named programs · 10 · from sources
What they call their work
Champagne Brunch
Annual fundraising event held the second Sunday in November to support the organization’s mission and programs
Earth Day Celebration
Annual event promoting environmental awareness and conservation through educational activities and community engagement
Evening Lecture Series
Public lectures on environmental topics held in the evenings, featuring experts and educators
Halloween Events
Annual event held the last weekend in October featuring nature-themed activities and family-friendly programming
Knee High Naturalist Program
Educational program for young children that includes crafts and nature activities to foster early environmental learning
Maple Sugar Tours
Seasonal weekend programs in February and March that educate participants about traditional maple sugaring practices and local ecology
School Programs
Environmental education programs for school groups, including guided hikes and curriculum-aligned activities
Scout Programs
Programs designed for Boy and Girl Scout groups, including trail hikes and educational activities to support badge requirements
Summer Camp CIT Program
Counselors in Training program for youth aged 15 and older, providing leadership experience and environmental education during summer camp
Wildflower Sale
Annual fundraiser held the Saturday after Mother’s Day featuring native plants, supporting horticultural and conservation efforts
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 4 activities
- Fundraising eventsOrganizes and staffs an annual Wildflower Sale fundraiser held at the Outdoor Discovery Campus and Wildlife Education Campus.
- Inclusive and equitable access to nature educationSupports inclusive work and learning environments and promotes equitable access to nature education across regional communities. Evaluates programming and marketing materials for relevance and inclusion to advance the principle that nature is for everyone and to bridge diversity gaps in environmental stewardship.
- Nature education programs for all agesProvides nature education experiences to over 30,000 people annually through preschool, summer camp, school programs, weekend activities, and public events, using native animal collections, natural habitats, and trails. Programs are delivered at three facilities and outreach locations across the Hudson Valley.
- Professional development and public workshopsHosts educational workshops for professionals and the public, such as a nature play workshop presented by David Sobel at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 2 activities
- Operation of multiple nature campusesOperates three primary facilities: the Outdoor Discovery Campus at 120 Muser Drive in Cornwall, the Wildlife Education Campus at 25 Boulevard in Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Mountain Lake Park in Warwick. These sites host educational programs, visitor services, and public access to nature.
- Public access to trails and natural areasOperates and maintains public hiking trails and grounds open daily from dawn to dusk year-round at multiple locations, including stroller-accessible trails such as the Pond Trail, Meadow Trail, and footpaths at the Outdoor Discovery Campus. The Outdoor Discovery Campus includes 10 miles of trails and a 5-acre mitigated wetland.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Environmental stewardship and volunteer engagementHosts volunteer events focused on environmental stewardship, including invasive species management and native plant restoration at the Outdoor Discovery Campus.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Facility and grounds maintenanceConducts ongoing maintenance and improvement of facilities and grounds, including trail and arboreal cleanup, deck and roof repairs, barn door restoration, removal of construction debris, and renovation of program spaces such as the Stillman Barn, Stillman Pavilion, and Grasshopper Grove.
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Children's Play and Motor Development Spaces 1 activity
- Nature play and unstructured outdoor learningOperates Grasshopper Grove, a natural play space designed to encourage imaginative play, risk-taking, and motor skill development using logs, boulders, and natural materials. The space is open weekends from mid-April to mid-November and includes restored native plantings, foot bridges, and renovated features such as the Mud Kitchen and Learning Center.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Visitor services and program logisticsOperates a visitor center at the Outdoor Discovery Campus providing program registration, admissions, and gift shop services. Also provides logistical and preparatory support for scout and school programs, including materials preparation and confirmation calls.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Animal and exhibit facility managementManages and maintains the Hall of Animals, which features native animal habitat exhibits, with expansions and renovations completed in 1984 and 2023 to enhance educational offerings.
