irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $616KGRANTS - PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONSIBILITY IN THE URBAN PERSON THROUGH EDUCATION
named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Animal Care Trainee
Program for children ages 8–10 to learn feeding, grooming, and cleaning of animal ambassadors while gaining hands-on animal care experience
Fall Forest Bathing Walk
90-minute meditative walks led by a certified guide to promote mindful connection with nature using the Japanese Shinrin-Yoku practice
Family Nature Hike & Animal Meet-Up
Guided hikes through Alley Pond Park followed by live animal encounters for families with children
I Want To Be A Vet
Series of hands-on programs for children ages 5–7 introducing veterinary science through observation and care of animal ambassadors
Learn to Fish with the Bayside Anglers
Fishing instruction for ages 12+ covering recreational fishing techniques, regulations, and environmentally sound practices
Monthly Adult Yoga: Relax & Rejuvenate
Yoga classes for adults led by a certified instructor, focusing on breath work, gentle movement, and mindfulness in a natural setting
Morning with the Birds
Guided bird walks through Alley Pond Park led by nature educator Wing Kong, designed for adults to observe local bird species
Vet Tech 101
Workshops for children ages 8–10 covering animal anatomy, dental and beak health, and microscope use in veterinary practice
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Humane Education and Responsible Pet Ownership 1 activity
- Animal Ambassador ProgramMaintains a collection of over 80 animal ambassadors used in educational programming and public engagement, including off-site visits to schools and public events, to teach about animal care, behavior, and environmental stewardship.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Nature-Based Trails and Public Spaces ManagementMaintains public access to walking trails and the parking lot at Alley Pond Park from dawn to dusk year-round, regardless of center operations, and conducts monitoring of wildlife such as raccoons for educational programming.
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Free Public Access Nature Sites 1 activity
- Public Access and Facility OperationsOperates a public environmental center with regular weekday and weekend hours, offering free parking and wheelchair-accessible facilities. The center includes an animal room open seven days a week (except major holidays), indoor and outdoor classrooms, an apiary, and a windmill, supported by a newly constructed $28 million facility.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Public Environmental Education ProgramsConducts educational programs to promote environmental awareness, understanding, and responsibility among urban residents of all ages, with offerings tailored to children, teens, and adults. These programs include science lessons, nature walks, live animal interactions, and hands-on STEM learning, serving over 60,000 visitors annually.
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Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 1 activity
- Specialized Adult ProgramsOffers nature-based and wellness programs for adults, including guided bird walks, forest bathing (Shinrin-Yoku), yoga classes, and fishing instruction in collaboration with community partners, to promote mindfulness, health, and connection with urban wildlife.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.43M
Contributions & grants$950K66%
Program service revenue$412K29%
Investment income$42K3%
Other revenue$26K
expenses
Total expenses$1.25M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead27%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$837K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.17M
Cash$1.20M
Investments$0
Liabilities$30K
Net assets$2.14M
Liquid reserves11.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +10.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRENE SCHEID | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $145K |
board members · 11
- ANDREW TSIOLAS — DIRECTOR
- ANNE MARIE VALLONE — DIRECTOR
- DIT CHEUNG — DIRECTOR
- FRANCES FILLORAMO MOLITOR — DIRECTOR
- KIRSTIN CALLAHAN AUSTIN — DIRECTOR
- MABEL LAW — DIRECTOR
- MICHELLE STODDART — DIRECTOR
- NADESHA SMITH — DIRECTOR
- RITA SHERMAN — DIRECTOR
- TERRY CAVANAGH — DIRECTOR
- WALTER MUGDAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Alley Pond Park Government — Hosts the environmental center within its grounds, providing access to nature trails and natural landscapes.
- Alley Pond Park Government — Located within Alley Pond Park, a public park managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
- Alley Pond Park Government — Located within Alley Pond Park, offering nature-oriented programs in a public park setting.
- Alley Pond Park Government — Located within and operates programs in Alley Pond Park, a public park in New York City.
- Bayside Anglers Group LTD Partner — Collaborates with APEC to offer fishing instruction for adults and children at the Alley Pond Environmental Center.
- Linda Lombardo Partner — Certified forest bathing guide who leads meditative nature walks at APEC.
- Lorine Bamberg Partner — Certified yoga instructor who leads monthly yoga classes at APEC.
- NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation Government — The Hon. Tricia Shimamura, Commissioner of NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation, serves as an ex-officio member of APEC's Board, represented by Liz Asaro.
- NYC Parks Government — Collaborated with APEC on the ribbon-cutting event to launch the new facility on Wildlife Conservation Day.
- NYC Parks Government — Operates within Alley Pond Park, a public park managed in partnership with NYC Parks.
- National Grid Partner — Partnered with APEC to celebrate World Environment Day by bringing the BioBus to the center.
- New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Government — Collaborates with NYC Parks for park access information and management of Alley Pond Park.
- New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Government — Partnered with APEC in establishing the center and rehabilitating the park's wetlands through the Wetlands Reclamation Project.
- Wing Kong Partner — Nature educator and birder who leads guided bird walks at Alley Pond Park.
- beaconny.gov Government — Source of tick identification and Lyme disease safety resources used by APEC.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Ecological Restoration as a Foundation for Education and Community Engagementmethodology: living_labBy restoring degraded urban wetlands into functional ecosystems, we create living laboratories for environmental education, because transformed landscapes serve dual purposes: improving local biodiversity and providing tangible, place-based learning opportunities that deepen community investment.
- Experiential Environmental Education through Nature and Animal Ambassadorsmethodology: experiential_learningBy engaging participants in hands-on interactions with live animal ambassadors and immersive nature-based activities, we foster deeper understanding of and stewardship toward local ecosystems, because direct experience builds emotional connection, curiosity, and long-term environmental responsibility.