Friends of Five Rivers • Annual Report 2018-2019 Annual Report 2018-2019

Friends of Five Rivers • 56 Game Farm Rd • Delmar, NY 12054 www.FriendsofFiveRivers.org • (518) 475-0295 • [email protected]

Friends Staff FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

Joanne Macklin Executive Director Last November, I attended the Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. It is a gathering of the Guided School Program (GSP) Volunteer Nancy Conway Instructors, Volunteer Center Greeters, Friends staff, Five Program Director Rivers Environmental Education Center staff and guests.

Nancy Payne Photos from the past had shown me that it was likely to be a Environmental festive event, full of good cheer. But it was much more than a Educator holiday party at the workplace. It was exceptional, not simply for the sharing of food and conversation but for what came Carolyn Dunn after the meal. Development Coordinator A program had been planned. The theme was "sharing something very important to

you." The moving presentations included tales of a family history project, works of art, an oral memoir and a musical remembrance of a marriage proposal made decades ago. Board of Directors As I observed, it was clear to me that this group of volunteers are very much like a 2018-2019 family -- so close that they willingly and proudly shared their unique traits that our staff Paula Read has fostered. I witnessed ease and trust along with a collaboration of working and President learning together - and it all began with an interest in advancing the mission of Meagan Mazzarino environmental education at Five Rivers. Vice President The spirit of trust and cooperation is not unique to the volunteers gathered on that Dan Berry gloomy November day. The Friends' partnerships with the staff of the Environmental Treasurer Education Center is another example of accomplishing the mission together. Ingrid Sorensen Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish "who's doing what?" while producing successful Secretary educational programs. Trust and cooperation is what makes special events like the

Maple Saturdays or the Fall Festival or the Amazing Race happen, too. Becky Beiter Barbara Coon You, members and donors, are the foundation of this community. Your membership Larry Eckhaus provides the financial building blocks for making our work of advancing environmental Bob Greenman education possible. With your support, we have reached out further to welcome new Stephanie Maes members. We've added new volunteer Greeters to support initiatives by the Center Larry Naviasky staff. And you’ll discover by reading on, that with your support we’ve strengthened Chip Reynolds and added to our programs. Please accept our sincerest thanks! Andrea Ricard

Friends of Five Rivers • Annual Report 2018-2019 FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOANNE MACKLIN

2019 has flown by so quickly. The Friends of Five Rivers have had a very successful year. The tremendous support from our members and the community has provided over 5,000 students of all ages the opportunity to participate in our environmental education adventures.

We are so grateful to our local funders for sharing our vision that helped us expand our Guided School Program and administrative staff. Thanks to Parks & Trails NY for the grant funding to hire our new Outreach and Development Coordinator, Carolyn Dunn. We also welcomed an additional staff member, Alex Garrigan-Piela, as an Environmental Educator.

The Family Fun Program, a seasonal program for children and their guardians brought over 300 children and adults to Five Rivers this past year. The children and adults had an opportunity to explore our ecosystems and identify insects and more. These outdoor adventures will leave lasting impressions on every participant. Our goal has been, and will continue to be, to provide those lasting memories.

We are very thankful for the hard work that our volunteers that helped to provide a wonderful experience for visitors of Five Rivers. Our annual volunteer awardees this year are Maggie Moehringer, Community Volunteer; Mike Medvesky, Environmental Educator; and Henry Bievenue, Young Environmentalist. We are seeking additional volunteers who are interested in Board & Committee Service, Greeters for the Visitors’ Center and Guided School Program Instructors. All those roles are critical to our mission. Please reach out to us if you are looking to make an impact. Members & Volunteers To express our appreciation for the committed group of donors who have Current Members: 525 remembered Friends of Five Rivers in their estate plan, we have established Friends of Five Rivers Legacy Society. Members of this special group share the New Members: 57 common bond of philanthropy and vision to provide for the future of environmental education at Five Rivers. We invite you to join with others who Volunteer Hours: 9,500 share your passion for learning in nature. For more information, visit our website, www.FriendsOfFiveRivers.org.

Please consider sharing your stories and photos of your visits to Five Rivers with us via email or Facebook. Be sure to follow us on Instagram too! (@FriendsofFiveRivers) We would love to hear from you. Thank you for your generous support, which makes our programming possible.

