Greenburgh and Nature Center reach contract accord

A contract has been signed by the Town of Greenburgh and Nunataks, Ltd., the nonprofit that operates the Greenburgh Nature Center for Nunataks to continue operating the Nature Center through Dec. 2050. The Nature Center is on 33 acres of land with an address of 177 Hillside Ave., and has been operating since the mid-1970s.

Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner told the Business Journal that the new contract was approved by the Greenburgh Town Board.

“I took a tour recently of the Nature Center and there are some really amazing things they’re doing,” Feiner said. “They started a story walk, which is a new trail with books along the trail for kids to read. They’re planning a visitor’s center. They have a new turtle exhibit. They really are doing new things and have a lot of exciting initiatives planned.”

The contract provides for Greenburgh to pay Nunataks $337,100 for Fiscal Year 2024 and $350,000 in subsequent years. In addition it provides for maintenance services from Greenburgh’s Departments of Central Services, Public Works and Parks and Recreation. Feiner said that having a contract with the town and receiving aid from the town should help the Nature Center in its fundraising efforts.

The contract requires Nunataks to develop and maintain a host of exhibits including maple sugaring sites, an herb garden, butterfly garden and live animal displays. The center currently has more than 100 animals. Exhibits include a native plant meadow, replica native American village, a barnyard, and an organic garden. It estimates there are about 90,000 visitors a year.

The new contract requires that the Nature Center grounds and outdoor exhibits be open and accessible every day from dawn to dusk and specifies minimum operating hours for certain indoor exhibits.

Feiner pointed out that the amount Greenburgh pays to the Nature Center can be cut in the future if Edgemont succeeds in incorporating as its own town, resulting in a loss of revenue for Greenburgh. The contract specifies that the Nature Center’s 33 acres of land and buildings are owned by the town and the land is dedicated as parkland.

“The Nature Center to me is the closest thing to heaven on Central Avenue,” Feiner said. “When you get to the Nature Center you’re only a few seconds away from Central Avenue but you feel as if you’re in paradise. People move to the town and enjoy the town because of our quality of life initiatives. It’s really a first-class local nature center.”

“This long-term contract allows us to focus on what we do best — offering innovative educational programming, protecting wildlife, and preserving the natural beauty of the Greenburgh Nature Center,” said Tracey Kurzweil, president of the Board of Directors of Nunataks Ltd. “We are deeply grateful to the Town of Greenburgh and our supporters for recognizing the importance of environmental education and conservation.”

Nunataks Ltd. is gearing up to celebrate the Nature Center’s 50th anniversary in 2025.