Boston Nature Center Welcomes All

2018 Annual Report Dear BNC Community, Recognizing that diversity is as important in organi- zational culture as it is in nature, a central priority of Mass Audubon’s strategic plan is ensuring that we share the gift of connection to nature with the broadest group of people, and do it in ways that are most meaningful to them. As an urban sanctu- ary nestled within some of Boston’s most diverse neighborhoods, Boston Nature Center enjoys unique opportunities to explore and practice ways of being welcoming. This imperative informs much of what we do and how we do it. To amplify the reach of our programs, Boston Nature Center (BNC) partners with the Boston ask their friend which pronoun they prefer. Individu- Public Schools, Head Start programs, and home als who have sensory challenges will find that we school groups to infuse their curricula with hands- have a trail just for them, and that our green build- on, minds-on science, technology, engineering, and ing is also fully accessible. Many of our staff mem- math (STEM). We offer community members of all bers are bilingual and our sanctuary guides are ages a wide variety of high quality, engaging, and available in Spanish and Braille. Our numerous affordable programs, especially during the summer, volunteer groups include participants who attend that meet the needs of working families and keep adult day programs. urban young people learning and growing all year long. Our three-year environmental internship We hope that you will find yourself here at the BNC. program for teens gives them an opportunity to We honor and celebrate diversity and inclusion. We gain invaluable leadership and employment embrace our extended community as family. Come experience – and a chance to experience being a visit the BNC, explore the two miles of trails and role model for younger members of their communi- boardwalks, the old and the new orchards, and ties. Community gardeners, bee keepers, and join us in this journey of respecting and welcoming composters all call Boston Nature Center home. each other as we protect nature for ourselves and for wildlife. We welcome all—and that means you. Most of our staff come from the communities we serve and we intentionally train them to celebrate Warmly for all of us at the BNC, diversity and inclusion. As a result, they meet visi- Jocelyn and Julie tors “where they are.” Preschool teachers who over- hear a child referring to a classmate by the wrong Jocelyn Heywood, Chair, pronoun are trained to gently encourage them to Boston Nature Center Sanctuary Committee Julie Brandlen, Anne and Peter Brooke Director

1 2018 Annual Report Boston Nature Center BNC Summer Camp and Summer Discoveries Expand Our Reach

For ten weeks during the summer of 2018, Boston Nature Center welcomed campers, families and staff who were as diverse as the communities that surround the sanctuary: ■ 1,481 campers and families from more than forty Boston area neighborhoods with different cultural traditions, languages spoken at home, and family structures; ■ More than half of our campers and staff identified themselves as people of color; and “I only have rave reviews for BNC! ■ Half of our families (745) received scholarship This is the best camp in Boston with support, ensuring that our campers were socio-economically diverse. lots of education and a nature As campers deepen their understanding of the world around focus—but also diverse for children them in a beautiful outdoor setting, they are cheered on by of all backgrounds—and fun with enthusiastic camp staff who believe that camp is a place where children can grow as individuals, build new friend- songs and jokes. Attending was a ships, become compassionate leaders, and have fun playing tremendous opportunity!” outdoors. Campers participated in small, age-specific groups with a weekly curriculum based on a nature theme Camp Parent and a developmentally-appropriate framework. "The staff were great. Everyone used positive language and were happy to discuss any issues with students until they were resolved. I didn’t see a single staff raise their voice or have to use threat of punishment to get a camper to behave. They seemed really well trained. Relationship building seemed to be an essential value." External evaluator during APT Observation from After School & Beyond. BNC is a participant in the city-wide program called Boston Summer Learning Community. This year, thanks to a generous challenge grant from the Sidney A. Swensrud Foundation which many generous donors helped us match, we were able to provide $102,000 in scholarship support. The scholarship funds allow us to continue to offer a sliding scale to calculate a family’s camp fee, guaranteeing that they can depend upon an affordable rate. Again this summer, families repeatedly told us how much they appreciated knowing that no matter what their circumstances are or how they may change over the summer – even if it is the loss of a home, job, or a caregiver – their children will spend a safe, enriching summer at camp. Thank you to all of our donors for making this possible!

Boston Nature Center 2018 Annual Report 2 Summer Discoveries

The Summer Discoveries Program expanded Boston Nature Center’s reach and impact by making our environ- mental education programs accessible for young people who attended other Boston-area programs. This summer it offered organizations like Horizons for Homeless Children, Thomas M. Menino YMCA Summer Camp, and Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion affordable field trips and free trans- portation to and from the sanctuary. In total 3,783 children and counselors from 50 community groups participated in high-quality, interactive, outdoor field trips at BNC. BNC’s Teacher Naturalists guided participants’ exploration of the sanctuary using a thematic lens. For example, one dealt with human impact on the earth. As they brought visitors through the education center, community gardens, and compost facility, Teacher Naturalists posed questions like: ■ What do you know about the impact that humans have on the earth? ■ Why do we think that people might make choices that damage their environment? ■ What are some reasons that we might want to halt climate change or other ways that our environment is being damaged? and ■ What are some ways that we can combat climate change and make our environment better? This field trip concluded with young people: sharing what they learned or tried for the first time; discussing choices they could make to have a positive impact on the environ- ment and projects they might want to start at their camp or school. They also considered what other actions they, their families and friends might want to take to protect the environment. BNC’s sanctuary was thriving throughout the summer filled with campers and counselors engaged in learning about nature in their own backyards! For a complete listing of the community groups attending BNC’s Summer Discoveries and other field experiences, please refer to the Program Statistics on Page 11 of this report.

