Riverbend Environmental Education Center Honors ASTM's Marge Cassidy for Community Advocacy

On January 15th Riverbend Environmental Education Center honored Margaret “Marge” Cassidy from ASTM International for her advocacy and philanthropy in the Bridgeport, Conshohocken, West Conshohocken, and Norristown communities. Marge will retire as ASTM’s treasurer at the end of January after more than 50 years of service with ASTM, a nonprofit organization and one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world.

It was Marge’s vision for local engagement that inspired Riverbend to honor her work. “When ASTM moved to West Conshohocken 20 years ago, they began investing in the local community,” explains Riverbend Executive Director, Laurie Bachman. “Valuing Riverbend’s mission, it was Marge Cassidy who sought out Riverbend to bring hands-on science enrichment to children attending nearby elementary schools.”

Each year, ASTM contributes to programs in the region that reflect the organization’s values. Given ASTM’s global leadership in fields such as engineering and the environment, Marge Cassidy sought out Riverbend to bring science programs to children attending nearby elementary schools, leading to Riverbend’s initial programs to bring nature into the lives of children living in lower income communities.

“Riverbend has always had a special place in my heart,” Cassidy says. “The work that Riverbend does to educate and inspire young people is critically important to ensuring a bright future for them, for our community, and for our world.” In 2015 alone, more than 400 children benefited from ASTM’s contributions to Riverbend.

“Thanks to Marge’s leadership at ASTM, Riverbend has served many thousands of children in Bridgeport, Conshohocken and Norristown Area School District over the past two decades.” Laurie Bachman continues, “The teachers see how these programs engage and excite young learners, many who have never had the opportunity to hold a real turtle, explore a stream or birdwatch prior to their exposure to Riverbend’s programs.” Riverbend wishes Marge the best during her retirement and looks forward to continuing her vision with ASTM in the future.

ASTM distributed a news release on Cassidy’s recent 50th anniversary: http://www.astmnewsroom.org/default.aspx?pageid=3698

ABOUT RIVERBEND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER -- Riverbend Environmental Education Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization located in 1950 Spring Mill Road Gladwyne, PA. Our preserve is located on 30 acres, open 7 days a week for visitors. Riverbend offers a full menu of environmental education programs including school curriculum, teacher training, school field trips, exploration camp, public programs, weekly nature classes and special events.