Donations

Become a Climate Activist: Adopt a Native Tree or Shrub and Grow Our Future!

For just $40, you can sponsor the planting of a native tree or shrub at the McKaig Nature Center or a nearby open space. Your sponsorship directly contributes to restoring our local ecosystems and combating climate change.

Here's what your sponsorship provides:

• A native tree or shrub, carefully selected from our own nursery to thrive in our environment.
• Essential support materials: a white oak stakes, grow tube, or protective cage.
• Planting by dedicated student and volunteer teams, ensuring your contribution takes root within a year.

Your Impact:

• Each tree acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing harmful greenhouse gases.
• You'll enhance local biodiversity and create valuable habitat for wildlife.
• You'll support hands-on environmental education for students, fostering the next generation of environmental stewards.

Choose your level of support:

• 1 smaller plant: $40
• 2 smaller plants: $70
• 3 smaller plants: $100
• 1 larger tree/shrub: $110
• 2 larger plants: $200
• 3 larger plants: $270

Our Goal: To plant 200 new plants this year, creating a greener, healthier community. 2018: 61 trees planted, 2019: 49, 2020: Covid, 2021: 11 2022: 46, 2023: 146, 2024: 460

Join us in making a tangible difference. Sponsor a tree today!

*Please note: We may combine sponsorships to plant larger specimens as needed for optimal growth and impact at the target location. All proceeds directly support environmental education programs for students at the McKaig Nature Center.

McKaig Nature Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit conservancy, making your contribution fully tax deductible as allowed by law.

Your support is an investment in the future of McKaig, a place where nature and community thrive.

In 2018 we invested $567 towards these tree planting goals. 2019: $512, 2020: $362, 2021: $472, 2022: built nursery $1621, 2023: irrigation system, solar shade $559, 2024: $1251 for a 2018-2024 total: $4,777.

Looking for a gift that's both beautiful and beneficial? The McKaig Nature Education Center's tree program is the perfect choice for nature enthusiasts.

Your gift* purchases a native tree or shrub, including a stake, grow tube, or protective cage, which will be planted at McKaig or a nearby open space by our dedicated student and volunteer teams within a year

• 1 smaller plant: $40
• 2 smaller plants: $70
• 3 smaller plants: $100
• 1 larger tree/shrub: $110
• 2 larger plants: $200
• 3 larger plants: $270

Clicking the link brings you to an order page, enter your contact information and:

* We reserve the right to combine sponsorships to plant larger specimen as needed for the target location. 

Proceeds benefit environmental education programs and Nature Center maintenance. 

McKaig Nature Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit conservancy, making your contribution fully tax deductible as allowed by law.

Your support is an investment in the future of McKaig, a place where nature and community thrive.

Step back in time and preserve a piece of our community's heritage. The Old Roberts Schoolhouse, built in the 1850s, and rebuilt in 1962, stands as a testament to our region's rich history, serving not only as a unique and inspiring classroom for students but also as a cherished gathering place for neighbors.

The Old Roberts Schoolhouse Preservation Fund is dedicated to ensuring this historic landmark remains a vibrant center for education and community connection for generations to come. Your generous contribution will directly support the preservation and maintenance of this invaluable treasure.

McKaig Nature Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit conservancy, making your contribution fully tax deductible as allowed by law.

Your support is an investment in the future of McKaig, a place where nature and community thrive.

Protect Our Community's Natural Heritage: The Open Space Preservation Fund

Our community's character and quality of life depend on preserving our open spaces – the green fields, woodlands, and natural areas that provide clean air, wildlife habitat, and vital recreational opportunities. But rapid development threatens these irreplaceable assets.

The Open Space Preservation Fund is dedicated to proactively safeguarding our natural heritage through strategic land acquisition and effective regulatory advocacy. We work to:

• Identify and Prioritize: Map and analyze critical open spaces to determine the most valuable parcels for preservation.
• Acquire and Protect: Secure land through direct purchase, generous donations, or negotiated deed restrictions, ensuring these spaces remain undeveloped.
• Advocate for Responsible Development: Work with municipal and state authorities to implement policies that protect open space and guide sustainable growth.

Your contribution is essential to:

• Maintain vital wildlife corridors and ecosystems.
• Ensure access to green spaces for recreation and enjoyment.
• Protect our community’s assets for generations to come.

By donating to the Open Space Preservation Fund, you become a partner in our mission to create a legacy of natural beauty and environmental stewardship. Every dollar brings us closer to securing the open spaces that define our community.

Join us in preserving the spaces we love. Donate today and make a lasting impact.

McKaig Nature Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit conservancy, making your contribution fully tax deductible as allowed by law.

Your support is an investment in the future of McKaig, a place where nature and community thrive.

Empowering Future Leaders and Enhancing Our Park: The Scout and Student Project Fund

For years, the McKaig Nature Center has been enriched by the dedication and vision of young leaders. Gold Award projects, Eagle Scout initiatives, and high school senior projects have transformed our park, creating lasting improvements for visitors and the environment. These projects not only enhance the McKaig experience but also cultivate valuable skills and civic responsibility in our young community members.

However, the financial burden of these projects often falls heavily on the students and their families, potentially hindering their ability to complete these valuable initiatives. Fundraising, while essential, can detract from the learning experience and place undue stress on participating families.

