Create next generation of environmental stewards

March 26: FRIENDS OF TRYON CREEK REPORT

The Board and Staff were pleased to learn of the number of new donors who contributed to Friends of Tryon Creek through our recent Giving Global project.  We believe that Tryon Creek Natural Area is a special place, and we know from feedback provided by parents and others who live in the community, that our education programs are highly regarded.  With regard to “Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards”, we are pleased to have welcomed 80 new members this past year.

There have been several capacity-building developments over the past few months. They include: (1) Establishment of a Fund Development Committee consisting of Board members and leaders in the community.  This means that we have gained additional support in areas of outreach and fundraising; (2) Initiated a new Two-for-One membership campaign at our events.  Many of our renewing members used this as a way as a way to reach out to neighbors and friends who are now donor prospects.  Finally, with the hopes of expanding our education efforts, our leadership encouraged board member giving – and those donations doubled this past fiscal year. 

Our Annual Report was recently drafted.  Here are our 2012 Accomplishments:

• Number of active volunteers: 1,465 volunteers donated over 8,000 hours of service;

• Field trips for students from underserved communities (schools with greater

than 50% free or reduced price lunches):  1161

• Number of local 5^th and 6^th graders involved in watershed ecology, science

exploration and conservation programs:  843

• Number of PSU Capstone students involved in the Education Department: 45

• Number of Capstone student hours spent learning and supporting Friends’ programs: 6,750

• Total number of Education Programs conducted in 2012:  283

• Total number of participants involved in all programs: 8,548

• Number of educators trained through our Connect2Science programs: 59

Thank you again for your ongoing support!