named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW)
Program providing hands-on instruction and scholarships for women in outdoor skills such as camping, fishing, hunting, canoeing, and survival.
Camperships
Scholarships enabling low-income students to attend week-long outdoor education and stewardship-focused summer camps at DEC facilities.
Capital District Nature Bus
Free Saturday bus service connecting residents of Albany to eight nearby natural spaces, in partnership with CDTA and local conservation groups.
Exhibit Upgrades at Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center
Project to modernize exhibits and improve visitor amenities at Thacher State Park’s nature center for youth and family engagement.
I Bird NY & The NYS Birding Trail
Initiative promoting birdwatching across New York State with accessible tools and resources to connect people of all backgrounds with nature.
Ladders to the Outdoors
Program providing free outdoor recreation access, equipment, instruction, and transportation to youth in underserved communities at five state parks in Western New York.
Shirley Chisholm State Park Bike Library
Program offering free bike rentals with helmets, riding classes, and annual bike swaps to encourage exploration of car-free park paths.
Veteran & Service Member Events
Annual fly fishing and outdoor events for veterans and military members in Central New York, including gear, food, and logistics support.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
- Conduct research on parks and trails economic impactSupported the development of a statewide economic impact study on the Empire State Trail and published the report "The Power of Philanthropy & the Promise of Parks," documenting the role of private partnerships in supporting New York's state parks over the past century.
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Youth Cycling Education and Access Programs 1 activity
- Deliver free Learn-to-Swim and bike access programsOffers free Learn-to-Swim programs at New York state parks and operates a bike library at Shirley Chisholm State Park that provides free bike and helmet loans, riding classes, and hosts two annual bike swaps.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Enhance state park facilities and natural resource protectionSupports projects that improve state park infrastructure, expand access to outdoor recreation and environmental education, preserve cultural and historic assets, and protect natural resources, benefiting over 200 New York State Parks and Historic Sites.
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Youth Scouting Leadership Programs 1 activity
- Expand outdoor access for underserved communitiesLaunches and supports the Ladders to the Outdoors program, providing free outdoor recreation programming, equipment, instruction, and transportation for youth in underserved communities at five state parks in Western New York, and operates the Capital District Nature Bus to connect Albany residents to eight natural areas for recreation and education.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Manage funds for conservation and community revitalization partnershipsManages and invests funds to support cooperative conservation and community revitalization programs in partnership with New York State agencies.
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Preserve open space, parklands, and historic sitesPreserves open space, parklands, and historic sites across New York State through fundraising efforts and supports local, regional, and statewide conservation and community quality initiatives.
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Veteran Benefits and Reintegration Support 1 activity
- Provide outdoor recreation and support for veteransSupports fly fishing and outdoor events for veterans and military members in Central New York, including an annual 3-day event and plans for expanded single-day opportunities.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Support environmental education programs at state park nature centersProvides support for environmental education initiatives at the Humphrey Nature Center at Letchworth State Park and the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, including exhibit upgrades at the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center to improve educational engagement for families and large groups.
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Youth Outdoor & Conservation Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Support youth and women in outdoor education and skills developmentProvides camperships for low-income students to attend week-long outdoor education and conservation-focused summer camps in the Adirondacks and Catskills, and funds scholarships for women through the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, offering hands-on training in camping, fishing, archery, and survival skills.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$13.54M
Contributions & grants$3.17M23%
Program service revenue$8.35M62%
Investment income$1.98M15%
Other revenue$45K
expenses
Total expenses$15.60M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$6.06M
Grants paid out$3.50M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$66.24M
Cash$978K
Investments$62.34M
Liabilities$5.14M
Net assets$61.10M
Liquid reserves48.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -13.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALLY DRAKE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 38 | $191K |
| SARAH PURCELL | DEPUTY DIRECTOR/CFO | 38 | $183K |
board members · 4
- AMANDA LEFTON — BOARD MEMBER
- BRYAN ERWIN — BOARD MEMBER
- RANDY SIMONS — CHAIR
- WALTER MOSLEY — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 31
Who they work with
- Capital District Transportation Authority Partner — Operates the free Saturday Nature Bus service in partnership with NHT to connect city residents to natural areas.
