If you value biodiversity and believe environmental conservation is better when informed by science, then you can be part of the Natural History Survey. How do you want to get involved?
Sign up for E-News
Our e-news is the best way to stay up to date, with events, programs, and other news emailed to you a couple times a month. Manage your preferences via Constant Contact. We never sell or distribute email addresses.
Become a Member
Members are the backbone of the Survey, generously providing most of the support for public programs, including BioBlitz, the biodiversity database, bulletin, and network building activities.
Member benefits include discounts on events and merch, early access to the Rhode Island Naturalist bulletin in PDF form, special mailings and email notices, exclusive member events, access to the reference library and tool loan program, voting privileges at the annual meeting, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re improving environmental science and conservation in Rhode Island. Member dues may be tax deductible depending on your situation.
Make a Donation
Struck by something the Survey’s done recently but membership not your thing? You can show your appreciation with a financial contribution (or add a donation to an existing membership). When you use the Donate page (processed securely by STRIPE) you can include a note about what prompted you to reach out.
Become a Sustaining Donor
Now it’s easy to sustain the Survey without annual reminders. The Survey is on Patreon and Buymeacoffee. When you sign up as a sustaining donor, there is less paperwork and more money goes to mission delivery.
Planned Giving
The Legacy Expedition is the Survey’s planned giving program. You join the Legacy Expedition by making the Survey a part of your estate plan. Members embarked on the Legacy Expedition are orchestrating moments of discovery for future generations and enjoy special explorations, events, recognition, and opportunities now. Join them by providing the Survey with a written notice describing the arrangements you have made benefitting the Survey in your will or estate plan. The amount or value of your gift need not be mentioned, details remain confidential.
Find out more on the Legacy Expedition page or contact the executive director or a member of the Board.
Gifts In-Kind (Goods or Services)
If you have something you think the Survey could use, please contact the office. Making a gift of goods or services is a way to support the Survey mission. What does the Survey need right now?
- see our Amazon Wishlist
- books and other materials for the library
The Survey is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the fair market value of in-kind gifts may be tax deductible. Tax law specifies that the donor is responsible for acquiring an appraisal if that is needed.
Volunteer
Volunteers give critical support for events, projects, and administrative tasks. Volunteering is a way to support the Survey mission even if you can’t make a financial gift. To volunteer or to hear more about opportunities contact the office.
Biodiversity Observations, Data, Archives, and Specimens
Documents & Photos: Plant lists, phenology notebooks, specimen records, field photos, fieldbooks, card files…they all contain irreplaceable records of Rhode Island’s ecosystem and its history. A gift of natural history data or archives, in any format, supports the Survey’s mission. Whether it is originals or copies, paper or computer files, we can integrate the information contained in your records into ours. More about the Natural History Survey’s work on biodiversity.
Natural Historical Specimens: The Survey prefers not to hold natural historical specimens, and with very few exceptions, we cannot accept them. Nonetheless, old collections are irreplaceable records, and we are anxious to help find a home for your collection or an orphan collection you’re aware of. Please contact the office about natural historical collections needing new homes.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities
Giving appreciated securities (stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.) directly to the Natural History Survey can be an especially tax efficient way to support the mission. The Survey has a brokerage account and can receive such gifts. If you are interested in taking this route, you or your financial advisor can contact the executive director for more information.