Each year, the Big Day of Giving is held on the first Thursday of May and the Sacramento region comes together to support organizations that make our community stronger. The Big Day of Giving is a 24-hour, community-wide fundraising movement, organized by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. We’re thrilled to once again be a part of this fun and impactful event, and we hope we can count on your help!
Schedule a Reminder to Give
Mark your calendars or use the following link to schedule an email or text reminder for May 2nd, the Big Day of Giving:
Make a Donation
Anytime between April 18th and May 2nd, you can return to this page and give any amount that is meaningful to you. Your safe and secure donation will go toward our Big Day of Giving total. A nominal administration fee of 5% will be deducted or you can choose to cover that cost as part of your donation.
You may also always give by beck if you prefer, just write "Big Day of Giving" on the memo line and you can drop them off in person or mail them to us at 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael, CA 95608!
Follow our Social Media
The Big Day of Giving is a digital giving day meaning that to get the most success we need our social media posts to be spread around! By sharing, liking and commenting on our Big Day of Giving social media pots - you help our posts garner more views and increase the amounts of gifts we receive in total - all at no cost to you!
Nestled in a beautiful oak woodland along the American River, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center delivers award-winning natural science programs to thousands of school children and families each year with qualified naturalists and trained docents. Its location within one of California's largest metropolitan areas makes it highly accessible to urban school children and a special natural resource for family recreation and environmental study. Last year, nearly 16,500 students and more than 100,000 visitors participated in the Nature Center's education programs, explored the visitor center, got up close with our resident animals, and/or enjoyed the serene natural beauty of the 100-acre nature preserve.
The Nature Center is operated by the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA), a non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage excellence in environmental science and cultural education within Sacramento County, particularly the American River Parkway. Founded in 1981, ARNHA assumed financial and operational responsibility for the Nature Center in July 2010, in response to significant budget cuts by the County of Sacramento.
The Nature Center is named after Effie Yeaw, a teacher, conservationist and environmental educator who worked with citizen groups to raise interest in preserving the lands along the lower American River in the 1950's and 60's. She also trained tour guides and helped develop the concept of the American River Parkway. In 1960, the County Parks Department received bond money to purchase land along the American River in the area now known as Ancil Hoffman Park. That was the beginning of many purchases to establish the Parkway, including the Effie Yeaw Nature Area. In 1974, a citizen's advisory committee studied the feasibility of an interpretive center in Ancil Hoffman County Park. Many of the committee's members were introduced to the natural resources of the Parkway by Effie Yeaw herself. Construction of the Nature Center was completed in June 1976 and was dedicated in memory of the teacher whose devotion to nature and children still guide Nature Center activities today. Though Effie Yeaw died in 1970, her legacy lives on in the American River Parkway she helped to establish and in the Nature Center whose guiding philosophy is Effie's genuine love for nature and children.
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center is dedicated to providing educational and interpretive programs and information about the natural environment, principally in the American River Parkway.
At Effie Yeaw Nature Center, we're all about creating connections – between people and nature, and between our community and the environment. When you support us, you're not just funding programs or maintaining exhibits; you're making a real difference in the lives of our visitors, our animals, and our volunteers. Here's how you can be a part of our mission:
Educational Adventures: Your generosity helps us offer outdoor education programs, seasonal camps, Nisenan Maidu cultural history programs, and fun weekend activities for families. With just $600, you can provide enriching experiences for over 100 students!
Interactive Exhibits: Your support keeps our visitor center vibrant with interactive exhibits and a replica Nisenan Maidu village, creating immersive learning experiences for all ages.
Animal Care: Our "Educational Ambassadors" – over 20 resident live animals – depend on your support for food, shelter, and daily care. A donation of $300 covers a month of meals for these special animals.
Community Connections: Be a part of our community by sponsoring or donating to events like Bird & Breakfast (perfect for bird enthusiasts!), NatureFest (a day of community education), and Spring Gala and Auction (a fun fundraiser for a good cause).
Volunteer Vitality: Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the Nature Center, contributing their time and talents to everything from landscaping to animal care. Join us in making a difference!
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a big impact. Together, we can continue to inspire a love for nature and a commitment to conservation. Thank you for being a part of our nature-loving community!
In deepest respect, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center (EYNC) recognizes that the Nature Center sits on the unceded land of the Valley Nisenan peoples. The American River Natural History Association (ARNHA) and the EYNC, as the current stewards, will continuously work to uplift and affirm the voices of the local tribal nations through a mutual partnership that will aid in preserving and interpreting their thriving indigenous culture; not just depicting past history. The EYNC and the ARNHA also commit to partnering and working with local tribal nations to preserve the land in a manner that respects the beliefs and cultures of the first peoples, who are vested and valued stakeholders within the Sacramento Community.
Organization name
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
1981
Tax id (EIN)
94-2766075
Mission Category
Education
Operating Budget
$1,000,001-$5 million
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted, Funding: Other, Volunteers
Demographics Served
Youth & Children, Low-income individuals/families, Seniors
Local Counties Served
El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo
Address
2850 San Lorenzo WaySacramento, CA, US
Elk Grove, CA, US
Carmichael, CA, US
Roseville, CA, US
West Sacramento, CA, US