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Message Explore, learn and discover nature together2024 ANNUAL REPORTOur Mission To inspire people of all ages toappreciate the environmentthrough educational programsand opportunities to explore thenatural resources of theSewickley Valley parks.

“My children have learned notonly valuable information aboutvarious topics related to nature,but they have learned charactertraits such as kindness, service,and respect for our environmentand those around us. They havealso learned about variouscareers in science that couldbenefit future generations.” - Parent of Quaker Valley studentDear Friends,Reflecting on this past year, I am grateful for our members,donors, and volunteers who have made 2024 a trulytransformative year for Fern Hollow Nature Center. Together, we have achieved significant milestones. Our workwould not be possible without your unwavering support, and Iam excited to share our progress and vision for the future withyou. It was a busy year, but a great one. On a personal note, I washonored to celebrate my 20th anniversary at Fern Hollow. Mytime here has been deeply rewarding, and I am grateful for theopportunity to serve alongside such a dedicated community ofindividuals who share a passion for nature and conservation.Looking ahead, we are excited to build on our achievements.We are committed to fostering a deeper connection betweenpeople and the environment through hands-on learningexperiences and opportunities to get outside to explore, learn,and discover. We are thrilled to announce the launch of our capital campaignfor renovating and expanding our facilities. This initiative willallow us to enhance our programs, accommodate more visitors,and ensure that Fern Hollow Nature Center remains a beacon ofenvironmental stewardship for generations to come.These achievements would not be possible without you. Yourgenerosity fuels our mission, and we are forever grateful to ouramazing Fern Hollow family.With gratitude,Sam CapezzutoExecutive Director, Fern Hollow Nature Center

EducationFHNC partnered with Quaker Valley andSewickley Academy and provided hands-on field trips for every elementary grade. We partnered with Little Sewickley CreekWatershed and Allegheny College CreekConnection to provide an internship forQuaker Valley Middle School and HighSchool. The interns learned about andparticipated in watershed studies on LittleSewickley Creek.Conservation2024 ACHIEVEMENTSIn 2024, we held two clean-up days on site. A total of120 volunteers of all ages, including board membersand staff, came together to work on several groundsprojects. Our garden committee renovated our communitygarden. They replaced our garden beds, added asensory garden, and incorporated a pollinatorgarden. We continued our battle against invasive plants. Weremoved three dumpsters full of invasive plants andovergrowth and are working on replanting two largeareas with grass and native plants. We received a glowing review from The AudubonSociety of Western Pennsylvania, who evaluated ourmeadow and praised its biodiversity.We partnered with the Spotted Lantern Fly Archive toassist in research and obtained a permit through theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania Department ofAgriculture to help stop the spread of lantern flies. We provided a bi-weekly Reggio Emilia nature investigation program for Sewickley Academypreschool and kindergarten students.We offered bi-weekly programs for homeschool students.We provided programs for ten additional local schools and six local preschools. 2024 Programming Info

Join us for the annual Summer Soirée,a chic cocktail party for 150 people atSewickley Quarter in downtownSewickley. This year’s event theme isCamp Fern Hollow, featuring campthemed activities, entertainment,dancing and delicious food and drink. Friday, June 6 VIP Reception 5:30-6:30pm Party 6:30-10:00pmCommunityThe Fall Music Festival continued to grow in popularityand annual attendance. In September 2024, almost450 people came together to enjoy The Dad Band.We offered engaging nature-themed programs forelementary school students on in-service days andholidays.Over 300 local community members participated in ourmonthly fishing programs for the community, including aprogram with the Sewickley Valley ConservationAssociation for the first day of trout fishing. We worked with the Watson Institute’s community-based vocational department to provide students withreal-life work experience, such as cleaning and helpingto prep for programs.In the summer of 2024, over 500 people attended freeweekly playdates in our Natural Outdoor Classroom, thefirst certified Nature Play area in Pennsylvania. Weadded two new stations for the community to enjoy: amusic area and a mud kitchen. Forty different families rented our facility to celebrate,camp out, and enjoy our beautiful grounds.2024 ACHIEVEMENTS25th Anniversary CelebrationBring the family and enjoy live music,children’s activities, and food trucks. Saturday, September 6 DJ Sly Williams Dance Party 4:00-5:00pm-featuring- The Dad Band & Sweetwater Cottage Band 5:00-9:00pm