FROM OUR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM DIRECTOR, NANCY CONWAY Guided School Program (GSP) A Guided School Program lesson begins as a group of individuals who may or may not know why they are here and ends as a buzzing community of learners who do not want to leave. This magical transformation occurs when nature calls to us and we respond. When a butterfly alights on a flower, we are compelled to take a closer look. When a cicada trills from the woods, we give ourselves the gift of time to search out its location. When an acorn peaks out of a hole in the path, we collect clues and imagine how the acorn ended up there. We spend time together in nature, bonding with the environment and with one another. During a spring lesson this year, two boys found not only tracks but also their voices in the orchard. The boys, both English Language Learners (ELL), spoke rapidly in broken English while pointing at the tracks and bounding about like fawns. They led the group in discovering the deer’s path and left their teacher speechless. She had never seen them so animated, engaged, and vocal. The boys had been nearly silent all school year, but today nature called to them and they were compelled to answer.

Friends of Five Rivers • Annual Report 2018-2019 This year 3,402 children and 960 adult chaperones spent time bonding in nature while on Guided School Program lessons. For over forty years, GSP has connected children and adults with nature. If you haven’t yet had the chance to take part in a lesson, be sure to give us a call. We would be happy to head afield with you! 2018-2019 Highlights of Educational Programs The new Advanced Maples lesson designed for 3rd through 5th graders could barely keep up with the sap flow this year! Over 240 students and 55 chaperones took part in this two-hour in-depth study of sap creation and syrup production. Hands-on investigation of living roots, stalks, and leaves unlocks the mystery of photosynthesis while time in the Woodlot and Sugar Shack exposes the sap to syrup process. Yum! Talk n’ Trek continues to gain speed with our adult learners. Comparable to a H.I.L.L. class without the classroom, Talk and Trek participants go afield to study a wide variety of topics. Thisfall’s five-week session spent time on wildflowers, mushrooms, grasses and leaves and their uses to the homesteaders. Honeybee programming continues to grow with one day classes offered in both July and August. We become acquainted with Apis mellifera through specimen observation and activities before suiting up to inspect one of our three hives. The day concludes with the sampling of honey and the sharing of our experience. New Comers School brought 86 children living in the United States for less than a year to GSP lessons over the summer. This experience broadened the children’s knowledge of their new home and lessening their fears of the outdoors. The days also provided instructors the opportunity to enhance their teaching skills and to know that what they are doing is extremely valuable in our ever-changing world. Program Needs YOU! No resume needed. If you or someone you know enjoys the outdoors and would like to share your enthusiasm with children, please contact the Director of Environmental Education Programs, Nancy Conway at [email protected]. All are welcome. If you have an idea for a program or for a lesson you’d like to see offered, please stop in for a chat. While things are literally hopping in our neck of the woods, you are always welcome! Volunteer Experience “My kids are all grown-up and grandchildren still very young. Keeping in touch with children of multiple ages and seeing nature through their eyes is inspiring. They hold nothing back and it always makes me look again to see what I have missed. This is also a place that I find that I always learn something new each time I come to training or teach a lesson. They say we are never too old to learn something new, instructing these classes does that for me. “– Barb

Friends of Five Rivers • Annual Report 2018-2019 Friends of Five Rivers, 56 Game Farm Rd., Delmar, NY 12054 FriendsofFiveRivers.org Follow us on:

Financial Position for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019 Guided School Program • Family Fun Programs • Talk n’Trek • Honeybees & Beekeeping March Maples Earth Day Fall Festival• Birdseed Fundraiser •Center Greeters • Volunteer Instructors • Land Protection Advocates • Internships The corporation’s independent accountant review report for FY 2018-2019 is available upon request. Net Assets for FY 2018-2019: $277,701 (2017-2018: $278,267) Financial Data from Federal 990 Tax Return

THANK YOU! Our mission is supported by the generosity of our funders, donors, volunteers and partners. We are appreciative of your ongoing support of environmental education. Friends of Five Rivers Tax ID: 23-7309978

Our 650+ friends listed below have made financial contributions above $10 from October 2018-October 2019. Many more contributed their time. We are truly grateful!