3 2018 Annual Report Boston Nature Center Connecting with our Neighbors…

Throughout the year, Boston Nature Center offered numer- In our schools... ous public programs on a wide variety of topics for diverse For fourteen years, Boston Nature Center’s Boston School audiences. Programs covered a rich assortment of topics Environmental Initiative (BSEI) has helped public schools ranging from our weekly Early Explorers Program about the to integrate science and environmental studies throughout seasons for homeschooled preschoolers, to programs on their curriculum — including literacy, math, and social turkeys and coyotes, tree identification, and bird photogra- studies. BSEI embeds a Teacher Naturalist into each school phy. Our programs are designed to introduce children and to model, mentor, and coach classroom teachers in the families to the natural world and some overarching con- use of hands-on, inquiry-based teaching methods utilizing cepts. The adult programs are designed to create aware- outdoor classrooms, neighborhood green spaces, and ness of the environmental issues germane to the Boston natural areas including the BNC. Teacher Naturalists help area, and how participants can be "greener" in their every- classroom teachers align their practices with the state's day lives. We also held festivals and special programs evolving Science Technology and Engineering (STE) including: Pumpkinfest, the Mattapan Food and Fitness Standards and provide them with ongoing professional Coalition’s Annual Tea Party, and a maple sugaring event. development and curriculum planning support. During the school year, BSEI equipped 90 classroom teachers with tools and strategies to use STE methods in outdoor settings; provided engaging curriculum for 1,723 students with a variety of learning styles and abilities to help them develop critical thinking skills; and expanded and deepened BNC’s relationships with schools, families, and communities. Participating schools included: Chittick Elementary School (Mattapan, PreK-5), Haley Pilot School (Roslindale, PreK-8), Philbrick Elementary School (Roslindale, PreK-5); Samuel W. Mason School (Roxbury, PreK-5); and Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School (Mattapan, PreK-8). and Growing With STEM To reach a larger audience of Boston teachers and students than is possible through the BSEI’s intensive mentoring approach, BNC launched a pilot program "Growing With Stem" at the Lee Academy Pilot School. The pilot provides a group of grade level teachers with an eight week unit that helps them to fully integrate the MA framework into their curriculum utilizing the best practices of the BSEI program. Artists Receptions and Programs BNC celebrated local artists by featuring quarterly exhibits of their work. This year, Mass Audubon’s Photo Exhibit was displayed. We also welcomed Barry Van Dusen who dis- played a body of work that "celebrates the richness and bio- logical diversity of Massachusetts and the Mass Audubon sanctuary system." Nature photography was featured by Robert Scott in his exhibit: The Garden Flowers and bird photography classes were offered by Eduardo del Solar. The exhibit, Grieving Bowls, by Sally Whelan featured original photography which hangs "as a meditative still life, like a mandala on a temple wall." Thank you to the artists who provided such richness to BNC’s community.

Boston Nature Center 2018 Annual Report 4 Happy Birthday Pathways to Nature Preschool at BNC!

Pathways to Nature (PTN) Preschool celebrated its fifth birthday in February and what an incredible five years it has been! The preschool grew and thrived. Students, families, and teachers deepened their commitment to the natural world and nature play and we opened a second licensed As always the children and their educators spent a lot of preschool at the BNC in September. This new class, the time outside each day. We continued our work of encourag- Daring Dragonflies, our youngest students, consisted of ing students to become tomorrow’s nature stewards by twelve children ranging in age from 2 years 9 months to allowing them the space and time to investigate, explore 3 year 5 months. and question the world around them. Collectively, the Pathways team continually evaluated and adjusted their This expansion allowed us to serve even more families curriculum to meet the needs of the classes, individual from the surrounding community, growing our preschool students, and families. We also offered families a number enrollment to 58 families. The added classroom also of opportunities to socialize including potluck meals, allowed us to add more talent to our teaching team, as playdates, family enrichment sessions, and round table we created a part-time teaching position and filled it with meetings on a variety of topics chosen by parents. one of our former preschool parents. It is quite a testament to the caliber of educators we attract that a parent wanted to stay connected with the program after their child moved on to public school. “Immersing the children in nature Pathways educators grew as individuals and as a team, while focusing on enhancing their completing a number of professional development activi- practical and intuitive methods ties beyond the required 20 hours. We partnered with the Region VI Educator and Provider Support Collaborative of understanding the natural and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to elements has helped blossom offer public professional development programs at BNC. In curious, passionate and respectful addition to helping our own staff to gain valuable college credits and additional certifications, this also provided relationships between my child, community educators with accessible training opportuni- school, and nature.” ties. The PTN team also conducted trainings and workshops Richard Messier – Parent to Winslow (Curious Crickets) at partner programs to help educators explore and investigate the natural world in their own settings. Pathways continued its partnerships with the University of Massachusetts Boston and Boston Green Academy. In January we welcomed three UMASS interns, who completed 180 classroom hours as teachers in an urban environmental preschool. Boston Green Academy interns worked toward their senior year requirements in our Busy Bees and Curious Crickets full-day preschool classes.

