The American River Natural History Association (ARNHA)
The American River Natural History Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation whose purpose is to conduct, promote, aid, and augment educational and interpretive activities about the natural and cultural histories of the Sacramento region, principally in the American River Parkway, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, and the educational facilities of other organizations and agencies along the lower American River. We are governed by the Bylaws of the Association.
2026 Board Meetings
Join us for the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA) Board Meetings, typically held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM. Your participation is welcome as we discuss important matters related to our mission of conducting, promoting, aiding, and augmenting educational and interpretive activities focused on the natural and cultural histories of the Sacramento region. Our work primarily serves the American River Parkway, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, and other educational facilities along the lower American River.
Meeting Calendar:
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Wednesday, January 21st
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Wednesday, February 18th
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Wednesday, March 18th
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Wednesday, April 15th
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Wednesday, May 20th
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Wednesday, June 17th
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Wednesday, July 15th
Our Board of Directors
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Our Advisory
Board
Bruce Kennedy
Peggy Kennedy
Hunter Merritt
Beryl Michaels
Diana Parker
Kip Skidmore
Our Annual Reports
The Natural History Association provides Annual Reports on the activities and accomplishments of the organization. The Association also submits all required tax filings annually.
ARNHA Membership Meeting
April 23, 2025
We had a wonderful gathering at the Nature Center this week. For those who couldn’t join us, here are a few highlights:
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center (EYNC) has served the Carmichael community for over 50 years, providing immersive experiences in wildlife, ecology, and conservation. Managed by the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA) since 2010, the Center has recently faced financial challenges due to the loss of COVID-related funding, decreased donations, staff turnover, and insufficient financial oversight.
To ensure long-term sustainability, ARNHA is implementing key improvements:
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Strengthening financial oversight with new policies, better recordkeeping, and engagement of a certified public accountancy firm.
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Refreshing board leadership and restructuring committees to improve efficiency and transparency.
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Refocusing fundraising on major gifts, individual donations, and corporate sponsorships.
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Restructuring operations, including leadership changes and payroll reductions while maintaining essential staffing.
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Launching a short-term action plan (Jan–June 2025) to stabilize operations and secure funding.
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Developing a three-year business plan to boost financial health, grow programming, and strengthen partnerships.
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Collaborating with Sacramento County to ensure compliance and transparency.
ARNHA remains committed to keeping EYNC a vibrant, educational sanctuary and community treasure. With community support and a clear strategy, EYNC will continue to inspire environmental stewardship for generations to come.
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Want to learn more?
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View the PowerPoint presentation from the Membership Meeting
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