When we lose our connection with nature, we lose the desire to protect it.
At Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory,
we create immersive, educational experiences
that help people feel connected to the natural world.
We believe that immersion in nature is where curiosity begins, empathy for the planet grows, and the next generation of scientists, dreamers, and stewards take root.
Shannon’s holiday message to our supporters…
“My early, authentic connection with the natural world shaped who I am today. My sisters and I would spend entire days building forts in the forest, climbing ancient trees with histories older than our imaginations, and bouncing on branches like bucking broncos (not OSHA approved, but character-building nonetheless). We created whole worlds among the moss and banana slugs. I seriously doubt I would be leading a natural sciences nonprofit if I hadn’t grown up crouching barefoot in the soil, holding mysterious, slimy creatures in my hands.
We must ensure the next generation has these formative experiences in nature so they, too, develop a lifelong drive to care for the natural world.
Your contributions sustain this special place, where people of all ages can marvel at the wonders that abound in Sunriver and in the vast space beyond this planet we call home.
I hope you will consider a year-end gift today to keep our many connections with the natural world alive and growing for generations to come!”
—Shannon Ries, SNCO Executive Director
Join us for our
Community Impact Meeting
Formerly our “Annual Meeting”
February 25, 2026
4 to 6pm
SNCO - Pozzi Building
Sign in to the new SNCO Portal to access your tickets, memberships, donations, and your own profile.
SNCO’s Executive Director and Leadership Staff will share a summary of 2025 and the most up-to-date plans for upcoming programs, campus improvements, and more!
Follow us on social media for updates, events, astronomy tidbits, and posts from our resident Animal Ambassadors…
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Be a Sustaining
Monthly Donor
Monthly giving provides the consistent support needed to sustain year-round hands-on natural sciences education, and keep our 8-acre campus open and accessible to our community.
By becoming a monthly donor, you create a reliable foundation that helps us plan ahead, respond to needs as they arise, and continue inspiring people to protect the natural spaces that inspire and sustain us all.
Your steady support makes a lasting impact—every month, all year long.
In our secure donation form, toggle over from “Donate Once” to “Donate Monthly.”
Thank you so much for your generosity!
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We are deeply grateful to the donors who have established Education Endowments for SNCO. These endowed funds provide permanent, sustainable support for education scholarships — enabling underserved local children to explore the natural sciences at SNCO for generations to come:
Mark Hebenstreit Nature Education Fund
John Schuldt & Mary Chisholm
Astronomy Education Fund -
You can easily make a gift to SNCO through your Donor Advised Fund by recommending a grant to our organization. Simply contact your DAF sponsor or log into your giving portal to select SNCO as your recipient.
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Gifts of stock are a great way to receive a charitable deduction on your income taxes; your gift of stock is exempt from capital gains tax and you can claim the full amount of your gift on your tax return. We can work directly with your broker to facilitate your gift.
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If you are 70 ½ or older, with a traditional IRA, you can make a donation to SNCO directly from your IRA. Donors who need to meet a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) can support our mission while lowering their tax burden.
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If your employer has a matching gifts program, you can maximize your impact by having your gift matched. Many companies will double or even triple gifts to encourage philanthropy among their employees and retirees. To find out if your employer has a matching gifts program, please reach out to your company’s HR department.
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You can include SNCO in your will or living trust by designating a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate. This profound choice establishes a lasting legacy that sustains our mission for generations to come.
Please contact our Development Manager, Kayla Rotunno, to discuss all these giving options and more: kayla@snco.org or 541-593-4442
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory’s Tax ID is: 93-0817907
Thank you for considering these generous ways to sustain SNCO’s mission and serene campus for all to enjoy!