named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Apalachin Marsh
Wetland area in Apalachin, NY preserved through advocacy efforts in the 1960s; now managed for wildlife habitat and environmental education
Brick Pond Conservation Area
30-acre wetland preserve in Owego, NY acquired through community effort; features trails, observation platform, and habitat restoration projects
Moth Night
Annual citizen science event during National Moth Week featuring light stations and educational activities in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension
Pettus Hill Preserve
105.9-acre nature preserve in Windsor, NY established in 2016 through a bequest from Charles “Chuck” Pettus; open to the public year-round for hiking and nature exploration
River Cruises and Boat Trips
Seasonal wildlife cruises and historical tours on the Susquehanna River to Hiawatha Island using a 24-foot pontoon boat
Stationary Birding
Accessible birdwatching program at Brick Pond featuring a wheelchair-accessible observation platform
Summer Wildlife Walk
Guided nature hike focusing on local flora and fauna including chipmunks, salamanders, butterflies, and mushrooms
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 3 activities
- Deliver conservation education programs to schools and community groupsProvides educational programs about local plants, animals, and ecosystems to schools, community groups, and the general public through on-site and outreach activities. Programs include curriculum-aligned content and use of exhibits at the interpretive center.
- Host public educational events and guided activitiesOrganizes recurring public events including guided hikes, educational talks, microscopy days, wildlife walks, Moth Night observations, and historical excursions to Hiawatha Island. Events are held at the interpretive center and across nature preserves.
- Provide accessible environmental education programmingOffers stationary birding programs at a wheelchair-accessible observation platform at Brick Pond, ensuring inclusive access to nature and environmental education for people with and without disabilities.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Engage volunteers in preserve and center operationsOrganizes volunteer days for clubs, organizations, and businesses to support maintenance of trails, gardens, buildings, and equipment. Volunteers also assist with outreach, event operations, newsletter writing, and minor repairs.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Manage and maintain nature preserves for public access and educationOwns and manages six nature preserves—Brick Pond, Apalachin Marsh, Hiawatha Island, IBM Glen, Pettus Hill, and Brick Pond—with trails, ecosystems, and historical features accessible to the public. Preserves serve as outdoor classrooms and sites for recreation, research, and conservation.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operate an interpretive center with educational resourcesRuns an interpretive center that serves as the primary hub for education and preserve management, featuring ambassador animals, a museum, a library, and spaces for hosting presentations, events, and public programs.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Operate summer camps for childrenRuns two annual outdoor summer camp programs—Owego Forest Rec Camp and Waterman EXPLORE—for children ages 6–11, combining full-day educational programming with hikes, games, crafts, and outdoor recreation.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conduct river-based educational excursionsOffers wildlife cruises and historical tours on the river using a 24-foot pontoon boat that accommodates up to ten guests and two crew members, providing access to Hiawatha Island and other natural areas for educational purposes.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$739K
Contributions & grants$642K87%
Program service revenue$54K7%
Investment income$37K5%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$269K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$135K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.32M
Cash$98K
Investments$1.23M
Liabilities$14K
Net assets$3.31M
Liquid reserves59.2 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +197.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 12
- DIANE WIENER — BOARD MEMBER
- DYLAN HORVATH — BOARD MEMBER
- EMILY LANTRIP — BOARD MEMBER
- JEFF SMITH — BOARD MEMBER
- JERRY MICHAEL — BOARD MEMBER
- JIM SHULER — BOARD MEMBER
- MATTHEW KISLOSKI — PRESIDENT
- REX DECKER — TREASURER
- ROBERT RODGERS — BOARD MEMBER
- SALLY GUYDOSH — SECRETARY
- SCOTT CLARKE — BOARD MEMBER
- STEVE MAJKA — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Army Corps of Engineers Partner — Collaborated on construction of a berm at Brick Pond to manage water flow and habitat.
- Binghamton University Ecology Club Partner — Conducted door-to-door outreach to gather petition signatures and build community support to protect the Glen.
- Boy Scout troops Partner — Partnered with Waterman to improve the surface of the berm at Brick Pond.
- Business Membership Partner — Partners with businesses to provide discounted memberships for employees and discounted educational presentations.
- Clubs and Non-Profits Membership Partner — Partners with clubs and non-profits to offer discounted memberships and presentations.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County Partner — Co-hosts Moth Night events with the Waterman Center as part of National Moth Week.
- Faith Lutheran Church Partner — Donated or sold a building and 6 additional acres to the Waterman Center for use as a nature center.
- Friends of the Glen Partner — Community group instrumental in preventing logging of the Glen in 2000, contributing to eventual conservation.
- Holy Counselor Lutheran Church Partner — Former property acquired to serve as the nature center building and facility.
- IBM Partner — Donated 205 acres including IBM Glen to the organization in 2004.
- Kopernik Society of Broome County Partner — Collaborated with Chuck Pettus to establish an astronomical observation point on his property.
- Lockheed Partner — Partnered with the organization for a tree planting volunteer day in 2023.
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Member of coalition that constructed a berm at Brick Pond following the 2011 flood.
- Naturalists' Club of Broome County Partner — Co-hosts Moth Night events with the Waterman Center as part of National Moth Week.
- New York State Department of Transportation Government — Co-manages the Apalachin Marsh, with ownership retained by NYSDOT and management by the Waterman Center.
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Government — Employer of Herbert Axell, who provided expert recommendations for enhancing bird habitat at Brick Pond.
- Sierra Club Partner — Initiated organizing efforts that led to the formation of the Friends of the Glen to protect the area from logging.
- Tioga Boys and Girls Club Partner — Received deed to Brick Pond property in 1985 before transferring most of it to Waterman Conservation Education Center.
- Tioga County Historical Society Partner — Collaborates on historical preservation and education by sharing archival materials related to Hiawatha Island.
- Tioga County Soil and Water Partner — Partnered in forming the Brick Pond Committee and participated in post-flood restoration efforts.
- US Fish & Wildlife Partner — Member of coalition involved in berm construction and habitat enhancement at Brick Pond.
- Upper Susquehanna Coalition Partner — Member of coalition that built a berm at Brick Pond to restore habitat and access.
- Waterman Centers Network — Refers to the organization's own network identity in membership appeals.
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.
- Conservation Through Community Engagement and Stewardshipmethodology: conservation-through-community-engagementBy integrating land conservation with community-based education, volunteer involvement, and advocacy, we sustain protected natural areas because public ownership and participation increase long-term commitment to environmental protection.
- Conserved Land as an Educational Resourcemethodology: conservation-through-educationBy using conserved natural areas as living classrooms, we promote environmental learning and public engagement because immersive, real-world settings make ecological concepts tangible and actionable.
- Experiential Learning for Environmental Literacymethodology: experiential-educationBy engaging children in hands-on activities such as hikes, games, crafts, and investigations, we foster deeper understanding of local ecosystems because direct experience strengthens retention, curiosity, and emotional connection to nature.
- Intergenerational and Inclusive Access to Naturemethodology: intergenerational-conservation-educationBy designing programs that engage multiple generations and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, we strengthen community-wide conservation values because inclusive, shared experiences build broader and more resilient stewardship cultures.
- Land Donation Model with Permanent Conservationmethodology: land_donation_modelBy acquiring donated lands with permanent conservation stipulations, we establish enduring outdoor education facilities because legally protected land ensures long-term access for environmental learning and habitat preservation.