2018-06-05T13:31:42-05:00 2017-09-30 410746749 CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP 4099 TAMIAMI TRAIL N STE 300 NAPLES FL 34103 990 2016-10-01 591157084 THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CONS 2392620304 1495 SMITH PRESERVE WAY NAPLES FL 34102 VICTORIA POLLOCK CFO 2392620304 2018-05-31 1 AMELIA COOPER CPA P00437898 2392628686 2018-05-29 2016 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z ROB MOHER 1495 SMITH PRESERVE WAY NAPLES FL 34102 11147218 0 X WWW.CONSERVANCY.ORG X 1964 FL OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S UNIQUE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE. 31 31 84 637 0 0 7050240 6693077 357552 385775 202336 347217 -485165 -547968 7124963 6878101 0 0 0 0 3900903 4025132 0 0 983094 3741063 4076947 7641966 8102079 -517003 -1223978 53161288 52938289 3806057 2999747 49355231 49938542 X WE ARE A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON THE CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF OUR PROGRAMMATIC DEPARTMENTS: SCIENCE, POLICY, EDUCATION AND WILDLIFE REHABILITATION. 0 0 1442324 THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEAM IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING UNBIASED STUDIES AND ENJOYS A NATIONAL REPUTATION FOR THEIR EXPERTISE. WITH MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE, THE SCIENTISTS PROVIDE THE DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE RANGING FROM CONDUCTING ENVIRONMENTAL SITE AUDITS TO DETAILED LABORATORY STUDIES. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH TO ENHANCE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WILDLIFE POPULATIONS AND THE BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES ON WHICH THEY DEPEND - FOR USE IN MORE EFFECTIVELY CONSERVING, MANAGING AND RESTORING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S NATURAL SYSTEMS. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O 1505034 THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TEAM USES A SCIENCE-BASED APPROACH TO TACKLE BROAD REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND COLLABORATES WITH PARTNERS SUCH AS BUSINESS, ENVIRONMENTAL, ACADEMIC AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO ENSURE THE PROPER STEWARDSHIP OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S WATER, LAND AND WILDLIFE. THEY PROVIDE OUR REGION'S DECISION MAKERS WITH THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION ISSUES. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES TACKLED BY THE TEAM ARE DEVELOPMENT, SMART GROWTH, WATER ISSUES, ENDANGERED SPECIES AND WILDLIFE HABITAT PROTECTION.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O 1567744 385773 THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TEAM IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP OF TOMORROW. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE CHILDREN AND ADULTS AN APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCES. THROUGH THIS WORK, WE STRIVE TO EQUIP OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND CREATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS. PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE RESOURCES ARE MORE WILLING TO HELP PROTECT AND TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FACING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S LAND, WATER AND WILDLIFE. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O 1755873 THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL ADMITTED APPROXIMATELY 3,700 NATIVE ANIMALS THIS YEAR. FOREMOST THE HOSPITAL IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF INJURED, SICK AND ORPHANED NATIVE BIRDS, MAMMALS AND REPTILES, ULTIMATELY IMPROVING THEIR ABILITY TO BE RELEASED BACK IN TO THE WILD. THE SECOND GOAL IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION TO OUR NATURE CENTER VISITORS ON HOW TO PREVENT INJURIES TO WILDLIFE.THE VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL IS THE ONLY FACILITY OF ITS KIND