irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $17KTHE ORGANIZATION ASSISTED IN THE PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF NATURAL AREAS IN CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
BTG Arboretum
Accredited Level I arboretum maintained by the club featuring diverse tree species, historic elements, and educational signage; serves as an outdoor classroom for visitors.
BTG House & Garden Tour
Biennial event showcasing gardens and landscapes within Chautauqua, raising awareness and funds for conservation and beautification projects.
Quiet Garden
Tranquil green space within the arboretum designed for reflection and engagement with nature, inspired by the quiet garden movement.
Tree Marker Project
Installation of 1,000 tree markers with QR codes linking to species information and historical details; promotes public education about local flora.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 3 activities
- Installation and maintenance of tree identification markersInstalls and maintains tree markers across Chautauqua grounds that identify trees by common and scientific name, with hundreds installed since 2022 and ongoing weekly installations. A garden map and digital resources complement these physical markers.
- Native plant sale and horticultural projectsOrganizes a native plant sale and implements horticultural initiatives such as planting maple trees near the Post Office and Bestor Plaza to support bird habitats and community greenery.
- Preservation and maintenance of natural areas at Chautauqua InstitutionAssists in the preservation and maintenance of natural areas within the Chautauqua Institution, including ongoing care of trees, gardens, and ecosystems. The organization is accredited as a Level I Arboretum by ArbNet, reflecting standards in tree diversity, plant care, and long-term stewardship.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Development of climate-resilient plantingsDevelops and implements a plan to diversify tree species and test shrubs and flowering plants suitable for Zone 5 climate conditions, enhancing ecological resilience on the grounds.
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Public Garden Tours and Events 1 activity
- Guided and self-guided nature toursProvides free guided nature tours every weekday during the summer season, led by recurring naturalists like Jack Gulvin and Ruth Lundin. Also offers self-guided tours through the ExploreCHQ mobile and web app, which includes audio narrations, plant lists, and photos of over 25 gardens.
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Artificial Nesting Habitat Management 1 activity
- Maintenance of purple martin housing and monitoringManages over 130 purple martin housing compartments across Chautauqua and Westfield, including annual cleaning, storage, egg and chick monitoring, bedding replacement, and parasite control to support bird populations.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Public educational programming on nature and environmentOffers a range of educational programs during the nine-week summer season, including lectures (e.g., “Wild Gardening,” “Birding and the Arts”), Bat Chats, Lake Walks, and film screenings such as “The Last Bumblebee,” all aligned with environmental preservation.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Special events and community engagementOrganizes special events including the Stow Cocktail Cruise Ferry, cinema screenings, and cocktail cruises during Week Nine of the summer season to engage the public in environmental themes.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$124K
Contributions & grants$45K36%
Program service revenue$56K45%
Investment income$8K7%
Other revenue$15K
expenses
Total expenses$68K
Program expenses70%
Admin / overhead30%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$15K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$229K
Cash$139K
Investments$89K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$229K
Liquid reserves40.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +141.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 14
- ANNA HOYT SCAVONE — DIRECTOR
- ANNE ZARAGOZA — DIRECTOR
- CATHY CLARK — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTINE FULTON — DIRECTOR
- COOPER MUNROE — DIRECTOR
- COURTNEY BYRNE — DIRECTOR
- DEDE TREFTS — DIRECTOR
- JEAN FULKERSON — DIRECTOR
- JEANNE WIEBANGA — DIRECTOR
- JENNIFER RAPPOLE — DIRECTOR
- KATE MAYBERRY — DIRECTOR
- LAUREN BENSON — DIRECTOR
- LYNETTE CAPLICE — DIRECTOR
- NICK STUPIANSKY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Addie Mae Smith Wilkes Government — Donated $25,000 for the construction of Smith Wilkes Hall, stipulating it house the Bird and Tree Club.
- ArbNet Network — Accredited the BTG Arboretum as a Level I Arboretum, recognizing adherence to standards in tree diversity, care, and permanence.
- Audubon Community Nature Center Partner — Engages Ruth Lundin, former President of Audubon Community Nature Center, to lead bird walks and field trips.
- Chautauqua Cinema Partner — Venue partner for hosting documentary screenings
- Chautauqua Institution Network — Longstanding membership and participation within the Chautauqua community, indicating affiliation with the broader Chautauqua Institution.
- Chautauqua Institution Partner — Collaborates on the preservation and maintenance of natural areas within the Chautauqua Institution grounds.
- Chautauqua Institution Partner — Collaborates to highlight gardens, buildings, and landmarks on shared grounds.
- Chautauqua Institution Garden Team Partner — Collaborates with the BTG on installing tree markers and implementing arboretum improvements.
- Chautauqua Institution’s Garden Crew Partner — Collaborates with the Chautauqua Bird Tree and Garden Club to install tree markers on the grounds.
- Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Partner — Collaborates with staff from Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, including Betsy Burgeson and Twan Leenders, who contribute expertise in ecology and conservation.
- Dennis McNair Partner — PhD contributor providing scientific insights on snails and damselflies.
- Jack Gulvin Partner — Individual contributor reporting on the Purple Martin project.
- Jamestown Audubon Partner — Jack Gulvin received early training from Jamestown Audubon specialists, indicating a knowledge-sharing relationship.
- Leslie Renjilian Partner — Contributor reporting on wildlife observations including Monarch butterflies and jewelweed.
- Purple Martin Conservation Association Partner — Partner organization referenced for purple martin conservation expertise and resources.
- Royal Fern Nursery Partner — Collaborates with Jonathan Townsend, Co-Owner of Royal Fern Nursery, to host a native plant sale and lead educational programs.
- University at Buffalo Partner — Engages Jonathan Townsend, Adjunct Professor in the Geography Department at University at Buffalo, to lead educational events.
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.
- Education-Based Environmental Stewardshipmethodology: education-based environmental stewardshipBy delivering educational programs and science-based learning experiences, the club fosters public engagement in conservation, because informed communities are more likely to participate in and sustain environmental protection efforts. This includes using biological classification, solution-based media, and experiential outdoor activities to deepen understanding of local ecosystems.
- Intensive Wildlife Habitat Managementmethodology: intensive nest managementBy implementing hands-on management of purple martin housing—including monitoring, sanitation, and invasive species control—the club increases breeding success, because active intervention improves survival rates in vulnerable bird populations.
- Restorative Engagement Through Garden Designmethodology: restorative garden designBy designing quiet garden spaces aligned with the quiet garden movement, the club promotes reflection and reading in natural settings, because restorative environments enhance emotional and psychological connections to nature, thereby fostering long-term environmental stewardship.
- Technology-Enhanced Interactive Learningmethodology: technology-enhanced environmental educationBy integrating digital tools like QR-coded tree markers and hybrid-access platforms (e.g., ExploreCHQ app), the club enables self-guided, interactive education that increases accessibility and deepens public engagement with arboretum and garden content, because flexible, technology-supported learning accommodates diverse user preferences and extends reach beyond in-person participation.