Chippewa Nature Center Inc.

“The organization has members of various levels, depending on contribution. All members have rights to vote on board members.”

“Board members are elected at the annual meeting by votes from cnc members. Nominations are named by november of the preceding year by the board nominating committee. The election is held at the annual meeting. If no nominations are made other than the slate announced by the nominating committee, then those nominated are elected with one ballot from the board secretary - also at the annual meeting.”

“The form 990 was reviewed by senior management of cnc prior to its approval for filing.”

“Conflict of interest policy covers members of the chippewa nature center (cnc) board of directors, any of its committees, and staff members. Covered persons shall readily disclose to cnc any personal interest which he or she may have in any matter pending before cnc and shall refrain from participation in any decision on such matter. Any member of the cnc board or staff, who is an officer, board member, or employee of an agency or other entity doing business with cnc, shall identify his or her affiliation with such agency or entity. Covered persons in connection with any policy committee or board action specifically directed to that agency or entity, shall not participate in the decision affecting that agency or entity, and the decision must be made and/or ratified by the full board without the vote of the affected member.”

“The executive committee develops a budget containing the executive director's salary which is approved by the board of directors. Competitive salary levels are compared at local, state, and national levels for compensation for similarly qualified persons in functionally comparable positions at similarly situated organizations. The approval is documented in the executive committee meeting minutes.”

“Any requests for this information are directed to the executive director, who provides the documents as requested if legally mandated or constructively appropriate.”

“The chippewa nature center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate the enjoyment and understanding of our natural, historical and archaeological resources as relevant to the saginaw valley, to promote environmental awareness and to foster responsible stewardship.”

“Were "on the road." at home with nature: at home with nature is designed to supplement science and history homeschool education through fun, interactive, hands-on activities. Each series consists of three 1.5 hour programs. In 2013, 194 children participated in this program. Nature preschool: nature preschool is a unique program that provides three and four year olds a great opportunity to develop lifelong connections with nature. In 2013-14 we had 88 students enrolled. We offered five different half-day sessions in a range from two to four days per week. In 2013 we were once again awarded a great start readiness grant from the michigan department of education for 21 at-risk 4 year olds to attend our program at no cost to the family. In addition, cnc offers scholarships to families that may not qualify for the state-funded program, but have a financial need for tuition assistance. We are grateful to the dow chemical company in their financial support to keep this scholarship program running. In 2013 we once again achieved a virtual even split between families paying full tuition and those receiving some level of assistance- a great diversity of economic backgrounds. Educator workshops: in 2013 we offered our third annual nature preschool institute to teach early childhood professionals about our unique approach to preschool education. We had 21 participants in our on-site, 4 day training. Interest in and demand for the program was so great that we took the trainings on the road for our "nature preschool travelling institute" and at early childhood conferences throughout the state. Between these two workshop formats we trained approximately 300 preschool teachers. Scouts: scout programs at chippewa nature center are specially designed to help groups work on the various requirements needed to complete badges and other advancements. In 2013 we had 547 scouts attend programs at the nature center with their den or troop. Nature day camp: this past summer 930 children attended nature day camp which was full capacity. This number also reflects an increase in our capacity from summer 2012 by 200 children. Programs were offered for 3-17 year olds and were one to two weeks in length. A new camp offering in 2013 was a full-week "survival village." we also added "nature detectives" for kids 6-7 years old. Youth drop-in programs: drop-in programs include wee stroll, story hours, nature for youth and sensational summer days. Wee stroll is for our youngest nature center visitors up to two years of age with an adult, and had 158 participants. Story hours are geared for the next older age group ranging from 2-5 years old with 880 participants in 2013. Due to high week -day demand for this program we offered two time slots on thursdays. We have one drop-in program led by an educator designed for our older youth visitors called nature for youth. Nature for youth is a free, 1.5 hour program offered on the first saturday of most months during the school year. In 2013 we had 73 children attend this program. Seasonal exploration days: what family doesn't look for something fun to do with their kids over holiday breaks? These "exploration days" provide an indoor self-guided program for families to explore as their time allows during winter, spring, summer, and thanksgiving breaks. These drop-in programs include a variety of self-guided, hands-on exploration stations. Groundhog's day dinner, nature at night & nature's eggs extravaganza: in april we held nature's eggs extravaganza for 125 children. The event included an egg hunt, activities in the classrooms about egg-laying michigan animals, and prizes. In october was nature at night, a two-night event focused on the wonders of michigan's nighttime natural world. Activities in the classrooms, nature songs, storytelling in the wigwam, an obstacle course where children were mice trying to safely navigate, and a jack-o-lantern trail kept the 681 visitors well entertained. New in 2013 was the groundhog's”

