25 Great Things Happened In Our 25th Year!

1. Redesigned Field Notes – We’ve received rave reviews over our improved newsletter with new section just for kids.
2. New Faces- Rich Santangelo, our Environmental Educator, is developing new programs to reach new audiences. Hope Coppinger, our Membership and Outreach Coordinator, will be a great asset to marketing and outreach efforts. Dan Mayer, our paid first summer intern, assisted with conservation and stewardship work during the summer months.
3. Ongoing Land Preservation Efforts – By the close of 2009, Schiff will own 40 new acres, bringing our total area managed to almost 600 acres!
4. Schiff Guide to Green Living – Distributed 4000 copies throughout surrounding communities.
5. Tee Shirt Design Contest – Look for the 25th Anniversary butterfly tee shirts around town designed by Micky Guilino!
6. Schiff Song, “Schiff Is Where It’s At”-Lots of campers learned the new Schiff anthem by Ken Galipeau. Look for the video on YouTube.
7. Reusable Bags and Water Bottles - Designed specifically for Schiff. Buy one today!
8. 2nd Annual Family Farm Fest –Another successful year thanks to Mendham Junior Women's Club, Middle Valley Farms and lots of volunteers and friends.
9. New Partnerships - We're working with new community groups throughout Mendham, Chester, Bernardsville, Peapack/Gladstone and other local towns.
10. Donation Cans – They helped publicize our 25th anniversary and small change added up to over $250 so far!
11. Bio-Blitz – Expert field biologists, volunteers and visitors counted XX species.
12. Wildlife Project – Teen aged students worked to produce "Guide to Wildlife of Schiff Nature Preserve". Look for new brochures in December.
13. Historical Artifact Recovery
14. Green Lecture Series – Hosted four “green” living lectures.
15. Nature Center Beautification –Volunteers and summer campers worked hard in the gardens and grants have been awarded for native plants and new Nature Center windows.
16. Mendham Labor Day Parade – The haywagon was decorated with recycled flowers and tie dyed marchers were led by a recycled chicken.
17. Schiff Documentary, Legacy of the Land
18. Documentary Screening- We hosted a special screening and release party for the first showing of the Schiff documentary, Legacy of the Land.
19. New Schiff Informational Map and Brochure – A beautifully designed outreach piece to guide new visitors.
20. New Trails - $25,000 DEP grant allowed for development of almost four miles of new trails at Schiff and on the adjacent McVickers Brook Preserve.
21. New Equipment-Director of Stewardship, Jon Wagar, was delighted to spend a portion of our trails grant on the “Gator”.
22. Bluebird and Neighbor Day- Almost 100 members and neighbors attended this special day.
23. Main Street Banner –Hung across Main Street in Mendham in spring and fall to commemorate the 25th Anniversary.
24. Environmental Film Festival – Schiff partnered with Base Camp Adventure Outfitters to host a spectacular event featuring seven independent, environmental films. 125 people attended.
25. New Friends – Membership has grown to almost 425 friends and families.