WITHIN COLLIER COUNTY. THE INJURED, SICK AND ORPHANED NATIVE WILDLIFE ARE CARED FOR BY A DEDICATED STAFF OF FIVE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, A STAFF VETERINARIAN, AND SEASONAL INTERNS. STAFF EFFORTS ARE SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSIST WITH DIET PREPARATION, CAGE CLEANING, ANIMAL RESTRAINT AND WILDLIFE RESCUE AND RELEASE.THE COST TO TREAT EACH ANIMAL IS MORE THAN $250. OPERATING EXPENSES FOR FOOD, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND STAFF EXCEEDS $350,000 ANNUALLY. INCREMENTAL OPERATING COSTS ARE SUBSIDIZED BY A SMALL NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO DONATE BASIC SUPPLIES SUCH AS FOOD, MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES NEEDED TO CARE FOR THE WILDLIFE PATIENTS. THE VON ARX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL TEAM RELEASES ABOUT HALF OF THE ANIMALS TREATED BACK INTO THEIR NATURAL HABITATS. 1755873 6270975 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 54 0 84 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 X 31 31 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 FL PA X X VICTORIA POLLOCK 2394034202 1495 SMITH PRESERVE WAY NAPLES FL 34102 KEN KRIER CHAIRMAN OF BOARD 15.00 X X 0 0 0 VAN WILLIAMS VICE CHAIRMAN 15.00 X X 0 0 0 ED EATON TREASURER 15.00 X X 0 0 0 LYNNE SHOTWELL SECRETARY 5.00 X X 0 0 0 LEW ALLYN DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 DENNIS BROWN DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 CAROL DINARDO DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 SUE SHULTZ DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 THOMAS GIBSON DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 STEPHANIE GOFORTH DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 PHIL GRESH DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 PATSY SCHROEDER DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 DR JUDITH HURSHON DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 LOIS KELLEY DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 LORALEE LEBOEUF DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 WAYNE MELAND DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 GERRI MOLL DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 KARL WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 DR KAMELA PATTON DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 MAYELA ROSALES DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 PATSY SCHROEDER DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 BOB SALTARELLI DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 PHIL COLLINS DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 TOM MORAN DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 TUCKER TYLER DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 NANCY WHITE DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 JANE PEARSALL DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 DAVE RISMILLER DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN WALTER DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 SHARON VON ARX DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 LYNN SLABAUGH DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 ROB MOHER CEO 60.00 X 214827 0 19135 VICTORIA POLLOCK CFO 60.00 X 105238 0 8372 PAUL SEIFERT VP OF MARKETING 60.00 X 189618 0 13185 509683 0 40692 3 0 1 0 THE ROCK CUSTOM HOMES PO BOX 111646 NAPLES FL 34108 CONSTRUCTION 261731 PRIORITY MKTING 8200 COLLEGE PARKWAY 201 FT MYERS FL 33919 MARKETING 224158 TENT LOGIX 1121 DIGIORGIO RD FT PEIRCE FL 34982 TENT FOR EVENTS 139268 PRESTIGE PRINTING 10940 HARMONY PARK DRIVE BONITA SPRINGS FL 34135 PRINTING NEEDS 118603 AV MEDIA INC 940 SOUTHRIDGE PARK COURT 100 ORLANDO FL 32819 EVENT PRODUCTION 117841 7 1753912 13639 4925526 1075631 6693077 PROGRAM INCOME 611710 254925 254925 ADMISSIONS 713990 130850 130850 385775 321458 321458 25640 0 25640 25640 25640 3139018 3109497 3762 29521 -3762 25759 25759 488064 1753912 1099106 -611042 -611042 85051 56752 28299 28299 TAX REFUNDS 900099 4824 4824 OTHER INCOME 900099 4311 4311 9135 6878101 414074 0 -229050 563547 107190 206313 250044 2754722 2119380 300264 335078 56530 42801 5602 8127 423592 301418 57559 64615 226741 153461 34010 39270 19276 16577 1350 1349 27464 27464 40579 40579 437441 371335 32135 33971 323022 298263 7129 17630 199770 155100 4106 40564 15722 9672 2950 3100 52142 40223 3964 7955 81703 80203 1500 1387031 1234421 69295 83315 296316 254832 20742 20742 MAINTENANCE 289572 237431 24342 27799 MATERIALS AND SMALL EQU 273082 238805 17892 16385 TELEPHONE & UTILITIES 234802 204202 12755 17845 INTERNS 137501 137501 261524 240696 5523 15305 8102079 6270975 848010 983094 492933 418103 218890 64234 1317017 907743 10647 13373 31462 36443 192112 157285 32530159 8283253 25128596 24246906 11478007 12767171 5511 6061 14286113 14320970 53161288 52938289 529195 448732 146481 49084 3126631 2499181 3750 2750 3806057 2999747 X 27099845 26855414 11590354 11786746 10665032 11296382 49355231 49938542 53161288 52938289 X -1223978 1073372 733917 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 4799475 10554665 6385623 7050240 6693077 35483080 4799475 10554665 6385623 7050240 6693077 35483080 3363133 32119947 233453 299242 293393 232720 347098 1405906 132833 49780 31775 214388 8642 15158 37055 9137 69992 37173366 2587580 0.86410 0.84320 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: OTHER INCOME - 2013 AMOUNT: $ 8,642. 2014 AMOUNT: $ 15,158. 2015 AMOUNT: $ 37,055. 2016 AMOUNT: $ 9,137. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 5464 22000 27464 6243511 6270975 463549 115887 0 0 487456 434521 443452 463549 1828978 2743467 38944 46603 47047 27464 160058 121864 108630 110863 115887 457244 685866 1954 13862 22147 5464 43427 X X 3 10.00 0 0 1 1 200.00 24461 10702844 471350 1202683 500000 11876877 10154617 111540 936687 500000 10702844 10386854 503799 -236036 500000 10154617 9941441 330121 615292 500000 10386854 9302844 263640 726957 352000 9941441 1.00000 1 0 579046 579046 28452534 6503172 21949362 763868 467916 295952 2734711 1312165 1422546 24246906 LAND HELD FOR CONSERVATION 5065002 OTHER RECEIVABLES 19983 TRUST RECEIVABLES 9213331 SCIENCE CONTRACT WORK IN PROGRESS 22654 14320970 FACILITY DEPOSITS 2750 2750 7910894 1073372 1073372 6837522 40579 40579 6878101 8061500 0 8061500 40579 40579 8102079 PART II, LINE 9: LAND HELD FOR CONSERVATION: LAND HELD FOR CONSERVATION IS RECORDED AT COST WHEN PURCHASED OR AT FAIR MARKET VALUE AT THE DATE OF ACQUISITION, IF DONATED. MANAGEMENT REVIEWS EACH PARCEL PERIODICALLY TO DETERMINE IF THERE HAS BEEN IMPAIRMENT TO THE VALUE THAT IS RECORDED IN THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION. PART V, LINE 4: A FUND HELD IN PERPETUITY, THE INCOME FROM WHICH CAN BE SET ASIDE FOR FUTURE PROJECTS AND USES OR USED FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S OVERALL NEEDS. MAGIC UNDER THE MANGROVES 1969670 1535643 434027 326847 160152 141385 324799 RED SNOOK FISHING TOURNAMENT 146692 96555 50137 38137 42001 2 125614 121714 3900 3216 62569 2241976 1753912 488064 364984 160152 144601 429369 1099106 -611042 X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ROB MOHER CEO 214827 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19135 0 233962 0 0 0 PAUL SEIFERT VP OF MARKETING 189618 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13185 0 202803 0 0 0 X 1 56800 APPRAISAL X 21 653847 NYSE X AUCTION ITEMS 262 364984 FMV 1 0 1 1 PART I, LINE 32B: A THIRD PARTY IS USED TO SELL CONTRIBUTED SECURITIES UPON RECEIPT. