2024-11-05T13:06:34-07:00 2023-12-31 990 2023-01-01 383299537 KEWEENAW LAND TRUST INC KEWE 9064820820 49902 Limerick Street Hancock MI 49930 William Leder Treasurer 9064820820 2024-11-05 1 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z Patricia Toczydlowski 49902 Limerick Street Hancock MI 49930 662096 0 X www.KeweenawLandTrust.org X 1996 MI A community partner protecting land water and quality of life through conservation, stewardship and nature connections serving six western counties of Michigan's Upper Peninsula 12 12 5 125 0 0 268757 622413 668 151 51793 39532 1190 0 322408 662096 1750 0 0 0 121098 127518 0 0 17327 143013 145996 265861 273514 56547 388582 10038092 10684028 5499 142133 10032593 10541895 Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) is a community partner protecting land, water and quality of life through conservation, stewardship and nature connections serving the six western counties of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. KLT is a qualified holder of conservation land and easements and one of about 450 land trusts across the country awarded accreditation, documenting that it follows best practices across all areas of operations. KLT currently owns and stewards 27 natural areas open year-round for low-impact use by the general public. KLT offers programs and guided explorations on its protected lands to foster connections and better understanding of the unique landscapes and natural features of our region. KLT relies on support from several hundred member households along with grants and partnerships to carry out its mission of conserving special places in our community now and for generations to come. 0 0 30521 0 0 CONSERVATION:A highlight of the Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) land conservation program during 2023 was the conservation of Silver Island by land donation, protecting an entire Great Lakes island off the north shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula. This 8-acre island comprises unique island habitats and geological features with over a half-mile of pristine Lake Superior shoreline. Protection of undeveloped Lake Superior shoreline and access to its waters remain among the highest priorities for the KLT conservation program, based in part on community input and regional conservation plans. Several potential conservation projects are under evaluation or in development from partner referrals, landowner inquiries, and organizational program initiatives, including shoreline tracts, old growth forest and river frontage. KLT worked on applying for renewal of its national accreditation status during the year, submitting details from several conservation projects completed over the past five years as selected by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission to determine if KLT can adequately document compliance with the Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices. KLT staff are working with legal counsel to update the template used for drafting conservation easements to better align with current best practices. While easement work will continue, KLT has made an intentional shift towards protecting land by ownership, an approach that provides more direct public benefits and community connection to the land while offering KLT more control. 131565 0 0 STEWARDSHIP:KLT continued its work to enhance habitats and facilitate public access opportunities in keeping with conservation goals for its protected lands. Engaging volunteers is a hallmark of growing stewardship capacity and personal connections to our protected land, and transferring knowledge that can facilitate better stewardship on private land. A component of our stewardship program is maintaining several rustic cabins available for scheduled use by donation. In accordance with LTA Standards & Practices, KLT conducted annual monitoring of its nature areas and private lands protected by conservation easements to ensure that conservation values are being protected. Documentation of monitoring and stewardship work is a critical component of accreditation with records selected by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission submitted as part of KLT's application for renewal of accreditation status. KLT continues to work on technological improvements to facilitate better networking, backup systems, security and organization of digital records for its conservation and stewardship programs. 16190 0 151 OUTREACH -NATURE CONNECTIONS:KLT offers a variety of programs aimed at strengthening connections to our protected lands and the broader natural world. Better understanding can translate to care and support for the conservation and stewardship efforts of the organization. Story Trail programs post pages of nature themed books along a trail enticing visitors to hike and learn. Guided outdoor explorations often engage community partners or volunteers and mix learning, art and camaraderie in events on our protected lands. These include Tyke Hikes targeting families with youngsters and activities combined with stewarding or managing our nature areas. KLT programs teach about threats from invasive species and the benefits and logistics of native plantings to benefit wildlife habitats. KLT is a Leave No Trace partner encouraging responsible and ethical use of all lands open for public use. KLT adopted the Keweenaw Water Trail and offers some information to paddlers. KLT engages with local schools (K-university) utilizing our protected lands as outdoor classrooms as well as sharing indoor learning about our conservation and stewardship work. KLT regularly conducts educational outreach through its website (www.KeweenawLandTrust.org), social media and email notices, and through print publication of newsletters, reports, and brochures. Countless individuals and groups create their own experiences on KLT protected lands that are open year-round for low-impact use by the general public at no charge. 3865 0 0 OTHER: KLT is an active member of the Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area (KISMA) partnership, that engages interns and community partners in monitoring, management and educational outreach to raise awareness of invasive species.KLT supported ongoing partnerships with a Sustainable Film series, the Keweenaw Geoheritage program, and the Copper Country Recycling Initiative. KLT served on an advisory committee as one stakeholder framing a "Blueprint for the Heartlands" to guide future ownership and appropriate shared uses of about 32,000 acres of land in Keweenaw County currently under transitory ownership of The Nature Conservancy. KLT also serves on the advisory committee for the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative that supports and connects community partners with K-12 classrooms engaged in stewardship learning and projects to benefit the Lake Superior watershed. 