conservation lands foundation: 2015 annual report

2015ANNUAL REPORT

2 CONSERVATION LANDS FOUNDATION

THE NATIONALYOURS TO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRIAN O’DONNELL

Our top five

All of these accomplishments were made possible through your generous support and commitment to conservation. Together, we’ve made tremendous progress and are well-positioned for major successes ahead.

Sincerely,

1 Our campaigns resulted in the protection of 1 MILLION ACRES of critical wildlife habitat and outstanding recreational areas with the designations of Browns Canyon, Berryessa Snow Mountain and Basin and Range National Monuments.

Our Friends Grassroots Network – now 63 groups across 12 states – is stronger and more effective than ever in advocating for new national monuments and strong conservation policies that protect our treasured public lands.

This year we launched a Diversity Initiative to ensure that we intentionally foster a more inclusive and diverse organization and conservation community that brings unique perspectives, work experiences, lifestyles and cultures together to drive innovation and help our organization and community thrive.

We teamed up with youth, veterans and corporations in New Mexico, Nevada and California to repair trails, restore riverbanks and enhance wildlife habitat so we can all enjoy improved access to our public lands.

The Bureau of Land Management fully embraced the new look and feel for the National Conservation Lands that we helped develop, installing new signs at all 44 National Monuments and National Conservation Areas – our flagship units.

4

5

2

3

Dear Friends,

With your support, we celebrated our biggest successes yet in 2015.

America’s newest protected public lands, rivers and trails owned by all Americans, the National Conservation Lands join our National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges as guardians of our nation’s rich and diverse heritage.

Our Mission: Protect, restore and expand the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy and partnerships.

NATIONAL CONSERVATION LANDS AT A GLANCE

23 NATIONAL MONUMENTS

21 NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREASand similar designations

21.5 MILLION ACRESof Wilderness & Wilderness Study Areas

2,423 MILESof Wild & Scenic Rivers

5,761 MILESof National Scenic & Historic Trails

876 LOCATIONS

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 3

CONSERVATION LANDS DISCOVER

HON. CECIL D. ANDRUSGovernor of Idaho (1971-1977 and 1987-1995)Secretary of the Interior (1977-1981)

HON. BRUCE BABBITTGovernor of Arizona (1978-1987)Secretary of the Interior (1993-2001)

HON. JEFF BINGAMANU.S. Senator from New Mexico (1983-2013)

ELAINE BRONGFounding Director, National Conservation Lands (2000-2002); Oregon State Director, Bureau of Land Management (2002-2006)

DAYTON DUNCANWriter and Documentary Filmmaker

CHRIS KILLINGSWORTHVice President, The Wyss Foundation

MICHAEL KOWALSKIChairman, Tiffany & Co.

ALEX LASKEYPresident and Co-Founder, Opower

MOLLY McUSICPresident, The Wyss Foundation

WILLIAM MEADOWSFormer President, The Wilderness Society

RICHARD MOEPresident Emeritus, National Trust for Historic Preservation

GREG MOOREPresident and CEO, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

EDWARD H. NORTONActor, Filmmaker and Conservationist

EDWARD M. NORTONChairman, Conservation Lands FoundationSenior Advisor, TPG Capital

ANNE SHIELDSFormer Chief of Staff, Department of the Interior

JENNIFER SPEERSConservationistChair, The Nature Conservancy-Utah Chapter

DOUGLAS W. WALKER‡

Entrepreneur; Chairman, The Wilderness Society

DOUGLAS P. WHEELERPartner, Hogan Lovells, LLP

ROB WHITEChairman, National Trust Community Investment Corporation

HANSJÖRG WYSSChairman, The Wyss Foundation

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

‡ deceased

GRASSROOTSACROSS

BRANDING

NEW LOOK & FEEL

of the National Conservation Lands

at all 44 flagshipNational Conservation Lands units

15TH

ANNIVERSARY

Nevada

California

Colorado


MONUMENTS FOR ALL EXPANDING THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION LANDSALL ACROSS THE WEST there are unprotected public lands deserving of national monument status. These lands sustain wildlife, ensure clean water, uphold traditions, give a window to our past and provide extraordinary opportunities for recreation and exploration. Since 2011, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with our grassroots partners to build the local and national support needed to ensure these incredible places are permanently protected. In 2015, President Obama used his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate three new national monuments in Colorado, Nevada and California, adding over 1 million acres to our National Conservation Lands.

