2016-02-15T13:20:26-06:00 2015-06-30 570381582 ELLIOTT DAVIS DECOSIMO LLCPLLC 100 CALHOUN ST STE 300 CHARLESTON SC 29401 990 2014-07-01 570809313 LOWCOUNTRY OPEN LAND TRUST INC LOWC 8435776510 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 BRADFORD S MARSHALL CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 8435776510 2016-02-10 1 BRANDON T RENAUD P00743576 8435777040 2014 2016-08-17 19:52:53Z BRADFORD S MARSHALL 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 3566601 0 X WWW.LOWCOUNTRYLANDTRUST.ORG X 1985 SC PROTECTING IRREPLACEABLE LOWCOUNTRY LANDS INCLUDING WORKING FARMS AND FORESTS, SCENIC VISTAS, RELATIVELY NATURAL HABITATS AND HISTORIC LANDSCAPES. 17 17 16 25 0 0 15023303 2844924 36807 163187 378050 364444 71565 14196 15509725 3386751 0 0 0 0 880877 903394 0 0 267391 13874424 473888 14755301 1377282 754424 2009469 17382582 18992544 6747776 6789874 10634806 12202670 X TO HONOR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLE AND LAND BY PROTECTING IRREPLACEABLE LOWCOUNTRY LANDS INCLUDING WORKING FARMS AND FORESTS, SCENIC VISTAS, RELATIVELY NATURAL HABITATS AND HISTORIC LANDSCAPES USING BOTH ESTABLISHED AND INNOVATIVE CONSERVATION APPROACHES. SINCE 1986, LOLT HAS PERMANENTLY PROTECTED 308 PROPERTIES ENCOMPASSING OVER 111,000 ACRES SPANNING THE 17 COUNTIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S COASTAL PLAIN. THE PROPERTIES INCLUDE WORKING FARMS AND FORESTLANDS, WATERWAYS AND WATERSHEDS, HUNTING PROPERTIES, HUMMOCK ISLANDS, VIBRANT MARSH TIDAL ECOSYSTEMS, BLACKWATER STREAMS AND LONGLEAF PINE RESTORATION AREAS. 0 1 572182 35284 LAND PROTECTION:THE LOWCOUNTRY OPEN LAND TRUST CONTINUED WITH SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN CALENDAR YEAR 2015, COMPLETING 11 LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT AN ADDITIONAL 8,690 ACRES, BRINGING ITS TOTAL PROTECTED ACREAGE TO 111,794 ACRES. NINE OF THE PROJECTS WERE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS GRANTED BY PRIVATE LANDOWNERS AND ONE WAS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT GRANTED BY THE TOWN OF MEGGETT ON ITS FIRST PUBLIC PARK/PRESERVE. EIGHT OF THE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS WERE PURCHASED IN BARGAIN SALE TRANSACTIONS WITH GRANT FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONSERVATION BANK AND TWO EASEMENTS WERE FULLY DONATED. IN ADDITION, THE LAND TRUST IMPLEMENTED A GROUNDBREAKING COLLABORATION WITH THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO OFFSET THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS FROM THE PLANNED DREDGING OF CHARLESTON HARBOR. THE FRENCH QUARTER CREEK PROJECT, IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE KEYSTONE PROPERTY, EXPANDS ON THE MITIGATION WORK BEGUN IN 2014 IN THE COOPER RIVER CORRIDOR. PLANNED LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TRANSITIONING A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY'S LOBLOLLY PINE PLANTATIONS TO A LONGLEAF PINE ECOSYSTEM AND ENHANCEMENT OF HISTORICAL WETLANDS. THE PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD TO A CONSERVATION BUYER WITH THE PROCEEDS BEING INVESTED IN ADDITIONAL LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS IN THE CORRIDOR. 256414 94864 STEWARDSHIP:IN THE 2015 CALENDAR YEAR, THE LOWCOUNTRY OPEN LAND TRUST MONITORED 100% OF ITS 308 PROTECTED PROPERTIES (CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, DEED RESTRICTIONS AND FEE-OWNED) COVERING 111,794 ACRES. ALSO FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR, STAFF ADDRESSED 109 STANDING ISSUES, LANDOWNER REQUESTS AND/OR ACTIVITY APPROVALS. AN AERIAL MONITORING PROGRAM TO AUGMENT ON-THE-GROUND MONITORING CONTINUED THROUGH 2015. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 2014 - JUNE 2015, ONE CONSERVATION EASEMENT WAS AMENDED AND NONE WERE EXTINGUISHED. THE ONE AMENDMENT SERVED TO INCREASE THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF THE PROTECTED PROPERTY. STEWARDSHIP STAFF ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS INCLUDING THE RESTORATION/MITIGATION WORK ON THE KEYSTONE AND FRENCH QUARTER CREEK PROPERTIES, A LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, AND CONTINUED PLANNING FOR ANGEL OAK PRESERVE WITH THE CHARLESTON COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION, THE CITY OF CHARLESTON AND THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON. 114778 33903 EDUCATION & COMMUNITY RELATIONS (ECR):AS A RESULT OF CONSISTENT AND METHODICAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, IN FISCAL YEAR 2015, THE ECR DIVISION OF THE LOWCOUNTRY OPEN LAND TRUST:- CULTIVATED COMMUNITY SUPPORT ON JOHNS ISLAND TO BEGIN THE INITIAL PLANNING PHASES OF THE ANGEL OAK PRESERVE- CULTIVATED THE SUPPORT OF TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL AUDIENCES THROUGH ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TAILORED TO EACH AUDIENCE- CONTINUED TO BUILD BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND SUPPORT WITH CORPORATE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL GROUPS- LAUNCHED THE INITIAL PHASES OF THE ORGANIZATION'S REBRANDING EFFORT 943374 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 14 0 1 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 17 17 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 SC X KAREN ROWE 8434100672 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 X MRS BRADFORD S MARSHALL BOARD CHAIR 3.00 X X 0 0 0 MR STEPHEN F GATES VICE CHAIR 3.00 X X 0 0 0 MR DAVID MAYBANK III TREASURER 3.00 X X 0 0 0 MR BOB BALDWIN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR J STANFIELD GRAY TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MS ELEANOR MOORE KUHL TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR SAMUEL C CARLTON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MS CAROL ERVIN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 DR ANN G KULZE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR THOMAS D W HUTTO TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR G TRENHOLM WALKER SECRETARY 3.00 X X 0 0 0 MR BURNIE MAYBANK III TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR RICHARD W SALMONS JR TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR J CONRAD ZIMMERMAN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR FORD P MENEFEE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR R SCOTT WALLINGER TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MR J RUTLEDGE YOUNG JR TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH M HAGOOD FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 134250 0 0 134250 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2370640 30000 444284 45725 2844924 TRANSFER FEES 900099 94000 94000 SPECIAL PROJECTS 900099 35284 35284 EDUCATIONAL EVENTS 900099 33903 33903 163187 282039 282039 250858 168231 222 82627 -222 82405 82405 24729 11397 13332 13332 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 864 864 864 3386751 164051 0 377776 777611 525816 100503 151292 66255 44801 8563 12891 59528 40252 7694 11582 17600 17600 24253 15993 3669 4591 69336 45721 10490 13125 4498 4498 19795 13053 2995 3747 LAND PROTECTION 97252 97252 OPERATIONS/ADMIN 81507 57055 12226 12226 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 53910 53910 EVENTS AND SPEAKERS 42313 35169 7144 63424 9854 2777 50793 1377282 943374 166517 267391 542330 566751 46250 52203 45 45 10012006 27064 8084065 9984942 8697834 8386103 12058 2500 17382582 18992544 12750 1559 50000 6735026 6738315 6747776 6789874 X 9678119 11360902 336555 221636 620132 620132 10634806 12202670 17382582 18992544 2009469 -441605 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1217679 3270102 951015 15320099 2844924 23603819 1217679 3270102 951015 15320099 2844924 23603819 23603819 61784 96282 287143 264124 282039 991372 2340 4471 8912 8641 864 25228 24620419 247773 0.95870 0.96100 X PART II, SECTION A AND B, COLUMN (E) THE ORGANIZATION CHANGED ITS YEAR END TO JUNE 30 AS OF JUNE 30, 2013 AND FILED A SHORT YEAR RETURN FOR THAT PERIOD. THE NUMBERS FOR THE SHORT YEAR RELATED TO PUBLIC SUPPORT ARE INCLUDED WITH THE 2013 TAX RETURN FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2014. