Matching Gift Challenge continues to support the Stage Nature Center

TROY — Community members can support Stage Nature Center programs and amenities through their Matching Gift Challenge, which is currently running now through Nov. 30.

The Matching Gift Challenge began in October 2022 after an individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, approached the Troy Nature Society about wanting to contribute to the Stage Nature Center in a meaningful way that would encourage others to give.  

“We suggested that a Matching Gift Challenge would definitely be a way to encourage others as their contribution could be doubled up to a total of $10,000,” Troy Nature Society Executive Director Carla Reeb said in an email.

Since then, after three years, the anonymous donor has stepped forward to pledge $10,000 to this challenge once again. 

“The anonymous donor that has pledged the $10,000 for this challenge this year and the last 2 years has the goal of encouraging more people to donate in order to support the programming at the nature center as well as the owl ambassadors that live here,” Troy Nature Society Lead Naturalist Christina Funk said in an email. 

“The matching challenge has met and exceeded those expectations the last 2 years. Since the pandemic, we have slowly been working our way back up to pre-covid visitation numbers in terms of programs (especially school groups).

“Because we are a nonprofit and our funding relies partially on fees brought in from our programs, the matching challenge has been incredibly helpful for us to support the overall operation of the nature center, including supporting program staff payrolls. 

“We are getting close to pre-covid school attendance (numbers); however, we are not there yet so the matching challenge is very important in helping to make up for the income we are not making from those programs. 

“It has also been very helpful in supporting the care of the non-releasable owls that serve as educational ambassadors as well as the other animals that serve as educational ambassadors.” 

Currently, the challenge has raised over a thousand dollars in funds that will support the educational nature programs and activities of the Stage Nature Center. This includes specific areas like:

Adopt-a-Critter, which facilitates sponsorships of the center’s reptiles or amphibians.

Owl Fund, which supports medical care and feeding for the four rehabilitated owls at the center.

Over 300 public educational programs that are offered annually for individuals of all ages. This includes Maple Syrup Time, Knee High Naturalists, Owl Prowl, Bat Walk, Trick or Treat Among the Trees, Monarch Madness and many more.

Native Gardens, which are beautiful, educational native gardens maintained by Master Gardener volunteers.

A general donation, which supports the nature center’s activities.

“There are a few areas that guests really seem to like – the mastodon dig and play area for children inside the nature center are very popular as well as the live animal displays and the observation beehive,” Funk said in an email. 

“The live animal displays include snakes, turtles, frogs, etc. Guests also really enjoy visiting the 4 rehabilitated, non-releasable owls that serve as educational ambassadors of their species. The trails are also popular and bring many people who walk them on a regular basis.” 

Funk, who has been working with the nature center for around eight years, said the educational programming and the owl fund especially need support.

Donations can be made through troynaturesociety.org/donate_today or by mailing a check to Stage Nature Center, Attn: Matching Gift Challenge Fund, P.O. Box 99302, Troy, MI 48099. For more information, visit troynaturesociety.org.