5 2018 Annual Report Boston Nature Center Reaching into our Neighborhoods through Early Education

This year, our Pathways To Nature Outreach Program served 121 children from five local early education pro- grams: Gertrude Townsend Head Start in Dorchester; “It was our pleasure to meet all of you! Nurtury Learning Lab Head Start in Jamaica Plain; and It was such an interactive training three programs in Mattapan: Mattapan Head Start; The Spark Center; and Young Achievers K0-K1. Once a month that stimulated everyone. I am looking for ten months, each school sent the same class of 5-40 forward to the educators sharing this students to the Boston Nature Center to engage in a variety of seasonal and developmentally appropriate curriculum information with the children in their topics and hands-on activities. The program is designed program. Again thank you all for your to help a cohort of children deepen their knowledge of the natural world through multiple positive interactions and accommodating and flexible style you explorations. demonstrated to us and for sending the We collaborated with a new partner program this year, The additional information that I will dis- Spark Center. A program offered by Boston Medical Center, tribute to all of the educators. I can’t The Spark Center provides a therapeutic, medically special- ized program for children up to age five who are medically thank you enough for this SUCCESS- fragile and/or face complicated developmental or social FUL (bilingual) STEM training!” emotional challenges. Two small classes from The Spark Center participated in on-site explorations each month. Andrea Cox, Director of Operations, Family Day Care BNC’s Teacher Naturalists also brought programs to the students in their classrooms. In conjunction with their visits, BNC provided these educators with professional development to help them incorporate nature, STEM and social and emotional content into their curriculum. After each visit, Teacher Naturalists provided teachers with additional resources related to the module presented including bibliographies, primary sources, extension activities, and suggestions for curriculum enrichment. Teacher Naturalists expanded the reach of BNC’s profes- sional development efforts by offering participating schools opportunities for training at their facilities at times that were convenient for educators and open to all of their staff. Additionally, BNC offered districtwide professional development for teachers in both English and Spanish.

Boston Nature Center 2018 Annual Report 6 Welcome Willow Tree Youth Leaders

With the generous support of the Willow Tree Fund, the while. I also led many group activities and learned a few Boston Nature Center expanded and welcomed a new class tricks on how to get children to listen and focus, a very important skill to have at a summer camp. ” of seven Youth Leaders from four Boston High Schools. Gabriel Grimes Year one of the program introduced participants to nature exploration, professional development, and leadership opportunities. In addition to BNC, they explored the New England Aquarium and Franklin Park Zoo. Youth Leaders designed and led several Nature Play Date sessions, a public program for preschoolers, and assisted with BNC events and fundraisers including Rockin’ with Raptors, Pumpkinfest, and Bird-A-Thon. Here are some of their insights into what they learned:

“My experience at BNC has been amazing! I have learned a lot of new things and gained a whole new perspective on wildlife and nature. The program has shown me that within the bigger picture there are beautiful details to value. High- lights from last year were the field trip to Moose Hill and participating in Bird-a-thon. Each day this summer the children brought a smile to my face. I can’t wait to see what next year brings.” Cleefton Jean “I am 15, the youngest of the Youth Leaders which can be “My first year at BNC has been really exciting! I made a lot of challenging, but it was a privilege to work with individuals friends and feel like I have a new family. Initially, I was really who worked hard, played hard, and completed what they set shy but the Saturday programs helped me to become more out to do. Co-workers treated me as an equal and commended outgoing. Learning about the Sumac tree was the best thing me for being mature and hard working. This year, I learned ever. Since Adam taught me about them I have fallen in love how to organize and conduct public programs, persevere when with them. I am sad to have missed out on being a counselor doing something difficult or unfamiliar, and work with others this summer. I can’t wait for Rockin’ with Raptors in September from different backgrounds and nationalities. I also learned a which will mark my first full year in the program.” Shelton Jean lot about nature and how important it is to change what we do in our daily lives to lessen the negative impact we have on the environment. ” “I learned the value of educating the public, especially young Jaymie Mitchell children, about the world around them and gained experience working with many kinds of people doing many different “Last year I learned how to communicate better, particularly things. I worked in the Community Gardens, was a camp with children. My experiences with Saturday Nature Play counselor, and led programs like Pumpkinfest and Nature Dates and BNC’s summer camp taught me a lot. I saw how Play Dates. This helped me to be a better worker, work in well camp counselors interacted with campers and each other groups, and be a leader. I learned how to interact with the and how no matter what a child’s situation was at home, public in a professional manner by visiting and observing everyone was treated the same. I also realized how helpful it is other Mass Audubon sanctuaries.” Kathryn Galante to have coworkers who are going through the same struggles and how important it is to be able to depend on them.” “Working at the Boston Nature Center has been a great expe- Leslie Farias rience. Last September when we met for the first time I was not sure what to expect. I have learned lots of important “I can remember working at the Rockin’ with Raptors event things from Adam, other BNC employees and my fellow Youth and the excitement I felt when the kids would smile after Leaders. During summer camp I got a chance to be the junior watching a Teacher Naturalist show them an animal or teach counselor for campers of all ages. Under each lead counselor, I them about a tree. If I think about an experience that shows learned interesting fun facts about birds, carbon footprints, me the growth I have had as an educator and leader, I can look and ways in which I can help the environment stay cleaner. at the summer camp weeks and my work with the Falcons Visiting Drumlin Farms, we got to see many animals, and camp group. I really felt connected to the theme weeks and discovered a very amusing plant that we marveled at for a was able to see their growth.” Allie Bausemer

7 2018 Annual Report Boston Nature Center The Healing Power of Trees: Restoration, Renewal, and Regrowth