BUILDING FOR THE FUTUREIn October 2024, we proudly launched our capital campaign torenovate and expand our facility. Our 60-year-old building nolonger meets the needs of our community. We are working witharchitects at Studio WC to design a plan that includes:Enhanced Educational Opportunities: Adding a secondclassroom and improving the layout, technology, andacoustics will increase the capacity and diversity ofeducational offerings to various ages and audiences. Bothclassrooms will have access to covered outdoor space,creating a stronger connection between indoor and outdoorlearning.Accessibility Improvements: Visitors with mobility issueswill be able to navigate our facilities and bathrooms.Clear Wayfinding: A reconfigured entrance will improvetraffic flow and offer a welcoming lobby with educationalexhibits while retaining privacy for teaching andadministrative spaces.Interior Improvements: Flexible and efficient administrativefacilities will optimize space for staff, storage, andcommunity gatherings.Sustainability: Energy-efficient systems and eco-friendlypractices will promote environmental sustainability whileprotecting the natural resources of the surrounding property.Community Hub: The new facility will serve the communityas a rental facility for birthday parties, meetings, andweddings. So far, we have raised $800,000 toward our $1,500,000 goal.Fern Hollow is incredibly grateful for the support of our formercapital campaign manager, Anne Ronce, as well as thewonderful families who generously contributed to our renovationplans even before the official launch of our campaign. Now, we need the support of the community to make this vision areality and continue serving future generations. For moreinformation on how to support our capital campaign or toschedule a personal tour to see firsthand the difference thisproject will have for the community, please contact our ExecutiveDirector, Sam Capezzuto at sam@fhnc.org or 412-741-6136.“Fern Hollow has been an incrediblecurriculum resource…the staff havecustom-built programs to support andenhance our curriculum. The learningis playful, powerful, and hands-on.The instructors are excellent with thekids, whether at Fern Hollow, on ourcampus, or off-site in nature. Theirprogramming adds a rich,experiential dimension to whatevertopic the students are studying.”- Jerilyn ScottHead of Lower SchoolSewickley Academy

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025In addition to our building renovation and addition plans,we are working on other objectives from our strategicplan, including:hiring a Naturalist to lead educational programs,manage our grounds, and strengthen communitypartnerships;developing a Master Plan for our 33-acre park. Theplan will include: adding a permanent water source to our garden,greenhouse, and planting station to allow us to usethe garden for a longer season;daylighting a stream to add a water feature to ourproperty; expanding our Natural Outdoor Classroom andimproving the trails to make them more accessible;and expanding our partnerships with localorganizations and volunteers. 2024 FINANCIAL RECAPIncomeExpensesFern Hollow Nature Center has a richhistory rooted in a vision for environmentaleducation and conservation in theSewickley Valley.In 1995, G. Whitney Snyder, Sr. generouslydonated a 33-acre parcel of land toSewickley Heights Borough to preserve abeautiful space for the community toengage with nature.Recognizing the potential of this gift, localconservationist Paula Sculley took on thechallenge of bringing Snyder’s vision tolife. Over the next two years, she gathereda dedicated board of directors, renovatedthe historic 2,000-square-foot SearsRoebuck caretaker cottage, andsuccessfully established Fern HollowNature Center as a 501(c)(3) nonprofitorganization in 1997.While Sewickley Heights Borough initiallysupported Fern Hollow by hiring aNaturalist, the nature center grew rapidly,prompting the hiring of additionaleducators and administrators. By 2015,Fern Hollow expanded its programs andfundraising to operate independently andensure responsible stewardship of ourresources.In 2023 Fern Hollow signed a 25-yearlease for the property in exchange for anominal fee to Sewickley Heights. Thisagreement represents our sharedcommitment to providing environmentaleducation, with Fern Hollow taking fullresponsibility for maintenance andimprovements to the building and outdoorclassroom and the Borough managing thegrounds and parking lot, which is sharedwith the Sewickley Heights History Center.Our partnership reflects the strength ofcommunity-driven conservation in theSewickley Valley. We remain committed toensuring Fern Hollow thrives forgenerations to come — your support makesit all possible. A SHARED COMMITMENT: PARTNERSHIP WITH SEWICKLEYHEIGHTS BOROUGH

