irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $408KTHE BATTERY CONSERVANCY PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS FREE TO THE PUBLIC. THIS INCLUDES BATTERY URBAN FARM'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, WHICH ULTIMATELY SERVES APPROXIMATELY 7000 SCHOOLCHILDREN, AS WELL AS BIRDWALKS AND HISTORICAL AND HORTICULTURAL TOURS. IN 2024, APPROXIMATELY 3865 VISITORS ENJOYED PUPPET SHOWS AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCES TARGETED TO CHILDREN 3-13 AT THE BATTERY PLAYSCAPE'S SHOWBOX THEATER.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Battery Urban Farm
Offers educational programming on sustainable food cultivation for students and the public, including planting, harvesting, and composting activities
Bird Walks
Seasonal guided tours highlighting bird species in the park, led by expert guides, with opportunities to spot migratory and rare birds
Field Trips
Provides self-guided and staff-led 90-minute educational visits for Pre-K through high school students focusing on urban agriculture, ecology, and history
Oyster Restoration Program
Partners with Billion Oyster Project to grow oysters that filter water in New York Harbor and teach students about marine ecosystem health
Playscape Performs
Free summer arts series for families featuring puppetry, music, dance, and performances for children aged 3–13 at the Showbox Theater
Stewardship Lab
Engages middle and high school classes and afterschool clubs in hands-on environmental management and conservation activities from April to October
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 2 activities
- Host public recreational and cultural programs in The Battery parkOrganizes a range of free public programs including weekly Bird Walks during migration seasons, guided history and garden tours, yoga sessions in the Battery Labyrinth, puppet shows, and musical performances at the Battery Playscape's ShowBox Theater, serving thousands of children and adults annually.
- Provide public educational resources and interpretive materialsOffers mobile and printable visitor guides, seasonal scavenger hunts, and 18 educational banners featuring 34 bird species to enhance public understanding of the park’s ecology, history, and biodiversity. Materials support self-guided exploration and learning year-round.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Deliver educational programs for schoolchildren and youth groups on urban agriculture and environmental stewardshipProvides structured educational programming for approximately 7,000 schoolchildren annually through initiatives such as the Student Farmers program (grades 1–3) and the Stewardship Lab (middle and high school), featuring regular visits to Battery Urban Farm to study plant growth, seasonal changes, and environmental management. Offers 90-minute staff-led field trips and self-guided field trips with lesson materials for Pre-K through high school groups from April through October.
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
- Design, build, and sustainably maintain 25 acres of public parklandDesigns, constructs, and maintains The Battery, a 25-acre historic park at the southern tip of Manhattan, including 240,000 square feet of perennial gardens—the largest open to the public daily without admission fee. Implements sustainable practices such as porous gravel paths, native plantings, toxin-free lawns, weather-responsive irrigation, and natural soil enrichment to support climate resilience and biodiversity.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Engage volunteers in park stewardship and educational activitiesOrganizes recurring community volunteer events, including Family Farm Volunteer Days and seasonal gardening workshops, and offers one-time volunteering opportunities for school and college groups. Volunteers support horticulture, visitor greeting, garden maintenance (planting, weeding, pruning), and farming tasks such as harvesting produce for donation.