All along the Rabbit Trail, legacy trees reach for the skies. Legacy and other trees in various stages of succession are an integral part of BNC’s changing landscape. The sanctuary is home to 380 plant species from 85 plant families. This in- cludes fruit and nut trees planted around the community gardens as well as remnants of landscape plantings at the former Boston State Hospital. Approximately 47% of the plant species found here are native to Suffolk County and 53% are introduced. With special funding support from The Boston Committee of the Garden Club of America and other funders, we are able to provide the special care that these trees require. We invite readers to come explore the sanctuary to learn more about these trees and discover them for yourself! Dotted throughout the Boston Nature Center’s west campus, circling the Clark Cooper Community Gardens, and strategi- cally spread throughout the Boston Food Forest Coalition’s edible forest are over 100 new and mature fruit and nut trees. Volunteers, staff, and sustainable landscapers from Land of Plenty have diligently and patiently revived BNC’s orchards. The diversity and variety of trees are rich and include American Persimmon, Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, Golden Glory Cornelian Cherry, Kousa Dogwood, Northern Pecan, Singo Asian Pear, too many varieties of apples to name and much more. Thoughtful approaches to sharing the harvest with humans and wildlife help us balance our care of these trees. Throughout the sanctuary, trees bear witness to Boston State Hospital’s history on the site and its healing mission. Along the Rabbit Trail, a grove of mature northern red oaks were part of the hospital’s original landscaping plan. A row of mature sugar maples at the George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center extends along the walking path. The entrance road to BNC is flanked by a stately allée of red oaks dating back to the 1930s. These legacy and mature trees often require pruning, amendments, and care in order to maintain healthy trees. We are grateful that generous donor support has made it possible for BNC to be good stewards for the next generation.

Boston Nature Center 2018 Annual Report 8 Our Community Partners

To expand our urban education outreach programs and “meet people where they are,” BNC partnered with Mass Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program (CWP). Together we hired and shared the talents of Melanie Gárate who divided her time between BNC as a Teacher Naturalist and the Costal Waterbird Program as an Education Specialist. CWP works to safeguard nesting waterbirds throughout Massachusetts, particularly piping plovers and terns protected under the Endangered Species Act. This year Gárate focused on educating underrepresented groups in the diverse coastal city of Revere, Massachusetts about coastal conservation. This collaboration supported Mass Audubon’s conservation and education mission, helped us to reach diverse urban audiences, and helped to protect threatened and fragile local wildlife. Throughout the summer, Gárate promoted bi-weekly coastal bird walks at Belle Isle Marsh for BNC members; engaged BNC’s Willow Tree Youth Leaders in conservation projects like erecting fencing and performing coastal cleanups; and represented both BNC and CWP at Endangered Species Day at Franklin Park Zoo and World Oceans Day at New England Aquarium. She also hosted a group of BNC campers at Belle Isle Marsh for a coastal wildlife and conservation exploration lesson. The Clark Cooper Community Garden was abuzz with activity throughout the growing season – with farmers, BNC staff, preschoolers, campers, and Summer Discoveries Program visitors. Students enjoyed being immersed in the sensory extravaganza of flowers, herbs, and vegetables of every color, smell, taste, and texture. Campers particularly liked using vegetables and herbs they picked to make salsa, zucchini bread, pesto, and tea. Each Friday one group of campers assisted with harvesting and setting up a "farm stand" in the exhibit hall. Our longstanding collaboration with Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC) continued and grew. We hosted MFFC’s Moving for Life Festival and a series of nature walks and activities for MFFC members. We also held our second annual Tea Party. After a short walk to explore and harvest wild edible plants and herbs, we used them to make cookies and tea. The on-site partners: Boston Area Beekeepers Association, BNC partnered with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Boston Food Forest Coalition, City of Boston’s Compost Outdoor Rx Program and hosted a number of family walks Project, Clark Cooper Community Gardens, and Mattapan in Mattapan and Dorchester. By encouraging families to Ecovation Center continue to connect with the surrounding explore green spaces in their area, the program promotes neighborhoods and provide educational programs, tours, healthy lifestyles and an appreciation of the natural world. and significant resources.

9 2018 Annual Report Boston Nature Center Special Events

Bird Hop On November 3, 2017, Boston Nature Center’s exhibit hall was filled with more than 200 guests who celebrated fall’s arrival by sampling local craft beers and ciders, listening to live jazz, meeting raptors from Mass Audubon’s Blue Hills Trailside Museum, and competing in a trivia challenge. We owe special thanks to the generous Brew Gurus, Malt Masters, and Hops Helpers who helped to make this fun night possible! Rockin’ with Raptors BNC’s annual community event enjoyed spectacular fall weather and brought together fourteen community groups to educate and entertain 550 visitors. Our youngest guests had a great time painting pumpkins, watching a puppet show, and getting a close-up look at the diverse world of native caterpillars from the Caterpillar Lab. Guests of all ages enjoyed meeting raptors, rocking with our favorite disc jockey, DJ Popular, and exploring BNC’s Nature Nook and two miles of trails. We were joined by 15 community groups and partners including Locust Knoll Farm, the Museum of Fine Arts, and New England Zoo/Franklin Park Zoo. Face painting, petting goats, and bird house making were some of the activities that captured children’s interests. Circle of Friends Connect with BNC’s Legacy Trees BNC held a special event this year to highlight BNC’s Legacy Trees. During this event, BNC’s Sanctuary Committee members met with leadership friends and volunteers to hear featured speaker, Lou Wagner, former Greater Boston Regional Scientist and author of BNC’s Ecological Management Plan. Lou shared key ecological features of this 67-acre sanctuary which include 64 species of woody plants and trees. During a tour, he identified many of the majestic trees that were in need of pruning and additional attention. A tree care program was initiated to care for these mature trees which allows us the needed resources to ensure that these trees are well maintained and preserved.

