irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $12K"BRANDWEIN INSTITUTE SUNDAYS AT THE PRESERVE"- PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND GROUPS HELD ON SELECTED SUNDAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR GUIDED NATURE LEARNING BOTH ON THE PRESERVE AND IN THE LOCAL AREA. THESE INCLUDE THE SEARCH OF EAGLES PROGRAM, THE GEO-CACHING PROGRAM, EXPLORING THE BRANDWEIN NATURE LEARNING PRESERVE AND ITS A SMALL WORLD, DELAWARE VALLEY RAPTORS-UP CLOSE, FAMILY CITIZEN SCIENCE, BOTTLE ROCKETS AND THE FESTIVAL IN THE WOODS.
- #2 $18K"BRANDWEIN INSTITUTE-SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS"- SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP IS A TWO WEEK DAY CAMP FOR LOCAL YOUTH AGES 5-13, HELD IN AUGUST.STUDENTS EXPERIENCE AND LEARN ABOUT FIELD BASED SCIENCE AT THE BRANDWEIN NATURE LEARNING PRESERVE. THE TARGET AUDIENCE IS UNDER SERVED CHILDREN IN ORANGE COUNTY, NY , PIKE COUNTY, PA., AND SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON SCIENCE EDUCATION.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Brandwein Institute - Summer Science Camps
Two-week day camp for youth ages 5–13 focusing on field-based science at the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve, targeting underserved children in Orange County, NY, Pike County, PA, and Sussex County, NJ.
Brandwein Institute - Sundays at the Preserve
Guided nature learning programs for individuals, families, and groups held on select Sundays, including Search of Eagles, Geo-Caching, Family Citizen Science, and Festival in the Woods.
Brandwein Medal
Annual award recognizing individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to environmental education, nature-based learning, and conservation advocacy.
In a Brandwein Minute
Series of one-minute educational videos led by interpretive naturalist Sara Mayes, showcasing nature observations from the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve to inspire further exploration.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Award the Brandwein Medal annually for conservation and environmental education leadershipPresents the International Brandwein Medal each year to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding achievements in conservation and environmental education, including recent recipients such as the John Burroughs Association (2024), Sussex County Bird Club (2023), and Pocono Environmental Education Center (2022).
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Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 1 activity
- Convene conservation education summits and leadership forumsHosted the Conservation Learning Summit in 2005 with 80 participants from government, academia, NGOs, and business, and co-convened the Inspiring a New Generation North American Summit in 2015 with the National Environmental Education Foundation to advance strategic collaboration in conservation education.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Fund environmental education initiatives through grantmakingProvides financial support to external organizations advancing environmental education, such as a $1,000 grant awarded to the New York Outdoor Education Association to support future programming.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Host Sundays at the Preserve and seasonal family programsOffers regular public programs on selected Sundays from spring through fall, including guided nature exploration, eagle searches, geocaching, raptor observation, citizen science, and seasonal festivals at the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve for individuals, families, and groups.
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Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
- Maintain and provide access to historical environmental education archivesPreserves and offers public, searchable access to historical publications of the American Nature Study Society, including newsletters, teaching tips, journals, and E.L. Palmer’s inserts, with ongoing updates to the digital collection as new materials are acquired.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Manage the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve for public and educational useOperates a 30-acre nature preserve established in 2008 within the Rutgers Creek Wildlife Conservancy, providing outdoor learning laboratories for public programs, school groups, teachers, students, and local organizations conducting field studies such as water quality assessments.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- Operate Summer Science Camp for youthRuns a two-week summer science day camp in August for children ages 5–13 (grades 1–6), offering week-long, hands-on, field-based science education at the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve, with full enrollment consistently achieved, including for 2026.
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Storytelling and Literacy Resource Development 1 activity
- Produce and distribute nature education videos and virtual learning resourcesCreates and publishes short-form educational videos including the “In a Brandwein Minute” series and StoryTime videos for preschoolers, both led by interpretive naturalist Sara Mayes, and provides virtual investigation opportunities, lesson plans, and outdoor learning activities for teachers and students nationwide.
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Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 1 activity
- Support citizen science and data sharing for eagle conservationConducts eagle search field trips and collects observational data, which is shared with external conservation and research organizations to support broader wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Host public lectures and speaker eventsOrganizes and hosts the annual Brandwein Lecture series, featuring prominent environmental educators and conservation leaders, with past lectures dating back to 1996 and recent events held in 2022 and 2023.
- Produce and publish research proceedings and educational resourcesResearches, compiles, and publishes proceedings from major summits and leadership institutes, including the Conservation Learning Summit (2005), ING Summit (2015), and multiple Brandwein Summer Leadership Institutes (2000–2002), as well as co-publishes influential lectures on science education and conservation.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$168K
Contributions & grants$131K78%
Program service revenue$28K16%
Investment income$9K5%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$168K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$48K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$646K
Cash$49K
Investments$412K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$646K
Liquid reserves32.9 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +4.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVID BAVOSO | PRESIDENT | 5 | $40K |
| KASEY COLLIGNON- STANKUNAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $5K |
| LISA JANEWAY | SECRETARY | 5 | $3K |
board members · 6
- DAVID FOORD — VICE PRESIDE
- DR BRADLEY SMITH — DIRECTOR
- DR CHERYL CHARLES — DIRECTOR
- DR WIN EVERHAM — DIRECTOR
- JEFF ROSALSKY — TREASURER
- WILLIAM BAVOSO — HONORARY CHA
relationships · 43
Who they work with
- All About Birds Partner — Offers educational resources on bird feathers that the Brandwein Institute recommends for further learning.
