Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Nature Connect
2023-24
Letter From Riverbend’s Leadership
People want time in nature!
Looking back at the past 18 months, Riverbend’s rapid growth has been driven by requests from educators, parents, and community partners all seeking ways to get people outdoors.
Our programs address multiple urgent needs:
- Relief from mental health challenges
- Preparing students for STEM careers
- Enhancing education for children in low-resource neighborhoods
- Strategies for adapting to our changing climate
- Protecting the natural resources that sustain all life
Your support–through charitable donations and volunteerism–helped Riverbend grow from teaching 700 children in 2021 to a whopping 8,000+ in 2023!
But we’re not done growing.
We invite you to join us in building the region’s biggest and best-trained staff of environmental educators, ready to meet the region’s need for reconnecting with our most fundamental teacher: Mother Earth.
With gratitude,
Erin Reilly & Bryan Franey
Executive Director & Board Chairperson
Award-Winning Program For Educators
Since its inception in 2018, the Community of Practice program has evolved into a dynamic platform for Teacher Professional Development, equipping public school educators with the skills, knowledge, and network to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
We are proud that the program received the 2024 Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators' (PAEE) Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE) Partner of Excellence Award. This award recognizes the program in Pennsylvania which best exemplifies quality watershed education in schools this year. Funding for this program has been provided by the Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education Grants Program. Learn More Here!
Teaching STEM in Nature
A key component of the program is providing science educators with the tools to integrate environmental education into their curricula. Our monthly professional development sessions cover a wide range of workshops led by local environmental education partners, boosting educator content knowledge in four subject areas: watersheds, birds, native plants, and composting/waste. These sessions ensure that participants receive up-to-date and relevant information.
The program culminates with each participating classroom completing an earth action project. Projects this year included:
- Litter clean-ups and school education campaigns
- Pollinator garden planning
- A courtyard makeover for butterflies
- Attracting birds through schoolyard enhancements including the addition of native plants, bird baths, feeders
- Native plant additions to the schoolyard and lessons for Kindergarten students delivered by 4th graders
Success Stories and Impact
“It was so helpful to have Riverbend Educators to bounce ideas off of. Their expertise allowed for my professional development. It was helpful to hear from other teachers in the region; their ideas were helpful and inspiration for myself."
- Ann Marie McDonald, 4th grade teacher at Whitehall Elementary School, Norristown
Educators who have completed the program reported increased confidence in their ability to teach environmental topics and greater student engagement. Many go on to implement sustainability initiatives, develop outdoor learning spaces, and lead environmental projects on their schoolyards.
Equitable Access to Education
- 50% of Riverbend’s total education program visits provide direct instruction to children in Title I schools.
- 100% of the Educators in Community of Practice work in low-resource, Title I schools.
- 2023: 14 Educators enrolled from 10 schools
- 2024: 19 Educators enrolled from 11 schools
Looking Ahead
Community of Practice teachers will carry Riverbend’s pedagogical tools forward to thousands of students for years to come. By continuing to invest in Educators, we empower them to inspire their students and foster a lifelong love of the environment.
Summer Camp at Riverbend
The Home Of Free Play In Nature
Summer Camp has been the Main Line's home for nature exploration and fun for 42 years. Recently, recognizing the scarcity of local nature camps, we have expanded to two other locations, The Wetherill School and The McKaig Nature Center. The Riverbend Experience is unlike any other, from our skilled Riverbend educators who guide campers in nature exploration through hikes, stream-stomping, bug-catching, and adventure to the beautiful and diverse landscapes they explore.
As we always say, we hope each camper leaves dirtier than when they arrived.
Water and Woods
The Riverbend Preserve allows for a unique experience on our 30-acre preserve settled right in the heart of Gladwyne. Experienced counselors working in the fields of education or environmental studies invite students to explore, ask questions, and develop their love for nature.
Summer Camp for All Ages!
Our partnership with The Wetherill School proudly continues to provide Environmental Education to our youngest explorers, ages 4 and 5, on the beautiful Wetherill Campus in Gladwyne.