Boston Nature Center 2018 Annual Report 10 Program Statistics

School Schools included: ABCD Mattapan Head Start, Boston Teacher Union School, Brooke Charter Schools, 7,659 Programs Conservatory Lab Charter School, Corner Co-op Nursery School, Delphi Academy, Dennis C. Haley Elementary Children School – BSEI, Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School, Epiphany School, Gertrude Townsend Dorchester Head Start, Holy Name Parish , Horizons for Homeless Children, Hugh Roe O'Donnell School, Italian Home for 546 Sessions Children, Jackson Mann K-8 School, James J. Chittick Elementary School – BSEI, John D. O'Bryant, John D. Philbrick Elementary – BSEI, Josiah Quincy School, JP Manning School, King Open School, Kingsley Montessori 39 Schools School, Lee Academy Pilot School, Match Community Day, Mather Elementary School, Mattapan Early Elementary School, Michael Driscoll School, Neighborhood House Charter School, Neighborhood School, New Mission High School, Nurtury Learning Lab, Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, Samuel W. Mason Elementary School – BSEI, Southern NH Education Center, Sumner School, The Spark Center, UP Academy Dorchester, Winsor School, Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot School

Pathways to Pathways to Nature Preschool is a year round, on-site nature based preschool program. Children spend up 58 Nature to 80% of the day outdoors engaged in nature play and discovery. Weekly science-based themes are the Children basis for the preschoolers’ inquiry and observation. Preschool 73,285 Contact Hours

Community Groups included: ABCD JP Head Start, ABCD Parker Hill Fenway, ASC A Program, BCYF Mattahunt, BCYF Leahy 4,639 Group Holloran Community Center, Blackstone Academy Camp, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Participants University CELOP, B-SAFE, Cambridge Youth Enrichment Program, Charlestown Branch - BPL, Children's Services Programs of Roxbury, College Bound Dorchester, Cooper Community Center, Dorchester YMCA, East Boston YMCA, East 132 Sessions End House, Girl Scouts, Ellis Memorial, Foley Senior Residences, Franklin Park Zoo, Friends Childcare, Gan Israel Shaloh House of Boston, Harborside Summer Camp, Harrison Head Start, Home for Little Wanderers, Horizons 61 Community for Homeless Children Dedham Country Day, Italian Home for Children, Jackson Mann Community Center, Groups Jordan Boys and Girls Club, JP Kids Arts, Latino STEM Alliance, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Mattapan Branch- BPL, Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, Mildred Out of School Time Program, MIT Museum, My Little Best Friends, Native American Youth Enrichment Program, New England Aquarium, Nurtury, Parkway YMCA, PBHA Boston Refuge Youth Enrichment, Quincy Asian Resource Council, Red Sox, Sister Mary Hart Children's Program, Smart From the Start, Southwest Boston Community Development Corp., Spontaneous Celebrations, Sportsmen's Tennis and Enrichment Center, Temple Emanuel, Thomas M. Menino YMCA Summer Camp, Town of Brookline, United South End Settlements Summer Program, Vine Street Community Center, West End House, YMCA of Greater Boston, Youth and Family Enrichment Services, Youth, Police, and Partnership

Summer Ten weeks of Summer Camp at the Boston Nature Center, Six weeks of Summer Camp at the Boston Nature 1,481 Camp Center’s Roxbury Latin Summer Camp Openings Filled $102,000 Provided in Scholarships

School Two School Vacation Week Programs 161 Vacation Openings Filled Week $23,614 Programs Provided in Scholarships

Public Programs included: Butterfly Gardens, Pond Life Exploration, Reptiles of the BNC, Science Experiments, 2,124 Programs Tremendous Trees, Wildlife Detectives Participants 279 Programs

Special Bird-a-thon 798 Attendees Events and Bird Hop $28,899 Raised for Rockin’ with Raptors Fundraisers BNC’s Education Programs

Volunteers Groups included: Akamai, Alnylm Pharmaceuticals, Austin Preparatory School, Boston College, Blue Cross Blue 1,685 Shield, Boston Cares, Boston International High School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston University, City Volunteers on a Hill Charter Public School, Crimson Hexagon Analytics, Dana Hall School, Fenway High School, BU First Year Student Outreach Project, Gann Academy, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Kevin P Martin & Associates PC, KPMG, 3,249 Hours Locust, Mothers for Justice and Equality, Northeastern University, Redpine Signals Inc., St. Joseph Preparatory Value of Service: High School, Suffolk University, TD Bank, Teak Media + Communication, Tech Gives Back, Thomas H. Lee Partners, $137, 207 and Work Inc. Community Facility uses include: weddings, memorials, showers, retreats, conferences and other private functions. 5,117 Total Use of Participants BNC’s 40 Private Functions Facilities 61 Non-profits 11 Corporate Groups

11 2018 Annual Report Boston Nature Center Financial Overview

The Boston Nature Center’s annual budget for FY 2018 totaled $1,956,276. BNC secured the necessary income to meet its operating expenses. We are deeply appreciative of the generous support from BNC’s donors and volunteers who provide BNC with the means to offer affordable programs. BNC strives to ensure access to its high- quality programs including summer camp, school vacation programs, and the Pathways to Nature Preschool, and offers participants a sliding scale which includes Massachusetts vouchers. The charts below indicate the major income and expense categories for the year (unaudited).