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 819 0 0 819 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: THE LOWCOUNTRY OPEN LAND TRUST PRESIDENT, ALONG WITH OTHER LAND TRUST LEADERS ACROSS THE NATION, MET WITH LEGISLATORS ABOUT IMPORTANT CONSERVATION ISSUES AT THE ANNUAL LAND TRUST LOBBY DAY HELD ANNUALLY IN WASHINGTON DC. X X X X 284 108857.00 1 1 1 7000.00 256414 9942040 9942040 69966 27064 42902 9984942 ACCRUED VACATION 11315 LAND CONTRIBUTION PAYABLE 6727000 6738315 X 2956543 -441605 11397 -430208 3386751 0 3386751 1388679 11397 11397 1377282 0 1377282 PART II, LINE 9: THE FOOTNOTES TO THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REFLECT THE FOLLOWING: "VARIOUS LANDS AND LEGAL RESTRICTIONS ON LANDS ARE DONATED TO THE TRUST FOR PURPOSE OF PRESERVATION. AS OF JUNE 30, 2015 AND 2014, THE TITLE TO APPROXIMATELY 781 ACRES OF LAND, WHICH CONSISTS PRIMARILY OF MARSH, HAD BEEN DONATED TO THE TRUST. THE TRUST RECORDS IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE AT THE TIME OF THE DONATION OF LAND TO WHICH IT HOLDS TITLE. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND DEED RESTRICTIONS ARE RECORDED AT NOMINAL VALUE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. AS OF JUNE 30, 2015 AND 2014, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HAD BEEN GRANTED TO THE TRUST ON 111,794 AND 103,026 ACRES." PART X, LINE 2: MANAGEMENT HAS EVALUATED THE CORPORATION'S TAX POSITIONS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CORPORATION HAS TAKEN NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GUIDANCE. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSES PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENT EXPENSES PART XII AND XIII, LINE 2D OTHER RECONCILING ITEMS CONSIST OF FUNDRAISING EXPENSES IN THE AMOUNT OF $11,397 THAT HAVE BEEN NETTED AGAINST EVENT REVENUE ON PAGE 9, PART VIII. X 0 SPRING SHOOT 24729 24729 11397 24729 24729 11397 11397 13332 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ELIZABETH M HAGOOD FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 134250 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 134250 0 0 0 X 9 28465 FMV OF STOCK ON DATE OF X 9 NO MARKETABLE VALUE X MISCELLANEOUS 14 6334 FAIR MARKET VALUE X FOOD 9 4632 FAIR MARKET VALUE X EVENTS 11 3173 FAIR MARKET VALUE X EQUIPMENT 5 2191 X TRANSPORTATION 2 930 FAIR MARKET VALUE 0 1 0 FORM 990, PART III, LINE 3 AS PART OF LOLT'S STRATEGIC PLAN IT HAS GROWN THE ECR DIVISION AND DEVOTED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO IT WITH SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION OUTCOMES BY FOCUSING ON DEVELOPING TRUST AND COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED A CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING IN ORDER TO REFLECT ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH AND INCREASED DIVERSIFICATION OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN TO REFLECT THE LAND TRUST'S EXPANDING ROLE IN REGIONAL CONSERVATION. THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRUSTEES WAS INCREASED FROM 17 TO 21. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE STAFF ATTORNEY AND CONTROLLER, APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE PRESIDENT, BOARD CHAIR, AND STAFF ATTORNEY, ALONG WITH A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REVIEW THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. STAFF ATTORNEY MONITORS BOARD MEETINGS, COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND OPERATIONS TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS POTENTIAL CONFLICT ISSUES PRIOR TO MEETINGS. DURING COMMITTEE MEETINGS THE POLICY IS ENFORCED BY THE CHAIR PERSON. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 DETERMINING SALARY FOR THE PRESIDENT WAS SUBSTANTIATED BY REVIEWING THE LTA NATIONAL SALARY SURVEY, SURVEYING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND WAS BASED ON YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE. SALARY WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON WRITTEN REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 2C THE PROCESS FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT AND REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. WADMACON LLC 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 356600 LOLT BACONS BRIDGE LLC 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 TRANSFER OF LAND INCLUDED A REVERTER CLAUSE. EXISTS IN PERPETUITY. SC LOLT ASHEM LLC 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 HOLDS OPTION FOR OFFICE SITE SC LOLT ANGEL OAK LLC 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 343100 LOLT QUEMBY BARONY LLC 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 100 LOLT FRENCH QUARTER CREEK LLC 43 WENTWORTH STREET CHARLESTON SC 29401 HOLDS PROTECTED LAND SC 1897500 LOLT