“The Conservation Lands Foundation helped us build a tremendous coalition of conservation groups, hunters, anglers, Latino leaders, veterans, youth and local supporters that pushed this 25-year campaign over the finish line.”

—Bill Dvorak, Friends of Browns Canyon

Since taking office, President Obama has used the Antiquities Act to designate 19 national

monuments, protecting more than 2.1 million acres of public land and 785,000 square miles of marine habitat – more than any President in history.

ANTIQUITIES ACT

BROWNS CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT, CO BOB WICK BASIN AND RANGE NATIONAL MONUMENT, NV BOB WICK BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT, CA JIM ROSE


BROWNS CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT21,586 Acres | February 19, 2015

Following a decades-long campaign, designation of Browns Canyon National Monument protects important wildlife habitat, clean water and ensures generations of visitors will be able to enjoy the hunting, fishing and whitewater rafting that drives the local economy and defines Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle.

BASIN AND RANGE NATIONAL MONUMENT 704,000 Acres | July 10, 2015

Basin and Range National Monument provides a window to our past – from evidence of human inhabitants 13,000 years ago to the remnants of pioneer ranching and mining sites. Bordered by eight mountain ranges, the Monument safeguards the Garden and Coal Valleys, which surround Michael Heizer’s “City” – one of the biggest sculptures any contemporary artist has ever built. In recognition of our leadership in organizing grassroots support for this designation, Brian O’Donnell was invited to attend the designation ceremony in the Oval Office.

BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT 330,780 Acres | July 10, 2015

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument protects a unique mix of geologic wonders, wildlife habitat and wide-ranging recreational opportunities including hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. Our passionate and hard-working Friends Grassroots Network partner, Tuleyome, championed this designation for over a decade and stood proudly beside President Obama in the Oval Office for the designation ceremony.

THREE DESIGNATIONS ONE MILLION ACRES

“These places are where we escape from the noisy city…Everyone deserves to have a chance to go to the wild.”

—Bianca, After School All Stars Las Vegas

EVERY KID IN A PARK

The 15th Anniversary of the National Conservation Lands marked an exciting milestone for the system.

In June, we joined the Bureau of Land Management in celebrating our nation’s newest collection of protected pubic lands, rivers and trails while reaffirming our shared commitment to conservation at California’s King Range National Conservation Area.

15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION LANDS

Launched at Nevada’s Red Rock National Conservation Area in September, the President’s

Every Kid in a Park initiative ensures that every child in America has the opportunity to experience

our great outdoors by giving every 4th grader and their family a free pass to our national parks, monuments and other public lands – including the National Conservation Lands.

ANGEL PEÑA

BOB WICK


We granted $1,116,000 to 37 Friends Grassroots Network partners – a 12%

increase from last year – to support organizational development, advocate for new national monuments and promote strong conservation policies and practices across the West.

THE CONSERVATION LANDS FOUNDATION builds and strengthens community-based groups, led by citizen advocates who lead the on-the-ground efforts to protect, restore and expand the National Conservation Lands.

Our Friends Grassroots Network partners – now 63 groups across 12 states – form a coalition of allied organizations who marshal their collective influence to advance strong conservation policies, advocate for new designations and defend the National Conservation Lands from attack. We provide financial resources, training and mentoring support, networking opportunities and communications guidance to ensure our partners have the tools necessary to be strong and resilient grassroots leaders for their local lands and for the system as a whole.

CONSERVATIONSTARTS WITH COMMUNITY

JIM O’DONNELL

PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION

Our 7th Friends Rendezvous was our biggest and most diverse ever, bringing together over 200

conservation partners from 11 western states plus Alaska and Florida to share successes, learn from each other and rally around our shared conservation vision.

We continued to diversify and strengthen our Network by recruiting and empowering diverse constituencies, including veterans,

tribal leaders, Hispanic groups, scientists, sportsmen, faith leaders and businesses to advocate at the local and national level for our National Conservation Lands.