Income Rentals Mass Audubon $23,082 $61,472 Endowment 1% 3% Income $365,655 19%

Gifts, Grants, and Special Events $514,778 Program Fees and Services 26% $991,291 51%

Expenses Buildings, Grounds, Insurance Fund Raising, $235,382 General 12% Administration $329,721 17%

Outreach $137,203 7% Education $1,253,972 64%

Boston Nature Center 2018 Annual Report 12 Individual Donor and Donor Advised Funds

The Boston Nature Center gratefully acknowledges its donors, David M. & Cynthia C. Hill Dan Mortara supporters, and volunteers. Thank you for supporting inspiring Betsy Hinkle & Samuel Warren Doris I. Murphy & and engaging urban education. BNC happens because of your Thomas J. Hollister Grace M. Lamarre Steve Holmes & Carlene Pavlos Mary Murphy generous support. Tracy Holmes Ken & Mary Nelson Amos B. & Barbara Hostetter Nessen Family Foundation Ben & Emily Achtenberg Peter H. Creighton F. Robert Houlihan & Susan Forti Colleen Noga Mary Adelstein/Mary T. & S. James Guthery & Linda Crim Karen Howard & Chris O'Brien Nancy & Gregory Noga Adelstein Charitable Trust Modestino & Nancy Criscitiello Jeremy Hubball Beth Norton & John Verre Lee Albright Genevieve Daftary & Eric Tencer Christopher & Emily A. Obrien & Renasha & Darkia Anderson Fred G. Davis & Jane Hilburt-Davis Jean-Marie Lovett Huff Diane Cummings Lorrie R. Anderson & Sally & Bob Davis William Hunt Melina O'Grady & Chris Arnold Conant Brewer Barbara & Miguel De Braganca Maxine Hunter & David Newbold Harry T. Ohare Anonymous (8) Molly De Quattro & Morgan Berns Robert & Christine Desan Husson Kathleen Oneill Nancy Anthony & Charles Y. Deknatel John Hyslop John Orenberg Charitable Trust Sidney A. Swensrud Foundation Abby & Jason Demarzo Ernest W. & David Q. & Sandra E. Parks Andrea Atkinson & Chris Lindsay Demarzo Constance E. Johansen Dunja Pechstein & Dirk Sobotka Antonowich Lawrence DiCara Betsy E. Johnson Marlo Pedroso & Ashley Temiin Brad Austin Jean Dorcus Elizabeth G. & Bill Perkins & Mary Battenfeld Sarah Babb & Eddy Torrez William F. Dore Jr. Dr. Douglas C. Johnson Francine Perler Seeta Badrinath & Jeff Dvorin Doreen Drury Laura Johnson & Arthur Rogers Elizabeth Perry & Joshua Goldman Sandra J. Bailey Heidi & Warren Eagles Richard E. & Sandra A. Johnson Ramona Persaud Marjorie Bakken Tom Elke Carole R. Jorgenson Ken and Rebecca Phillips Fund Baldwin Reyering Family Karen & Andrew Epstein Deborah S. Judd Rebecca Pierce Kathryn & Edward Ballard William Erdman & Helen P. Netos Donald P. Kalischer Jason & Katarina Platt Rachel Barbanel-Fried & Sherry Eskin & Mary Lou Kaufman & Li Wigren Hilary Poriss & Christopher Bailey Andrew Salama Matthew DeMarrais Nancy E. Kaufman Van & John Pruitt Peter & Marygrace Barber David Falta Stephen Kay Richard F. & Margaret G. Puffer Robert Barber & Bonnie Neilan Barbara E. Fargo Brian & Jennifer Roberts Keddy Deborah Putnam/Abbot and Barber Family Charitable Fund Jennifer Fleming & Mitja Linss Lorna Keith Dorothy H. Stevens Foundation Christopher Barber & Patrick Fellion & Ellen Kellman & Sarah Swartz Katherine M. Raisz Jessica Lincoln Monica Brookman Barrie Keller Helen Raizen & Kathy MacDonald Matthew & Mindy Barber Jeanne Ferris Scott Kinney William & Pat Rand Nicholas Barber Heidi Fessenden & James Noonan Charles A. Kline Edith Read Peter & Marygrace Barber Devra First & Tim Flynn Pam Kohlberg Margaret Rhodes Ned & Helena Bastille/ Michael & Rebecca Fishbein Christine Kraemer & David T. & Ellen M. Rich Helen Sperry Lea Foundation James M. & Janet B. Fitzgibbons Matthew Major Edward S. & Ann Ritchie Amy Bayer Kate S. Flather Charles & Joan Lanagan R E Roebuck Richard Berne & Susan Schraft Newell and Kate Flather Virginia M. Lawrence Steffanny Rosario Jay & Sarah Berry Erica A. Fletcher & Rob Thacher Vivi & Virginia Leavy Wendy Rush Terrence Bertrand Sandy & Edmund Foley Joan Lebel Lawrence A. Ruttman Andrew & Melissa Birch Marianna Foos Adam Leiterman Karin Sanborn John Boeing Louise L. For d & Nancy Lincoln Dennis Leiterman Emily Safford Colleen Boggs & Gregory Robinson Deanna M. Forist & Lisa Bacon Chris Leonard & Melanie Marcus Danielle & Raymond Santos Nelson & Alice Bolen Rodman K. Forter & Elsa Forter Leonard Levin & Margie Freeman Noah Sawyer & Gigi Kellett Ann Boyajian Lawrence Foster Amy & Charles Light Harriet Scheft & Gail Boyajian Kellie Fournier Susan Lincoln Jonathan Brandon Debbie & Eric Bradlee Hannah & Churchill Franklin Patricia Lindbo Robin K. Schweikart & Julie Brandlen Sarah E. Freeman John & Julie Linehan David Farrington Nannette & William Braucher Gretchen Friend Sue & Paul Lotke David & Jan Seeley Austin & Adriane Brayton Frances Froehlich Donald G. Love & Susan E. Ranney Beverly Shadley Flint Brayton Marion Funkhouser Maggie Lund Deborah Shapiro Leslie Brayton Dozier & Sandy Gardner Mark & Mary Lunsford Klaudia S. Shepard Carla Bregman Alix Garvin & Patrick Young Ann Macomber Robert A. Sherwood & Breitman Family Charitable Fund Elaine Gelinas & Robert Gray Paul Marron Kathleen Emrich Rachel Bricklin Jane Gerry June Martin & Laurie H. Appleby Anne Short Julianna Brody-Fialkin Ernestine A. Gianelly Annelise & Derek Matias Joe Skokowski & Eliza Hoover Peter A. Brooke Lorna Gibson Robert G. & Susan C. Mayer Ruth Slater & Margaret Schafer Betty Brooks Jody & Tom Gill Mary M. McCarthy & Caleb Slotnick David & Deborah Brooks Rebecca Ginzburg & Paul Chen Bonnie Winokar Sherley Smith & Frederic Gardner Susan Bryant Pierre & Mary Jo Giroux Michael L. McCarthy & Vincent & Isabel Smith Alice & Gene Bukhman Alison & Eric Glerum Daphne D. Minner Mary & David Smoyer Joyce Burd Theresa S. Gomes Patricia Mccarthy Lee & Judith Spelke Chris Busch & Carolyn Manning Alison Gottlieb Michael W. & Elisabeth E. McCord Shawne & Jon Spelke Margaret Cain Gordon Grand Catharine Mcgauley Patricia E. Spence Neil & Jody Calabro Patrick & Susan Grant Michael McGlone James A. & Ann C. Stillman Catherine M. Campbell & Deborah Greene The McGuinness Family Judith Stoia Jack W. Orrock Gregg Greenough & John Mclean Karen & Chris Stone Katherine & Avery Catlin Vaughn Waters Claire McManus Joanne Stratton-Mamber Adam Cederbaum & Karen Kwok Kate Gruber Ryann McQuilton Carol T. & Ralph E. Stuart Jr. Constance Cervone & Laura Bragg Hagee Viktoriya & Fausto Menard Dollie Taylor Suttles Janet Deegan Nathaniel Hagee & Katharine E. Merck Alicia Svenson & Matthew Friese Ava Cheloff Laura Bragg Hagee Georgia Metz Charles & Sally Svenson Emily & John Cole Phil Hall Amanda Mezzuti-Quirk & Elizabeth Swanson Dana Comi & Gary W. Denton John & Nancy Hammond Sean Quirk Laura Sweeney Roberta & Peter Conant Kathlyn Hanas Carole Miller & Linda Tucker Diane Syverson Catherine Connolly & Sarah Hancock Fund Jake Miller & Rosalina Pereira David Van Ness Taylor Sander Cohan Clint & Meg Harris Will & Anne Miller Andrew Taylor John & Margaret Connolly Kristina Harrison Joshua L. Miner, IV Kate and Ben Taylor Fund Brian J. Conway Fund Margaretta & Jerry Hausman Phebe S. Miner Elizabeth Tepper Marie & Dennis Corcoran Basia Hellwig Stephen K. Moody & Helen Kraus Ann E Thomas Susan Coppola & Ann Helwege Maggie & Danielle Moore Gretchen & P.J. Thompson Christian Moen David Hero & Karen Sheffler George Moran/Copeland Family Lanny & Anne Thorndike Nancy Cotta Howard Herrin & Foundation, Inc. Mrs. W. Nicholas Thorndike William G. Coughlin Florence Rosenberg Pat & Jim Morris Jayne Trachman