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR CONSERVANCY SCIENCE TEAM IN 2016-2017: - ADVANCED WORK ON RESTORATION OF MANGROVE DIE-OFF AREAS, INCLUDING AREAS NEAR GOODLAND FL. - CELEBRATED 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEA TURTLE RESCUE AND MONITORING PROGRAM, ONE OF THE LONGEST IN THE COUNTRY. MONITORED A RECORD NUMBER OF NESTS 429. - THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES APPLYING SATELLITE TAGS TO MONITOR SEA TURTLE TRAVEL HABITS. - CONTINUE WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO MANAGE EXOTIC SPECIES, IN ORDER TO HELP LIMIT THE DESTRUCTION OF NATIVE PLANTS AND WILDLIFE. THIS INCLUDES THE TAGGING OF PYTHONS TO STUDY THEIR BEHAVIOR IN HOPES OF CONTROLLING THIS NON-NATIVE INVADER. STUDY EXPANDED THIS YEAR TO INCLUDE BEHAVIORS OF PYTHON HATCHLINGS. MANGROVES THIS PROGRAM SPANS 3 DIFFERENT MANGROVE RESEARCH AND RESTORATION PROJECTS, WHICH EVALUATE RESTORATION SUCCESS IN AN AREA WHERE MANGROVES HAVE DIED OFF; HELP TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY FOREST CONDITIONS IN RESTORED FORESTS BY SPOTTING PROBLEMS EARLY; AND PERFORM RESEARCH TO ASSESS FOREST RESPONSE TO HUMAN ALTERATION. WE ALSO ARE RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THESE IMPORTANT FORESTS UPON WHICH NUMEROUS FISH, BIRDS, REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS AND INVERTEBRATES DEPEND UPON DURING SOME PART OF THEIR LIVES. MANGROVES, ALONG WITH SEAGRASS, FORM THE BACKBONE OF ESTUARIES AND WITHOUT THEIR PRESENCE THE WILDLIFE, INCLUDING THE FISH AND BIRDS THAT THRIVE IN THESE AREAS WILL DECLINE. THIS IS WHY MANGROVE RESTORATION IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR FUTURE, OUR ECONOMY AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IN YEARS TO COME. THIS YEAR WE ASSESSED THE HEALTH AND VIABILITY 15,000 MANGROVES! WESTERN EVERGLADES PICAYUNE STRAND STATE FOREST UNDERWENT EXTENSIVE HYDROLOGIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ALTERATION IN THE 1960'S WHEN A NETWORK OF CANALS, LEVEES, AND ROADS WERE CONSTRUCTED TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NOW DEFUNCT SOUTHERN GOLDEN GATE ESTATES DEVELOPMENT. THE RESTORATION IS ALL ABOUT RETURNING THIS AREA, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, TO ITS PRE-DEVELOPMENT HYDROLOGIC REGIME. THIS SHOULD RESULT IN RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRE-DEVELOPMENT PLANT AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES IN THE AREAS DOWNSTREAM OF THE RESTORATION PROJECT. CONSERVANCY BIOLOGISTS PERFORMED THE BASELINE FAUNAL STUDIES PRIOR TO RESTORATION AND NOW ARE BACK AT WORK DOCUMENTING ANY CHANGES IN AQUATIC FAUNAL AND ANURAN COMMUNITIES (FISH, AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES AND FROGS) RESULTING FROM HYDROLOGIC AND TOPOGRAPHIC RESTORATION OF THE INITIAL TWO PHASES OF THE PSRP FOR THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. THIS WORK SHALL PROVIDE THE FIRST POST-CONSTRUCTION MONITORING OF AQUATIC FAUNA PLOTS THAT WE ESTABLISHED DURING THE PSRP BASELINE MONITORING EFFORT BEFORE CONSTRUCTION COMMENCED ON THE PROJECT. ALTHOUGH THIS WORK HAS JUST BEGUN GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO KAYAK DOWN OLD TORN UP ROAD BEDS TO GET TO THE MONITORING SITES IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT SOMETHING HAPPENED! INVASIVE SPECIES MORE THAN 50 SPECIES OF NONNATIVE REPTILES ARE CURRENTLY ESTABLISHED IN FLORIDA! A GROWING COALITION OF PARTNERS INCLUDING THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, DENISON AND DAVIDSON UNIVERSITIES, ROOKERY BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, THE NAPLES ZOO, FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, SWFL COOPERATIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT AREA AND OTHER GROUPS HAVE BANDED TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF CONTROLLING BURMESE PYTHON POPULATION LEVELS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. THIS PYTHON IS OF PARTICULAR ECOLOGICAL CONCERN, AS THIS INVASIVE EXOTIC APPEARS TO BE CAUSING MASSIVE DECLINES IN A RANGE OF NATIVE MAMMAL SPECIES IN THE EVERGLADES. BY DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING SCIENTIFICALLY APPLIED METHODS TO LESSEN PYTHON DISPERSAL RATES AND CONTAIN THEIR POPULATION WE WILL LESSEN THE IMPACT ON OUR NATIVE WILDLIFE HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR CONSERVANCY