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.”

“Programs to the classroom. In addition, we provided week-long programs for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes in the bullock creek school district. The 15 different classes came to cnc daily for five days, which each day being led primarily be their classroom teacher, with the assistance of a cnc naturalist. This was the third year for this program format. 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 2015, 233 children participated in this program. Nature preschool is a unique program that provides three and four year olds a great opportunity to develop lifelong connections with nature. In 2014-15 we had 88 students enrolled, and it would have been the fourth year in a row we were not only full, but also had a waiting list. Thus, we made a last minute decision in february to add a classroom at the nature study building for the 2015-16 school year, which expanded our capacity by 36 children. The 2015-16 school year had 123 students with a capacity of 124. Thank you to alden and vada dow family foundations for purchasing the necessary equipment for the classroom. We once again offered five different half-day sessions in a range from two to four days per week. We continue to operate with funding from the great start readiness grant from the michigan department of education for 22 at-risk 4-year olds to attend our program at no cost to the family. In addition, we have funding from the great start collaborative for at-risk 3-year olds and cnc offers scholarships to families that may not qualify for these funding sources, 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 2015 we once again achieved an almost even split between families paying full tuition and those receiving some level assistance a great diversity of economic backgrounds. In 2015 we offered our fourth annual nature preschool institute to teach early childhood professionals about our unique approach to preschool education. We had 22 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 500 preschool teachers in 2015 on the nature-based early childhood education approach. 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 2015, we had 477 scouts attend programs at the nature center with their den or troop. We also revised our offerings to align with the new cub scout requirements. Spring break mini-camp had a full group with 30 campers. The summer of 2015 was a busy one at nature day camp. It was filled with laughter, fun, learning, exploration, and lots and lots of campers. This summer, we touched the lives of 872 campers. We had space for 880 campers, so we were 99% full when it was all said and done. We filled 46 scholarships through the schools and offered another 10 scholarships directly through cnc. We had 68 teens volunteer as counselors in training. Each teen volunteered 2-3 weeks of their time. In addition to our regular day camp programs, 30 students from floyd and pine river elementary schools attended a special, grant-funded session of nature day camp called creeker nature camp. Exploring nature together had a record 10 campers in attendance and once again, provided an excellent opportunity for children on the autism spectrum and their typical peers to enjoy camp together. Drop-in programs include wee stroll and story hours. Wee stroll is for our youngest nature center visitors up to two years of age with an adult, and had 95 participants. Story hours”

“Or enjoy the nature discovery area slightly over 2014s attendance and the highest annual drop-in attendance in the centers history in 2015 nature center staff offered 38 field trips including kayaking local rivers, a kirtlands warbler tour, voyageur canoeing at grand island and pictured rocks, and a grand traverse area winter adventure. We also expanded our offerings of golf cart tours especially designed for people with limited mobility. Chippewa nature center offered a wide range of hands-on workshops in 2015, including familiar favorites like soap making, and basket making. Fiber and felting workshops, maple syrup making, and fungi and waterfowl identification classes were also popular offerings. Participants of these field trips and workshops got an excellent opportunity to get their hands on nature and connect to the natural world for a longer period of time than possible on on-site walks. Major events always pull in large crowds eager for fun and educational activities. Maple syrup day drew 1,349 visitors and we served 1,127 pancake meals. Attendance was excellent, beating the previous two years. The 12th annual banff mountain film festival stop in midland, the first with two nights, was a great success with a total of 860 tickets sold over both nights. The annual native plant sale also provided a great opportunity for gardeners to go native in their home landscaping projects. High winds and afternoon rains did not stop over 700 visitors from attending fall harvest festival in october. Nature art show and sale wrapped up the years major events with 656 people attending the two day event. The 2015 season of sunday afternoons at the homestead farm was full of great programming, with a total of 1,273 people counted at the cabin over the course of the season. The biggest excitement of the summer was the timber frame barn raising which largely occurred from july 20-28, followed by construction of the lean-to from august 3-4. Cut posts and beams began to arrive in early july, preceded by demolition of the old barn, an archaeological survey, excavation of the site, pouring the cement foundation and installation of water lines. Staff from tillers international, along with several experienced volunteers and cnc staff worked tirelessly to raise the main structure, with most work being done by hand. Siding, doors and internal walls were added by volunteers from the dow chemical august 5-7. During the remainder of august and september, cnc staff worked on items such as windows, stairs, doors, interior walls, electrical fixtures, and landscaping of the site, all in preparation for the ribbon cutting ceremony, held on september 24th. Were excitedto be able use this new structure for new and innovative programming in 2016 discovering reptiles and amphibians of michigan exhibit the ecosystem gallery received the largest exhibit upgrade since its opening in 2000 with the opening of the discovering reptiles and amphibians of michigan live animal exhibit. The exhibit features a multi-terrarium display case with eight ambassador animals on display. Interpretive content includes labels for each animal and three main interpretive panels. Two panels focus on the diversity of common reptiles and amphibians found on cnc property and the third being focused on conservation of these animals. A special thank you for the support of dave and patti kepler for funding this project and a big thank you to all involved in completing this new addition to the ecosystem gallery. The department of interpretation expanded its programming into bay city with cooperative programing for saginaw basin land conservancy at discovery preserve. Many new families were exposed to nature through these nature programs in bay city. Summer programs included fun in the mud, pond exploration and discovering butterflies & insects. Cnc staff continued its cooperative programming with little forks conservancy by offering naturalist and historian-led programs at all of lfcs preser”

“Volunteers & outreach: the department of volunteers and outreach continues to share cncs mission to individuals and families in the great lakes bay region (glbr) through our involvement in various community events, career fairs and collaborative events with other organizations. In 2015, this department participated in 45 events including the mt. Pleasant discovery museums day of play, migratory bird day event in mt. Pleasant, riverdays, kids day at the mall, the waterfowl clinic in bay city, saginaw zoos artic fest, clare family fun day, great lakes bay stem festival and the bioblitz held at cranbrook institute. Events provide us with the opportunity to promote the nature center throughout the glbr while providing simple hands-on experiences to those visiting our booth. Since 1966, volunteers have played a significant role at cnc by providing support to all departments at the center. From our board of directors to special group and corporate volunteer projects; from land management to clerical support; from nature day camp to our homestead programs; volunteers of all ages assist cnc staff with a wide range of projects, festivals and activities. Volunteer support continues to remain strong at cnc. In 2015, we had 237 more volunteers providing 819 additional hours over 2014 numbers. This is mainly due to the return of thee 2015 fall harvest festival and the volunteer hours related to the timber frame barn provided by employees from the dow chemical company and the painting of the nature study building completed by employees of chemical bank. Chippewa nature center would like to express our sincere gratitude and a heartfelt thank you to the 1026 volunteers that shared their time (a total of 13,084 hours), talents and expertise at cnc during 2015. The names of the individuals that provided volunteer support throughout the center during 2015 are listed in this report. Again, a sincere thank you to all our volunteers throughout the years for your hard work and dedication to our programs, mission and vision. We couldnt do it without you”

“Direct expenses 6,284 gain on sale of fixed assets -18,782 direct expenses -6,284 gain on sale of fixed assets 18,782”