$1,000+ Prakken Smolinsky Family Lewis Cornelius Family Dan & Mary Berry Paula Read Charles & Judith Lynch James Suozzo Repass-Rodgers Family Fnd Joseph Macfarlane Fred Rudofsky Megan Mactavish Sorensen Reynolds Family David Maines $500+ Carolyn Steadman Jayne Maloney Thomas Bailey Ann Stewart Kyoskii Mansfield Boulos Family Fund Angela Stritt Marshall & Sterling Insurance Cindy Carlstead Craig Thompson Suzanne Mason James Conde Fred Ulrich Matthew Sweeney Family Dean M. Graham Foundation Claudia Verga Edward Mayer David Hamilton Arlen Westbrook Meagan Mazzarino John Lawrence Paul Wing Brian & Diana McCarthy James & Joanne Macklin Paul & Jacque McGinn MVP Health Care McIntosh Benzing Family Nickles Family $100+ Jim & Marti McSharry Raymond James & Associates David & Deborah Anderson McSharry & Associates Realty James Sandman Anderson Buckman Family Mike & Mary Medvesky United Tree Service Richard Bader Linda Mertz Don & Rhoda Ballou Meuwissen Family Ballou Family Edward Miles $200+ Rebecca Beiter Miller Family Cat Adlerman Sitzer Family Bethlehem Garden Club Mirabelli Family Armand & Ilse Baker Carol Butt Vince & Maggie Moehringer Debra Bausback, DMD Paul & Maureen Cagino Bruce and Denise Molino Richard and Carolyn Beiter John & Debra Carson J. Michael Naughton Bethlehem High Environmental Cheever Sommer Family Adalgisa Nucci Club Crossroads Ford Nugent Family Laura Bierman Davenport Family William O'Connor Guthie & Susan Birkhead Patricia DeCamp Laura Paris Buenau's Opticians Michelle DePace Kenneth Peek Barbara Coon Daniel Diamond Petiet Family Delehanty Family Eckhaus Family Nancy Pierson Deyss Family Ann Ellery Ploussard Pettie Family Joan & Carl Ekengren Teresa Fontaine Read & Singletary Family Patricia Fahy Janice Fontanella Read Daus Family James & Harriet Fogarty Garden Study Club of Albany Red Maple Land Services Fogarty Smith Family Hanley Family Janet Reilly Four Corners Pharmacy Ellen Harootunian Karina Ricker Robert Greenman Nancy Harrigan Rosmarin Plattner Family Guinn Family Brianna Harrington Janet Rowe Haaf Family Heinzen Strizich Family Linda Samson Donald Hernandez Clifford & Deborah Hendler Sanders Family Kelly Family Tom & Nanci Hoffman Charles & Nancy Scholes Donald & Martha Kennedy Huta Family Geoffrey Serfilippi John Kent Inderhees Foss Family Bill Sharp John Knight JBS & Associates Ted Shaw Richard & Rebecca Langer Jordan Murray Family Julie Sheridan Liebschutz Family J. Edward Kautz Victor Shimkin Nussbaum Family Keitel Family Skylands Services Ray Perry Kieval Family Sokoler Family Tim & Ellen Pierce Kristen Komak Soleau Family Susan Plank Kristen Kuhn Eric and Maria Spooner Policy Research Associates Nicole Lenihan Steve & Jean Stevenson Sharon Poole Julie Levin Carla Suna Taft Family Davidson Family Karen Jacobs Thomson Family De Paz Family Harriet Jaffe Melanie Trimble Linda Delfs Janeczko Family Brenda Unright Delmar Custom Tailor & Sewing Jonas Family Norine Vancans Supplies Judge Family Velvis Family Brian Devane Kaltenborn Family Volk Family Erik & Kristine Deyoe Kamenir Family Margaret Zettle Doody Family Patricia Kane Joyce Zucker Dorgan Family Anna Kaufman Doyle Family Kelleher Family Jim Drake Robert Kelly $50+ Drapeau Family Koch Pfeiffer Family Skip & Betty Albright Duncan Family Koval-Curiale Family Anderson Family Gerald & Joanne Dunn Ronald Kozilski Judith Avitabile Steven & Carolyn Dunn Kuhne Family