The Nature Center volunteers and staff are working hard behind the scenes this summer to make renovations to the facilities and trails.  Some projects require mostly labor, but others require "a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow".  

Our goals include: 

• Restoration of the exterior logs of the main building; 
• Renovation and enlargement of the back deck;
• Renovation of the Salmon Viewing Deck. 

These projects will cost the Nature Center upwards of $400,000.  We hope that you can help us by contributing to our BUILDING FUND.  To make a contribution use the secure form below and write "Building Fund" in the comments section.  We will keep a running list of contributors who will receive special recognition. For details, please contact our Director.

Help us award scholarships to schools and groups that might otherwise not be able to afford a field trip to the Nature Center. 

You can designate a particular asset or a percentage of your estate to Friends of Eagle River Nature Center, Inc (FERNC/Non-profit tax ID 92-0156981) by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust. You can do this while creating your will or trust, or you can amend an existing one with a simple document. FERNC can be either a primary or a contingent beneficiary.Informing us will help for planning and ensures your wishes can be fulfilled. This is especially important for gifts of real estate, business interest or other specialized property.

Your distribution is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and there is no limit on the deduction your estate can claim. In addition, the gift is usually exempt from state inheritance taxes.

GIVING STOCK which has been held for more than 12 months may offer you considerable tax advantages. You may avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase of your stock and receive a tax deduction for the fair market value of the stock on the date of the gift.  Please consult with your tax adviser to determine how, specifically, the charitable deduction will work for your unique tax situation. For further information on how you can donate gifts of stock or mutual funds to the Nature Center, please contact our Director.

Check with your employer as they may have an employee giving program!  Some employees will match your donation up to a certain amount, some may give you a set amount of money to donate as you choose and some may even match your volunteer efforts!  Here are a few examples:

• United Way:  Do you make a donation to your company’s UNITED WAYS WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN? Do you also make a contribution to the Nature Center? You could increase the total amount you give to charity, by designating the Nature Center as the recipient of a portion of your United Way contribution. Many companies will then match (or 50% of your total contribution) the total amount of your donation. This amount will go into the United Way general fund. The Nature Center receives your donation and your overall contribution to charity is increased. For more information, contact United Way or the Nature Center.

• State of Alaska Share Campaign: Each fall the SHARE campaign runs for several weeks giving State of Alaska Employees the opportunity to donate to their chosen Alaskan-based nonprofit directly through payroll deduction.