Annual Update 2024

Nature At Your Doorstep

Dear Friend,

Since 1959, the Rye Nature Center has been a cornerstone of our community’s commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship. What began as a vision to preserve Rye’s natural beauty has remained steadfast. Today, the Nature Center is the place where we connect with the natural world, take action on environmental issues, and build a resilient, thriving community.

In 2024 alone, we will have shared over 46,000 nature experiences with community members—deepening their understanding of the world around us and inspiring the next generation of environmental advocates.

Our history of civic engagement runs deep. From our roots when we were called the Rye Conservation Society to the contributions of individuals and groups like the Conservation Commission Advisory Council (CC/AC), countless people have left their mark here. This spring, the CC/AC’s junior commissioner, Ella Froah, established a new pollinator area in the preserve—a testament to the legacy of giving back and creating anew at the Nature Center.

This is also a place of leisure and restoration. Whether you come for a hike, a quiet moment in the woods, or one of our programs, the 47 acres
offer peace and refuge to everyone. But we can’t do this without
your support.

Offering these experiences and protecting this beautiful preserve —
this is your legacy in the Nature Center’s history. Your donation to
Friends of Rye Nature Center today will ensure that our programs can continue to inspire and educate, our conservation efforts can grow, and our community can keep enjoying this special place for generations to come.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community’s ongoing story of conservation and stewardship.

Warm Regards,

Christine Siller
Executive Director

Strategic Plan Progress

Our Strategic Plan addresses the evolving needs of our growing community, focusing on education and stewardship. In 2024, FRNC made significant progress on four key priorities to stay aligned with our vision for a sustainable future. We are committed to protecting the Rye Nature Center’s lasting legacy, overcoming barriers to nature access, fostering a lifelong connection to nature through innovative programs, and ensuring safe, well-maintained grounds for visitors.

A Forest that Fosters Community

Program Priority: Promote our 47 vacres as the community's space for recreation and conservation education. Inspire all people to protect the forest and invest in its health.

Actions Taken: We were proud to offer four different speaker workshops throughout 2024. Key conservation topics like composting, pollinators, microforests, and flood resiliency were addressed by our speakers and staff.

Nature Must Be Accessible

Program Priority: Develop more opportunities to engage and educate those in our community and beyond through updated programs with a focus on accessibility.

Actions Taken: In 2024, we significantly increased financial assistance for local campers, providing 42 weeks of camp, including our Paddle Adventure Camp for middle and high schoolers. We sent our NatureStation to Mount Vernon for one week of interactive learning for students

Programs for Every Generation

Program Priority: Ensure our program reach touches all ages. Create segmented educational opportunities for senior citizens, teachers, adults, families, and students.

Actions Taken: With support from the Rye Fund for Education, FRNC collaborated with 242 seventh graders from the Rye City School District. This spring, they studied the migration patterns of the American eel, participating in field studies at the Nature Center to count eels in the Blind Brook and share their insights with our Forest Preschoolers.

Facilities for Our Future

Program Priority: FRNC provides a safe and enjoyable environment for programs and visitors by managing the grounds and buildings to support our growth and mission. We also plan and construct relevant capital projects to enhance this experience.

Actions Taken: Notable improvements this past year include the creation of an interactive trail map (accessible by smartphone) and renovation of the well-loved kitchen in the Carriage House. Through a generous grant from Con Edison, we updated and enhanced our Educational Garden.

Our Impact by the Numbers

  • 1,521

    Volunteer Hours

  • 7,657

    School & Scout Participants

  • 8,500

    Hikers & Visitors

  • 46,509

    Patrons Served

Annual “Touches”

FRNC’s total impact has increased by about 50% since 2019. In 2024, FRNC has delivered over 46,000 nature experiences to our community, with approximately 60% of participation coming from the City of Rye. Public and recreational programs as well as our Forest School offerings are where the majority of our impact resides.

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Conservation Corner

Invasive Species Removal Partnership

FRNC aims to eradicate the invasive and opportunistic species from the forest. As part of this initiative, in addition to the regular maintenance by our conservation team and volunteers, FRNC enlisted a group from the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management Strike Force and Trail Crew. This team of invasive species experts focused on eliminating Japanese stilt grass and Japanese wisteria from one acre of the forest.

Floating Island Initiative

In an effort to enhance our local ecosystems, the conservation team introduced a small floating island at Nanderwhere Pond. The goal of this experiment is to boost flowering plants for pollinators while minimizing deer access. As the plants grow, they cover the island’s base, which has quickly become a favorite hiding spot for frogs and toads. The island is tethered with a rope, allowing students to pull it in for observation without disturbing the habitat.

Combating Spotted Lanterflies

The conservation team prepared multiple strategies to stop the spread of another season of Spotted Lanternflies. A Rye High School student helped install traps on our Trees of Heaven which have caught over 6,000 Lanternflies to date.

Blind Brook Restoration

Since 2022, FRNC has worked with environmental engineering firm Barton & Loguidice (B&L) to assess, design, plan, and permit a restoration of the 1,660-foot stretch of the Blind Brook located at the Nature Center. This project is funded through a grant from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, Long Island Stewardship Fund, and Westchester Community Foundation.

B&L are leading the design and permitting process with input from the City’s leadership team and FRNC. As the designs are finalized, the project will proceed through all necessary commissions and authorities for permitting. The main goals of this restoration are:

  • Stabilize the eroding streambanks and thus decrease the sediment load. Currently, 228 tons of sediment enter the Brook and Long Island Sound from this area each year.

  • Protect the entry bridge’s footings by reducing the channel’s velocity during flood events.

  • Restore habitat and biodiversity through enhanced wetland and tree plantings.

We are excited about the impact this restoration will have on the Long Island Sound as well as the Nature Center. We anticipate a project completion date around Summer 2026.

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Our Financials

Fiscal Year 2023, which ended on December 31, 2023, marked the fourteenth consecutive year that FRNC has operated with a balanced budget. The year-end net income for 2023 was $215,807.

As fiduciary stewards of the organization's assets, the board and management staff of FRNC understand that responsible fiscal management is a critical obligation to the Nature Center, its donors, and the community. FRNC’s President, Treasurer, and Executive Director are committed to maintaining internal control over financial reporting. They have implemented controls to ensure that reporting is both accurate and reliable. This report was prepared after the FY 2023 annual audit process.

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Creating the Next Generation of Leaders and Environmentalists

FRNC is proud to offer programs that train and inspire the next generation of conservation-minded individuals. Through seasonal jobs and internships, we provide local high school and college students with hands-on opportunities to gain practical skills and environmental knowledge.

This past summer, between May and August, we employed 39 students, provided 15 volunteer experiences, and offered 10 internships. Participants worked across two key areas — our conservation team and summer camp education staff — each gaining valuable but distinct experiences.

Students working with the conservation team took part in field study work that is critical to our Habitat Management Plan. They developed skills in field research and data collection, native vs. invasive species identification, and ecological awareness. These skills result in an understanding of the importance of habitat preservation and biodiversity in our local environment.

Our summer camp educators had a unique opportunity to gain experience in environmental education, as well as essential professional skills, including effective communication, leadership, conflict resolution, safety practices, and time management.

Together, these experiences provide students with practical career skills and a deepened commitment to environmental stewardship. By cultivating an appreciation for nature and teaching valuable job skills, FRNC’s seasonal employment programs ensure that the next generation is prepared to protect our environment and contribute positively to society.