ARIZONA−Archaeology Southwest−Arizona Conservation Partners−Friends of Ironwood Forest−Friends of Sonoran Desert National Monument−Friends of the Agua Fria National Monument−Friends of The Cliffs−Friends of the Joshua Tree Forest−Friends of the San Pedro River−CALIFORNIA−Alabama Hills Stewardship Group−Amargosa Conservancy−Bodie Hills Conservation Partnership−California Wilderness Coalition−Carrizo Plain Conservancy−FORT Friends−Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve−Friends of the Carrizo Plain−Friends of Headwaters−Friends of the Desert Mountains−Friends of the Inyo−Land Trust of Santa Cruz County−Lost Coast Interpretive Association−Mattole Restoration Council−Mattole Salmon Group−Mendocino Land Trust−Mojave Desert Land Trust−Piedras Blancas Light Station Association−Sanctuary Forest−Sempervirens Fund−Trinidad Coastal Land Trust−Tuleyome−COLORADO−Colorado Canyons Association−Conejos County

“The guidance and encouragement we’ve received from Conservation Lands Foundation has been instrumental in Tuleyome becoming the successful organization we are today.”

- Sara Husby, Tuleyome


WITH EVERY CONSERVATION VICTORY for our National Conservation Lands comes a deep and lasting responsibility to look after – to steward – these incredible places for the future. Since 2012, we’ve connected veterans and youth conservation corps with corporate partners to repair trails, restore native plants, enhance wildlife habitat and improve recreation access on the National Conservation Lands. Our restoration projects have grown each year and in 2015 we put boots on the ground to complete four projects in Nevada’s Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, New Mexico’s Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and California’s Black Mountiain Wilderness and Coast Dairies Public Lands. Working in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and community volunteers, our restoration crews maintained and constructed 123 miles of trails, closed 13 miles of illegal roads and cleared 20 acres of non-native plant species.

BOOTS ON THE GROUNDRESTORING THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION LANDS

Clean Water−Crow Canyon Archaeological Center−Dolores River Boating Advocates−Friends of Browns Canyon−Friends of the Yampa−Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance−Western Slope Conservation Center−FLORIDA−Loxahatchee River Historical Society−IDAHO−Birds of Prey NCA Partnership−MONTANA−Friends of Pompeys Pillar National Monument−Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument−NEVADA−Basin Rangers−Friends of Black Rock-High Rock−Friends of Gold Butte−Friends of Nevada Wilderness−Friends of Red Rock Canyon−Friends of Sloan Canyon−NEW MEXICO−Fort Stanton Cave Study Project−Friends of Rio Grande del Norte−Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks−Paleozoic Trackways Foundation−OREGON−Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area−Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument−Friends of Oregon Badlands Wilderness−Friends of the Owyhee−Soda Mountain Wilderness Council−UTAH−Citizens for Dixie’s Future−Friends of Cedar Mesa−Grand Staircase Escalante Partners−Utah Diné Bikéyah−WASHINGTON−Islanders for San Juan Islands National Monument−WYOMING−Alliance for Historic Wyoming

2,821 VOLUNTEERS amassed 53,131 HOURS working on the National Conservation Lands – a value of $1.17 MILLION!

335 RESTORATION PROJECTS rebuilt 212 miles of trails, closed 44 miles of illegal roads, repaired 122 miles of riverbanks and reintroduced native plants on 17,331 acres for the enjoyment of all visitors.

$11.5 MILLION collectively raised from foundation, corporate, government and individual donors to support the National Conservation Lands.

150,000 combined reach of the Network through e-news and social media platforms, which generated 1,184 NEWS STORIES featuring Friends Grassroots Network groups and the National Conservation Lands.

In 2015, our Friends Grassroots Network made an astounding impact on the ground, from restoring trails and installing signs to engaging youth in outdoor experiences and educating the public, all while raising funds to support the National Conservation Lands.

OUR COLLECTIVE IMPACT

JOCELYN TORRES TYLER ROEMER BOB WICK

CHARLOTTE OVERBY


Upholding the Bureau of Land Management’s rights-of-way avoidance policy and ensuring strong conservation in the face of a proposed power

transmission line through Idaho’s Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

Advocating for appropriate staffing levels to ensure the National Conservation Lands have dedicated Bureau of Land Management managers working to

protect habitat, cultural artifacts and outdoor heritage.