13 2018 Annual Report Boston Nature Center Meredith Twigg Kim Van Dyke Leadership Friends Robert Van Wyck Mark & Sasha Vanderzee Eric L. & Faith Vandusen BNC is pleased to recognize as Leadership Friends the following Lorna Gibson Sven & Rosamond Vaule families and individuals who have, through personal or donor- Robert G. & Susan C. Mayer Soledad Vera & Edwin Perez advised funds, provided leading gifts. The Leadership Friends The McGuinness Family Louis J. & Linda Wagner program recognizes donors who select Mass Audubon as one of Katharine E. Merck Stuart Walker & Thomas Geraty Ken and Rebecca Phillips Fund Sandra L. Anderson & their top philanthropic priorities. Those listed below have desig- Deborah Putnam/Abbot and Margaret Wallace nated all or part of their annual operating, program, or capital Dorothy H. Stevens Foundation David & Anna Mary Wallace fund support during the past fiscal year to BNC. Margaret Rhodes Nicholas Washienko Robin K. Schweikart & Liz Nelson Weaver & David Weaver Mary T. & S. James Adelstein Kate S. Flather David Farrington Marlene Weinstein Charitable Trust Dozier & Sandy Gardner Sherley Smith & Frederic Gardner Emily Wheeler Lee Albright Jody & Tom Gill/Palace Head Mary & David Smoyer Kathi Whitaker Nancy Anthony/Sidney A. Foundation Lee & Judith Spelke Kathy Whittier Swensrud Foundation Pierre & Mary Jo Giroux Shawne & Jon Spelke Jodie Wigren Sandra L. Anderson & Amos B. & Barbara Hostetter David Van Ness Taylor Robin Wilkerson & Steve Atlas Margaret Wallace Betsy E. Johnson Elizabeth Tepper/Bernard Resnick Kristin M. Wilson Peter & Marygrace Barber Elizabeth G. & Dr. Douglas C. Education Fund Linda Wilson Nelson & Alice Bolen Johnson Lanny & Anne Thorndike Catherine Wolf & John Doench Gail Boyajian Richard E. & Sandra A. Johnson Sven & Rosamond Vaule Dorothy Woodward Jonathan Brandon & Donald P. Kalischer Liz Nelson Weaver & David Weaver Gerald Wright Harriet Scheft Stephen Kay/Aquidneck Sima Zacharek & Anya Marshall Carla Bregman Foundation Jerrold & Linda Zindler Peter A. Brooke Lorna Keith Richard & Karen Zuppardi Betty Brooks Pam Kohlberg Baldwin Reyering Family Virginia M. Lawrence Catherine M. Campbell & Joan Lebel Jack W. Orrock Mark & Mary Lunsford Peter H. Creighton Ann Macomber/George Macomber Modestino & Nancy Criscitiello Family Charitable Gift Fund Kathleen Emrich & Louise L. Ford & Nancy Lincoln Robert A. Sherwood Sarah E. Freeman

