BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Blandford Nature Center exists to ensure that current and future generations have a connection to nature and the environment. These connections will ensure that the environment is considered and cared for in future decision-making. After all, we all literally depend on nature for survival!
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
PreK-12 Environmental Education
BNC provides formal environmental education programs that cover all subject areas and meet state educational standards.
Summer Camp
BNC serves children through a fun and engaging summer day camp
Community Programs
BNC's Community Programs are for youth, adults, and families and offer opportunities to engage with nature in a large number of ways. These programs are designed specifically for the general public.
Blandford Farm
BNC's farm provides the public an opportunity to not only learn where their food comes from via farm programs, but also eat fresh, local produce through the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
Wildlife Education Center
BNC operates a wildlife education center that houses over 30 injured or otherwise non-releasable "Wildlife Ambassadors." These animals are on display for the general public as well as travel to schools, nursing homes, and other community groups through the "Blandford on the Road" program.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of paid participants on field trips
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of fields trips
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of campers enrolled
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This metric is "camper days" - one participants may come for 5 days, so they would be recorded as "5". This is not the total number of children who attend camp.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
While we continue to be a premier nature center, our current organizational goals focus on making Blandford more inclusive and welcoming to our entire community. The underpinnings of our current strategic plan focus heavily on diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of our organization and programs.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We are in the process of evaluating and modifying all that we do to be more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. We have substantially changed our HR practices (hiring, salaries, reviews, etc.). Our facilities are being upgraded to ensure that there will be better, if not universal, access to our grounds and facilities. Our networks are expanding to ensure that we build relationships with community groups that we have not traditionally connected with so that more people will view Blandford Nature Center as "their" nature center.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our capacity for this work has grown substantially in recent history. We have nearly tripled our budget, doubled our staff, and doubled our land base through he acquisition of the neighboring Highlands Golf Club, which will be transformed back to nature. Throughout all of this growth, we have worked with outside consultants on ensuring that the entire community is playing a part in where we go in the future. Of course, the more philanthropic support we receive, the fast we can connect more people to nature!
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
See above. We've accomplished a lot but need more support to push into the next decade of our existence as we strive to serve more of our community!
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER
Board of directorsas of 04/27/2023
Ryan Podvin
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Term: 2021 - 2023
Linda Brunzell
Terryberry
Ryan Podvin
Mary Free Bed
Mark Augustyn
Mercantile Bank
Andy Beachnau
Grand Valley State University
Shavon Doyle-Holton
Perrigo Company
Laurie Gardner
Community Volunteer
Susie Meyers
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
Bob Tsironis
Centennial Securities
Eric Steindler
Flexfab
Beth Cranson
Spectrum Health
Ingrid Jensen
Clark Hill
Linda LaFontsee
LaFontsee Galleries
Jeff Towner
Merrill Lynch
Lisa Oliver-King
Our Kitchen Table
James TenBrink
Gun Lake Investments
Keith Winn
Catalyst Partners
Matt Cook
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Yumiko Jakobcic
GVSU Office of Sustainability
Gustavo Perez
Kent Community Aion
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data