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Thunder Bay River Center Inc

Our River: Our Future

Alpena, MI   |  www.thunderbayrivercenter.org

Mission

The mission of Thunder Bay River Center (TBRC) is to preserve, protect and interpret the Thunder Bay River Watershed. Recognizing the increasing scarcity and preciousness of fresh water, the board has determined that informal (fun) education is the way to foster a love of the watershed and to conserve this fresh water resource for future generations.

Ruling year info

2016

Chairman of the Board

Ms Judy A. Kalmanek

Vice-chairman of the Board

Mr Dan Mitchelll

Main address

208 N First Ave 184 Long Rapids Rd

Alpena, MI 49707 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

81-1641673

NTEE code info

Environmental Education and Outdoor Survival Programs (C60)

Youth Development Programs (O50)

Museum & Museum Activities (A50)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Thunder Bay River Center, Inc. is continuing to work in our rural community to raise funds to construct the River Center. Although we continue to make progress, our local fundraising is fairly limited. Our local population is small, but we are a growing community and are impacted annually by 300,000 visitors. Like our native population, these tourists need to become grounded stewards of their natural resources. They will do this through an educational system based on exploration and discovery within the River Center.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

River Rats

River Rats (named for the original loggers) is a (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) STEAM summer program involving children ages 5-10. Program assistants are Junior and senior high science students and the Youth Volunteer Corps. The program is under the leadership of local science teachers and scientists.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Adolescents

Each year an artist is invited to spend time creating an artistic piece showcasing the Thunder Bay River. One of the pieces is donated to be housed in the Thunder Bay River Center (when it is constructed). The artist gives a presentation to the community on her/his methods as well as a demonstration of work

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Adults

The canoe and kayak trail meanders through the Thunder Bay River Wildlife Sanctuary waters. Buoys mark points of interest for kayakers/canoists. Periodically, guided tours are conducted for people not familiar with the area.

Population(s) Served

Professional environmental partners and volunteers engage annually in work to control invasive flora and fauna in the watershed. This includes spotted knapweed pulls, frogbit removal, autumn olive treatments. Funds are supplied by various partner agencies, like Huron Pines and US F&W.

Population(s) Served
Adults

A series of field guides are made available in the Wildlife Sanctuary stand to help visitors learn more about their natural world. The pamphlets include topics like birds, native plants and trees, a kayak/canoe guide for the Blue Heron Water Trail, Down By Water's Edge (riparian setback), habitat identification.

Population(s) Served
Adults

Science in the Sanctuary is an annual half day, hands-on science event. It is open, free of charge, to anyone who wishes to engage in citizen science. Participants move through a series of learning hubs designed to showcase various aspects of the Thunder Bay River Watershed.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Adults

On a magical evening in December, the Spirit of the Island allows the animals to speak to small groups of six humans who are led by a mystical guide along a candle lit path to learn about the animals, their likes and dislikes, their homes, food and other habitat needs.

Population(s) Served
Children
Preteens
Adults
Adolescents

Each year in February, the Board, Top of Michigan Solutions, and other sponsors hold an ice fishing tournament to support the River Center. The top prize is $5,000 and 29 other outdoor type prizes are awarded to the winning fishers. 1,000 tickets are sold and 1200 holes are drilled in the ice by the local volunteers
On the evening before the tournament, the Festivus dinner is held. Besides food and drink, a 50/50 and Chinese raffle is held. Festivus also supports the River Center.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Adults
Children and youth
Adults

Where we work

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Our goal is to build an ecofriendly and ecosustainable interpretive center for the Thunder Bay River Watershed in Northeast Michigan. Our watershed is one of the major sources of fresh water for northern Lake Huron.
To complete this task, we need to raise 4.1M to construct the building and 1.6M to furnish the exhibits--the main set is large in-wall aquariums which showcase the 81 species of native fish in the watershed.

Financials

Thunder Bay River Center Inc
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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Thunder Bay River Center Inc

Board of directors
as of 11/05/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Judy Kalmanek

Thunder Bay River Center, Inc.

Term: 2019 - 2023


Board co-chair

Mr. Dan Mitchell

Thunder Bay River Center, Inc.

Term: 2019 - 2023

Judy Kalmanek

Retired Michigan DOC

William Haase

Retired GM Engineer

Brian Bartosh

CEO ofTop O'Michigan Solutions

Beverly Bodem

Aide State Senator Stamas

Danny Mitchell

Alpena City Council

Chris Powley

Retired HS Science Teacher

Glenn Taylor

Retired Water Engineer

Steffen Mantlo

Media Coordinator

Lydia Thomson

HS Student

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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? No
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No
  • 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? No
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 10/19/2021

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person with a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data