POLICY TEAM IN 2016-2017: GROWTH MANAGEMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING THE CONSERVANCY WAS PART OF A COALITION THAT SUCCESSFULLY DEFEATED A MISLEADING, UTILITY-BACKED SOLAR REFERENDUM. THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH THE FACTS NEEDED TO COUNTER THE $20 MILLION WORTH OF "SPIN" GENERATED BY THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE BACKING THE INITIATIVE. WATER THE CONSERVANCY SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR RETENTION OF AN EXISTING PRESERVE AT CREEKSIDE COMMERCE PARK, WHICH WAS TARGETED FOR DEVELOPMENT. THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH THE APPLICANT, COLLIER COUNTY AND THE PUBLIC, THESE CONSERVATION EASEMENT-PROTECTED LANDS WERE REMOVED BY THE APPLICANT FROM THEIR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL. THE CONSERVANCY WAS PART OF A COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR PASSAGE OF SB10, WHICH WILL RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT WATER STORAGE SOUTH OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE. SB10 EXPEDITES PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE EVERGLADES AGRICULTURAL AREA RESERVOIR TO HELP ALLEVIATE HARMFUL DISCHARGES TO THE CALOOSAHATCHEE AND ST. LUCIE ESTUARIES AND SEND CLEAN WATER SOUTH TO THE EVERGLADES AND FLORIDA BAY. SUCH STORAGE IS ONE IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE EVERGLADES RESTORATION PUZZLE, AND WE CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED AS THE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD FOR IMPLEMENTATION. WILDLIFE THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION APPROVED THE IMPERILED SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN, THE RESULT OF A TEN YEAR EFFORT, WHICH CORRECTED THE STATUS OF STATE-LISTED SPECIES AND PROVIDING THE FRAMEWORK FOR GREATER PROTECTIONS. AT LEAST TEN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SPECIES ARE NOW UPGRADED TO "THREATENED" CLASSIFICATION AND WILL NOW RECEIVE MORE PROTECTION FROM HARM AND HARASSMENT UNDER STATE LAW. THE CONSERVANCY PROVIDED DETAILED TECHNICAL INPUT INTO THIS PLANNING PROCESS, AND MANY OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE FINAL DOCUMENT. THROUGH THE CONSERVANCY'S SUPPORT, ENTITIES IN COLLIER COUNTY WERE ABLE TO SECURE $17,500 FROM A FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION GRANT TO MANAGE BEAR ATTRACTANTS. WHEN TRASH, PET FOOD, AND DUMPSTERS ARE UNSECURED, BEARS MAY GET ACCUSTOMED TO HUMAN SOURCES OF FOOD AND MAY NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE WILD. IN A COLLABORATIVE SCIENCE-POLICY DEPARTMENT EFFORT, THE CONSERVANCY INSTALLED FOUR RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER (RCW) NESTING BOXES IN SLASH PINE TREES WITHIN THE PRESERVE OF A LOCAL GOLF COURSE. THE PRESENCE OF THESE BOXES MAY HELP ATTRACT RCWS TO THIS PRESERVE, AS THEY WILL SERVE AS "STARTER HOMES" AS THE BIRDS EXCAVATE MORE PERMANENT NEST CAVITIES. OIL AND GAS/NATURAL RESOURCE EXTRACTION THE CONSERVANCY SUPPORTED A BIPARTISAN BILL TO BAN FRACKING AND OTHER UNCONVENTIONAL WELL STIMULATION TECHNIQUES AT THE STATE LEVEL. WHILE THE BILL WAS NOT APPROVED DURING THE 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT HAD WIDESPREAD SUPPORT AND WAS SPONSORED BY 18 SENATORS (HALF OF THE SENATE!) AND 29 REPRESENTATIVES. CONSERVANCY STAFF PROVIDED DETAILED COMMENTS REGARDING THE REQUEST BY HENDRY ENERGY SERVICES FOR A PERMIT TO REACTIVATE AN INACTIVE OIL WELL FOR NEW PRODUCTION. OUR COMMENTS, WHICH WERE BASED ON CONCERNS REGARDING ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS, HELPED CREATE THE BODY OF EVIDENCE LEADING TO PERMIT DENIAL. LAND THE CONSERVANCY WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE 2016 YES ON CONSERVATION 20/20 GRASSROOTS COALITION ADVOCATING FOR VOTER APPROVAL TO CONTINUE THE TREMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL LEE COUNTY CONSERVATION 20/20 LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM. THE