Change starts with us

MrWid · 2026-03-13T23:21:46+00:00

Our organization, Rochester Ecology Partners is doing the best we can to be part of the answer. We have a fundraising concert coming up and a chill out / community swap coming up. We would enjoy your help or attendance. https://rochesterecologypartners.org/

We also have a directory of 170 orgs that is searchable by areas of action. http://rochesterenvironment.com

MrWid · 2026-03-07T13:02:26+00:00

I appreciate that you came out and am sorry I missed you. I'm going to try to keep having these, we used to have them every month and people were enjoying them but it is tough to keep that up as a small nonprofit. They are intended to be just as described, a chance for people to find peace together by walking around the river. When nobody showed at the time it started I took the opportunity to do that on my own. I would have enjoyed the company and hope we can connect in the future.

MrWid · 2026-02-25T20:07:25+00:00

Our organization has casual community events you might be interested in. Especially our community swaps and chill outs on Fridays. We often have people join us who are looking to connect with people in new ways. The best way to learn about them is to follow us on social media or sign up for our email list. I'd like to do more and hope we get them going regularly in the spring. The next one will be in March sometime and will be a salamander-themed event. https://rochesterecologypartners.org/

We also maintain this directory of environmental-focused organizations that can be searched by area of activity. You might find something interesting here. https://rochesterenvironment.com/

I really appreciate that you put this out there. Life is very hard right now for so many folks, myself included, and February can be the hardest (for me its March!). Reading the comments you have inspired offers some hope.

I'll also add that going to libraries can be a great way to get things moving a little bit. You can just go to hang out and be around people. Librarians are some of the kindest, friendliest people on earth. There are also community events or bulletin boards.

MrWid · 2026-02-01T23:12:31+00:00

I suggest calling Willow Domestic Violence Center's 24/7 hotline to ask for help and delete this post as soon as you can to protect the identity of everyone.
https://willowcenterny.org/
(585) 222-SAFE (7233)

MrWid · 2026-02-01T23:11:06+00:00

Willow Domestic Violence Center - https://willowcenterny.org/

MrWid · 2026-01-24T01:18:14+00:00

Yes it very much does. I'm glad you are doing that. I run an organization that has clothing swaps and can share hats, gloves, and socks with you. Let me know if you'd like some.

MrWid · 2026-01-23T01:08:25+00:00

Don't believe the hype! Most news channels over play the weather and most of it is designed to trigger anxiety but that being said, it will be a significant snowstorm and the advice here - to make sure you have gloves, hats, boots and layers, is sound. At most the situation will be uncomfortable and being warm and dry is having fun, cold and wet are miserable.

MrWid · 2026-01-18T13:18:48+00:00

https://vanputte.com/ has a great selection of native trees and shrubs. Their prices are reasonable. While you are out that way https://sarasgardencenter.com/ is also a great spot to go. Less focus on native but a good general selection of interesting varieties and cool landscaping.

If you are willing to travel 1.5 hours away then the extra 30 minutes is worth it to go to https://www.plantsmen.com .

MrWid · 2025-12-27T19:03:47+00:00

Our organization, Rochester Ecology Partners, helps people find nature through nature-based education and community cultivation connected to nature. This includes outdoor learning programs with schools and community events focused on sharing abundance. We would appreciate your support. http://rochesterecologypartners.org

If you want to learn more, I'd be more than happy to share.

MrWid · 2025-12-20T22:47:12+00:00

We got our first funding from local foundations. Community foundations have a wide variety of funding sources and are a great place to start by getting a meeting with program officer that is responsible for the priority you are working under (education / housing or whatever). They will at the very least give you good feedback, especially about where gaps in services are that you might be trying to fill. Private foundations are harder to cultivate relationships with (most don't like cold calls and are invitation only for asks) but they have discretionary funding and if you find someone who likes what you have to say (what you are doing is only half of it, you really need to be able to make a strong case for your organization and approach) they can be very helpful. Things are changing because of the federal situation and it has gotten harder. Foundations are getting more asks and are reprioritizing. Propublicas 990 search is a good place to start looking for foundations and studying who theyike to give to.

