irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $48KNature-based Community Building -Our nature-based community-building efforts bring individuals, families, and organizations together around our shared connection to the natural world. These activities are designed to build connections between people and their environment.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Environmental Health Ambassadors Internship
High school internship program focused on environmental stewardship, community health, and leadership development through nature-based projects.
Growing Good
Summer nature and farm enrichment program for young children, held at Foodlink Community Farm, combining outdoor learning with agricultural experiences.
Neighborhood Nature
After-school, weekend, and school-break programs that engage young people in nature-based activities during their free time.
Tree Ambassadors
Community project promoting urban tree canopy growth and educating the public about the health benefits of trees.
WildWonder
Nature-based education program for K-12 schools in Greater Rochester, offering curriculum-aligned nearby nature lessons, field studies in parks, and student-led stewardship projects.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 2 activities
- Deliver nature-based learning programs for youthProvides structured nature-based education through school-year and after-school programs, including WildWonder which delivers lessons on school grounds and field studies in local natural areas. In the 2024-25 school year, facilitated 8,110 hands-on learning experiences across 19 schools, with 95% of teachers reporting high student engagement and positive academic and social-emotional impacts.
- Host community events to foster nature-based social connectionsOrganizes periodic community events such as first-day hikes, Earth Day celebrations, and nature-based gatherings to build community and strengthen connections to the natural environment. Engaged over 8,000 community members through such programs in 2023.
-
-
Educator Conferences & Professional Development Events 1 activity
- Build capacity in nature-based education through symposia and partnershipsOrganizes the Nature-based Learning Symposium to convene educators and partners, and collaborates on pilot programs such as with RIT to develop youth leadership in sustainability. Hosted the 2026 symposium at Durand Eastman Park.
-
-
Nonprofit Sector Research & Data Analysis 1 activity
- Develop regional environmental organization database and research reportsDevelops a publicly available database of environmental organizations in the Rochester region and produces research reports with insights and next steps for the local environmental community.
-
-
Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Operate summer youth enrichment programs combining nature and food educationCo-runs the Growing Good Summer Enrichment Program with Foodlink, offering gardening, nature exploration, and hands-on projects for children in Greater Rochester. The program includes daily educational and recreational activities and weekly field studies to local parks or farms. Operated a 6-week program at Foodlink Community Farm in summer 2025.
-
-
Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Run Tree Ambassadors project to promote urban tree canopy and community healthImplements the Rochester Tree Ambassador Project to train and deploy advocates who engage neighbors, promote tree planting, and connect residents with city forestry resources. Organizes community events such as tree walks, plantings, and picnics to educate about urban forests and their health benefits.
-
-
Youth Workforce Development in Food & Environment 1 activity
- Support youth workforce development and leadership in sustainabilityImplements initiatives that build work and life skills, including the Environmental Health Ambassadors Internship for high school students launched in summer 2025, and other programs focused on youth leadership and sustainability.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conduct research on nature-based learning and children’s healthConducts research to document the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of nature for children and evaluates program impacts. Received a $5,000 grant to synthesize research and develop an assessment tool for children's health and social-emotional wellbeing.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$445K
Contributions & grants$308K69%
Program service revenue$135K30%
Investment income$1K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$473K
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead27%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$329K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$92K
Cash$62K
Investments$0
Liabilities$8K
Net assets$84K
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +0.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Widmaier | Executive Director | 40 | $62K |
board members · 12
- Chelsea Ammerman — Secretary
- Chris Hartman — Director
- Erin Thompson — Director
- Erin Turpin — Director
- Julia Tellerman — Director
- Kathryn Walker — Director
- Mary Steblein — Vice-President
- Meredith Rutherford — President
- Michael Boller — Director
- Neha Sood — Director
- Rachel Betts — Treasurer
- TeJay Chess — Director
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- AMDA School #12 Partner — Engaged in outdoor nature play and learning activities with REP, including garden-based exploration with kindergarten students.
- Browncroft Pediatric Research Foundation Funder — Provided a $5,000 grant to support research on nature-based learning and development of a program impact assessment tool.
- City of Rochester Partner — Collaborates with the City of Rochester’s forestry department to connect residents with urban forestry resources and support implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
- Community Collaborators Partner — Works with local individuals and groups to co-create community-based ecological initiatives.
- Cornell University Partner — Meredith Rutherford, Board President of Rochester Ecology Partners, is the Sustainability Manager at Cornell University.
- Emil Muller Foundation Funder — Provided initial funding to launch the environmental organization community analysis project.
- Foodlink Partner — Partner organization co-running the Growing Good Summer Enrichment Program.
- Foodlink Community Farm Partner — Co-hosts the Growing Good program at Foodlink Community Farm.
- Foodlink Community Farm Partner — Host site for the Growing Good nature and food enrichment program.
- Greater Rochester Health Foundation Funder — Rachel Betts, a board member of Rochester Ecology Partners, is the Responsive Grants Program Officer at the Greater Rochester Health Foundation.
- Monroe Cornell Cooperative Extension Partner — TeJay Chess, a board member of Rochester Ecology Partners, is a Natural Resources Educator at Monroe Cornell Cooperative Extension, indicating a professional affiliation and potential collaboration.
- Organizational Partners Partner — Collaborates with other organizations to support shared programs and initiatives.
- Program Sponsors Funder — Receives financial or in-kind support from sponsors for specific programs.
- RIT Partner — Chelsea Ammerman and E Turpin, board members of Rochester Ecology Partners, hold positions at RIT in operations and program specialization, indicating institutional connection.
- RIT Partner — Collaborates on a pilot program that enables students to explore leadership roles in sustainability.
- Rochester Area Community Foundation Partner — Collaborated with REP on the development and launch of the environmental organization community analysis project.
- Rochester Area Community Foundation Partner — Sponsor of the Growing Good Summer Enrichment Program.
- Rochester City School District Partner — Partner school district where WildWonder nature-based learning experiences are implemented.
- St. John Fisher University Partner — Thomas Minahan, an NBL Educator at Rochester Ecology Partners, recently graduated from St. John Fisher University with majors in Sustainability and Biology, suggesting institutional ties.
- The Konar Foundation Funder — Provided $50,000 in grant funding to support summer youth programming.
- The Konar Foundation Funder — Provided $50,000 in grant funding to support the Growing Good summer program.
- University of Rochester Medical Center Partner — Julia Tellerman, a board member of Rochester Ecology Partners, is an epidemiologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center Emerging Infections Program.
- University of Rochester's Institute for Human Health and the Environment Funder — Funded the Tree Ambassador program.
- University of Rochester’s Institute for Human Health and the Environment Funder — Provides support for the Tree Ambassador project.
- William & Sheila Konar Foundation Partner — Sponsor of the Growing Good Summer Enrichment Program.
- World of Inquiry School #58 Partner — Collaborated with REP on Better World Day, an annual event connecting students to nature, community, and joy.
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 Healthmethodology: community_participatory_modelBy co-creating programs with community members and leveraging peer advocates, we expand urban tree canopy and improve community health, because inclusive, participatory models ensure equitable access, build local ownership, and strengthen the link between environmental and public health.
- Inclusive and Equitable Program Designmethodology: inclusive_program_designBy intentionally designing nature-based education with accessibility in mind, we increase engagement among multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and underserved communities, because inclusive design removes systemic barriers and affirms the value of diverse ways of knowing and being.
- Nature-Based Learning for Holistic Developmentmethodology: nature_based_learningBy engaging children in direct, frequent exposure to nature through experiential learning, we improve academic performance, social-emotional wellbeing, and critical thinking, because nature-based experiences provide a rich, multisensory context for integrated development.