Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Jana Seitz of the Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary.
Your Name: Jana Seitz
Name of your organization: Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary
Your role: President
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission
Seitz: The Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary is a Westchester County Park – a 179-acre haven adjacent to Rye Playland.
The Friends of Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary (FRWS) supports the Sanctuary with funding and raising awareness for programs, facilities and activities managed by the Parks Department and the dedicated parks curator and staff. We have 3,300 active members (up from 438 when I joined the board) and the sanctuary is always open to the public.
We are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Sanctuary and protecting its inhabitants 365 days a year. We foster this mission through support for:
- Wildlife conservation and studies
- Habitat restoration
- Educational programs for all ages
- Trail and park maintenance
- Advocacy to guide the county’s stewardship of the property
- Volunteer efforts
How long have you operated in or around Rye?
Seitz: The sanctuary itself is now 40 – officially founded October 5, 1985. We have a great history published on our website written by FRWS board member and Rye resident Paul Rheingold that takes us back to 1660 and then forward through many years to now. FRWS was founded in 1990, so we are celebrating our 35th year now.
What programming or work is the organization best known for?
Seitz:
- The Sanctuary is a haven for people to experience nature and beauty during all seasons, and we encourage visitors to wander the trails on their own and find their favorite spots. So many people appreciate watching the osprey nest, learning through exhibits in our nature center, walking the boardwalk to the Sound, getting “lost” in the bamboo forest, photographing flora and fauna, and checking out the action in our pollinator garden and the progress of the “living reef.”
- From a programming standpoint, the Sanctuary offers dozens of programs for all ages all year long as well as a kids camp and plenty of volunteer opportunities such as beach cleanup days.
- FRWS hosts a FALL FEST every few years which engages area residents and our members. – we held a wonderful event in mid-October that was attended by approx. 1,600 children and adults
Looking forward to 2026, what will be your top initiatives?
Seitz:
- Maintaining the enormous progress we have made this year with keeping the Sanctuary’s grounds in great shape and accessible to enjoy.
- Expanding our volunteer corps with a consistent program that will enable more individuals, families, groups, and organizations to join us for projects big and small.
- Expanding our board with “do-ers.” We will seek additional board members once we get into 2026. We will look for people to participate on our board who enjoy rolling up their sleeves… and getting a little dirty.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Seitz: We serve anyone who enjoys nature and wants to experience it on the slice of beauty that is this Sanctuary. We need volunteers to help us with specific projects. Volunteers can register to participate in programs (such as clean up days) on our website.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Seitz: Yes.
Looking back across 2025, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Seitz:
- Working almost daily with Chris Cohan and his amazing team in order to reclaim the land from the ever-encroaching invasives and to enhance/clean the entire property.
- Brought back Fall Fest on October 11 to celebrate the sanctuary’s 40th and the Friends’ 35th year.
How can local residents support your organization?
Seitz: The Westchester County Parks Department manages the sanctuary, and the Friends provides support for the site staff, facility, exhibits and programs. We have several opportunities for support and participation! We would love to have more area residents and visitors become members of the FRWS and actively participate in the wonderful programs and events hosted by the sanctuary. Our curator organizes volunteer work projects.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Seitz: This year the whole community rallied in support of our Fall Fest.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Seitz: 13 years on board; two years as vice president; nine years as president.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Seitz: It is a part-time volunteer job which becomes full time at times.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Seitz: Dependable.
Where did you grow up?
Seitz: I haven’t. But I was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana.
What principles guide you when you have to make a difficult decision?
Seitz: Just do the right thing and don’t think twice. Go with your gut….which is usually God’s nudge.
Where do you live and how many years have you lived there?
Seitz: I have lived in rentals on Rye Beach Avenue, Sanford, and Intervale, and been in our current home in INVISO (Indian Village South) since 2012.
Thanks Jana!
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