3865 0 0 182141 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 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 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 12 12 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 MI X Patricia Toczydlowski 9064820820 49902 Limerick Street Hancock MI 49930 Evan McDonald Executive Director 25 X X 30236 0 0 Patricia Toczydlowski Project Specialist 30 0 X 22337 0 0 Stephanie Tubman President 4 0 X 0 0 0 Nancy Langston Vice President 4 0 X 0 0 0 William Leder Treasurer 4 0 X 0 0 0 Alex Hirzel Secretary 4 0 X 0 0 0 Christine Handler Director 3 0 X 0 0 0 Calvin Koski Director 2 0 X 0 0 0 Evan Lanese Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 Erik Lilleskov Director 3 0 X 0 0 0 Jamie Robertson Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 Denis Stotler Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 Louie Vencato Director 2 0 X 0 0 0 Stan Vitton Director 2 0 X 0 0 0 52573 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10000 612413 370000 622413 Water trail outreach program 712190 151 151 0 0 0 0 0 0 151 36832 36832 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2700 0 0 0 2700 2700 2700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 662096 39683 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 56747 24791 23258 8698 0 0 0 0 61536 47141 10676 3719 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9235 5614 2652 969 0 0 0 0 4381 4381 0 0 10276 0 10276 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6522 0 6522 0 4500 0 4500 0 154 154 0 0 8006 4937 2335 734 4365 2692 1273 400 0 0 0 0 10314 6360 3009 945 1675 1461 214 0 0 0 0 0 1269 844 425 0 5136 3167 1498 471 0 0 0 0 28029 25517 2512 0 11948 9104 2164 680 Land conservation projects 9920 9450 470 0 Land stewardship - protected lands mgmt 31746 31746 0 0 Organizational/corporate dues and fees 7755 4782 2262 711 273514 182141 74046 17327 220111 244914 143457 147076 0 0 2477 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5017 6106 9648059 424019 8713969 9224040 953041 1061872 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 20 10038092 10684028 2999 3691 0 0 2500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 138442 0 0 5499 142133 X 785179 787427 9247414 9754468 10032593 10541895 10038092 10684028 388582 120720 0 0 0 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 754165 2136171 773737 268757 622413 4555243 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 754165 2136171 773737 268757 622413 4555243 1640202 2915041 46974 60326 124866 51793 39532 323491 0 0 0 0 0 0 786 4366 265 668 151 6236 4884970 0 0.59674 0.61213 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 Other income is program service revenue from mission related community outreach events RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X X 20 4220 0 0 0 1 1 165 4290 1 15364 0 2081 0 0 326 17119 19237 0 -2904 0 0 969 15364 17305 0 2958 0 648 378 19237 17562 0 1209 0 1141 325 17305 14885 0 3016 0 0 339 17562 0 1 0 1 0 0 8440938 8440938 0 688908 213081 475827 0 253933 125566 128367 0 82280 82280 0 0 182000 3092 178908 9224040 776294 120720 0 0 0 120720 655574 6522 0 6522 662096 266992 0 0 0 0 0 266992 6522 0 6522 273514 Schedule D, Part II, Line 5 Organization has a written policy manual drafted in accordance with Standards & Practices of the Land Trust Alliance that includes sections specific to monitoring and enforcement of conservation easements held. All easement properties are inspected at least annually by the organization with written documentation and critical correspondence retained in the permanent records of the organization. Schedule D, Part II, Line 9 Conservation easements are carried on the books at the nominal value of $1 each for tracking purposes. Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 Endowment funds held by the Keweenaw Community Foundation on behalf of the organization are dedicated or directed to the support of the mission purposes of the Keweenaw Land Trust. The grantable funds disbursed annually from this endowment to the organization may be used at the discretion of the board of the KLT for any mission related purposes. X 1 370000 appraisal 0 0 1 1 Schedule M, Part I, Line 32b The organization sometimes uses the services of a licensed real estate agent to market a property donated as a trade land or one that the donor expressly intends for the organization to sell with proceeds directed to mission-related purposes. The organization uses a brokerage firm to accept and process the sale of donated securities. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 The organization has members given the right to review organizational documents such as financial reports, meeting minutes, and policies and the right to voice recommendations to the governing board. The organization has membership classes based on contribution levels but all supporting members have the same rights. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a All supporting members have the right to elect directors to the governing body of the organization at its annual membership meeting. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7b The right to vote on proposed changes to the bylaws of the organization is reserved exclusively for members. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b Keweenaw Land Trust staff prepared this return, which was reviewed by the Executive Director and the signing officer (Treasurer) and provided to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c Directors of the organization sign an annual conflict of interest disclosure certifying that they have read and understand the organization's conflict of interest policy and declaring any known conflicts. In addition, potential conflicts of interest are disclosed and considered on a case-by-case basis as they arise during the course of the organization's work. Directors with an actual or perceived conflict of interest are excused from relevant board discussions and decisions, and the handling of the matter is disclosed in the meeting minutes. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 A summary financial report is presented at the annual general membership meeting; organizational bylaws are posted on the website, any proposed bylaw amendments would be distributed to the general membership in accordance with current bylaws; the Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices are linked to the organization's website; and all of these, along with organizational governing documents, policies, and external financial audits or reviews, are available upon request. This return is being filed timely. The organization was granted automatic extension with this return due by November 15, 2024