail Fillmore and First Lady Frances Cleveland. The First Ladies Tea will feature a traditional English tea menu, as well as a performance by Denise Reichard as First Lady Dolley Madison. Tickets are priced at $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers; tables of 10 can be reserved for $300. Reservations are required by Feb. 8. In the event of a snowstorm, this event will be held on Feb. 12.