Striking a balance between renewable energy development and conservation, we worked with local and national partners to advocate that

over 3 million acres in the California Desert be added to the National Conservation Lands through the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. This is a major conservation policy success that the Bureau of Land Management will finalize in the year ahead.

PLACES WORTH PROTECTING

HOME TO SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S most unique and important ecological, cultural and historic resources, the National Conservation Lands face immediate threats from vandalism, looting, habitat degradation and damage from illegal off-road vehicle use. These threats are compounded by reduced staffing and insufficient funding levels which directly impact the Bureau of Land Management’s ability to protect our National Conservation Lands.

Together with our Friends Grassroots Network and a coalition of conservation advocates including tribal leaders, elected officials, businesses, scientists and sportsmen groups, we are ensuring that our treasured public lands, rivers and trails are backed by strong management policies so that conservation—of habitat, wildlife, and cultural resources—continues to be a top priority for the Bureau of Land Management.

IN 2015, WE ADVANCED IMPORTANT CONSERVATION POLICY ISSUES, INCLUDING:

JOSH EWING, FRIENDS OF CEDAR MESA

“As we find additional opportunities to protect our wild and scenic places, the National Conservation Lands will continue to play a critical role in safeguarding the cultural, ecological and scientific value of our environment.”

—President Obama on the 15th Anniversary of the National Conservation Lands


AT 23 MILLION ACRES—the size of Indiana—the Western Arctic is our country’s largest single parcel of public land and one of our last great, wild places. Spectacularly rich in wildlife, scenic beauty and Alaska Native history and culture, these lands face immediate threats from oil and gas development projects that will cause lasting damage and leave permanent scars on this pristine landscape. We are leading a coalition of conservation groups, Alaska Natives, scientists, sportsmen and community members to advance meaningful protections for the Western Arctic’s 11 million acres of Special Areas while ensuring that oil and gas development on lands available for leasing causes the least amount of impact to the region’s sensitive lands and wildlife.

People are inspired to protect what they know, but the National Conservation Lands—created just 15 years ago—are not yet well known. That’s why we partnered with The Tiffany and Co. Foundation, Interbrand and

the Bureau of Land Management to develop a new “look and feel”—or brand—to identify and unify these treasured places as part of a national system. The new “look and feel” is now consistently used on the Bureau of Land Management’s print and digital communications, website, maps, kiosks and signs to guide visitors as they learn about and explore the National Conservation Lands. This is a major step forward in our work to help the public identify these lands as a unique part of America’s conservation estate.

PLACES WORTH KNOWING

BOB WICK

ALASKA’S WESTERN ARCTIC

TOM REEVETOM REEVE BOB WICK

IN 2015, WE:

Built national support for the Western Arctic by connecting local leaders to key decision makers to share stories of how their ancestral lands,

subsistence values and traditional ways of life are being negatively impacted by oil and gas development.

Inspired awareness and understanding of the unique characteristics, ecological importance and conservation values of these incredible lands

through a newly launched www.WesternArctic.org website and “America’s Wildest Secret,” a This American Land episode that aired on PBS stations across the nation.


THANK YOU TO OUR DONORSWe gratefully acknowledge these generous individuals, foundations, corporations and

agencies whose gifts, pledges and in-kind services were received in 2015.

DAVE WELZ WHITEWATER PHOTOGRAPHY BOB WICK

CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

In 2013, we launched a 4-year, $20 million Campaign for the National Conservation Lands to ensure our programs are positioned for success while also building a $4 million Board-designated reserve fund.

In the third year of the Campaign, our generous donors contributed $6.4 million. Additionally, we added $650,000 to the Board-designated reserve fund, bringing it to $3,650,000.