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Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
- Operate and maintain Battery Urban Farm and related sustainability initiativesManages an urban farm that grows 135 varieties of herbs and produce annually, supports composting and soil enrichment using on-site resources, and engages students and volunteers in planting, harvesting, and tending crops. Partners with Billion Oyster Project since 2014 to grow oysters for water filtration and habitat restoration, and maintains The Battery Bee Village apiary.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.42M
Contributions & grants$2.51M104%
Program service revenue$310K13%
Investment income$-294K-12%
Other revenue$-101K
expenses
Total expenses$3.73M
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$2.09M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$15.10M
Cash$2.66M
Investments$7.19M
Liabilities$368K
Net assets$14.73M
Liquid reserves31.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -11.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOPE COHEN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $216K |
| STEVEN LAGERSTROM | DIR. OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY | 40 | $195K |
| WARRIE L PRICE | PRESIDENT | 16 | $105K |
board members · 18
- ALAN W KORNBERG — TREASURER
- ASHBA SYED — TRUSTEE
- CHRISTOPHER MARTE — TRUSTEE EX OFFICIO
- ELIZABETH ALFANO — TRUSTEE
- ELIZABETH H ATWOOD — VICE PRESIDENT
- ELIZABETH LEWINSOHN — TRUSTEE
- ERIK KULLESEID — TRUSTEE EX OFFICIO
- FRANK J BISIGNANO — CHAIRMAN
- FREDERIC C RICH — VICE CHAIRMAN
- JILL ZUCKER — SECRETARY
- LINDSEY BOYLAN — TRUSTEE
- MARK LEVINE — TRUSTEE EX OFFICIO
- PATRICK B JENKINS — TRUSTEE
- SHIRLEY MCKINNEY — TRUSTEE EX OFFICIO
- SUSAN DONOGHUE — TRUSTEE EX OFFICIO
- TAMMY MELTZER — TRUSTEE EX OFFICIO
- TRICIA SHIMAMURA — TRUSTEE EX OFFICIO
- WILLIAM C RUDIN — FOUNDING CHAIRMAN
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Billion Oyster Project Partner — Partnership to grow oysters and restore New York Harbor through water filtration and habitat creation.
- City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation Government — Commissioner Tricia Shimamura and Ralph Musolino serve as Trustees Ex–Officio, indicating an official affiliation with the city agency
- City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation Partner — Collaborates on the transformation and maintenance of public parkland in The Battery.
- Corporate Partners Partner — Financial and hands-on supporters of The Battery’s park maintenance and cultural revitalization efforts.
- Eventbrite Partner — Platform used for event registration and promotion of public programs.
- Explorable Places Partner — Partner platform for field trip registration.
- Manhattan Community Board 1 Government — Tammy Meltzer, Chairperson, serves as a Trustee Ex–Officio
- NYC Bird Alliance Partner — Collaborates with urban naturalists from NYC Bird Alliance who lead bird walks in The Battery.
- National Park Service Government — Commissioner of National Parks of New York Harbor serves as a Trustee Ex–Officio, indicating federal agency affiliation
- National Park Service Government — Partnership in the stewardship and activation of Castle Clinton National Monument and surrounding parkland.
- New York City Council Government — Christopher Marte, NYC Council Member for the 1st District of Manhattan, serves as a Trustee Ex–Officio
- New York Road Runners Partner — Official charity partner for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Government — Commissioner serves as a Trustee Ex–Officio, indicating state agency affiliation
- SeaGlass Carousel Partner — Operates the SeaGlass Carousel as a public attraction within The Battery.
strategies · 4
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.
- Ecologically Resilient Park Designmethodology: resilient designBy designing parks with resilient ecological systems—such as flood-tolerant landscapes, nitrogen-fixing lawns, and toxin-free habitats—the organization enhances climate adaptation and biodiversity because built environments that mimic natural processes are more sustainable and self-sustaining.
- Free Public Access as Civic Engagementmethodology: free_public_accessBy offering free educational and recreational programming, the organization increases public access and engagement because removing financial barriers ensures equitable participation and strengthens community ownership of public spaces.
- Place-Based Environmental Educationmethodology: place-based-educationBy integrating local history, ecology, and national academic standards into educational programming, the organization enhances student learning and public engagement because contextually relevant curricula deepen understanding and connection to place.
- Service-Learning Through Environmental Stewardshipmethodology: service_learningBy engaging students and volunteers in recurring, hands-on conservation and food production activities, the organization fosters environmental responsibility and community benefit because experiential service builds personal investment and long-term civic engagement.