2024-03-26T07:40:46-05:00 2023-09-30 030327374 MCSOLEY MCCOY & CO 118 TILLEY DRIVE STE 202 SOUTH BURLINGTON VT 05403 990 2022-10-01 030307155 STOWE LAND TRUST STOW 8022537221 PO BOX 284 STOWE VT 05672 METZI ANDERSON INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8022537221 2024-03-23 1 METZI ANDERSON XXX-XX-XXXX 0 CONNIE FELLION P01875413 8026581808 2024-03-23 0 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z METZI ANDERSON PO BOX 284 STOWE VT 05672 2496485 0 X WWW.STOWELANDTRUST.ORG X 1987 VT CONSERVATION OF FARM AND FOREST LANDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GREATER STOWE COMMUNITY. 19 19 5 186 0 0 1256917 875943 0 0 87195 129767 29995 28320 1374107 1034030 0 0 0 0 268470 335869 0 0 97522 1349562 241057 1618032 576926 -243925 457104 4787827 5484260 57597 194330 4730230 5289930 X THE STOWE LAND TRUST IS DEDICATED TO THE CONSERVATION OF SCENIC, RECREATIONAL, AND PRODUCTIVE FARM AND FOREST LANDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GREATER STOWE COMMUNITY. 0 0 281919 STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMIN FY23, STOWE LAND TRUST (SLT) RECEIVED A $1,500 PRIVATE DONATION THAT COVERED THE COSTS OF OVERHAULING OUR CONSERVED LANDS MONITORING SYSTEM TO ADOPT LANDSCAPE LAND CONSERVATION SOFTWARE. SLT'S ADOPTION OF LANDSCAPE HAS ENABLED US TO MOVE TO TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN CONSERVED LANDS DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING, WITH AN ESTIMATED TIME SAVINGS OF 800% OVER OUR OLD PAPER DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING METHOD. IT HAS ALSO STREAMLINED THE ORGANIZATION OF SLT CONSERVED LANDS DATA AND HAS ENABLED OUR TEAM OF VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS WHO HELP CARETAKE SLT CONSERVED PROPERTIES TO MOVE TO A SIMPLE AND ACCURATE WAY TO REPORT THEIR VISITS AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES. TO EXPAND OUR STEWARDSHIP CAPACITY IN FY23, SLT CONTRACTED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT TO HOST A FIELD NATURALIST M.S. GRADUATE STUDENT WHO COMPLETED A COMPREHENSIVE ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SLT-CONSERVED ADAMS CAMP PROPERTY IN AUGUST 2023. THE RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT WILL INFORM THE PROPERTY'S RECREATION MANAGEMENT PLAN, WHOSE UPDATE IS SET TO OCCUR IN FY24. SLT ALSO CREATED A NEW 11-MONTH AMERICORPS LANDS AND TRAILS STEWARD POSITION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2023 WHICH WILL INCREASE OUR STEWARDSHIP CAPABILITIES FOR FY24.SLT RECEIVED A $1,000 OAKLAND FOUNDATION GRANT AND MATCHED IT WITH GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS AND RECRUITED OVER 80 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER LABOR ALONGSIDE PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS TO REDECK TWO BRIDGES, REBUILD A THIRD, AND REPLACE MULTIPLE SECTIONS OF PUNCHEON IN POOR CONDITION ALONG THE MEADOW TRAIL AT WIESSNER WOODS. SLT CONTRACTED WITH TIMBER AND STONE, LLC TO CONDUCT THE BRIDGE WORK AND OVERSEE VOLUNTEER LABOR ON ONE OF THE BRIDGE REDECKING PROJECTS. SLT VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS SPENT A TOTAL OF 146 REPORTED HOURS DURING FY23 MONITORING THEIR ADOPTED LAND TRUST PROPERTIES AND CONDUCTING TRAIL MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES FOR US. SLT STEWARDSHIP STAFF ALSO HOSTED A WORKSHOP SERIES DURING SUMMER 2023 FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING SLT'S VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS AND CONSERVED LANDOWNERS IN CARING FOR SLT-CONSERVED LANDS. THE TRAININGS INCLUDED A "TRAIL MAINTENANCE 101" WORKSHOP, AN "IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING INVASIVE PLANTS" WORKSHOP, AND A "GREAT NATURE PHONE APPS" WORKSHOP. ADDITIONALLY, SLT THREW OUR ANNUAL VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION, TRAINED OUR VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS TO USE THE LANDSCAPE PHONE APP FOR TRIP REPORTS, AND HOSTED AN ADAMS CAMP FIELD