In-Kind Donors Institutional Funders

Allendale Farm Abbot and Dorothy H. Stevens Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation B C Tent & Awning Foundation Energy Consumers Alliance of Norel Service Company, Inc. Bantam Cider Company Advent School New England Northstar Mechanical, Inc. Berkshire Brewing Company Albright Foundation Trust Newell and Kate Flather Palace Head Foundation Cathy Campbell & Jack Orrock Alger Brook Fund Feinberg, Campbell & Zack P.C. Paul and Edith Babson Foundation Clown Shoes Beer Aquidneck Foundation Feldman Land Surveyors Quaker Hill Foundation Down the Road Arbor Day Foundation Garden Club of the Back Bay, Inc. Southeast Regional Planning and Gunn Design, LLC/Martha Heath Atlantic Heating & Harold Whitworth Pierce Economic Planning Honest Tea Air Conditioning Charitable Trust Summer Fund Ipswich Ale Beacon Hill Garden Club Harry and Edith Katz Charitable Tufts Health Plan Foundation J.P. Licks Blue Cross Blue Shield of Foundation United Technologies John Brooke Mass, Inc. Sigmund E. and Wheelock College KIND bars Boston Committee of the Barbara B. Herzstein Fund Willow Tree Fund Newburyport Brewing Company Garden Club of America King Mountain Foundation noosa yoghurt Bright Funds Foundation King Open School North Country River Rafting Building Impact Thomas H. Lee Management Patagonia Burning Stump Company, LLC REI co-op E & L Campbell Family Foundation Lesley University Rising Tide Brewing Company Cambridge Plant and Garden Club Loring Wolcott & Coolidge The Cedar Street Foundation Charitable Trust Children's Investment Fund George Macomber Family Copeland Family Foundation, Inc. Charitable Gift Fund

Leading Institutional Supporters

BNC extends special thanks to the following foundations, businesses, organizations, and government agencies for their We have made every effort to generous leadership support for the full range of BNC’s youth, acknowledge donors accurately. family, and community educational programs and conservation If we have made an error or initiatives. omitted your name, please accept our sincere apologies Arbor Day Foundation Josephine and Louise Crane Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge and contact Janet Boswell at Beacon Hill Garden Club Foundation Charitable Trust Blue Cross Blue Shield of Fineberg, Campbell & Zack P.C. Helen Sperry Lea Foundation (617) 983-8500 ext. 6922 with Mass, Inc. Garden Club of the Back Bay George Macomber Family the correction. Thank you. Boston Committee of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Charitable Gift Fund Garden Club of America Foundation Harold Whitworth Pierce E & L Campbell Family Foundation Sigmund E. and Barbara B. Charitable Trust The Cedar Street Foundation Herzstein Fund Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation Children's Investment Fund Thomas H. Lee Management Willow Tree Fund Copeland Family Foundation, Inc. Company, LLC

Boston Nature Center 2018 Annual Report 14 Boston Nature Center Staff

Amir Abdulrahman, Property Worker, Hyde Park Kim Baker, Camp Director, Teacher Naturalist, West Roxbury Janet Boswell, Director of Development, Winchester Julie Brandlen, Anne and Peter Brooke Director, Jamaica Plain Darcy Brown, Preschool Teacher, West Roxbury Olivia Caffrey, Lead Preschool Teacher, Roslindale Lauryn Cannon, Lead Preschool Teacher, Roslindale Caitlin Palm, Preschool Teacher, Jamaica Plain Melanie Gárate, Teacher Naturalist/Coastal Water Bird Educator, Jamaica Plain Chelsea Gutierrez, Teacher Naturalist, North Attleboro Megan Harrington, Preschool Teacher, Roslindale Claire Harris, Preschool Director, Dorchester Hilary Johansen, Lead Preschool Teacher, Weymouth Timothy Juba, Caretaker, Mattapan Erin Kelly, Education Manager, West Roxbury Adam Leiterman, Teacher Naturalist, Roxbury Juan Matos, Property Worker, Roslindale Mike McWade, Property Manager, Milton Zaskya Perez, Office Manager, Jamaica Plain Kaleen Rodriguez, Lead Preschool Teacher, Milton Malika Walker, Dorchester Sanctuary Committee “The experience of exploring Rosemary Anderson, Norwood and learning about the world and Laurie Appleby, West Roxbury Catherine Campbell, Roslindale each other through nature has Bob Fleming, Hyde Park Sandy Foley, Jamaica Plain provided a rich and nourishing Nate Hagee, Clerk, Roslindale Martha Heath, Jamaica Plain environment for my daughter to Jocelyn Heywood, Chair, Randolph Maria Higgins, Mattapan grow and develop. Orion Kriegman, Jamaica Plain ” Hilary Marcus, Jamaica Plain Michelle de Tarnowsky – Parent to Frankie (Curious Crickets) Jim McGuinness, Boston Vivian Ortiz, Mattapan Bill Perkins, Vice Chair, Jamaica Plain Charlene Ross, Boston Pat Spence, Dorchester Meg Wallace, Rockport

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