named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Aurora Pond Restoration
Project to restore a historically significant pond by reconstructing a water-retaining basin, rerouting Gabler’s Creek, installing native vegetation, and building public viewing areas and trails
Eagle Scout Project Sponsorship
Support for over 30 Eagle Scout, Life Scout, Star Scout, and Girl Scout Gold Award projects involving trail construction, footbridges, fencing, invasive species removal, and habitat enhancement
Osprey Nesting Platform Installation
Construction and installation of two osprey nesting platforms to support local wildlife; both platforms have been occupied by nesting pairs since installation in 1997 and 2004
Reforestation Initiative
Ongoing volunteer-led effort since the 1990s to replant native trees, including white pines and a Princeton American Elm, on formerly rubble-filled land in the South Ravine
South Ravine Restoration Project
Multi-phase effort to remove over a million pounds of concrete rubble, control erosion with rock-lined swales, and replant native trees and shrubs in the degraded Ravine area near the Douglaston Firehouse
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 2 activities
- Ecological restoration of Udalls Cove and Alley Pond ParkConducts ecological restoration projects in Udalls Cove and Alley Pond Park, including invasive species removal, replanting of native vegetation, erosion control, and restoration of water features such as Aurora Pond and North Ravine. Projects have included removal of over one million pounds of concrete rubble and restoration of degraded areas with native trees, shrubs, and ground cover.
- Green infrastructure projects to reduce silt and improve water qualityImplemented a green infrastructure project in 2014 featuring a stilling basin and planted Spartina salt marsh grass to reduce silt entering Gabler's Creek and improve watershed health.
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advocacy and petition campaigns for environmental protectionOrganized petition campaigns and advocacy efforts resulting in the removal of a discharge pipe structure in Udalls Cove in 2022 through collaboration with community members and local officials.
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Advocacy for land acquisition and preservationSecured support from federal, state, and local officials for the acquisition of land now comprising Udalls Cove Park & Preserve, including securing three quarter-acre parcels in 2017 and a donated parcel in 2019 for inclusion in the park.
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Beach and Waterway Cleanup Initiatives 1 activity
- Annual wetlands, woods, and shoreline cleanupsOrganizes and conducts annual cleanups of the Udalls Cove watershed since 1970, removing large quantities of refuse, including plastic waste, construction debris, and car wrecks, with recent cleanups filling a 30-cubic yard dumpster.
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 1 activity
- Community engagement and outreach for proposed restoration projectsEngages the public and stakeholders in proposed ecological restoration projects through public meetings, informational letters, flyers, and outreach to local organizations, as demonstrated in the Old Oak Pond restoration initiative.
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Artificial Nesting Habitat Management 1 activity
- Installation and maintenance of osprey nesting platformsInstalled and maintains osprey nesting platforms in Udalls Cove and Alley Pond Park, including structures erected in 1997 and 2004, both of which are continuously occupied and have supported successful chick hatching in most years.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Production and distribution of annual newsletterProduces and publishes an annual newsletter each March to communicate updates and activities related to the preservation and restoration of Udalls Cove.
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Youth Outdoor & Conservation Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Support for youth-led conservation projectsSponsors youth conservation initiatives, including supporting 25 Eagle Scout candidates in completing park restoration projects since 2006 and previously sponsoring the Aurora Gareiss Wetlands Conservation Contest for fifth-grade students from 2001 to 2010.
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Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 1 activity
- Trail and park infrastructure development and maintenanceBuilds and maintains trails and park infrastructure in Udalls Cove and Alley Pond Park, including construction of the Doug-Bay trail, installation of handrails and railings on trails and bridges, and split rail fences at Virginia Point and Aurora Pond sections.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$15K
Contributions & grants$12K77%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K23%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$45K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$171K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$171K
4 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue -83.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 12
- Cecilia Venosta — Director
- Christina Gomes — Director
- Douglas Sloan — Director
- Effie Misoulis — Director
- Gloria Bodie — Director
- James Cella — Director
- Jenny Yuan — Director
- Joe Butera — Director
- John Duane — Director
- Nancy Barthold — Director
- Peter Segal — Director
- Tom Holman — Director
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Boy Scouts of America Partner — Collaborates with Eagle Scout candidates on trail and park infrastructure projects.
- City of New York Government — Acquired portions of the Udalls Cove area and provided grant funding for restoration projects.
- Con Edison Funder — Provided two grants totaling $115,000 to support design, permitting, and grant application efforts for the restoration project.
- Con Edison Partner — Supplied and installed a utility pole used to mount an osprey nesting platform built by UCPC volunteers.
- Con Edison Company Funder — Provided a $75,000 grant used to match NYSDEC funding and pay for professional project design.
- GEI Consultants Partner — Contractor responsible for the professional design of the North Ravine restoration project.
- GEI Consultants Partner — Hired to develop professional design plans for the ecological restoration project, including site assessment, planting plans, and erosion control.
- NYC Parks Department Government — Collaborates with the NYC Parks Department, which adopted official trail names in Udalls Cove Park and recognizes designated sections such as the South Ravine and North Ravine Trails.
- New York City Government — Collaborated on a green infrastructure project in 2014 involving a stilling basin and Spartina salt marsh planting at Udalls Cove.
- New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Government — Consulted with on project design, permitting, and tree removal regulations; agency responsible for park oversight and required permits.
- New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Government — Manages the Udalls Cove Park and Preserve, where much of the area is protected.
- New York City Parks Department Partner — Collaborated with UCPC on the restoration of Aurora Pond, including design, permitting, and acquisition of parcels; issued permits for tree removal after storms.
- New York City Sanitation Department Partner — Provided heavy equipment to assist with the first cleanup in 1970.
- New York State Government — Acquired portions of the Udalls Cove area for protection as part of the park and preserve.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Administered a $125,000 grant through the Invasive Species Grant Program and requires wetlands permitting for the project.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Works within the regulatory framework established by the NYS DEC, which designated the Ravine as an extended adjacent area under the Tidal Wetlands Law.
- Queens Library Partner — Holds the voluminous written records of Aurora Gareiss, including hundreds of handwritten letters to government officials.
- Save the Sound Partner — Consulted on the review of the 30% and 60% design reports and participated in project discussions.
- Village of Great Neck Estates Government — Acquired portions of the Udalls Cove area for protection as part of the park and preserve.
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.
- Community-Driven Advocacy for Land Protectionmethodology: organized_community_advocacyBy organizing collective community action, the organization achieves greater influence with government officials than individuals acting alone, because structured, sustained advocacy increases political accountability and responsiveness to local environmental concerns.
- Community-Led Habitat Restorationmethodology: community-led_environmental_stewardshipBy engaging sustained community volunteer participation in cleanups and restoration work, the organization maintains and rehabilitates ecosystems because local stewardship fosters ongoing care and reduces reliance on external resources.
- Integrated Ecological Restorationmethodology: ecological_restorationBy combining conservation, preservation, and restoration efforts, the organization enhances the ecological integrity of wetlands and upland areas because this holistic approach addresses both existing degradation and long-term sustainability.
- Land Acquisition as Preservation Strategymethodology: land-acquisition-and-preservationBy pursuing incremental acquisition of privately owned land within designated park boundaries, the organization secures permanent protection of ecologically sensitive areas because legal ownership or easements prevent development and enable long-term stewardship.