BALLOT INITIATIVE WAS PASSED BY AN IMPRESSIVE 83.68% OF VOTERS. THIS NON-BINDING REFERENDUM SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THAT THE PUBLIC WANTS THE COUNTY TO CONTINUE CONSERVATION ACQUISITION. LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO PURCHASE ALL 6 SECTIONS OF EDISON FARMS FOR $42.4 MILLION THROUGH LEE COUNTY'S CONSERVATION 20/20 LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM. EDISON FARMS HAS LONG BEEN RECOGNIZED AS HAVING EXCEPTIONAL ECOLOGICAL VALUE. IT ENCOMPASSES ALMOST 4,000 ACRES OF VITAL WETLANDS AND PRIMARY PANTHER HABITAT. THE CONSERVANCY PURCHASED FROM JOHN AND FOREST REYNOLDS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON 65 ACRES IN THE PEACE RIVER REFUGE FLORIDA FOREVER PROJECT. THE FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE WERE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND MOSAIC FERTILIZER, LLC. THE 65 ACRES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS ARE THE FIRST TO BE PROTECTED WITHIN THE PEACE RIVER REFUGE FLORIDA FOREVER PROJECT, AND THE EASEMENT WILL BE HELD BY THE DIVISION OF STATE LANDS (DSL) THROUGH A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CONSERVANCY AND DSL. THE CONSERVANCY DONATED TWO ECOLOGICALLY VALUABLE PARCELS OF LAND TO THE STATE FOR INCLUSION IN THE ROOKERY BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE. THE PARCELS ARE PRISTINE COASTAL HABITAT AND THEIR INCLUSION IN STATE LANDS WILL ASSIST IN LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT AND HABITAT PROTECTION. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR CONSERVANCY EDUCATION TEAM IN FY 2016-2017: STEM EDUCATION NUMBERS # OUTREACH PROGRAMS: 87 # STUDENTS REACHED IN THEIR SCHOOLS: 3,688 # FIELD TRIPS: 100 # STUDENTS ONSITE: 3,281 # ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS: 35 # ADULTS REACHED ON FORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS: 639 # COMMUNITY EVENTS ATTENDED: 18 # COMMUNITY MEMBERS REACHED: 3,032 FAMILY FUN DAYS - ONE SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE CONSERVANCY'S NATURE CENTER HOSTED A THEMED FAMILY FUN DAY. EACH THEME INCLUDED A STORY TIME, CRAFT, INTERACTIVE GAMES, AND ANIMAL AMBASSADOR ENCOUNTERS TO ENGAGE ALL FAMILY MEMBERS AS THEY LEARNED ABOUT FLORIDA'S FABULOUS BIRDS, WONDERFUL WORLD WETLANDS, FROGS OF FLORIDA, ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND SENSATIONAL SNAKES. COMMUNITY SUPPORT - THE CONSERVANCY'S EDUCATION TEAM IS FORTUNATE TO BE SUPPORTED BY NUMEROUS CORPORATE AND FAMILY FOUNDATIONS. THIS FINANCIAL SUPPORT ENABLES THE TEAM TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, IMPACTFUL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. THANKS TO A GRANT FROM THE NAPLES CHILDREN AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION, THE CONSERVANCY EXPANDED OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO 70 CAMPERS, OUR HIGHEST NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO DATE! CAMPERS AGED 7 TO 10 COULD ATTEND CAMP AT NO COST, WHERE THEY BECAME CRITTER SCENE INVESTIGATORS AND GOPHER TORTOISE BIOLOGISTS, "TRACKED" AN ENDANGERED FLORIDA PANTHER ON THE TRAILS, DISCOVERED AQUATIC LIFE IN THE FILTER MARSH, TOOK A BOAT RIDE ON THE GORDON RIVER, AND LEARNED HOW FEMALE SEA TURTLES DIG THEIR NESTS ON FLORIDA BEACHES. THE IMPACT WAS ENORMOUS. PARENTS REPORTED THAT NOT ONLY DID THEIR CHILDREN COME HOME WITH AN APPRECIATION FOR NATURE, BUT THE CAMPS HELPED THEIR CHILDREN MAKE NEW FRIENDS, BE MORE ACTIVE AND HEALTHY, AND OVERCOME SHYNESS! SCHOOLS THIS YEAR, THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE SCHULZE FOUNDATION, THE CONSERVANCY REACHED OVER 1400 CHILDREN IN TITLE 1 SCHOOLS WITH OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS. CONSERVANCY NATURALISTS VISIT SCHOOLS WITH FUN AND ENGAGING PROGRAMS, LIKE CSI (CRITTER SCENE INVESTIGATION), NAILS AND SCALES, AND WILD ABOUT WILDLIFE, TO ENGAGE KIDS IN THE PRACTICES OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION. CONSERVANCY HOSTS 4TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ALLIANCE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ON OCTOBER 6TH, THE 4TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ALLIANCE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RETURNED TO BE HOSTED AT THE CONSERVANCY. THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE THEME WAS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN A CHANGING WORLD. THE GROUP INCLUDED 75 EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND STUDENTS WHO CAME TOGETHER FOR A DAY THAT INCLUDED AN INTERACTIVE PLENARY WORKSHOP ON LEADERSHIP SKILLS, A TIMELY PRESENTATION ON THE IMPACT OF HURRICANES ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ECOLOGY BY FGCU FOUNDING FACULTY MEMBER AND PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES WIN EVERHAM, BREAKOUT SESSIONS ON CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS, AUDIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. CONSERVANCY PARTNERS WITH FGCU'S WHITAKER CENTER FOR STEM EDUCATION TO HOST THE 2017 SCHULZE SUMMER STEM INSTITUTE FOR K-12 TEACHERS IN JUNE AND JULY, 25 TEACHERS FROM ACROSS THE 5-COUNTY SERVICE AREA PARTICIPATED IN A WEEK-LONG PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, INTENDED TO ENGAGE TEACHERS IN THE PRACTICES OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM). TEACHERS PARTICIPATED AS STUDENTS IN INQUIRY-BASED ACTIVITIES DESIGNED BY FGCU FACULTY MEMBERS FROM ACROSS STEM DISCIPLINES. AS PART OF THE PROGRAM, EACH TEACHER RECEIVED A STIPEND TO BE USED IN THE CLASSROOM, TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THEIR OWN INQUIRY-BASED LESSONS, DRAWING UPON THE PRACTICES AND IDEAS MODELED WITH THEM DURING THE STEM SUMMER INSTITUTE. TEACHERS WILL REPORT BACK LATER THIS YEAR ON THE LESSONS THEY LEARNED IMPLEMENTING ACTIVITIES IN THEIR OWN CLASSROOM. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF THE CHAIRMAN, VICE CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY, TREASURER, CHAIR OF EAC, CHAIR OF DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, CHAIR OF MEMBERSHIP AND MARKETING COMMITTEE, CHAIR OF BOARD GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, AND CHAIR OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL MEET REGULARLY IN THE "OFF SEASON OR UPON CALL BY THE BOARD CHAIR, TO REVIEW AND ACT ON MATTERS BETWEEN BOARD MEETINGS; IT SHALL HAVE THE FULL POWER TO ACT FOR AND IN PLACE OF THE BOARD AS PROVED BY FLORIDA LAW. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THE ORGANIZATION IS MADE UP OF MEMBERS WHO PAY DUES. ALL MEMBERS HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE MEMBERS ELECT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DURING THE ANNUAL MEETING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE 990; THE 990 WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO FILING, ALL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS WILL BE BROUGHT TO BUDGET & FINANCE FOR FINAL REVIEW. SUBSEQUENT TO FILING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C WE DISTRIBUTE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS FOR BOARDMEMBERS TO SIGN AT BEGINNING OF YEAR. AT EACH MEETING, COMMITTEE OR OTHERWISE, WE ANNOUNCE THE AGENDA AND THEN ASK IF ANYONE HAS A CONFLICT WITH ANY ITEMS. IF YES, THEY EXCUSE THEMSELVES FROM DISCUSSION AND VOTE ON SAID ITEM. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THERE IS A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE THAT MEETS AND RECOMENDS SALARIES TO THE BOARD. THE BOARD PERFORMS A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO LOCAL, STATEWIDE AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF COMPARABLE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY. THE COMPARABILITY STUDY WAS DONE IN 2017. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: APPRECIATION OF SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENT & TRUST RECEIVABLE 733,917.