- American Nature Study Society Partner — Collaborates on the preservation and accessibility of ANSS publications and historical records.
- Biological Curriculum Study Partner — Co-published the 2003 Brandwein Lecture monograph with support from the Merck Institute for Science Education.
- Brandwein Fellows Partner — Veteran science teachers who author outdoor learning activities for the Brandwein Institute.
- Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve Partner — Operational site for nature exploration programs including Sundays at the Preserve and Summer Camp.
- Brandwein-Morholt Trust Funder — Funded the Paul F. Brandwein Summer Leadership Institute.
- BudBurst Partner — Provides the “Flower Power” educational activity referenced by the Brandwein Institute.
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Partner — Provides the “Birds 101” lesson referenced by the Brandwein Institute for further learning about feathers.
- Children and Nature Network Partner — Represented at the 2005 Conservation Learning Summit and aligned with the "Leave No Child Inside" campaign.
- Cornell Botanic Gardens Partner — Provides the “Wildflower Life Cycle Activity” recommended by the Brandwein Institute for further investigation.
- Cornell University Partner — Produces educational publications on butterflies and moths that the Brandwein Institute recommends for further learning.
- Cornell University Library – Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Partner — Hosts the ANSS Records 1908–1997 collection and is a collaborator in preserving and potentially expanding access to ANSS archival materials.
- Culver Productions Partner — Contributed to the assembly of tools for the Shaping Our Future program.
- Eagle Institute Partner — Receives shared eagle observation data from the Brandwein Institute.
- Grove Consultants Partner — Contributed to the assembly of tools for the Shaping Our Future program.
- Hawk Migration Association of North America Partner — Receives shared eagle observation data from the Brandwein Institute.
- IUCN Commission on Education and Communication Partner — Collaborated with the Brandwein Institute on the "Inspiring a New Generation" Summit in 2015, leading to the creation of the #NatureForAll initiative.
- John Burroughs Association Partner — Recipient of the 2024 Brandwein Medal in recognition of its work promoting nature writing and experiential learning.
- Lime Hollow Nature Center Partner — Contributed support and materials to the ANSS archive project.
- Merck Institute for Science Education Funder — Provided support for the co-publication of the 2003 Brandwein Lecture monograph.
- National Environmental Education Foundation Partner — Co-convened the Inspiring a New Generation Summit.
- National Geographic Partner — Hosts “The Great Nature Project,” which includes the “Butterfly Mission” referenced by the Brandwein Institute for educational engagement.
- National Park Service Partner — Receives shared eagle observation data from the Brandwein Institute.
- National Park Service Partner — Represented at the 2005 Conservation Learning Summit and engaged in collaborative priority-setting.
- New York Outdoor Education Association Partner — Recipient of the 2018 Brandwein Medal and a $1,000 grant to support its environmental education mission.
- North American Association for Environmental Education Partner — Represented at the 2005 Conservation Learning Summit and engaged in collaborative priority-setting.
- Outdoorist Oath Partner — Co-hosted the 2023 Brandwein Lecture with leaders from Outdoorist Oath.
- Pocono Environmental Education Center Partner — Collaborated on funding and implementation of the Summer Leadership Institute.
- Pocono Environmental Education Center Partner — Recipient of the 2022 Brandwein Medal for advancing environmental education through hands-on experience in a national park.
- Pollinator Partnership Partner — Provides curriculum resources on pollinators that the Brandwein Institute references for further study.
+ 13 more
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.
- Citizen Science as Participatory Stewardshipmethodology: citizen-scienceBy involving the public in citizen science initiatives, we broaden engagement in environmental stewardship and scientific discovery because active participation transforms passive learners into invested contributors, deepening understanding and responsibility.
- Convene, Catalyze, Communicate for Conservation Actionmethodology: convene-catalyze-communicateBy convening leaders, catalyzing commitments, and communicating shared visions through summits and structured dialogue, we advance conservation as a collective movement because collaborative priority-setting and consensus-building overcome fragmentation and inspire aligned, scalable action.
- Experiential Environmental Educationmethodology: experiential-environmental-educationBy engaging participants in direct, hands-on experiences with nature—through field studies, outdoor science education, and personal observation—we cultivate deeper appreciation, stewardship, and lasting learning because direct interaction fosters emotional and cognitive connections that textbook-based or passive methods do not.
- Local and Accessible Nature as an Educational Gatewaymethodology: local-nature-accessibilityBy focusing on locally observable natural phenomena and increasing access to nearby nature, we make environmental education more relatable and inclusive because grounding learning in familiar contexts lowers barriers to engagement and supports sustained curiosity across diverse audiences.
- Story and Visual Media to Inspire Engagement with Naturemethodology: visual-inspirationBy using story-based programming and visually engaging media, we spark curiosity and emotional resonance with the natural world—especially among young audiences—because narrative and imagery make abstract ecological concepts relatable and memorable, motivating further exploration and learning.