IN MEMORIAM: SCOTT HOLQUISTA TRUE FRIEND AND CHAMPION OF FERN HOLLOWIn February 2025, Fern HollowNature Center lost not just aboard member, but a truechampion, a dedicated leader,and a dear friend. For five years, Scott Holquistgave his time, energy, andheart to our mission, alwaysleading by example. Board of Directors Jennifer Nastasi, Board PresidentLee Bollinger, Vice PresidentLauren Massy, SecretaryAnn Shelton, TreasurerAnnie BatykoBarbara CarrierRick DiemertDavid GenterFrancye KinneyRon KinserJack RileyLindsey SmithStaffSam CapezzutoExecutive DirectorJessica CindrichProgram & Communications ManagerSam BurkeEnvironmental EducatorCam ElkoEnvironmental EducatorCarolina MoranMarketing CoordinatorKelly Wetzel Development AssistantWhether rolling up his sleeves for a clean-up day ortackling a project—big or small—Scott was there, ready tohelp in any way he could.One of his most cherished contributions was the creationof the Fern Hollow Cyclocross Race. What started as hisidea quickly became his passion. With the support offriends, he built the event from the ground up, organizinga full day of racing that brought the community together,introduced young riders to the sport, and raised anincredible $25,000 for Fern Hollow. The race embodiedeverything Scott stood for—bringing people together,celebrating the outdoors, and making a lasting impact.Scott’s absence leaves a void in our hearts, but his legacy willalways be a part of Fern Hollow. We are forever grateful forhis dedication, friendship, and unwavering support. To make a donation to Scott’s memorial fund, please visit ourweb site. The fund will be used at the family discretion.

OUR FERN HOLLOW FAMILYGENERAL OPERATING SUPPORTMEMBERSHIPS AND DONATIONS HELP FERN HOLLOW FULFILL OUR MISSION ON A DAILY BASIS. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL MEMBERS. LISTED BELOW ARE DONORS WHO DONATED $250 OR MORE.$2,500 and upLee and Michael BollingerLori and Scott HolquistFrancye and Craig KinneyMara and Chris McClain$1,000-$2,499Andrea and Joel AdamsSusan ClancyBill Coates and Marcie McClintic CoatesBorough of SewickleyLisa and Rick DiemertBeth and David GenterKaren Fadzen Amy and Geoff FlemingVictoria GrahamGrapevine Garden ClubSusan and Greg KaminiskiDr. Stacy Lane & Max and Drake LuffyKatie and Doug LarsenLauren and Rob MassyJames MorseAnne and Waleed NaqiJennifer and Bryon NastasiLinda Pell and Lindsey SmithNathan and Katie PicarsicPam and Jamie RogersDonald and Marta Spalding John Tippins and Laura Pallan$500-$999Tiffany and Chad BallardJennifer Belliveau and David JonesWilliam Bettridge Robin BoleaChristopher and Blair ChanBeth and William Brown IVMichael and Laura CherockSteve DeanElise Keely- E.K. Smith Landscape DesignSarah and Brett KeiselRon and Susan KinserAmy Greene LoCascioJoan and Bob PeirceRea FamilyLara RamsburgElizabeth and Michael RiordanMona and Robert RiordanAnne Ronce and Reza ZafarAnn SheltonNeill and Alexander SimakasVerna Corey SnyderMarguerite StandishMarisa TobiasTrowel and Error Garden ClubAmanda UptonWhitlock Family$250-$499Diane and Chris AbellJon AdamsAnne and Nicholas BatykoSharon BeddardAlicia BerryShamus BrennanJessica BrittonLisa BeumerLauren and Alex Burns and FamilySam and John CapezzutoBarbara and Richard CarrierGeoff and Becca ChapmanHanley CoxGeorge H. CraigJames Crawford and Shirley Haldeman CrawfordNatalie CruzSylvia Dallas and John Oliver, IIIJessica and Justin DavisMichael DelieSara DiTommasoLaura and Dave MastroroccoDr. Thomas A. Doyleand Melissa DoyleJennifer DeSalvoKatie and Michael FlickingerWe extend our deepest gratitude to our members, donors, and volunteers. Your continuedgenerosity ensures that Fern Hollow Nature Center remains an environmental education andconservation leader. Margaret ForsythLaura and Graham FurlongMelissa and James GarrisonPalmira and Graham GerlachCordelia and Blaise GrabiakHadley and Scott HaasJodi and George HackettJoanne and Jack HamJanice and Thomas Hay, Jr.Jennifer and Thomas HayThe Heimann FamilyStephanie and Conor HicktonJonathan Holmes -Holmes Build, LLCMary HotchkissMolly and Ben HowardJennifer and Keith KronkKimberly and Terrance KrysinskiSayward LehmanMichael and Gail ManganNick and Marissa McGannSally and Stephen McVeighMichael and Bethany MarekAshley and John MillerJack and Megan MinerWayne MurphyJames OliverKevin and Marguerite Park Janice Patz Dennis and Lisa PegdenBrian and Juliann PucevichRebecca ShapiroAlanna and Brent SigutMatthew and Jena SimmonsAnne and Joel SimpsonBarbara Cooley Thaw and Robert M. ThawMichael TomanaJoshua TrippRalph and Elaine ViggianoMelissa Walls and Lora RotheDavid WatersTara and Ryan WotusAlison and Jeff WrightKaren Yuhas and Jack Riley

VOLUNTEERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERSWe are incredibly grateful for thededication and hard work of ourvolunteers and committee members. Your time, effort, and passion makeeverything we do possible. Thank you forbeing an essential part of our success—we couldn’t do it without you! Listed below are individuals whovolunteered over 40 hours in 2024 orserved on one of our committees. RESTORING THE TRAIL: Ava’s Gold Award Project at Fern HollowFern Hollow has always been where connections to naturetake root, and Ava Savage’s recent Girl Scout Gold Awardproject is a perfect example of that. A longtime FernHollow camper, Ava dedicated her project to restoring the“Trail to Pond.”Driven by her love for hiking and her desire to give back toa place that shaped her childhood, Ava led a team ofvolunteers over several months to bring the trail back tolife. Together, they cleared fallen trees, cut back overgrownbrush, mulched the path, and rebuilt the trail using logs tocreate a clear, walkable route. Thanks to their hard work,the “Trail to Pond” is again open for hikers.The trail's entrance is located just outside Fern Hollow’sparking lot at the start of Sewickley Heights Drive. A smallsign welcomes visitors to explore the newly restored path.Ava’s dedication to this project reflects the spirit ofstewardship and community that Fern Hollow strives toinspire. We are grateful for her hard work and excited tosee hikers rediscover this beautiful trail for years to come.Michael BollingerBen BrennanLauren BurnsLevi CarverShelley ClementJudy DowningSteve DowningEnzo FlatiRyan FrankKristen HaasInterested in volunteering or sitting on one of our committees? Email info@fhnc.org Zoe HermenanLucy JohnsCharlotte LiaoLuna MeyersLinda PellAva SavageWill SnyderGrace WallerBill Welge Colin York

OUR FERN HOLLOW FAMILYCAPITAL CAMPAIGN$100,000 and Up Tom and Sara McCargo$50,000-$99,999Sylvia Dallas and John Oliver, IIIDavid and Christa SculleyWilliam P. Snyder III Charitable TrustMarguerite O. StandishColcom Foundation$25,000-$49,999Child Health Association of SewickleyBeth and David GenterThomas Marshall FoundationJamie and Pam Rogers$10,000-$24,999Francye and Craig KinneyLauren and Rob MassyEstate of June NimickOliver ReaHenry and Karen ThorneVillage Garden Club$5,000-$9,999Mary and Al BarbourLee and Michael BollingerBobbi BonnettBill Coates and Marcie McClintic CoatesRussell and Nancy Fuhrer Fund at the Pittsburgh FoundationTerrance Krysinski, M.D. and the Vein Institute of PittsburghAmy and Joseph MarshJennifer and Bryon NastasiJoan and Bob PeirceJack Riley and Karen YuhasMatt and Mellissa SanfilippoJohn Tippins and Laura PallanVictor-Wetzel Associates $500-$4,999Kathe and Stephen BargeAnne and Nicholas BatykoSharmon and Michael BeechBrewer Airport Toyota$500-$4,999 (continued)Barbara and Richard CarrierKatie and Clay CreeseRick and Lisa DiemertErin and Richard Donahue Melissa and Kurt EwenMai-Lan and Paul FaganHadley and Scott HaasJodi and Jon HilliardLori and Scott HolquistCarolyn and Paul HrachSusan and Greg KaminskiSusan and Ron KinserKriss and Frank LallyJamie and George McgovernBonnie Moorhead and Steven VictorNatalie and Bill MuellerCourtney and Chip MuseDavid A. NimickWilliam ReckerAnne Ronce and Reza ZadfarJulie and Patrick RooneyDawn and Matthew SchultzJudy and Harton SempleAnn SheltonPatricia Shetler and Samuel DuerrKristen SingerLinda Pell and Lindsey SmithVerna Corey SnyderBarbara Cooley Thaw and Robert ThawErika and Helge WehmeierWhitlock FamilyUp to $500Travis and Rachel BrickerSusan CockrellMargee and Stanley DenverAnnie and Mark GensheimerJohn HamiltonNobers FamilyBill PearsonMelinda RobertsCarol Semple ThompsonKristen SingerKara StachelJames and Heather Terrell

