named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Art Is A Hoot / Art Forest Bathing
Adult art programs combining nature immersion with drawing, painting, and creative expression
Fantastic Furry & Feathered Friends
Children’s program where participants learn about animals through hands-on activities and interactions with animal ambassadors
First Steps Into Nature / Nature Sprouts
Early childhood nature education for ages 2-5 through hands-on activities, crafts, and live animal encounters
Nature Explorer's
Week-long outdoor adventure program for ages 12-15 featuring kayaking, hiking, and overnight camping on Long Island
Superheroes of the Sky
Guided walking tour featuring feeding and education about Birds of Prey including bald eagles, owls, hawks, and vultures
Wildlife Advocates
Program for teens aged 13-16 to learn wildlife rehabilitation, animal care, and science education with mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 3 activities
- Deliver environmental education programs for adults and special groupsProvides educational programs for adults, including those in retirement communities, group homes, and special needs populations, featuring live animal presentations, wildlife rehabilitation education, and conservation topics. Offers adapted programs for special needs children and adults, with handicap accessibility in all downstairs rooms of the historic house.
- Deliver environmental education programs for children and studentsOffers on-site and off-site educational programs for children of various ages using live animals, hands-on activities, crafts, and interactive experiences aligned with ELA and science curricula. Programs include stream treks, nature exploration along the Nissequogue River, and age-specific themes such as "Animal Interviews" for ages 3–6 and "Birds of Prey" for ages 7–11.
- Provide guided nature and wildlife experiences for the publicOffers guided walking tours and interactive wildlife experiences, including feeding demonstrations with birds of prey and close encounters with ambassador animals. Features 45-minute wildlife experience sessions and 30-minute owl encounter sessions that include handling and educational components.
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Children's Themed Birthday Parties 1 activity
- Host public and private events at the nature centerHosts children's birthday parties with educational animal programs, available in packages for up to 50 people with on-site barn space and animal presentations. Also offers private photo sessions with owls and in the butterfly house, limited to small groups and excluding alcohol and party buses.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Manage and maintain a 54-acre nature preserveOperates a 54-acre nature center with garden, woodland, field, and wetland habitats on the Nissequogue River, open to the public year-round and supporting hundreds of plant and animal species. Provides free public access to the preserve for nature exploration and environmental education.
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Youth Scouting Leadership Programs 1 activity
- Offer scout programs and service projectsProvides scout programs aligned with badge requirements, including hands-on activities, live animal interactions, and participatory games. Offers customized service hour projects and individualized support for Eagle Scout, Life Scout, and Girl Scout Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards. Operates an Adopt-A-Trail program where scouts perform monthly stewardship activities such as litter removal and trail maintenance.
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Guided Outdoor Expedition Programs 1 activity
- Organize outdoor youth programsConducts outdoor exploration programs for youth on Long Island, including kayaking, hiking, and overnight camping, designed to promote environmental stewardship and hands-on learning in natural settings.
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Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release 1 activity
- Provide wildlife rehabilitation servicesOperates a wildlife rehabilitation facility that provides medical care and rehabilitation for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife, including non-releasable animals used in educational programs. The Steven Goldman Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic offers public tours and hands-on experiences.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$751K
Contributions & grants$440K59%
Program service revenue$285K38%
Investment income$26K3%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$637K
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$361K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$997K
Cash$268K
Investments$552K
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$993K
Liquid reserves15.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +0.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARIE SMITH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $38K |
board members · 6
- JANE LOMBARDO — BOARD MEMBER
- JINO MUCKADACKAL — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN ZARDUSKY — BOARD MEMBER
- KELLY LAZON — BOARD MEMBER
- MARIA MILAZZO — BOARD MEMBER
- MAUREEN CALAMIA — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Department of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Government — Uses confiscated products in educational programs about threatened and endangered wildlife.
- ENVIRONMENTAL CENTERS OF SETAUKET-SMITHTOWN INC Network — Sweetbriar Nature Center operates as part of ECSS, the parent organization.
- ENVIRONMENTAL CENTERS OF SETAUKET-SMITHTOWN INC Partner — Sweetbriar Nature Center operates as a program or subsidiary of ENVIRONMENTAL CENTERS OF SETAUKET-SMITHTOWN INC.
- Girl Scouts Partner — Provides badge-focused programs and service project support for Girl Scouts.
- Scouts of America Partner — Offers educational programs and badge support for Scouts of America.
- Smithtown Government — Location of the nature center on town property with shared access policies.
- Steven Goldman Government — Names the Steven Goldman clinic within the Wildlife Rehabilitation area, indicating a naming affiliation or recognition.
- Sweetbriar Nature Center Network — Operating name of Environmental Centers of Setauket-Smithtown Inc.
- Sweetbriar Nature Center Partner — Hosts birthday parties and educational animal programs at its facility.
- Sweetbriar Nature Center Partner — Provides adult education and outreach programs in collaboration with retirement communities, senior centers, and assisted living facilities.
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.
- Adaptive Educational Programmingmethodology: adaptive-programmingBy customizing content to meet specific group goals such as scout badge requirements, we increase relevance and participation because aligning programming with external objectives enhances motivation and program fidelity.
- Animal-Assisted Experiential Programmingmethodology: animal-assisted-therapyBy incorporating tactile and narrative-based interactions with animals, we support therapeutic engagement and environmental learning because multisensory experiences enhance emotional resonance and retention across age groups.
- Experiential Environmental Educationmethodology: experiential-educationBy using hands-on activities, live animals, and interactive experiences, we foster understanding and respect for the natural world because direct engagement deepens learning and emotional connection to environmental stewardship.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation as Public Educationmethodology: wildlife-rehabilitation-and-educationBy rehabilitating injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife and integrating care processes into public programming, we educate communities about wildlife needs and empower responsible action because real-life rescue narratives increase engagement and behavioral intent.