- Public outreach and educational resourcesProvides informational resources on the benefits of connecting children with nature and uses photos and videos of event attendees for promotional purposes unless otherwise requested.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.40M
Contributions & grants$357K25%
Program service revenue$904K64%
Investment income$-674-0%
Other revenue$142K
expenses
Total expenses$1.46M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$1.08M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.78M
Cash$88K
Investments$292K
Liabilities$374K
Net assets$1.41M
Liquid reserves3.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -0.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JESSICA OLIVERI | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $82K |
| ROBERT LIPKIN | ASST. EXECUT | 40 | $76K |
board members · 19
- ASHLEY RAUCH — TRUSTEE
- CHRIS DEFILLIPPI — TRUSTEE
- DAVID WORK — TRUSTEE
- DEBORAH DULANEY — TRUSTEE
- DEREK DECERBO — TREASURER
- ELIZABETH HARRELL — SECRETARY
- ERICA GATSIK — TRUSTEE
- ERIK DENEGA — TRUSTEE
- FRED OSBORN III — TRUSTEE
- GARY BILEZIKIAN — TRUSTEE
- LAURA E HROMADKA — TRUSTEE
- LYNN PEEBLES — TRUSTEE
- MICHELE BABCOCK — TRUSTEE
- PAUL STERMER — TRUSTEE
- RACHEL SAPIENZA — TRUSTEE
- SHERYL STURGIS — VICE CHAIRPE
- STEPHEN BYWATER — CHAIRPERSON
- SUSAN MALONEY — TRUSTEE
- TOM DORAN — TRUSTEE
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Beckley Trees Partner — Assisted with emergency tree work and donated wood chips and logs for use in Nature Center projects.
- Boy/Girl scout groups Partner — Collaborates with Boy and Girl Scout groups to deliver outdoor education programs and activities.
- Children & Nature Network Partner — Links to Children & Nature Network as a resource for nature play information.
- County Waste Partner — Donated a roll-off dumpster and provided a second at a discounted rate for disposal of construction debris and old materials.
- Cromwell Manor Inn Partner — Located near the Outdoor Discovery Campus, used as a directional landmark.
- Foley Landscaping Partner — Weeded and restored native plantings in Grasshopper Grove, including fencing and interior areas.
- Green Hearts Partner — References Green Hearts' Parent’s Guide to Nature Play as a resource.
- Hudson Valley Parent Network — Awarded the organization the 2019 Adventure Award for Best Museum.
- Kids Out & About Network — Recognized the organization with awards for being the best place to take kids and best nature center.
- National Wildlife Federation Partner — Links to the National Wildlife Federation's Green Hour initiative as a resource for connecting kids with nature.
- Nature Explore Partner — Links to Nature Explore as a resource for nature-based learning environments.
- New York Tree Masters Partner — Provided tree removal, stump grinding, and donated woodchips and logs for use in Nature Center projects.
- Scenic Hudson, Inc. Partner — Cooperated with the Nature Center to acquire the Kenridge Farm property for the Outdoor Discovery Campus.
- Smith Painting and Contracting Partner — Replaced and repaired decks, painted exterior surfaces, and replaced a broken window at the Stillman Barn.
- The Natural Learning Initiative Partner — References The Natural Learning Initiative as a resource for nature-based play and learning.
- The Nature Conservancy Partner — References The Nature Conservancy's Nature Lab as an educational resource.
- mtlakepark.com Partner — Co-branded website for the Mountain Lake Park Campus, indicating operational partnership or shared management.
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.
- Experiential Nature-Based Educationmethodology: experiential_educationBy engaging children and families in hands-on experiences with native animals, natural habitats, and unstructured play in nature, we cultivate environmental stewardship because direct, sensory-rich interaction with the natural world fosters emotional connection and lasting behavioral change.
- Inclusion as a Foundation for Broader Stewardshipmethodology: diversity_and_inclusion_as_driver_of_successBy cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion, we expand participation in environmental stewardship because inclusive practices broaden community engagement and strengthen the collective responsibility to care for the environment.
- Unstructured Nature Play for Development and Wondermethodology: unstructured_nature_playBy providing spaces for unstructured outdoor play, we support children’s cognitive, motor, and imaginative development and sustain their sense of wonder because free play in natural settings enables organic, child-led discovery that builds intrinsic motivation to protect nature.
- Volunteer-Driven Conservation for Community Engagementmethodology: volunteer-driven conservationBy involving volunteers in hands-on conservation work regardless of experience, we protect native biodiversity because participatory stewardship fosters personal investment in ecological health and deepens community ties to local landscapes.
- Youth Leadership Through Peer Mentorshipmethodology: peer_mentorship_in_environmental_educationBy involving older teens as role models and assistants in summer camp programs, we enhance engagement and learning for younger campers because peer relationships create relatable, low-pressure learning environments that reinforce stewardship values through modeled behavior.