Anonymous (2) 444S FoundationRennie and Kai AndersonHattie and Bruce BabbittBarbara Balaguer and Charlotte OverbyCurrie and Tom BarronPaul Beaudet and David WertheimerTeresa BeckMarcella and Stuart BernsteinBureau of Land Management, California State OfficeElaine and Chris BrongCampion FoundationBarbara and David ChurchillTiffany ClayTPG Capital LLC directed by Tiffany ClayThe Conservation AllianceCornell Douglas FoundationCornuelle Family FoundationThomas and Candace Dee FoundationDianne and Dayton DuncanEmmett FoundationJason S. Friedman Philip S. Harper Foundation directed by Kerry Lamar WrisleyThe Henry S. and Patrice Hemingway FoundationRobin and Jim HerrnsteinThe William and Flora Hewlett FoundationCaroline Hicks and Bert Fingerhut

Gabriel Sod HoffsHogan LovellsBarbara and Bertram J. Cohn Peggy Karp and John LeshyHyunja Laskin and Jeffrey KennerChris Killingsworth and Steve KandellKowalski Family FoundationBen KramMary and Robert LittermanAnn and Michael LoebMonica Lopez and Sameer GandhiLOR FoundationMolly McUsic and Thomas Rosshirt Sally Brooks Meadows and William MeadowsKathy and Peter MetcalfCharles MillerAlexis MalozemoffJulia and Richard MoeNina Mason Pulliam Charitable TrustAnn McBride Norton and Ed NortonNV Energy Charitable FoundationOsprey Packs, Inc.Overhills Foundation directed by Claire Elliman and Theo EllimanPacific Gas and Electric CompanyAnne ParkerPatagoniaNancy Peterson and Greg MooreThe Pew Charitable Trusts

Sally and Tom ReeveResources Legacy Fund Bay Area Conservation InitiativeNorton Family FoundationHodgson Meeker Charitable Trust directed by Holly and William RomThe Robert P. Rotella FoundationThe Jim and Patty Rouse Charitable Foundation directed by Jim Norton, Molly Norton and Ted RouseRBC Blue Water ProjectCarrie Sandstedt and John WallinDanielle Sandstedt and Jeremy GarncarzAnne and Mark ShieldsEdison InternationalJennifer SpeersLinda and Arnold SpellunJack StephensonSYZYGY FoundationThe Tiffany & Co. FoundationTortuga FoundationWalker Family FoundationMelyssa Watson and Brian O’DonnellHeather and Douglas WheelerConnie and Rob WhiteElizabeth WigginsWilburforce FoundationWyss FoundationKaren and Jerry Zink

$20M

$15M

$10M

$5M

$0

2013$4.7M

2014$6.6M

$17.7M2015

$6.4M


Statement of financial position as of December 31, 2015. Copies of the complete audited financial statements are available at www.conservationlands.org or by contacting us at [email protected].

2015 NUMBERS

revenue expenses program expenses

BALANCE SHEETasseTs

LIaBILITIes & neT asseTs

ToTaL LIaBILITIes

NET ASSETS Unrestricted General Operating Board-designated Reserve

Total Unrestricted Total Temporarily RestrictedToTaL neT asseTs

ToTaL neT asseTs anD LIaBILITIes

$9,184,112

129,591

4,053,430 3,650,000

7,703,4301,351,0919,054,521

$9,184,112

BOB WICK

Foundation and trust grants Direct public supportIn-kind & other income

TOTAL REVENUE

$5,450,050 960,141 48,059

6,458,060

ProgramFundraisingGeneral admin

TOTAL EXPENSE

$3,993,359 509,884 357,029

4,860,273

39%

Friends Grassroots NetworkNational MonumentsCommunicationsPolicyWestern ArcticRestoration

TOTAL PROGRAM

$1,800,690 1,608,736 149,242 143,788 149,860 141,043

3,993,359

11%

835 E. 2nd Ave., Suite 314Durango, CO 81301(970) 247-0807 [email protected]

/ ConservationLands

@ConservationLF

The National Conservation Lands encompass 31 million acres and 2,400 river miles of National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic and Historic Trails and other special designations. Our mission is to protect, restore and expand the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy and partnerships.

“On the 15th Anniversary of the establishment of the National Conservation Lands, let us recommit to conserving,

protecting, and restoring our landscapes so our next generation can experience and advance America’s rich natural heritage.”

—President Barack Obama

FRONT COVER – BASIN AND RANGE NATIONAL MONUMENT: TYLER ROEMER

POPPIES & MOUNTAIN GOATS: BOB WICKRESTORATION: CHARLOTTE OVERBYBACK COVER – BROWNS CANYON

NATIONAL MONUMNENT: BOB WICK

conservation lands foundation: 2015 annual report

Documents