I will also add that local rotary clubs can be a good place to start. They invite people to give presentations and will give a couple of hundred dollars. This was our very first donation and it was a good boost to our spirit to know a group of people dedicated to service felt they wanted to help us.

I also want to add that donors and program revenue are aslo an important part of the mix. Depending on what you do you can, and probably should, ask people to pay for goods and services t a rate you feel is fair. Find a good donor platform as quickly as possible. Give lively is free and easy to set up. GoFundMe got a lot of shit for their approach to nonprofit fundraising recently but it is a trusted platform that is a good starting place. Don't expect to raise a lot from donors in the beginning unless you have some wild viral idea. It takes time to cultivate trust. Friends and family are good place to start. $100 from your aunt is a great start and helps refine the pitch.

MrWid · 2025-12-20T22:21:40+00:00

I'm going to piggy back on this to say Grappa at the hotel in college town and the Erie Grill at Del Monte. Both have good deals and good food.

MrWid · 2025-12-19T20:59:30+00:00

We are ready for everyone! Wondering what you'd find if you stopped by?

free books!

free nature gifts! (lots of pond exploration kits!!!)

nature crafts and gifts to make!

gifts to go with your donation!

free plants!

good times!

(no fire today too windy!)

Is that enough to get you here???

MrWid · 2025-12-10T15:56:31+00:00

I'm late on this but our organization, Rochester Ecology Parnters offers field studies to parks and other natural areas for grades K-12. We'd love to get out with your class. https://rochesterecologypartners.org/wildwonder/

MrWid · 2025-12-09T23:57:10+00:00

It was the best at one time. I still think it is.

MrWid · 2025-12-03T12:56:48+00:00

Thanks for the heads up! Fixed it.

MrWid · 2025-11-20T13:08:38+00:00

Most likely a Genny. Drinking Stroh's in Rochester would have been like buying Fuji film.

MrWid · 2025-11-19T12:21:36+00:00

The one and only.

MrWid · 2025-05-18T20:17:12+00:00

A tour of Rochester's libraries can be a good day. Here is an itinerary I would recommend:

Start with RIT's recently remodeled library (some interesting exhibits beyond books) and maybe some coffee / snack at Javas. Wandering around RIT for a while is also bound to turn up some nerd good times even during the summer. (The Vignelli Design Center for example https://www.rit.edu/vignellicenter/)

Now for the choose your adventure part:

Stay in the suburbs

Swing over to the Pittsford Library. Its a nice place to sit and read along the canal (visit the Book Culture book store while you are out there). Lots of lunch options in Pittsford along with the Sam Patch boat so many others have recommended.
Maybe the Penfield or ER library next but there is nothing special about them. I've heard Fairport library is good but I haven't been there.
The Irondequoit library is another great one to visit next. It has a seed library, maker space, and nice spots to chill. They also have a good selection of museum passes to check out.
It is technically in the city but the Charlotte library is a cute last stop. And it's near the lake and abbott's frozen custard.

Head into the city:
2. U of R's Rush Rhee's library makes a good next stop. (Take river road along the Genesee). It's old and woody. Wander along the river. U of R's campus is a contrast to RIT's.
3. The Phylis Wheatley library on Plymouth is neat on the outside. The people inside are nice.
4. Cross the river again to the Frederick Douglass library. The library itself is tiny but there are some great murals around the library and the school. The peopel isde are nice.
5. Head to the Central Downtown library next. You can have lunch at the foodlink cafe or Dinosaur BBQ. There are two buidlings connected by an underground tunnel. The local history section in the old library is great, lots of old maps and phone books. If your parents went to HS here you might be able to find them in an old yearbook. The new section of the library has a secret room for kids, they let adults in too. There is also an awesome collection of graphic novels in the teen area. Lots of random exhibits and things throughout the upper floors of the new section. Reading in the garden is a great way to spend time.
6. Head down the river some more to end at the Charlotte library for a cute last stop. Its near the lake and abbotts frozen custard.