Meanwhile, Year Round Camp operates on school holidays during the academic year, offering children a place to unwind and play in nature.
Riverbend Unplugs From The Screens at
McKaig Nature Center
Riverbend is proud to partner with McKaig Nature Center at McKaig’s pristine 91-acre woods in King of Prussia. This camp gives children acres of woods and a sparkling stream in which to deepen their experience of exploring and loving our Earth. Kids spend the entire day outdoors, unplugging from the academic year and screens.
"This is even better than playing video games!"
Field Trips in Nature
At Riverbend, we believe all children deserve the opportunity to explore the natural world.
In 2023, the education team engaged in professional development, collaborated with multiple nature and research centers, and developed new initiatives and educational materials for Field Trips and Riverbend on the Road (ROR) programs, such as our popular "Amazing Race" field trip for middle schoolers. This investment in skills allowed the team to begin an expansion of programs that will continue for the next several years.
"Our trip to Riverbend included exploring bugs, wading in the stream, and catching tadpoles. My students left their city life for an afternoon and immersed themselves in nature. They continue to talk about that special day with excitement. These experiences are crucial to a child's educational development. My students and I thank you for making a difference in our lives."
-Michelle Suquet, 1st Grade Teacher, Pennypacker Elementary School, Philadelphia
Riverbend's Offsite Programs Are Growing:
Reaching beyond the bounds of our 30-acre preserve, we now deliver much of our programming offsite at partner locations and in schools. Riverbend has made it a strategic mission to expand our programs throughout the greater Philadelphia region - and we are doing just that. With the expansion, we have partnered to deliver programs at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Saunders Woods, and Norristown Farm Park.
Take our word for it, every blue mark on this map shows each school visited in 2023 alone!
Successful Partnerships Serve Students in Title I Schools:
Partnerships with organizations like the Urban League of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia extended our reach, allowing Riverbend to teach in 41 schools in Philly.
Additionally, through a generous grant from Aqua Pennsylvania, Riverbend was able to deliver the newly developed “Where Does My Water Come From?’ program to every 5th grader in Upper Darby School District.
Program Development:
The team continuously improved and expanded educational offerings, including revising field trips to align with Next Generation Science Standards Standards (NGSS) and PA’s new Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Standards,(STEELS), developing summer camp curriculums, and launching new programs like Budding Naturalists (Caregiver & Me Program) and Friends in the Forest (After School Program).
Best-in-Class Educators:
Our staff of environmental educators participated in various professional development sessions, including culturally responsive teaching, Universal Design for Learning, and specialized trainings like aquaponics, animal care, and Leave No Trace. Regular training sessions ensured that educators were well-prepared and equipped to deliver high-quality programs.
New Programs for Caregivers & Children
Budding Naturalists
Budding Naturalists program is designed for young children, ages 2-5, to explore and connect with the natural world through age-appropriate activities and guided outdoor experiences next to their favorite caregivers. This engaging program fosters a sense of wonder and discovery as children participate in nature walks, wildlife observation, and hands-on projects. Emphasizing environmental education, Budding Naturalists encourages early appreciation for nature, promoting curiosity and a lifelong love for the environment. Through this program, Riverbend aims to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards, providing a foundation for environmental awareness and responsibility.
Friends In The Forest
Riverbend Environmental Education Center's Friends in the Forest program offers an immersive outdoor experience for children, fostering a deep connection with nature through exploration and play. Aimed at kids ages Kindergarten through Fourth Grade, this program encourages young adventurers to engage with the natural world through activities like hiking, wildlife observation, and hands-on environmental projects. Friends in the Forest emphasizes the importance of teamwork, curiosity, and respect for the environment, nurturing a sense of wonder and stewardship. By providing a dynamic and hands-on learning environment, Riverbend aims to instill a lifelong appreciation for nature and inspire the next generation of environmental caretakers.
50th Anniversary Propels Future Growth
Looking back on 2023, our Riverbend supporters powered nature appreciation and connection for thousands of children and families.
