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!"
- Norristown 5th Grader On A Riverbend Field Trip

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.

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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

two girls during daytime

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

boy in blue shirt screaming near boy in green crew-neck shirt

$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 *

toddler playing water

$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

three children holding hands standing on grasses

$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 *

woman in black leather jacket standing beside brown tree during daytime

$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.”
- 4th Grade Educator at Highland Park Elementary , Upper Darby School District

Nature Is Our Classroom

Riverbend Environmental Education Center connects people to nature, equitably advancing environmental literacy through outdoor STEM education and free play in nature while empowering children and adults to take action to conserve Earth's resources.