OUR FERN HOLLOW FAMILYCORPORATE DONORS$10,000 and upFirst National Bank$5,000-$9,999ESMARK$2,500-$4,999Goldberg, Kamin & Garvin Law Firm/Phillip H. Wimmer & Betty L. WimmerFamily FoundationSewickley Car StoreSchenley CapitalTrib Live LocalUPMC Health Plan$1,000-$2,499Advanced Construction ServicesDiemert InsuranceLeanne Ford InteriorsMerrill Lynch Wealth ManagementOrr’s JewelersSewickley AcademySRS Investment ServiceWildman Chalmers DesignUp to $1,000Allegheny Land TrustClearview Federal Credit UnionEvolve PittsburghFOUNDATIONS/RESTRICTED FUNDINGEducational Improvement Tax Credit Program$15,000 - First National Bank$5,000 - Waste Management$5,000-$9,999Ampco Pittsburgh Charitable FoundationLittle Sewickley Creek Watershed Association Pittsburgh Foundation, Wish BookProteus FoundationSewickley Valley Community FundThe Snyder Family FundThomas Marshall Foundation$2,500-$4,999Union Aid SocietyW.P. Snyder III Charitable Fund$1,000-$2,499Grapevine Garden ClubPittsburgh FoundationUp to $1,000Sisters of Saint JosephTrowel & Error Garden ClubUp to $1,000 (continued)Compass RE/The Bridge Collective- The Liz Fecko and Meg Smith TeamFireplace and PatioplaceMcGee Maruca & AssociatesMontessori Children’s CommunityJanice Maria Patz, EsquirePittsburgh PawsRobert Peirce & AssociatesSafran’s SupermarketSewickley QuarterVictor-Wetzel Associates

UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMSPROGRAMS FOR GRADES K - 5 Osborne Creek Club (grades 3-5) Select Thursdays after school March - MayNature Night Out Friday, May 23, June 27, July 25, and August 29 Fiddlehead Club: Field Day Friday, May 9Fiddlehead Club: Creek Day Tuesday, May 20Fern Hollow Explorers at the Sewickley Public Library Monday, June 23, July 28, and August 4SUMMER CAMPSThis summer we are offering 22 nature-themed summercamps. Spots are still available in the following camps:Hooked on Fishing (grades 3-5) June 9-13 from 9:00 am-NoonReptiles and Amphibians (grades 3-5) June 16-20 from 1:00-4:00 pmWatershed Warriors (grades 3-5) July 7-11 from 1:00-4:00 pmLittle Explorers (ages 3-5) at Ohio Township Nature Center July 28-August 1 from 9:00-11:30 amMammal Mania (grades K-2) August 4-8 from 1:00-4:00 pmSustainability Stars (grades 3-5) August 11-15 from 9:00 am-NoonGame On! (grades 3-5) August 11-15 from 1:00-4:00 pmPROGRAMS FOR FAMILIESEarth Day Celebration & Cleanup Saturday, April 26Nature & Nurture Hike Mondays, May 19, June 23, July 28, and August 18Family Fishing Saturday, May 24, June 21, July 26, August 9, September 13Playdates in our Natural Outdoor Classroom Wednesday, June-AugNational Get Outdoors Day Saturday, June 14PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Mushroom Walk and Talk w/ALT Monday, May 19 Summer Camp- Nature Journaling Wednesday, June 4 Summer Camp- Archery Wednesday, June 25Summer Camp- Fly Fishing Wednesday, July 9Mushroom Walk & Talk w/ALT Friday, July 11 Summer Camp- Forest Bathing Wednesday, July 30Summer Camp- Campfire Cooking Wednesday, August 13Summer Camp- Archery and Bonfire Wednesday, August 27