Greenburgh Nature Center Kicks-Off Anniversary Celebration

40 Years of Keeping Westchester Wild

Scarsdale, NY – May 5, 2015 — Greenburgh Nature Center (GNC), the leading environmental education center in Westchester, announced a major milestone this week with the official kick-off of its 40th Anniversary Celebration — “Keeping Westchester Wild.”

The GNC began work on its 40th Anniversary plans earlier this year when it undertook a community outreach study including an online survey to over 5,000 past and current members. Key findings of the research show:

· 93% of the survey respondents would recommend the GNC to others as a place to visit;

· 63% of respondents see education as the GNC’s primary focus; and

· 78% of visitors have been coming to the GNC for many years, treasuring its easily accessible location and ability to enjoy an intimate connection with open green space, animals, and plant life.

For its 40thAnniversary Celebration, the Greenburgh Nature Center has slated a number of important projects aimed at Keeping Westchester Wild over the next 40 years and beyond. These projects include:

• securing funding for the new Native Plant Meadow and Butterfly Pavilion;
• redeveloping paths and trailways to increase accessibility and the user experience;
• construction of a new barn for animals and enhanced class room space;
• building new Green & Sustainable Business Partnerships; and
• launching a three-year Campaign to restore the historic Manor House and Indoor Animal Exhibits in advance of the building’s 100 year anniversary in 2018.

“The Greenburgh Nature Center is an extremely special place. While for generations we have been known as a beloved destination for children and families to enjoy animals and the outdoors, increasingly the breadth and depth of our facilities and programs are now being recognized as instrumental in training future leaders of all ages, ensuring a lasting intimate connection with our natural world, and shaping community environmental consciousness and behavior,” said Margaret Tjimos Goldberg, Executive Director of the Greenburgh Nature Center. “I’m thrilled by what we’ve accomplished to date and at the prospects in front of us.”

40th anniversary sponsors include Central Animal Hospital, Green Mountain Energy, Houlihan Lawrence (Scarsdale),rkl3D, ShopRite Scarsdale, Standing Room Only, Whole Foods Market Westchester, Greenburgh Parks & Recreation, Town of Greenburgh, and Westchester County Parks.

About the Greenburgh Nature Center

The Greenburgh Nature Center’s mission is to ignite passion, curiosity, and respect for our natural world.

The Greenburgh Nature Center’s vision is to be a leader in the region for environmental education and best sustainable practices, while providing enriching hands-on visitor experiences and a venue for community activities. We will continue to offer exciting, unique, and interactive educational programs for people of all ages, as well as a range of community activities to engage people, businesses, and governmental entities with each other on environmental sustainability issues, while aiming to instill in future generations an appreciation for and will to protect nature.

The Greenburgh Nature Center is a 33-acre woodland preserve with trails, a pond, gardens, a playground, a new native plant meadow, and outdoor animal exhibits, including a birds of prey aviary. Our indoor exhibits include a live animal museum with over 100 specimens, exhibit areas focusing on nature and the environment, and a greenhouse with botanical exhibits. We offer special programs for groups of all ages on a wide range of environmental topics, camps and birthday parties, either here or at your location. We also have a variety of volunteer opportunities for all ages and skill levels.

The Nature Center is located at 99 Dromore Road, off Central Park Avenue, in Scarsdale, NY. Parking is free, and handicapped parking is available. The Nature Center’s grounds are open daily dawn to dusk throughout the year. The Center’s indoor exhibits are open daily (except CLOSED Fridays and a few holidays), 9:30AM – 4:30PM on weekdays and 10AM – 4:30PM on weekends. For more information, visit our website at www.greenburghnaturecenter.org or call 914-723-3470.