Bangert-Drowns Family Mary Duryea Kuhrs Dudek Family Beebe Johnson Family Easton Family Kundel Family Keith Bennett Elliott Family Peter Kurz Ron Berger Elliott Mierrock Family Lacey Bendorf Family Berkesy Family Erling Colafati Family Laiosa Family Paul Berry Ewart Family Lehman Family Bethlehem Democratic Committee Norm & Marilyn Fancher Allan Lindsay Bethlehem Lion's Club Michael Fasullo Lobel Family Bingham Family Fellows Mehlum Family LoGiudice Burnell Family Susan Bishop Stephanie Ferrill Lowenfels Redler Family Gary Blose Fleischner Lewis Family Lydia Loy-Santelli Blumkin Family Frances Franke Nancy Luther Jane Bonavita Grace Franze Madancy Kennedy Family Botta Family Mary Freeman Maes Rossi Family Steve & Kym Bowman Barbara Frey Claire Malone Dennis & Pat Boyagian Brad and Mary Frey Alan Mapes Brand Family Fried Family Steven & Joan Martin Wendy Brandow Ronald Friedman Tim Martin Braun Family Miles Garfinkel Martin Family Brazis-Eberle Family Teresa Gehrer Adrienne Mazeau Neil Brown Karen Glesmann Tony McManus Browne Family Goldstein Family Meade Skotnes Family Kathleen Bryden Felice Gordis Meany Roosa Family Bunch Pastena Family Gosda Family Meixner Family Karen Cardamone Ron Greenberg Merriman & Pfeister Gifts Jonathan Carp Lois Griffin Ursula Mertz Donna Castellani Guilzon Family Ellen Messina Cavallo Thomson Family Carl Gutman Meyer Family Anneke Chodan Denise Hackert-Stoner Craig & Sandra Miller Clarke Family Hahn Zollo Family Nancy & Ray Miller Randal & Athena Coburn Karin Harcotullio Jane Mitchell Coles Family Ann Harrison Deborah Moon Collins & Son Inc. Joseph Hart Ellen Morosoff Pemrick Mary Comley Hathaway Pezzulo Family Robert Mulligan William & Judy Conine Herr Family Dave Munro Mr. & Mrs. Jack Conroy Anthony Hinman Kate Murray Sarah Corcione Howell Family Cynthia Najdowski Covert-Jones Family Alice Howes Nashak Kilroe Family Steve & Connie Craner Ed Imparato Larry Naviasky Cronin Family Robert Imparato NYS AB of PEO Sisterhood Tom Cunningham Andrea Indelicato David & Angie Newell Cunningham Miller Family Kitt Jackson Sigrin Newell Cusack and Company CPA's Jackson Family Deborah Nickles Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Okoniewski Turi Family Nancy Calkins John O'Leary Tweedie Family Bill Cliff Pam Otis Bonnie Unser Robert Conklin Lynn Paradowski John Van Stone Virginia Cook Parsons Family Vaughan Family Annie Cosgrove Walter Peterson Karen Vecchione Mark Cotch Peyrebrune Family Verma-Dahlkemper Family Anne Crawford Rita Pickett John VonDaacke Denise Crisafulli MaryAnne & Bob Pollack Michael Walsh Susan Cromer Pratt & Associates Walsh Family Ann D'Attilio Richard & Barbara Preisman Weatherby Family Ingrid Davis Presbyterian Church New Scotland Lois Webb Dawson Family Nicole Privitera Mary Ellen Weber Delmar Chiropractic Office Stephen Prudente Weber Family Susan D'Entremont Jean Quattrocchi Wolfgang Wehmann John Dewitt Reichinann Clary Family Weinstein Family Stephanie Donnaruma Rhodes Family Josh Weinstock B. Donnelly Andrea Ricard Kathy Witherspoon Nancy Doran-Hite Joan Richardson Edelgard Wulfert Judy Douglas Richardson Family Samuel Youmans John Dupier Charles Riedel Youngblood Family Seth Edelman Mary Robinson Christine Zemsky Wini Eisan Rodrigues Sundram Family Elizabeth Zwink Eric Eisenstein Elisabeth Ruthman Sandra Zwink John Eldred Rutkowski Family Wallace Elton Sasso McSharry Family Margaret Farrell Richard & Beth Saunders 25+/- Cindy Ferrari Cristina Scheid Mitch Abolafia Carole Ferraro Monika & Erasmus Schneider Virginia Acquario Judy Fruiterman Kalin & Jeff Scott Marcia Adams Christine Galvin Sevenzocks Margaret Addeo Susan Ann Garrison Shatsoff Family Sandra Albrecht Laura Garrison Miller Francis Sheehan Gary Anderson Thomas Gebhardt Jim & Rose Sherin Reba Architzel Marjorie Geiger Sherman Family Armentano Family Katherine George Shubert Family Fran Arthur Gerhard Family Larry & Kathy Skinner Tom & Sheila Baker Gerou Family Sarah Slingerland Susan Ball Anik Gibeau Nancy Smith Barber Gillette Family Giordano Family Nancy & Ted Smith Nicholas Barr Joni Goldberg Starbuck & Anna Smith Brea Barthel Sonja Goodwin Smith Family Kathy Bartow Cassandra Gordon Sofko Family Barbara Bave Elaine Granato Spevack Family Karen Beck Tom Hallenbeck Larry Steele Anita Behn Hallenbeck Family Stern Family Christine Berbrick Lois Halton Stevens Family Janet Betlejeski Tammy Hammes Stevens Family Jane Bewsher Kathleen Hanley Straut Family Louise Birkhead Harris Family Frank Strickler Barbar Blumberg Hartz Beeche Family Strominger Family Genny Boehlke Margaret Hasselwander Stutzman Family Paul Buist Patricia Hayes Swanson Ferrera Family Jeff Bull Virginia Hayes David Szelest Mike & Kate Burgess Beverly Heineman Tafilowski Family Maurice Burke Held Family Page Tomlinson Robert & Jean Burns Charles Hendler Inga Tomson Nancy Buxton Herbert Hennings Turcotte Gore Family Calabrese Family Craig Henrikson Marcia Hermann Carole Nemore Audrey Watson Hessberg Family Oden Family Isabelle Welter Horan Family Melissa Palmer Denis Whalen Caroline Horton Diana Pane Carol White Hurley Family Burnetta Parker Charmaine Wijeyesinghe Diana Isen Peek Family Donald Wilkens Eric Jerabek Nancy Perl Wirth Family Mary Johnson Marilyn Peterson Barbara Wood Meghan Johnson Bob Pettie Paul Wood Carolyn Jonientz Erika Popolla Young Family Patricia Jordan Mary Ann Prendergast Lillian Julian Richard Price Kane Lekakis Family Patricia Prindle Tuula Karabin Marianne Purcell Judi Kavaney Ruth Rauche Suzanne Keiffer Patricia Renna John Keith William Reynolds Maureen Kennedy-Raqule Nadine Righmyer Beth Kiernan Donna Riley King Family Thomas Ritz Tam Kistler Rockefeller Family Bruce Knoll Phyllis Rockmael Betty Koban Ed & Margo Rosen Boris & Marina Korenblum Austin Saddlemire Kathleen Korycinski Gaye Sagar Beatrice Kovasznay Mary Schaffer Diane Krawiscki Scheror Family Lili Krech Maria Schollenberger Anne Kuppinger Martha Schroeder Kwiatkowski Family Ann & Forrest Schucker Ann Lapinski Pat Schwartz Scott Laraway Mary Scott Judy Larkin Saul Seinberg Lynne Lenhardt Gabriela Sherer Leonard Family Eileen Shirey Joseph Lloyd Cynthia Shultz Judith Lott Charles Silberman Betty Lubitz Christine Silk Amy Ludik Barbara Ann Smith Rose-Ellen Luther Bonnie Smith Mary Malloy Elizabeth Smith Frances Martino George Smith Celena Matsen Jean Somerville Mary Ann Matthews Carol Stenger Susan Matthews Katherine Storms Carol Mattozza Valerie Strauss Meg Maurer Diana Strnisa Luanne McCarthy Andrew & Kathleen Sullivan McGowan Family Margaret Sullivan Jessica McMullan Michele Tarso Marianne Mead Tierney Family Bruce Mereness Virginia Traver Donna Minassian Gregory Turner Ronald Montesi Elizabeth Vandercar Mia Morosoff Ann VanDervort Francis Murray Richard Vertigan Linda Neil Alan & Barbara Via Trammell Neill Maurice & Shelley Walsh