In 2024, we are using our 50th Anniversary to proudly reflect on our past five decades of nature education, while working to create the bright future we envision for our children and the Earth. Looking ahead, Riverbend plans to invest in repairs across our preserve, signage, scholarships, education programs, and teaching staff.
Riverbend Creates Community
To maintain a caring relationship with our children, we must also care for the earth they will inherit. When we do this alongside our Lower Merion community, we feel great and have FUN!
Special events such as an Earth Week concert, our spooktacular Shiverfest, Nature and Bird walks, and a Princess and the Frogs Tea Party were well-received by the community. Events on our preserve raise awareness of Riverbend's mission and expand our impact in the community.
The Preserve at Gladwyne
Riverbend sits within Lenapehoking, the unceded, ancestral homelands of the Lenape people. We strive to follow the Lenape example of stewardship rooted in the understanding that all life on earth is interconnected.
Our 30-acre nature preserve is an outdoor classroom: a unique destination for Riverbend's Habitat Interns, Teen volunteers, summer campers, picnicking families, and visiting field trip students. Volunteers help us maintain a native habitat. Planting trees at the preserve combats climate change and protects our local watershed by preventing runoff from heading to the Schuylkill River.
Support Riverbend, Support Our Earth
Thank You, Volunteers & Donors
Thank you to all of our supporters, especially to our many Friends of the Bend for their long-term support of our mission, who continuously support for 5-20+ years, designated below with *.
Summer Teen Volunteers
|
Gerry Atkinson Clara Chen Aidan Cron Caitlin Hickey John Krasnik Max Schmeider David Shen |
Individual Volunteers
|
Zack Anagnos Gerry Atkinson Ben Capobianco Colin Catrambone Zoe Davies Andrew Frankel Lucas Fraser Joseph Griffin Katherine Russell Aidan Ryder Lilia Schrode Owen Sheils Gavin Slate Anne Urquhart Will Younce Charles Atkinson Connie Atkinson Estelle Atkinson Keshav Banka Jessica Boerschinger Cole Burkhardt Sam Clarke Sarah Clemency Sarah Collier Paul Curley Cici Curran Alex Doran Nathan Doran Thomas Dougherty Dash Durning Bryan Franey Kim Fowler Sean Gardiner Christy Giugliano Rosie Gorn |
Individual Volunteers
|
Hannah Greenstein Sarah Greenstein Christopher Guadagnino Ken Guadagnino Julia Halpern Emma Hannan Naomi Hines Carly Houseal Cara Jaskelewicz Tracy Joslyn John Kandemir Leslie Kandemir David Katan Shea Kelleher Dan Livney Melissa Livney Abi Lua Aileen Lutz Amelie Matuch Chiarra Mazza Heather McCarthy Maleyah Mcclain Rasanah Mcclain Rowan Mullen Mel Nielson Melissa Nielson Eddie Pertuch Ann Picariello Diane Reilly Steve Reilly Patrick Ryan Jose Sandoval-Camacho Kristen Santiago Dagny Shiffler Emmett Stanford Seth Stanford Jon Stump Zachary Thomas Evan Udelsman Amy Walsh |
Volunteer Work Days
|
MLK Day Teen Volunteers The Bandits Travel Baseball Shipley Middle School PECO Episcopal Academy 8th Grade Leadership Philadelphia Shipley Middle School Episcopal Academy 10th Grade Episcopal Academy 7th Grade ASTM Family Tree Planting Day Grant Thornton Waldron Mercy Middle School Springfield Chestnut Hill Villanova Day of Service Janssen Cares Baldwin School Quaker Houghton Junior League of Philadelphia Merion Mercy Father Daughter Volunteers Family Tree Planting Day IFF Girl Scouts |
In Honor
In Honor of Doris Brogan--
Michelle Dempsey
In Honor of Doris Brogan & Marie Conti--
Jody Seibert
In Honor of Marie Conti--
Kristine Cooper, Laurel Geers, Joyce Hutchinson
In Honor of Gretchen Cooney & Ellen Jordan--
Eleanor Miller
In Honor of Peter Grove--
Theresa Kirschner & Joseph Ludwig
In Honor of Erin Reilly--
Carol Baker & Mark Stein
In Honor of Sara Robinson--
Subha Robinson
In Honor of Riverbend --
David Salamon
In Honor of Jon Stump--
Hal Rosenbluth
In Memory
In Memory of the Grandfather of Wes Bill--
Michael Haines
In Memory of Clem Lazenka--
Elizabeth Lazenka
In Memory of Erika Miller--Matthew Miller
In Memory of Harvey L. Nisenbaum--
Sylvia T. Nisenbaum, Esq.