“Highest recorded annual drop-in attendance major events celebrate nature, history and outdoor enjoyment major events always pull in large crowds eager for fun and educational activities. Maple syrup day led the way in 2013 with 1,300 attendees ready to usher in spring by participating in a variety of crafts and activities related to the unofficial kick-off of spring. After 10 years the banff mountain film festival has grown into a much anticipated program and we were very pleased that event once again sold-out the bullock creek auditorium with nearly 600 tickets sold the annual native plant sale also provided a great opportunity for gardeners to select and purchase a wide variety of native plants for use in their home landscaping projects. Fall harvest festival returned in 2013. The event was moved to october and adjusted to a single day event, similar to maple syrup day. This popular event was held on october 5 and despite rainy, cool weather, over 750 people came out to the homestead to learn about and enjoy historic rural skills. Fall harvest festival will return in 2015, with bioblitz occurring in fall 2014. Nature art show and sale wrapped up the year's major events which included good sales of items for the 16 artists in attendance - including 3 new artists venturing out with field trips and hands-on learning with workshops in 2013 nature center staff offered 29 field trips on local rivers, birding the saginaw bay, voyageur canoeing and camping on lake superior and a new adventure touring elk country on foot as well as by canoe and kayak. Participants on these field trips get an excellent opportunity to connect to the natural world for a longer period time than possible on an onsite walk while building meaningful experiences by recreating in it. Chippewa nature center once again offered a wide range of hands-on workshops in 2013, including nature photography, introduction to hand- spinning, aquatic biology, birch basket making, pine cone wreath making and a decorative gourd making workshop. Hands-on workshops are a great way to dig deeper into specialized skills related to our cultural heritage, natural world and the great outdoors. These workshops build connections by helping participants learn a new skill and also appreciate the resources of nature. Homestead farm celebrates rural life the homestead farm is open on sunday afternoon throughout the summer and the site and programming continues to grow in popularity. Throughout the summer a total of 1,612 visitors were counted at the cabin over the course of the season, the third highest attendance in the last 25 years a dedicated group of staff and volunteers worked hard to provide special experiences for all these visitors. Thanks goes to our seasonal staff team of angela oros, greg allington and abigail keel for leading activities, providing tours and managing our talented volunteers. Rob maxwell led a fantastic team of volunteers in the heirloom vegetable garden. This year, 17 volunteers donated more than 450 hours of their time leading tours and hands-on activities, conducting demonstrations and working in the garden. This year, the heirloom vegetable garden reached a potential we hardly dreamed possible in the past. In all, over 536.5 pounds of fresh, organic produce was donated to the h.e.l.p. Food pantry at midland's memorial presbyterian church from the homestead. Drop-in and connect to nature drop-in, free programs continue to be the foundation of our interpretive program offerings and are attended by a mix of returning guests and first- time visitors. The programs covered a range of topics including: bird walks, wildflower hikes, maple syrup programs, life on an 1870s farm, bird banding, native american life, full moon walks, archaeology, animals tracks, salamander searches, golf cart tours, and much, much more these programs are the core of the center's adult and family offerings, giving people of all ages the chance to get outside with a talented staff and bu”

“Volunteers & outreach: outreach: cnc participated in 36 different and diverse community events in midland county and throughout the great lakes bay region. Events provide us with the opportunity to promote cnc throughout the region, while providing simple hands-on experiences to those visiting our booth. Volunteers: volunteer support continues to remain strong at cnc with 938 volunteers contributing 13,527 volunteer hours. Volunteers assisted with special events at cnc and various events in the community, providing support for a wide range of projects and activities.”

“Direct expenses 4,868 direct expenses -4,868”