EYNC Updates

Six-Month Action Plan Underway, Long-Term Business Plan in Development

ARNHA has launched a six-month action plan to stabilize operations and lay the foundation for a stronger future for the Effie Yeaw Nature Center (EYNC). This plan, which runs through June 30, 2025, focuses on essential areas such as financial oversight, governance, and organizational development.

The six-month action plan includes key steps to address immediate challenges, including:

Stabilizing Finances: Reworking budgets, improving cash flow, and restructuring leadership to promote financial health.

Improving Governance: Refreshing the Board, enhancing leadership practices, and strengthening oversight.

Fundraising and Community Engagement: Developing new, targeted fundraising strategies to secure resources and strengthen community relationships.

You can read the Action Plan here (click the pdf icon):

In parallel, ARNHA is developing a longer-term Business Plan to guide operations for the next three years. This comprehensive plan will focus on revenue generation, growth of membership, strategic expansion of programs, and building collaborations and partnerships that help ensure ENYC’s long-term viability. It will provide the roadmap for sustainable growth so that EYNC continues to fulfill its educational and stewardship missions.

The combination of the six-month action plan and the upcoming Business Plan both address current challenges and also position ARNHA for a resilient future. By focusing on financial health, effective governance, and community engagement, these plans will help ARNHA move past recent challenges and ensure a thriving Effie Yeaw Nature Center for years to come.

Join Us for an American River Natural History Association Membership Meeting - The State of the Center

Date: Wednesday, April 23

Time: 5:00 PM

Location: Effie Yeaw Nature Center

2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CA 95608

We’re excited to invite you to an American River Natural History Association’s Membership Meeting!

The evening will begin with a welcome reception, where you can connect with fellow members and enjoy light refreshments. Then, we’ll share important updates on the state of the center, including recent accomplishments, ongoing projects, and other news.

Your support and involvement are vital to our mission of inspiring appreciation and stewardship of the natural world. This meeting is a great opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and stay engaged with the future of Effie Yeaw Nature Center.

We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP: Please RSVP by Friday April 18th

RSVP HERE

Monday, March 3, 2025

After thoughtful discussion, the EYNC Acting Executive Director supported by the ARNHA Board of Directors has decided that the Annual Gala originally scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2025 will be rescheduled to Sunday, September 28, 2025 in recognition of current staffing at the Nature Center to provide sufficient time for the successful preparation of this important fundraising event.

Announcement: Rachael Cowan to be the new EYNC Associate Executive Director 1/21/25

The American River Natural History Association (ARNHA) Board of Directors is very pleased to announce that Rachael Cowan has been hired to be the Associate Executive Director at Effie Yeaw Nature Center (EYNC), effective February 17, 2025. Ms. Cowan, in the past 20 years, has held leadership positions in four non-profits, including 6 years previously with the Nature Center (2014 through 2020) as a Staff Naturalist and later as a Volunteer Coordinator.

Over the course of her career, she has shown herself to be a detail-oriented, organized individual who works well with others. Her work history reflects experience and expertise in financial management, program oversight, collaborative ventures and constituency building. In her most recent employment, she has worked as a fundraiser demonstrating a clear ability to engage with existing and potential donors, including individuals, foundations, corporations, and public entities. At EYNC, she will assist our current Interim Executor Director, Betty Cooper. We look forward to her bringing her talents and leadership skills to the Nature Center.