irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0SCHOOL PROGRAMS (NATURE IN THE CITY AND ON-SITE) THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE CURRICULUM BASED SCIENCE EDUCATION TO GRADES K-5. NATURE IN THE CITY INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO NATURE-BASED SCIENCE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH CLASSROOM AND GREENSPACE LESSONS. BASED IN SYRACUSE, NY, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO: 1) BUILD SCIENTIFIC LITERACY THROOUGH HANDS-ON/MINDS-ON ACTIVITIES THAT LINK STATE STANDARDS TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS, 2) MAKE OR STRENGTHEN THEIR CONNECTIONS TO THE NATURAL WORLD, 3)DEVELOP SENSIBLE STEWARDSHIP FOR NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN SPACES. NATURE IN THE CITY HAS RECEIVED THE 2004 ES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AWARD, THE HIGHEST RECOGNITION THEY BESTOW ON ANY ORGANIZATION. THIRD ACCOMPLISHMENT SCHOOL PROGRAMS OFFERED ON THE BALTIMORE WOODS SITE INCLUDE CURRICULUM-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT INCLUDE SCIENCE AS WELL AS SOCIAL STUDIES-THEMED PROGRAMS.
- #2 $0DAY CAMPS OUR CAMP PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED ON-SITE DURING THE SUMMER AND SCHOOL VACATIONS. WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION THROUGH HANDS ON INTERACTION (NATURE PLAY), WE PROVIDE SCIENCE BASED NATURE EDUCATION WHILE SPENDING TIME IN THE OUTDOORS. ECOSYSTEMS ARE STUDIED, PLANT AND WILDLIFE ARE MADE FAMILIAR AND CHILDREN ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME COMFORTABLE AND SAFE WHILE IN THE OUTDOORS. PROGRAMMING OFFERS DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN ABOUT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR ROLE IN SUPPORTING AND SUSTAINING IT.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Art Gallery
Annual rotating art exhibits featuring local artists and students, with nature-themed artwork for sale; proceeds support environmental education initiatives.
Day Camps
Summer and school vacation camps providing outdoor science education and nature play for children, focusing on ecosystems, wildlife, and environmental stewardship.
Field Trips
On-site educational hikes and science activities for school groups aligned with NYS learning standards, offered September–June with themes including ecosystems, animal adaptations, and seasonal changes.
Nature in the City
Curriculum-based science education program bringing hands-on nature experiences to urban neighborhoods in Syracuse, NY, for grades K-6.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 4 activities
- Adult and community education programsOffers educational programming for adults including workshops on natural history, bushcraft skills, candle making, nature-themed book discussions, and art exhibits. Features a seven-session bushcraft series with hands-on instruction and overnight camping, as well as monthly book groups and rotating art exhibits at the Interpretive Center.
- Environmental education programs for school childrenProvides curriculum-based, hands-on environmental education to K-5 students through on-site field trips and in-school programs focused on scientific literacy, nature connection, and stewardship. Programs include themed field trips such as Pond and Stream Ecology, CSI: Baltimore Woods, Nature Journaling, and Maple Magic, serving students primarily on weekdays during the school year.
- On-site and off-site day camps and seasonal nature programsOperates summer and school-break day camps for children, as well as year-round public programs that connect families and individuals with nature through science-based outdoor activities, including ecosystem study, wildlife exploration, and seasonal themes.
- Seasonal community events and public celebrationsHosts annual community events including Earth Day Celebration, Mother’s Day Garden Tour, Native Plant Sale, Autumnal Fairy Festival, and other nature-focused gatherings that engage the public in environmental appreciation and stewardship.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Arts and cultural programmingHosts rotating nature-themed art exhibits at the Interpretive Center, featuring seven annual exhibits that celebrate the natural world through artistic expression, with most artwork available for sale to support environmental education.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Facility rentals and event hostingHosts private life events such as weddings, family reunions, and corporate retreats, and rents program rooms, commercial kitchens, decks, and pavilions for gatherings. Also supports public and educational events through infrastructure like the outdoor pavilion and Interpretive Center.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Free public access to nature preserve and trailsMaintains over 270 acres of woodland, fields, and streams open daily from dawn to dusk for public hiking, nature study, and quiet reflection, with no admission fee or parking charge. Includes approximately six to seven miles of trails accessible year-round to over 25,000 visitors annually.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Habitat restoration and land stewardshipConducts ongoing land maintenance and ecological restoration across the 270-acre preserve, including invasive species management, native plant restoration, trail upkeep, mowing, snow removal, and facility improvements. Supported by volunteer crews such as the TREES Crew and A-Team.
