One of Englewood’s treasured resources is the Flat Rock Brook Nature Association (FRB), our beautiful nature preserve and environmental education center in the Second Ward, and our leading advocate of environmental awareness. In the fall of 2007 the FRB Board of Directors launched a new initiative -- "Our Green Agenda" -- a celebration of the organization’s 35th anniversary that looks ahead to the future in a world where environmental protection will be more crucial than ever. Now, almost a year later, FRB is well on the way to making the agenda a reality.

But FRB needs support: something on the order of $24,000, to fulfill a goal of raising $200,000 to match an equal amount, dollar for dollar, pledged last year by two anonymous friends to benefit FRB’s endowment. FRB members and other friends have responded generously to the challenge, to the tune of cash donations and pledges totaling 88% of the campaign goal. The last $24,000, needed by the end of 2008, will, when doubled, give FRB the entire $400,000.

This past year FRB has not only promoted the Green Agenda in its nature programs, schoolchildren’s visits, and care of its 150 acres. New initiatives have also been taken and new projects started, many with grants and gifts. To name just a few:

• Installation of a state of the art solar energy system to be completed in September 2008.
• Complete renovation of the Backyard Habitat for Wildlife (listed in Smithsonian Archive of American Gardens) as a demonstration garden for local homeowners
• Control of invasive plant species that encroach upon our local plant life
• Expanded collaboration with Englewood public schools in a wide variety of nature study programs.
• Membership in Earth Share, national network of leading environmental and conservation organizations
• Work toward Green Building certification by national LEED (Leadership in Energy and Developmental Design)
• Establishment of a mini-recycling center for batteries, cassettes & ink cartridges
• Commission of detailed design for new indoor interpretive exhibit

FRB is calling upon community members to help keep the momentum going by helping to put the anniversary campaign over the top. Only $24,000 remains to fully match the challenge grant, which will increase the endowment by two-thirds and yield funds to enable FRB to continue moving forward with Our Green Agenda. Gifts and/or pledges must be made before this year’s end to qualify for the match.

Checks should be payable to Flat Rock Brook Nature Association and sent to the association at 443 Van Nostrand Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631. The deadline for cash gifts is December 31, 2008. For further information on types of giving and pledges, please call 201-567-1265. All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.