In Memory of Peter Rescorl--
Gloria Popeck
In Memory of Adam Sawoski--Joan Sawoski
In Memory of Alec Williamson--
Norma & Gerald Dworkin
$10,000 +
|
Aqua America * ASTM International* Arcadia Foundation Carol Baker & Mark Stein Enterprise Holdings Foundation * Exelon The Germeshausen Foundation Inc. * Hess Foundation, Inc. Independence Blue Cross * The Lily Foundation PECO Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection The Powell Family Foundation * Anonymous Stratton Foundation Wright-Cook Foundation * WSFS Bank Anonymous |
$9,999 - $5,000
|
Doris and Jim Brogan * Sarah and Cole Collier * Conservest Capital Advisors Gretchen and Gordon Cooney * Simon and Jill Herriott * IFF Nancy and Dick Klavans * Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Keith Pryor * Riggs Distler and Co. Inc. * Ruth and Sidney Rosenblatt Rosenlund Family Foundation * Tandigm Health TE Connectivity * Township of Lower Merion * |
$4,999-$2,500
|
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Comcast Barbara and Harry DeVerter * Franklin Mint FCU Janine & Bryan Franey * Doris Frydman Greenblatt and Dana B. Greenblatt Clay Hall Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation * Manko Gold Katcher and Fox LLP * Michele Markel and James Tornetta * McCaffrey's Market Lainey and Trip McMahon * Peirce Phelps Philadelphia Phillies Patrick Ryan Jon and Rebecca Stump * Jennie and Will Wermuth * Wyncote Foundation |
$2,499-$1,000
|
The Alex J. Ettl Foundation * Angela Allevi & Jason Newman * Melissa and Paul Anderson * Robert Bjorhus Canon Solutions America, Inc. The Catherwood Family Fund City Line Capital College Tuition Benefit Bo Connell David Copas, Jr. * Cotiviti, Inc. Drs. Tamara Davis and Bruce Wightman * Edmond Doran Gwen Goodwill Bianchi * Nancy Greene & Peter Grove * Hassel Foundation Henrietta Tower Wurts Memorial Anne Stokes Hochberg * Kate Jiggins Sean and Emily Kennedy Leake Engineering Amanda Masucci * Jami McKeon The Montoya Family Laurel O'Connor PECO Kristie and Peter Ressler * Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Rorer * Hal Rosenbluth Jody Seibert * Bethany and Garett Shiner Socius Partners Tracey and Shanin Specter Sprague Foundation* Michelle and Samuel Stanford Viola and Christian Terwiesch * Lisa and Jeff Thomas* Dr. and Mrs. Alexander R. Vaccaro Vicinity Energy Philadelphia, Inc. The Wetherill School Lisa and Lars Williamson * |
$999-$250
|
Laurie Bachman * Mr. and Mrs James Buck III * Tasha and Claiborne Childs Community Foundation of New Jersey Vikram Dewan E. Murdoch Family Foundation * Pearl Elias Foote Orthodontics Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gadsden * Johanna Crocetto & Sean Gardiner Sarah & Neil Greenstein Mr. and Mrs. S. Matthews V. Hamilton, Jr. * Hardy Plant Society * Evans and Tracy Joslyn Christine and Brian Lobley * Sharayne Mark Coffin Howard and Mary McCoy * Jeanne McFalls Matthew Miller * Melissa and Steven Nielson Brian O'Neill Dyana and Jimmy Owens * Arlene and Albert Perlstein * Megan Quigley and Eric Gill * Erin Reilly and Patrick Doran Cynthia & Bill Roberts * Lindsay and Richard Schontz Sean Furber Real Estate Bernadette and James Sharp * Lavinia Smerconish Waverly Custom Homes Michael and Nicole Werner Sonya and Christopher Yohn * |