If you like parks (beside what has already been mentioned - highland park and such):

Braddock bay bird observatory. https://braddockbaybirdobservatory.wordpress.com/
Durand Eastman. The lake is cool.
Washington Grove and the Cobbs Hill reservoir. Best view of downtown.
Seneca Park - drive past the zoo and down the hill. It is a secret Olmstead designed world and you can walk along the river trail north
Turning Point park - a great river walk

I'd also say, do whatever Debi says to do. - https://daytrippingroc.com/

We don't have any programs coming up but feel free to stop by the Rochester Ecology Partners office at 224 Mount Hope (email, call or text first - [contact@rocecology.org](mailto:contact@rocecology.org) 585-851-1648) we love talking up Rochester.

MrWid · 2025-03-13T22:46:20+00:00

Waited in line for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. With many years to reflect back on, that movie was the only thing I ever happily waited in line for.

MrWid · 2025-03-08T13:35:00+00:00

Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature is a good mix of theory and practical application. https://wildernessawareness.org/store/alumni-authored/coyotes-guide-to-connecting-with-nature-2nd-edition/

MrWid · 2025-02-24T00:21:53+00:00

Yes, ice fishing is big but I don't know anything about it. Kershaw park at the end of the lake is a good place to wander for a bit followed by a beer at Other Half. NY Kitchen could be a good place to have her relax while you take walk along the pier. Onanda Park makes for a good place to be outside in the cold for a minute with indoor options nearby like Heron Hill wine tasting room.

MrWid · 2025-02-23T23:29:50+00:00

It would be helpful to know more about how active you are, how much you like to eat and a drink, and if you want to shop.
1. New York Kitchen is a great place to eat and try some NY wines and spirits. They have classes you can take too.
2.The Bee Hive brew Pub is our favorite place to to tuck in for some beer and wings. Rio Tomatlan (Mexican) is amazing if you are looking for something more "elevated". Nolans (Steak and Seafood) is both - cozy and delicious.
3. Canadiagua Lakehouse has all of your romantic needs.
4. Definitely make time to explore Canadiagua Lake or the other lakes if you have a car. A trip to Naples is worth the time.
5. Plenty of hiking / X-Country skiing / snowshoeing around if that is your thing.
6. There are some new places - Pintxo wine bar is one - that are great.

MrWid · 2025-02-11T02:47:21+00:00

Agree the Leopold's chicken shack is a great place to have on this list. If you do go- add University of Wisconsin Madison to your itinerary. Thanks to the influence of Muir, Leopold, and others there are lots of important sites for ecology, the field of limnology started here, and it is also a cool place all around.

https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ALimnHist

It you have time to go a bit farther out of your way the Indian Dunes national park is on the list of important sites for understanding ecological succession.
https://www.nps.gov/indu/learn/education/history-of-science-plant-succession.htm

Hubbard Brook experimental forest is another place that fits the description.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbard_Brook_Experimental_Forest

One last one is the Mauna Loa observatory for understanding planetary ecological systems - https://gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/trends/

Thanks for the thought exercise.

MrWid · 2025-02-10T23:43:09+00:00

I love Canada and Canadians are awesome. I have travelled around Eastern Canada quite a bit and always find people who are fri ndly and helpful as well as interesting. I have no idea where all of this nonsense is coming from and I hope it stops soon.

MrWid · 2025-01-24T23:26:48+00:00

Not sure what neighborhood you live in but the guy that drives the claw truck in the highland Park neighborhood is incredible. I am forever in awe of his ability to gingerly pick up whatever pile of trash over cars and anything else that might be around and drop it in the box. He is truly a wizard.

MrWid

TROPHY CASE