ECOLOGY WALK AND A FIELD PROGRAM FOR A UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT CLASS TO INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. THESE FY23 STEWARDSHIP OUTREACH ACTIVITIES TOTALED 230 ATTENDEE HOURS.OTHER STEWARDSHIP TASKS UNDERTAKEN BY SLT DURING FY23 AND PAID FOR USING GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS INCLUDED 87 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER GROUP LABOR REMOVING INVASIVE PLANTS FROM SLT-CONSERVED PROPERTIES, 135 VOLUNTEER GROUP HOURS CARING FOR EXISTING SLT TRAILS, AND 13 INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER HOURS OF CHAINSAW WORK AFTER THE DECEMBER 2023 BOMB CYCLONE. IN FY23, SLT INVENTORIED ITS STEWARDSHIP SUPPLIES AND PURCHASED NEW TOOLS INTEGRAL TO OUR LAND STEWARDSHIP.EDUCATION & OUTREACH PROGRAMSLT HAD A FULL SEASON OF PUBLIC PROGRAMING IN FY23 CONNECTING 867 PARTICIPANTS WITH THE BENEFITS OF CONSERVED LAND AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDED EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, A BENEFIT CONCERT AND RUNNING RACE, GLEANING BLUEBERRIES, LIBRARY EVENTS AND A FORAGING WALK, AND WERE UNDERTAKEN WITH A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INCLUDING LAMOILLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, STOWE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SALVATION FARMS, STOWE CIDER, STOWE TRAILS PARTNERSHIP, STOWE FREE LIBRARY, MIGRANT JUSTICE, STOWE MOUNTAIN, GOT WEEDS, GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB, VERMONT HOUSING AND CONSERVATION BOARD AND MANY MORE. THANKS TO AN EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN STOWE LAND TRUST AND THE STOWE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE ARE GETTING MORE KIDS OUTSIDE AND INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAND STEWARDS. THE LEARNING LANDSCAPES PROGRAM IS A NATIONAL EFFORT WHICH AIMS TO BUILD ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS WITHIN A 10-MINUTE WALK OF SCHOOLS AND TO SUPPORT EDUCATORS IN UTILIZING THOSE CLASSROOMS YEAR-ROUND FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY INSTRUCTION. THESE SPACES AND SUPPORTS WILL ALLOW TEACHERS TO BRING THEIR LESSONS OUTDOORS DEEPENING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THEIR STUDENTS AND THE PLACE THEY LIVE, AND PROVIDING NUMEROUS BENEFITS FOR STUDENT LEARNING, BEHAVIOR, AND DEVELOPMENT. THIS PAST SUMMER THE PARTNERSHIP BROKE GROUND BY ESTABLISHING THE FIRST CLASSROOM AT STOWE MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL. THE PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF THIS CLASSROOM WAS SPEARHEADED BY A DEDICATED COALITION OF EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATION, AND LAND TRUST STAFF. LAND PROTECTION PROGRAM SLT CONTINUED TO WORK ON STRATEGIC PLANNING AND LANDOWNER OUTREACH WITH THE SHUTESVILLE HILL WILDLIFE CORRIDOR INITIATIVE IN FY23. SLT SPENT $5,000 ON APPRAISAL AND OPTION TO PURCHASE EXPENSES IN FY23 FOR A PROPERTY WITHIN THE INTERNATIONALLY IMPORTANT CORRIDOR AND WENT ON TO SUCCESSFULLY PURCHASE AND CONSERVE THE 83-ACRE PROPERTY IN FY24 THANKS TO ASSISTANCE FROM THE VERMONT HOUSING AND CONSERVATION BOARD, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, CANADIAN FRIENDS OF STOWE LAND TRUST, VERMONT LAND TRUST AND SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS. 281919 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 12 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 19 19 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X THE ORGANIZATION 8022537221 PO BOX 284 STOWE VT 05672 SAM GAINES CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 AMY STEWART VICE CHAIR/TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ANNA BLACK SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CLIFF BORDEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BETH BRADFORD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CATHERINE DRAKE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 AMY FARLEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARC FELGAR DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 FRANK FOTI DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SARAH KALIL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 WALT LOONEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JASON MCLEAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SARAH MCSHANE TOWN OF STOWE REP. 1.00 X 0 0 0 BROOKE MITCHELL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN PERCY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KERRY SEDUTTO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JASON SLOCUM DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TOM SWEET DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID WILKENS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KRISTEN SHARPLESS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 92928 0 0 92928 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 363062 10702 502179 875943 118802 118802 1453155 1442190 10965 10965 10965 37947 10702 14117 23830 23830 8425 3309 5116 5116 2213 2839 -626 -626 1034030 0 0 158087 92865 40645 36761 15459 189265 82836 74922 31507 3835 1660 1531 644 27090 11729 10813 4548 22814 9878 9107 3829 5303 3010 1614 679 23551 13367 7169 3015 47100 26733 14338 6029 42518 26543 1839 14136 10866 4860 4228 1778 17539 7601 6996 2942 39267 17017 15663 6587 4803 2081 1916 806 4638 4638 12637 5476 5041 2120 EVENT 8025 6914 1111 STEWARDSHIP 5470 5470 0 0 TRAINING 4990 2163 1990 837 EASEMENT ACQUISITION 4500 4500 9850 4798 3557 1495 576926 281919 197485 97522 67716 72565 250809 925687 35000 240000 8405 10905 2260785 36146 2220777 2224639 2205120 1864571 0 145893 4787827 5484260 57597 47592 0 146738 57597 194330 X 1507834 1841750 3222396 3448180 4730230 5289930 4787827 5484260 457104 102596 0 X 1 X 0 0 0 X 6705201 403440 1048631 1253917 875943 10287132 6705201 403440 1048631 1253917 875943 10287132 10287132 133747 69271 53524 64788 118802 440132 13392 823 11571 17584 10638 54008 10781272 0.95420 0.95950 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X 34 4245.00 1 1 700.00 25284 1310021 8450 -49318 1269153 1169380 391494 -250853 1310021 943555 171944 53881 1169380 721803 229838 -8086 943555 620353 83826 17624 721803 0.62860 0.03660 0.33480 0 0 2125040 2125040 85733 19160 66573 2049 209 1840 47963 16777 31186 2224639 RIGHT-OF-USE LIABILITIES 146738 146738 X 1153582 102596 16956 119552 1034030 0 1034030 593882 16956 16956 576926 0 576926 PART II, LINE 5: MONITORING IS THE REGULAR AND SYSTEMATIC GATHERING OF INFORMATION ABOUT A CONSERVED PROPERTY TO DETECT CHANGES AND TO ENSURE THE PROPERTY IS BEING USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGAL RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON IT. SLT MONITORS LAND THAT IT OWNS IN FEE AS WELL AS THOSE ON WHICH IT HOLDS LEGAL RIGHTS THROUGH A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR OTHERLEGAL COVENANT. ALL SLT CONSERVED PROPERTIES ARE MONITORED AT LEAST ONCE ANNUALLY IN PERSON ON THE GROUND. STOWE LAND TRUST IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING ALL OF ITS CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THROUGH IDENTIFICATION AND RECTIFICATION OF VIOLATIONS. REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH LANDOWNERS AND DILIGENT ANNUAL MONITORING CAN RESULT IN MINIMIZING VIOLATIONS AND HELP TO RESOLVE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES IN A TIMELY MANNER. PART II, LINE 9: THE STOWE LAND TRUST ACQUIRES EASEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ON PROPERTY THROUGH PURCHASE AND DONATION. WITHIN THE CONSERVANCY MOVEMENT, A DIVERGENCE OF PRACTICE EXISTS AS TO THE VALUES AT WHICH EASEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ARE APPROPRIATELY RECORDED. THE SMALLER, LOCALLY BASED CONSERVANCY ORGANIZATIONS TEND TOWARD NOT CAPITALIZING SUCH ACQUISITIONS. THE STOWE LAND TRUST HAS ADOPTED THIS POLICY OF NOT CAPITALIZING AS ASSETS THE ACQUISITION OF EASEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS, BUT RATHER