The Scout and Student Project Fund exists to alleviate this financial strain. In special cases, when funding challenges threaten to stall a project or create a significant financial hardship, McKaig Nature Center offers matching grants of up to $400 per project. This support ensures that these vital projects can come to fruition, benefiting both our park and our future leaders.

McKaig Nature Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit conservancy, making your contribution fully tax deductible as allowed by law.

Your support is an investment in the future of McKaig, a place where nature and community thrive.

Honoring Ben Hodgkins' Legacy: Connecting Children with Nature Through the Memorial Scholarship Fund

In today's increasingly digital world, children are spending less time outdoors, leading to alarming consequences for their physical and mental well-being. Studies reveal a doubling of childhood obesity rates and a decline in creativity, concentration, and social skills due to reduced outdoor activity. 

The profound benefits of connecting children with nature are undeniable. Outdoor experiences promote healthy growth, stimulate imagination, enhance attention spans, reduce aggression, and improve academic performance. Moreover, children who regularly engage with nature are more likely to become responsible stewards of the environment. 

The Ben Hodgkins Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor Ben's passion for fostering a love of nature in children. Ben, who frequently explored the McKaig park with his son, understood the importance of hands-on learning in the natural world. 

Donations to this fund provide vital educational programs for underprivileged students and children from disadvantaged areas, giving them the opportunity to experience the transformative power of nature firsthand. Your generosity will:

• Provide Access to Nature: Enable children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the wonders of the outdoors.
• Promote Health and Well-being: Support programs that encourage physical activity and mental clarity.
• Cultivate Future Stewards: Inspire a lifelong appreciation for the environment.
• Honor Ben Hodgkins' Memory: Continue his legacy of connecting children with the natural world.

Join us in honoring Ben's memory and investing in the health, education, and future of our children. Donate to the Ben Hodgkins Memorial Scholarship Fund today.

McKaig Nature Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit conservancy, making your contribution fully tax deductible as allowed by law.

Your support is an investment in the future of McKaig, a place where nature and community thrive.

The McKaig Nature Education Center is a cherished local sanctuary, offering vital educational programs and a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts of all ages. Spanning 91.2 acres, our 3+ miles of trails wind through diverse habitats, providing opportunities for exploration and connection with the natural world.

However, the beauty and accessibility of McKaig are under threat. Years of wear, coupled with increasingly intense weather patterns, have led to significant erosion and damage along our trails. This not only compromises the safety and enjoyment of visitors but also jeopardizes the delicate ecosystems we strive to protect.

The McKaig Nature Center Preservation Fund has been established to address these critical issues, ensuring the long-term health and accessibility of this irreplaceable resource.

McKaig Nature Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit conservancy, making your contribution fully tax deductible as allowed by law.

Your support is an investment in the future of McKaig, a place where nature and community thrive.

The McKaig Nature Center's Memorial Garden offers a serene and tranquil space to honor the memory of loved ones, both human and animal, who found solace and joy in our peaceful woodlands. Here, amidst the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft sounds of nature, you can remember and celebrate the lives of those who shared a special connection with McKaig's beauty.

Minimum donation for non-members - $180.

McKaig Nature Center strives to maintain a permanent memorial for all loved ones. However, to ensure the long-term sustainability of this program, we may need to archive memorial markers after a period of inactivity. We will notify you beforehand and offer the opportunity to maintain the memorial with renewed engagement.

McKaig Nature Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, so your contribution to our center is fully tax deductible as allowed by relevant law.

To pay for an event.

Click on the "Donate" button below to make your sponsorship investment.

• Large sponsor acknowledgement in expo area.

• Sponsor logo on website & race tees

• Complimentary race registrations & tees x5

• Custom area sponsorship (ie. Awards Podium)

• Recognition on race day announcements & pre-race day posts.

• Custom banner at start/finish line

• Exclusive Sneak Peek Event

• 5 free annual McKaig Park Memberships

• Blow horn to start race

Supersize your sponsorship! Our two biggest events are a month apart. Add $100 to any race sponsorship, and receive a sponsorship package to our Fall Gala that includes multiple sponsor logos+ 2 Gala tickets.

Click on the "Donate" button below to make your sponsorship investment.

• Sponsor acknowledgement in expo area.

• Sponsor logo on website & race tees

• Complimentary race registrations & tees x2

• Custom area sponsorship (ie. Awards Podium)

• Recognition on race day announcements & pre-race day posts.

Supersize your sponsorship! Our two biggest events are a month apart. Add $100 to any race sponsorship, and receive a sponsorship package to our Fall Gala that includes multiple sponsor logo placements (online and at event) + 2 Gala tickets. Simply add $100 to your sponsorship below.

Click on the "Donate" button below to make your sponsorship investment.

• Sponsor acknowledgement in expo area.

• Sponsor logo on website & race tees

• Complimentary race registration & tee

Supersize your sponsorship! Our two biggest events are a month apart. Add $100 to any race sponsorship, and receive a sponsorship package to our Fall Gala that includes multiple sponsor logos+ 2 Gala tickets.

Click on the "Donate" button below to make your sponsorship investment.

• Sponsor acknowledgement in expo area.

Supersize your sponsorship! Our two biggest events are a month apart. Add $100 to any race sponsorship, and receive a sponsorship package to our Fall Gala that includes multiple sponsor logos+ 2 Gala tickets.

Funds received from your organization matching donation program in support of the McKaig park.