Mianus River Gorge INC

Land protection: in 2025 mrg continued to work on land projects that we hope will lead to more protected land in the future. Mrg also continued habitat restoration work on many of the lands acquired in previous years including invasive species removal, replanting of native species, and protection of rare plant communities. Research & education: research assistantship program (rap) offers funding for graduate-level research in the fields of ecology and conservation. Each rap recipient receives a yearly stipend of 5000 for three years toward a specific project addressing an ecological question that affects mrg. Rap recipients also mentor high school students in our wtp program. In 2025, mrg hosted the rap student from cornell university, who is in the final year of his study, and also co-authored three scholarly papers. College intern program in suburban ecology (cise) offers internships to undergraduate students to study a variety of issues facing suburban preserves. Students work with staff and rap and wtp students. Mrg hosted four undergraduate interns in 2025. Our wildlife technician program (wtp) offers high school students from the region the opportunity to conduct a 2.5-year (from 10th grade to 12th grade) research study under the mentorship of our staff and rap students. The program was designed to complement the state university of new york science research in the high school (srhs) curriculum and provides access to scientific mentors, hands-on field experience, and immersion into real- world conservation problems facing suburban ecosystems. In 2025, mrg mentored 12 wtp students across 10th to 12th grade. Public programs & outreach: in 2025, mrg staff presented numerous public programs across the region about co-existing with bears, consulted with community members about invasive species biology and management, and lead general education programs / nature walks for approx. 100 people. Specific topics included deploying wildlife cameras; the old-growth forest;