named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Alex C. Velto Bat Conservation Area
15-acre woodland trail and foraging habitat for endangered Indiana bats at Eagle Ridge Estates in Evans Mills, NY
Downybrook Nature Reserve
184-acre wildlife sanctuary with 3.5 miles of trails, wetlands, ponds, and beaver habitat; includes bluebird nest box monitoring and grassland restoration
Friends of OBI
Annual membership program that provides operating funds and engages community supporters in land conservation
Grassland Habitat Restoration
Active management of grasslands to support nesting and breeding of grassland bird species such as Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Habitat restoration and invasive species managementConducts on-the-ground ecological restoration including removal of invasive species such as buckthorn to expand native grasslands and restore native plant communities at the Downybrook Nature Reserve and surrounding areas.
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Land conservation through fee ownership and conservation easementsAcquires and holds land in fee title and secures conservation easements to permanently protect ecologically significant areas, including alvar habitats, Indiana bat foraging grounds, and undeveloped shoreline along Lake Ontario. The organization owns or manages over 800 acres of conserved land, including the Downybrook Nature Reserve, Alex C. Velto Bat Conservation Area, and properties in Evans Mills and northern Jefferson County.
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Artificial Nesting Habitat Management 1 activity
- Monitoring and stewardship of conserved propertiesConducts regular monitoring and stewardship activities including property inspections, trail marking, bluebird nesting box maintenance, and investigation of new conservation opportunities across its service area in Northern New York.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Nature education and public engagement programsOrganizes educational events such as bird walks, ecology tours, and guided hikes to promote public understanding of land conservation and regional ecology. Hosts an annual dinner with expert speakers and conducts outreach through newsletters, brochures, and social media.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Trail maintenance and public access infrastructureMaintains and improves public access to conserved lands through trail upkeep, bridge repairs, installation of maps, and construction of viewing decks and walkovers at the Downybrook Nature Reserve, including a 3.5-mile trail system and facilities supported by volunteer and partner projects.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$31K
Contributions & grants$28K89%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$4K12%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$43K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$207K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$207K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -42.1%
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- Adirondack Council Partner — Aileen Martin has supported the Adirondack Council as a member in her conservation efforts.
- Boy Scout Troop 2 Partner — Completed construction of a new bridge and walkover at Downybrook in 2021 as part of an Eagle Scout project led by Jeremy Shimel.
- Boy Scout Troop 586 Partner — Assisted with trail maintenance at Downybrook in fall 2016.
- Cross Island Farms Partner — Supported the Downybrook Pavilion Project with a $7,500 gift and is recognized as a sponsor and partner in land conservation.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Joe Martin volunteers as a hunter educator with the NYS DEC, and Irene Mazzocchi served as DEC’s Region 6 Land Management Representative.
- Lyme Book Club Partner — Tracy Valentine is a member of the Lyme Book Club.
- Lyme Community Foundation Partner — Susan J. Tontarski is an active member of the Lyme Community Foundation.
- Lyme Garden Club Partner — Susan J. Tontarski is an active member of the Lyme Garden Club.
- National Campers and Hikers Association Network — Downybrook is designated as an official Wildlife Refuge by the National Campers and Hikers Association.
- National Wild Turkey Federation Partner — Joe Martin is a sponsor of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
- National Wildlife Federation Network — Downybrook is recognized as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
- New York State Bluebird Society Partner — Participates in the Nest Box Network to support bluebird populations at Downybrook.
- North Country Bird Club Partner — Collaborates with OBI to lead birding events at Downybrook.
- North Country Bird Club Partner — Marie Smith and her husband are longtime members of the North Country Bird Club.
- North Shore Solutions Partner — Designed and developed the OBI Land Trust website.
- North Shore Solutions Partner — Website design and development partner
- North Shore Solutions Partner — Website development partner
- North Shore Solutions Partner — Website development partner for OBI Land Trust
- North Shore Solutions Partner — Website development partner for Ontario Bays Initiative.
- Northern Regional Center for Independent Living, Inc. (NRCIL) Partner — Aileen Martin serves as Executive Director of NRCIL, a peer-run organization advocating for accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
- Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Partner — Collaborated on brush cutting and grassland restoration at Downybrook in fall 2016.
- Samaritan Summit Village Partner — Tracy Valentine serves on the Board of Directors for Samaritan Summit Village in Watertown.
- Susan and David Tontarski Partner — Volunteers who repaired the scout bridge on Downybrook West Beaver Trail.
- The Nature Conservancy Partner — Lee Ellsworth has volunteered for The Nature Conservancy for over 20 years, and Aileen Martin has supported it as a member.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Government — Partnered with OBI Land Trust to identify Indiana bat foraging areas and inform conservation acquisition.
- William C. and Margaret C. Couch Partner — Private landowners who granted a conservation easement to Ontario Bays Initiative, Inc. to protect the alvar habitat on their property.
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.
- All-Volunteer Operation to Maximize Conservation Impactmethodology: all_volunteer_operationBy operating with no paid staff, we direct a greater proportion of donations toward land protection and education because low overhead enables efficient use of financial resources, amplifying conservation outcomes per dollar spent.
- Collaborative Land Conservation Modelmethodology: collaborative_land_conservationBy proactively identifying conservation opportunities and partnering with landowners and other organizations, we achieve broader land protection because collective action leverages diverse resources, expertise, and local knowledge to preserve land for community benefit.
- Community Education as Conservation Engagementmethodology: community_education_and_outreachBy engaging the public through education programs, guided tours, and outreach events, we build community support for land conservation because experiential learning fosters personal connection to local ecology and increases long-term stewardship behavior.
- Voluntary Landowner Partnerships for Conservationmethodology: voluntary_conservationBy using voluntary conservation agreements, easements, and stewardship programs, we protect ecologically significant lands because landowners are more willing to participate when they retain ownership and decision-making control, leading to broader and more sustainable conservation outcomes.