Riverbend Environmental Education

“Prior to filing form 990, it is discussed with the finance committee and distributed to the full board of directors.”

“Each employee and board member is asked to review any conflicts of interest on a yearly basis and disclose any possible conflicts to management.”

“The board of directors, an independent source, determines the executive director's salary on a yearly basis.”

“Documents are made available upon request.”

“Riverbend's purpose is to foster an awareness, appreciation, and understanding of our total environment through educational programming. By growing both the love of nature and environmental literacy, we aim to inspire action that contributes to a healthier planet for all. At riverbend, we work to develop environmental literacy using tested education tools grounded in science. We believe that this is essential to live in and care for our natural world. Riverbend's nature-based stem education programs advance environmental literacy, appreciation of the natural world and our place in it. Through inquiry based learning students have direct experiences with nature and the relevant learning that advances curiosity, critical thinking, creative approaches, and problem-solving skills.”

“We delivered nature education lessons to 11,708 students, with 61% of our program hours going to title 1 schools. Nature-based stem programs for schools - we delivered high-quality, customized school programs (pre-k through middle school) in schools across the region that took place during the school day. This program supports and cultivates hands-on, minds-on investigations and creates a greater connection to nature along with the skills and resources needed to make good environmental decisions. The curriculum aligns with the pa science curriculum framework and next generation science standards (ngss). A majority of students who participated reported an increase in connection to nature, and an indication of increased environmental literacy. 6,440 students in norristown, philadelphia, and upper darby learned about pennsylvania's ecosystem and the schuylkill river watershed. Of those students, 100% attended title 1 schools, lacking resources and access to nature. 19 teachers received professional development via riverbend programs. Community of practice - we ran a program that we co-designed with teachers and administrators in three school districts. This program provides teachers with the knowledge and literacy to teach environmental science. The community of practice program consists of a three day summer workshop for teachers, a teacher professional development program that gives yearlong support for teachers through monthly meetings, classroom visits from riverbend educators three times a year, and a cumulative action project, such as a stewardship activity. Tree planting - 769 volunteers provided over 2,000 hours of labor planting trees and native shrubs. Habitat interns program- riverbend hosts up to four habitat interns each summer. This opportunity allows interns to gain meaningful hands-on experience, contributing valuable improvements and maintenance of riverbend's preserve, as well as infuse new skills and knowledge into the intern's professional and personal development. The preserve remained open 365 days of the year. The 30 acre preserve serves as an outdoor classroom for experiential learning for school-based groups and summer programming. It is open to the public year-round and encompasses the snider barn, an aquaponics greenhouse, numerous hiking trails, outdoor learning classrooms, a bird observation area, and acres of open space.”