Spring 2012 Newsletter - Land Conservancy of West Michigan
Spring 2012 Newsletter - Land Conservancy of West Michigan
Spring 2012 Newsletter - Land Conservancy of West Michigan
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and Japanese knotweed along the Lake <strong>Michigan</strong> shoreline.<br />
Invasives were removed from 48 public lands and 98 private<br />
properties in our service area. This grant was extended into <strong>2012</strong>-<br />
2013.<br />
Conservation Easements:<br />
All <strong>of</strong> our 72 easements were monitored in 2011. Annual<br />
monitoring <strong>of</strong> these properties, which total 5,670 acres, is a critical<br />
component <strong>of</strong> ensuring the protection <strong>of</strong> these properties in<br />
perpetuity.<br />
Community Connections<br />
• 23 volunteer events were hosted at our preserves.<br />
• Presentations on invasive species were given to groups such as<br />
the Muskegon Shorescapers and Earth Partnership for Schools.<br />
• Nearly three hundred people joined us at Post Family Farm for<br />
our annual membership meeting featuring Dr. Rolf Peterson,<br />
who presented on the Wolves and Moose <strong>of</strong> Isle Royale<br />
National Park.<br />
• Over 150 community members attended the June 2011<br />
dedication <strong>of</strong> the Meinert County Park expansion property.<br />
• Hikes introduced park visitors to the Saugatuck Harbor<br />
Natural Area, including a New Year’s Eve hike with 80 guests.<br />
• We had a display booth at Newaygo Nationals, the 2011 USCA<br />
Canoe & Kayak Championships on the Muskegon River.<br />
• We participated in Alcoa’s 60th anniversary event in Whitehall.<br />
Partnerships<br />
2011 partners in conservation:<br />
• The <strong>Michigan</strong> Chapter <strong>of</strong> The Nature <strong>Conservancy</strong>, <strong>Michigan</strong><br />
Natural Resources Trust Fund, Coastal Management<br />
Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,<br />
The Conservation Fund, the City <strong>of</strong> Saugatuck, the Frey<br />
Foundation, Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, Todd & Liz<br />
Warnock, the Meijer Foundation, Jim Brooks, and the J.A.<br />
Woollam Foundation for work with the Saugatuck Harbor<br />
Natural Area.<br />
• <strong>West</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong> Cluster <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Michigan</strong> Stewardship Network.<br />
• Grant Partnerships: Grand Rapids Community Foundation,<br />
Frey Foundation – Increasing the Pace <strong>of</strong> Conservation; <strong>Land</strong><br />
Trust Alliance/Heart <strong>of</strong> the Lakes – Advancing <strong>Conservancy</strong><br />
Excellence; <strong>Michigan</strong> DEQ – White River & Crockery Creek<br />
Watershed conservation projects; Fremont Area Community<br />
Foundation, Herman Miller – Muskegon River Watershed<br />
projects; Wolverine World Wide – Rogue River Watershed<br />
projects; The Nature <strong>Conservancy</strong> – Sustain our Great Lakes.<br />
• Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, Annis Water Resources<br />
Institute, Muskegon County Conservation District, Rogue<br />
River Watershed Council, Pere Marquette Watershed Council,<br />
Conservation Resource Alliance, Ada Open Space Task Force,<br />
and many others.<br />
<strong>Land</strong> <strong>Conservancy</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>Michigan</strong><br />
Sources <strong>of</strong> Funds (July 2010 - June 2011)<br />
Includes Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area<br />
& other project related funds<br />
Grants & Other Gifts<br />
Membership & Contributions<br />
Donated Materials & Services<br />
Investment Income<br />
Expenses (July 2010 - June 2011)<br />
$3,476,165<br />
$19,423<br />
$41,830<br />
$103,823<br />
$61,608<br />
$3,233,871<br />
$345,029<br />
Program Services<br />
General & Management<br />
Fundraising<br />
Strengthening the Organization<br />
In 2011 the <strong>Land</strong> <strong>Conservancy</strong> applied for national land trust<br />
accreditation. A pre-application due in August 2011 included basic<br />
documents proving our readiness for the 44 page final application<br />
submitted in November 2011. The full final application addressed<br />
many questions about our policies, procedures and practices and<br />
required backup documents to substantiate our answers. We expect<br />
a final decision from the accreditation commission in the fall <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>2012</strong>.<br />
In fall 2011 the <strong>Land</strong> <strong>Conservancy</strong>’s Board <strong>of</strong> Directors led a<br />
nationwide search for an executive director. By December 2011 the<br />
search was near completion. In February <strong>2012</strong> Vaughn Maatman<br />
began as the <strong>Land</strong> <strong>Conservancy</strong>’s new executive director (pages 2 &<br />
4).<br />
Financial Report to Donors<br />
The generosity <strong>of</strong> individuals, families, businesses, and foundations<br />
to the <strong>Land</strong> <strong>Conservancy</strong> remains the critical element for continuing<br />
to meet our mission. A list <strong>of</strong> 2011 donors can be found on pages<br />
12 and 13 <strong>of</strong> this newsletter.<br />
An audit was prepared by the independent certified public<br />
accounting firm <strong>of</strong> Ferris, Busscher, & Zwiers, PC. The 990 Report<br />
to the Internal Revenue Service for fiscal year 2011 can be found on<br />
our website.<br />
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