DISCLOSES THEM IN THE FOOTNOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. PART V, LINE 4: THE ENDOWMENT FUNDS ARE HELD FOR LONG-TERM GROWTH WITH THE INTENT TO GENERATE ON-GOING INCOME OR RESERVES. THE GOALS OF THE INVESTMENT POLICY ARE TO HAVE SUFFICIENT CASH RESOURCES TO MEET CURRENT SPENDING NEEDS AND MAINTAIN A POSITIVE RETURN ON ASSETS HELD FOR LONGER TERM GOALS. PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION QUALIFIES AS A TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC) AND IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(A) OF THE IRC. IN ADDITION, IT HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION UNDER SECTION 509(A) OF THE IRC. U.S. GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES REQUIRE ENTITIES TO DISCLOSE IN THEIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THE NATURE OF ANY UNCERTAINTY IN THEIR TAX POSITIONS. FOR TAX EXEMPT ENTITIES, TAX EXEMPT STATUS ITSELF IS DEEMED TO BE AN UNCERTAINTY, AS EVENTS COULD POTENTIALLY OCCUR TO JEOPARDIZE THEIR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. MANAGEMENT BELIEVES THE ORGANIZATION HAS NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ANTICIPATES THAT IT WILL NOT HAVE A CHANGE IN UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS DURING THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS THAT WOULD HAVE A MATERIAL IMPACT ON THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. IF NECESSARY, THE ORGANIZATION WOULD ACCRUE INTEREST AND PENALTIES ON UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AS A COMPONENT OF THE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. THE ORGANIZATION IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS BY TAX AUTHORITIES FOR YEARS BEFORE 2020. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS 14,117. COST OF GOODS SOLD 2,839. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS 14,117. COST OF GOODS SOLD 2,839. GOLF FUNDRAISER 48649 10702 37947 14117 48649 10702 37947 14117 14117 23830 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 ANY PERSON, FAMILY OR BUSINESS ORGANIZATION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE CORPORATION UPON THE PAYMENT OF ANNUAL DUES. THERE SHALL BE, AT A MINIMUM, THREE CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP: (I) INDIVIDUAL; (II) FAMILY, WHICH SHALL CONSIST OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE RELATED BY BLOOD OR MARRIAGE AND WHO ARE LIVING IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD AND AT THE TIME OF PAYMENT OF DUES ARE IDENTIFIED IN WRITING TO THE CORPORATION AS BEING MEMBERS OF A CONTRIBUTOR'S FAMILY; (III) BUSINESS, WHICH SHALL CONSIST OF A BUSINESS ENTITY, WHETHER A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION, ASSOCIATION OR OTHER ENTITY ORGANIZED FOR EITHER A PROFIT OR A NON-PROFIT PURPOSE. THE CORPORATION SHALL KEEP A RECORD OF THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ALL THE MEMBER OF THE CORPORATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C TO ENSURE THAT THE SLT OPERATES IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSES AND THAT IT DOES NOT ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES THAT COULD JEOPARDIZE ITS STATUS AS AN ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX, PERIODIC REVIEWS OF COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS SHALL BE REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 15A: THE STOWE LAND TRUST'S PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INCLUDES A REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY INDEPENDENT PERSONS, COMPARABILITY DATA, AND CONTEMPORANEOUS SUBSTANTIATION OF THE DELIBERATION AND DECISION. 15B: STOWE LAND TRUST'S PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION FOR KEY EMPLOYEES INCLUDES A REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY INDEPENDENT PERSONS AND COMPARABILITY DATA. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE STOWE LAND TRUST MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.