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Museum and Historical Gift Shops 1 activity
- Retail operations supporting educationOperates a gift shop at the John A. Weeks Interpretive Center offering handcrafted and nature-related goods, open Monday through Saturday, to generate revenue supporting nature education programs.
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Capital Infrastructure Funding 1 activity
- Support services and infrastructure developmentFunds and constructs facilities to enhance visitor experience and operational capacity, including an outdoor pavilion, bridge, Zen Garden, Pole Barn, and back deck. Uses donations to maintain infrastructure, trails, and endowment, and to fund camp scholarships.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement in operations and programmingEngages volunteers in educational programming, office operations, event setup, gardening, building maintenance, and stewardship projects. Includes front desk support for reception, data entry, mailings, and bookkeeping, as well as hands-on assistance in camps and public programs.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$858K
Contributions & grants$272K32%
Program service revenue$525K61%
Investment income$17K2%
Other revenue$44K
expenses
Total expenses$855K
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$600K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.27M
Cash$482K
Investments$610K
Liabilities$113K
Net assets$2.15M
Liquid reserves15.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +5.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 17
- AMANDA LOIODICE — DIRECTOR
- ANNEKE MCEVOY — DIRECTOR
- CLAIRE DUNN — DIRECTOR
- GARY GERMAIN — DIRECTOR
- JIM KIESA — DIRECTOR
- JOHN CAMP — DIRECTOR
- JOHN COOK — DIRECTOR
- JOSH WILCOX — DIRECTOR
- LAURA CHRISTOPHER — TREASURER
- LAUREN CHYLE — VICE PRESIDE
- MARK AZZARELLO — DIRECTOR
- PAULA CONAN — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD WEBER — SECRETARY
- STEVE MOONEY — DIRECTOR
- SUE MARCH — DIRECTOR
- TARYN JIROUSEK — PRESIDENT
- TERESA MCSWAIN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Anna Stunkel Art Prints Partner — Vendor providing art prints for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Board of Directors Network — Volunteer board providing governance and committee leadership
- CNY Community Foundation Funder — Lifetime membership gifts of $1,000 or more are directed to the Baltimore Woods Endowment Fund at the CNY Community Foundation to support the long-term sustainability of the organization.
- Doug Selover Ceramics Partner — Vendor providing ceramic items for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- East Street Tins Partner — Vendor providing tins for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Environmental Protection Agency Government — Recognized Nature in the City program with the Environmental Quality Award in 2004.
- Finders Keepers Mining Partner — Vendor providing mining-related items for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Hillside Hives Bville Honey Partner — Vendor providing honey for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Jeff Devine Partner — Certified Wilderness Skills Instructor leading the bushcraft series; has worked with Baltimore Woods for nearly 20 years.
- Joe’s Whirligigs Partner — Vendor providing whirligigs for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- K.J. Pressed Jewelry Partner — Vendor providing pressed jewelry for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Karen Jean Smith Partner — Vendor providing goods for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Lakewood Studios Partner — Vendor providing studio-made items for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Lucie Wellner Partner — Vendor providing goods for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Nature Center Network Network — Participates in a reciprocal program with over 150 nature centers across the United States and Canada, offering member benefits at partner locations.
- Paul Mooney Woodwork Partner — Vendor providing woodwork items for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Rob Adams Wood Craft Partner — Vendor providing wood craft items for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Staff and Board of Directors of Baltimore Woods Nature Center Partner — Featured in the "Nature Connections: Experiences that bring us joy" exhibit alongside other artists.
- Syracuse City School District Partner — Partner organization receiving nature education services through the Nature in the City program.
- Tom Lenweaver Wildlife Art Partner — Vendor providing wildlife art for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
- Whittlefish Carved Fish Partner — Vendor providing carved fish art for sale in the Baltimore Woods gift shop.
strategies · 3
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.
- Community-Engaged Environmental Stewardshipmethodology: community_engaged_stewardshipBy involving volunteers in diverse roles and leveraging their personal skills, we strengthen conservation and education efforts, because community ownership and participation deepen commitment and sustainability of environmental stewardship.
- Experiential Outdoor Educationmethodology: experiential_outdoor_educationBy engaging participants in hands-on interaction and nature play, we foster deeper learning and lasting comfort in natural environments, because direct experience creates meaningful cognitive and emotional connections to nature.
- Place-Based Science Educationmethodology: place_based_science_educationBy integrating state science standards with local ecosystems through classroom and greenspace lessons, we build scientific literacy and environmental stewardship, because learning rooted in familiar environments increases relevance and retention.