named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Native Plant Education Initiative
Program promoting the use of native plants in landscaping, including public education on native species, nativars, and the ecological benefits of genetic diversity in plantings.
Sustainable Gardening Outreach
Public education on sustainable practices such as proper mulching, avoiding "mulch volcanoes," and using fallen leaves for natural mulch and soil enrichment.
Wildlife Habitat Support
Design and maintenance of garden areas to provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife through the winter, using seed heads, berries, and undisturbed natural areas.
Winter Interest Garden Walks
Guided or self-guided educational walks highlighting plants with winter visual interest, including bark texture, berries, and structural forms that enhance the landscape during colder months.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 2 activities
- Maintain and restore botanical garden and wetland habitats along the Erie CanalPreserves and enhances an 11-acre botanical garden and conducts wetland restoration along the Erie Canal using sustainable practices, native plants, and submerged aquatic vegetation to improve water quality and create aquatic habitat. Partners with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation on ecological restoration efforts.
- Support pollinator and wildlife habitats through garden design and plant managementEstablishes and maintains a butterfly garden with diverse flower plantings to attract multiple butterfly species and supports pollinators using native plant species. Leaves dead flower heads of native plants such as coneflowers, tickseed, Joe Pye, bachelor buttons, and black-eyed Susans intact during winter to provide food for birds and other wildlife.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Design and maintain winter-interest landscapes for education and aestheticsOperates a botanical garden featuring plants selected for winter interest, including texture, color, and visual variety in the off-season landscape. Maintains winter habitat for wildlife by preserving berry-producing shrubs and trees such as crabapple and sweet gum, and highlights seasonal changes in bark textures and evergreen features for public education and appreciation.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Host public events and community volunteer engagement activitiesOrganizes community events such as Environmental Celebration and community work days, and conducts regular volunteer-led gardening projects every Tuesday and Saturday to engage the public in garden maintenance and stewardship.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Provide educational programming on gardening, native plants, and environmental stewardshipOffers educational programs for youth and adults, including the Gross Out Camp for environmental science learning, field trips for high school students, and public content on native plant species, invasive species identification, plant hardiness zones (including designation of Zone 6A), winter landscape plants, tree mulching techniques, and ecological conservation. Shares curated resources and promotes partnerships with organizations like the Niagara County Cooperative Extension.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$16K
Contributions & grants$6K38%
Program service revenue$10K62%
Investment income$50%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$16K
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead38%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$75K
Cash$64K
Investments$0
Liabilities$30K
Net assets$45K
Liquid reserves48.2 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +59.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- BOBBIE LYNN BINNER — BOARD MEMBER
- COLEEN ERICK — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID CONTI — PRESIDENT
- GAIL NOTARO — Treasurer
- LAURA PECORARO — Secretary
- MARC GLEASON — BOARD MEMBER
- MAT WOLCOTT — BOARD CHAIRMAN
- ROBERT PECORARO — CHAIRMAN
- WILL DAHN — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Audubon New York Partner — Shares resources and guidance on bird-friendly gardening practices.
- BN Waterkeeper Partner — Sponsored by BN Waterkeeper, an environmental organization focused on water protection in the region.
- Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Partner — Collaborates on water quality, native plant, and pollinator habitat projects.
- Chicago Botanic Garden Partner — References plant information resources for perennials with winter interest.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Partner — Shares gardening resources and collaborates on educational content related to deer-resistant plants and climate-appropriate gardening.
- Cornell University Network — References Cornell-affiliated websites as authoritative sources for invasive species information.
- Cornell University Partner — Collaborates with or references expertise from Cornell University on the harmful effects of mulch volcanoes.
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension Partner — References gardening and climate resources from Cornell University's extension services.
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension Albany Partner — Shares resource on deer-resistant plants from Cornell's gardening program.
- County of Niagara Government — Partners with Niagara County on environmental and community gardening initiatives.
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Collaborates on propagation and planting of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Erie Canal and hosts a Purple Martin nesting array to support pollinators.
- New York State Cooperative Extension Partner — Provides informative gardening resources linked and referenced by the organization.
- Niagara County Partner — Uses native plants suited to Niagara County in garden maintenance.
- Niagara County Cooperative Extension Partner — Collaborates by promoting the extension service as a key resource for local plant and gardening information.
- Niagara River Greenway Partner — Works with the Niagara River Greenway on regional conservation and green space development.
- Nicastro Accounting Partner — Sponsored by Nicastro Accounting, a local accounting firm.
- North Tonawanda High School Partner — Collaborates on educational field trips for students.
- North Tonawanda Schools Partner — Collaborates with local schools to provide environmental and gardening education programs.
- North Tonawanda Youth, Parks, & Recreation Department Government — Manages the Botanical Garden location and handles event reservations on behalf of the organization.
- SUNY Buffalo Partner — Collaborates with the university on community gardening and environmental education initiatives.
- SUNY Erie Partner — Partners with the college on educational and gardening programs.
- Sustainable Community Youth Program Partner — Collaborates with the Sustainable Community Youth Program, as evidenced by shared event photos
- USDA Government — References USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to inform local gardening practices.
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.
- Climate-Appropriate and Habitat-Based Garden Designmethodology: climate-appropriate plantingBy using plant hardiness zone data and mimicking natural ecosystems—such as designing for butterfly life cycles and seasonal interest—the organization ensures garden resilience and educational relevance, because aligning plant selection and layout with local climate and ecological needs supports long-term sustainability and species-specific habitat function.
- Community-Engaged Stewardship Modelmethodology: community_stewardshipBy involving the community in stewardship through volunteer work days and educational access to a living botanical resource, the organization promotes environmental responsibility, because direct participation and accessible education increase public investment in conservation and sustainable practices.
- Ecological Restoration for Biodiversitymethodology: ecological-restorationBy implementing long-term ecological restoration practices, the organization improves local biodiversity and environmental health, because sustained, monitored interventions allow ecosystems to recover and support greater species diversity and resilience.
- Experiential Environmental Education for Youth Engagementmethodology: experiential-environmental-educationBy engaging youth in hands-on, immersive camp programming, the organization fosters deep connection with nature, because experiential learning increases environmental awareness and long-term stewardship behaviors more effectively than passive instruction.
- Wildlife-Supportive Landscape Managementmethodology: wildlife-supportive landscapingBy retaining dead plant material, using fallen leaves as organic mulch, and promoting untrimmed winter gardens, the organization supports wildlife habitat and soil health, because these practices preserve shelter, foraging resources, and natural nutrient cycles essential to local fauna and flora.