$250-$10
|
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Abramowitz Christa and Chris Albeck AmazonSmile Chantee Angus Carolyn and Michael Ashburn Meghan and Graham Bachman Brucie and Edward Baumstein * Deanne Berkowitz MaryKate Boland Molly Braverman Miriam Buchanan Cathy and Paul Chicos * Rona Comroe * Kristine Cooper Mary Jo Daley Liz Delaney Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Dellheim * Michelle Dempsey Larissa DiStefano Thomas Dougherty Katherine & John Douglas Gail Dubus Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Dworkin * Laith Elias Loretta Flanagan-Cato * Anne and Gren Foote Jill Gallogly Gary Barbera's on the Boulevard Laurel Geers Charisma Harris J. Barton Harrison * Michael Heisler * Joyce Hutchison Marianne and Mark Keating Michelle & Leonard Keating Anthony Kerlavage Theresa Kirschner Maureen Levy Melissa Livney Joseph Ludwig Elaine Marquardt Florence Matt and John Cassidy Tim McCulloch Kevin McFadden Martin Miller * Eleanor and David Miller * Sarah and Percival Moser Iris & Elad Nafshi Celeste and James Nasuti * Sylvia Nisenbaum * Dr. and Mrs. R. Barrett Noone * Terry and Neil O'Brien Merete Ohme Beth Olenik Martin Phillips * Alicia Picard Sarah Jane Pillsbury Mr. & Mrs. Paul Pillsbury Gloria Popeck Clare Porreca Tracy & Mark Pulos Rev Dr. Jonathan & Elisabeth Riches Beth Rittenhouse and Steven Dupont * Subha Robinson David Salamon Joan Sawoski Julie Schwartz Mickey Shumway Patricia Sigley Kayleigh Silver Suga and Jared Smith * Barbara Spillane Wilson * Mr. and Mrs. Lee Tabas * Theatre Projects Ann Thorkelson Amber Trimble Michael Vennera Lisa Weddell Dr. & Mrs. Stuart Weiner * Reaves West Sherrie Willner * The Wu Family Susan and Tom Zug * Anonymous x3 |
Welcome Marisa Mackintosh, Our Newest Board Member
Marisa DeJesus Mackintosh is the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at Comcast, where she leads a dynamic team of marketers and analysts who manage business and marketing functions with top media and technology companies, including Apple, Google, Netflix, and Disney.
Marisa's academic background includes a B.A. in Communications from the University of Massachusetts. She is also a proud member of the Pennsylvania Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Family Advisory Committee. Marisa resides in Lower Merion with her family of five and enjoys live music, reading, and spending as much time as possible outdoors, just like many of us.
Board of Directors
Bryan Franey, Esq., Chair
Gretchen Cooney, Secretary
Patrick Ryan, Treasurer
Tasha Childs
Sarah Collier
Dr. Sean W. Gardiner
Sarah Greenstein
Clay Hall
Simon Herriott
Sean Kennedy
Marisa DeJesus Mackintosh
Jimmy Owens
Dr. Tracy Sainvil-Joslyn
Jonathan Stump
Mike Werner
Statement of Financial Activities
For the FY2023
|
Title |
Total |
|---|---|
|
Total Revenue: |
$1,314,887 |
|
Total Expenses: |
$1,235,837 |
|
Net Assets: |
$3,056,800 |
|
Program Expense Ratio: |
78% |
“My students became scientists. Everything was a teachable moment for the kids. Just to see them really learn, because they owned it, this is what they’ll remember from the year.”
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