- Connect Kids to Parks Partner — Provides transportation support for the Ladders to the Outdoors program.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Commissioner Amanda Lefton serves on the NHT Board of Directors
- Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Partner organization focused on conserving, improving, and protecting New York's natural resources and environment
- Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Collaborates on conservation and environmental protection efforts
- Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Cooperative program partner in land and water conservation efforts.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Cooperative programs and projects related to environmental conservation
- Department of State Government — Partner organization working to make New York State more welcoming, equitable, and prosperous
- Department of State Partner — Collaborates on local, regional, and statewide conservation and community improvement initiatives
- Department of State Partner — Cooperative program partner in supporting state lands and conservation programs.
- Department of State Partner — Cooperative programs and projects related to waterfront and community revitalization
- Hudson River Valley Greenway Partner — Collaborated on the Empire State Trail and related research initiatives.
- Institute for Transportation Research and Education Partner — Partnered on the economic impact study of the Empire State Trail.
- Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy Partner — Collaborates on the Capital District Nature Bus to connect Albany residents to natural spaces.
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Partners on I Bird NY, the NYS Birding Trail, and campership programs to expand outdoor access and environmental education.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Collaborates with NHT on conservation and community initiatives.
- New York State Department of State Partner — Collaborates with NHT on conservation and community initiatives.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Partnered on the Empire State Trail and related research initiatives.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Partner — Collaborates on conservation, recreation, and historic preservation initiatives
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Partner — Collaborates with NHT on conservation and community initiatives.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Partner — Cooperative program partner in supporting state parks and conservation initiatives.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Partner — Cooperative programs and projects related to parks, recreation and historic preservation
- New York State Parks Government — Provides support to over 200 state parks and historic sites.
- New York State Parks Partner — Collaborates on multiple programs including Ladders to the Outdoors, Nature Bus, and exhibit upgrades at nature centers.
- New York's state parks Government — Collaborates with state park authorities to support the creation, protection, and enhancement of parks.
- Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Government — Partner organization that oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities in New York State
- Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Commissioner Kathy Moser serves on the NHT Board of Directors
- Parks & Trails New York Partner — Collaborated on the development of an economic impact study for the Empire State Trail.
- Ralph C. Wilson Foundation Partner — Co-launches and supports the Ladders to the Outdoors program to expand outdoor access in Western New York.
- State Council of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Government — Partner organization composed of commissioners and chairs advising on parks, recreation, and historic preservation matters across New York State
+ 1 more
strategies · 5
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.
- Equitable Access Expansion Modelmethodology: equitable access to outdoorsBy removing financial, logistical, and mobility barriers—through free programming, equipment, transportation, and transit-linked access—the organization increases outdoor engagement among underserved populations, because equitable access leads to broader public benefit and inclusion in conservation values.
- Equitable Access Through Barrier Removalmethodology: equitable access to outdoorsBy eliminating financial, logistical, and transportation barriers, we increase access to nature for underserved communities because removing structural obstacles enables participation that would otherwise be impossible.
- Philanthropy-Driven Park Conservationmethodology: philanthropy-driven conservationBy leveraging private philanthropy and partnerships, the organization funds and advances public conservation and park programs, because private investment is seen as essential to sustaining and enhancing state parks beyond public funding limitations.
- Philanthropy-Driven Park Conservationmethodology: philanthropy-driven conservationBy leveraging private donations and partnerships, we enhance and protect public parks and natural areas because sustained private investment increases funding stability and programmatic innovation beyond public appropriations.
- Trail-Based Community Revitalizationmethodology: trail-based-economic-developmentBy developing and supporting a statewide multi-use trail network, the organization stimulates local economic development and connects communities, because trails serve as both recreational infrastructure and economic catalysts for underserved regions.