Forsyth Nature Center (FNC)

The Forsyth Nature Center Expansion was the Junior League of Kingston’s signature project from 2006-2011. Our mission was to reclaim and beautify a piece of undeveloped land adjacent to the existing “Zoo” that measured just over ½ acre. Members got to work raising money for this undertaking and then donned hard hats, work gloves and tools to help expand and develop the indigenous educational center that has grown into an invaluable community resource.

Over the years the Junior League of Kingston’s contributions to the improvements to Forsyth Nature Center have totaled over $50,000 in value including materials, time, and work donations on projects including a demonstration pen, Tortoise House, gazebo, greenhouse, compost stalls, rolling stage, mural and special events.

The League was responsible for the procurement of the demonstration pen, including the covered work area, which is used by the SUNY UCCC Vet Tech students and the FNC staff for educational seminars and demonstrations.

The Tortoise House is a heated enclosed 12×12 foot home to not just the resident tortoise, but to other reptiles as well. It has a connected fenced and “play area” for it’s free roaming residents.

The JLK purchased the gazebo to give visitors a shady spot to enjoy the FNC. Picnic tables were also provided to complete this area, which is often used for children’s birthday parties or a gathering place for school-children on educational tours to have lunch or a snack.

The greenhouse was gifted to the FNC at the same time as the gazebo. This structure is used, among other things, to start plants for the upcoming gardening season. The JLK helped form the community garden and provided several of its cornerstone plantings including many perennials, shrubbery and trees.

The compost stalls were created from start to finish by the League and were made to help “cultivate” Zoo Poo….a sought after nutrient rich dirt great for gardening. Once the compost is well developed, it can be sold by FNC, becoming an income source.

The rolling stage was purchased and remodeled by the Junior League as well. It provides a perfect platform for the numerous events the FNC holds throughout the year.

A large metal work shed which houses equipment used at the FNC was repainted and bedecked with a beautiful mural to help it blend into the upgraded surroundings.

Over the course of the Forsyth Nature Center Expansion, members from the JLK also attended OSHA training to instruct and prepare them for various construction projects.  The Junior League has hosted several events at the FNC, bringing hundreds of children, parents and grandparents through the Center’s gates.