2016-08-03T06:32:39-07:00 2015-12-31 C DeWitt Foard & Co PA CPAs 817 E Morehead Street Ste 100 Charlotte NC 282022767 990 2015-01-01 581969605 Catawba Lands Conservancy CATA 7043423330 4530 Park Road Ste 420 Charlotte NC 28209 Thomas Okel Executive Dir. 2016-08-03 true Terry W Lancaster P00096087 7043721515 2015 2016-12-15 16:53:06Z X 3183211 false false X www.catawbalands.org X 1991 NC As a nationally accredited land trust, we conserve and manage land for public benefit in North Carolinas Southern Piedmont. We have conserved 185 properties, totaling 15,234 acres of land. We are the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail. 24 23 23 600 0 4597634 3095470 0 -187548 14607 20841 17955 4430927 3128032 326951 0 1213910 1072924 0 134292 2895764 1065227 4109674 2465102 321253 662930 24477118 25156264 45788 105152 24431330 25051112 X As a nationally accredited land trust, we conserve and manage land for public benefit in North Carolinas Southern Piedmont. We have conserved 185 properties, totaling 15,234 acres of land. We are the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail. false false 1099465 Land Acquisition: Catawba Lands Conservancy (the Conservancy) protected 6 new properties in 2015, totaling 168 acres in four counties. The Conservancy works with willing landowners and communities to conserve land in perpetuity by placing voluntary conservation easements on land, accepting donations of land, and occasionally purchasing land. CLC serves a six-county region in North Carolina that includes: Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Union counties. Our conservation efforts focus on four areas: local farms, wildlife/plant habitat, clean water and connecting people to nature. Additionally, many of our properties have important species and habitat that the state of North Carolina designated as Natural Heritage areas. Further, some of the properties provide critical habitat for state or federally listed threatened or endangered plants or animals. 700415 The Carolina Thread Trail (The Thread) is an initiative to develop a regional network of greenways and trails that reaches 15 counties and 2.3 million people. The Thread is a unique 15-county collaboration that will connect communities and conserve land through a network of conservation corridors and trails developed through locally designed plans. This long term project under the Conservancy's leadership will permanently protect this region's history, beauty, and diversity, while conserving local lands and providing a broad range of community benefits. The Thread will also link more than two million citizens with hundreds of miles of conservation land and pedestrian and bicycle trails that wind through 15 counties in North and South Carolina, connecting points of regional significance. There are multiple public benefits including economic development, conservation of land, enhancement of water quality, cleaner air, alternative transportation, and healthy recreation activities for all regional citizens, all of which translates to enhanced quality of life. The Thread will be freely accessible to everyone. At the end of 2015 there were 1,588.4 planned trail miles and approximately 250 completed trail miles. 236381 Land Stewardship: The Conservancy intentionally stewards its conservation assets. Staff monitors activities on fee owned land through site visits. Current conditions are evaluated against the reference conditions established by the Baseline Documentation. Photographs are taken and a monitoring report is generated and archived or the site visit is documented on a site visit report. As part of perpetual due diligence, the Conservancy ensures the plant, wildlife, and other conservation values remain undisturbed and protected. Where appropriate on fee owned property, the Conservancy provides public access opportunities, including both blueways and hiking trails, independently and through the Carolina Thread Trail. Facilities for public access include a canoe/kayak launch (Spencer Mt. River Access), the Adam Springs Portage Trail, and canoe/kayak take-out (R.Y. McAden Access); and natural surface hiking trails at the South Fork Trail, South Fork River Rail Trail, Long Creek Preserve, Seven Oaks Preserve, Pharr Family Preserve, Buffalo Creek Preserve, Sallys Y Preserve and Catawba Springs Preserve. The Conservancy also monitors conservation easements using the same protocols as fee owned land. On private property protected by conservation easements, the Conservancy works with willing land owners to further enhance the conservation values already protected. In 2015, CLC worked with the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program to identify and designate an additional 320 acres of land as Significant Natural Areas. In addition, CLC worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to improve habitat on a CLC protected property for the Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii). This turtle species is protected by the Endangered Species Act. 171785 2208046 true true false false false false true false false false true true false true true false true false false false false false false false true false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false true true true false false true true false false false false true 15 0 true 23 true false false false false false false true true false 0 false false false false false false false false false false X 24 23 false false false false true true false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X Robin Buckler Finance Dir 7043423330 4530 Park Road Ste 420 Charlotte NC 28209 Walter Fisher Chair 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Jenny Ward Vice Chair 5.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Jonathan Mangels Audit & Fin Chr 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Laurie Smith Nom & Gov Chair 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Phillips Bragg Land Acq Chair 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Reed Perkins Land Stew Chair 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 David Clark Jr Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jarred Cochran Dev & Mem Chair 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 John Culbertson Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jessica Braswell Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Ralph Falls III CCIM Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Claudia Heath Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Julianne McCollum Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 John Mader Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Sandra Conway Outreach & Edu 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Thomas H McCoy MD Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Robert McLean Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bill Mumford Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Nancy Paschall Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Scott Phillips Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lat Purser Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 H Thomas Webb III Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Thomas Okel Executive Dir. 50.00 0.00 X 104717 0 6308 104717 6308 1 false false false 0 490024 136645 337399 2131402 683838 3095470 0 43237 43237 0 0 9710 9710 9710 9710 892 5478 35000 892 -29522 -28630 -28630 21075 136645 20179 896 0 0 Other 7349 7349 7349 3128032 -11571 43237 326951 326951 0 0 0 111025 94775 16250 0 816499 711427 30311 74761 13434 10913 1292 1229 58898 51503 2088 5307 73068 63928 2225 6915 0 0 10500 10500 0 0 0 73043 73043 168105 159088 2627 6390 87848 52949 22775 12124 14429 8945 1311 4173 0 71431 31416 32872 7143 28084 28084 0 9253 8910 343 0 0 78183 64541 13642 27784 25006 2778 Easements granted 461650 461650 Tree Canopy 34917 34917 0 2465102 2208046 122764 134292 66391 56393 1008769 1308940 0 130871 221984 0 0 0 0 0 1078800 335072 760230 743728 0 2191820 1984093 50000 15000 0 20269037 20826126 24477118 25156264 45788 40152 65000 45788 105152 X 23175512 23319147 1255818 1731965 24431330 25051112 24477118 25156264 662930 -43148 X false true X true false X 12071035 3097847 36118824 4597634 3116545 59001885 13849 8850 9760 13641 9228 55328 0 0 0 12084884 3106697 36128584 4611275 3125773 59057213 79663 85719 64900 52045 55681 338008 0 79663 85719 64900 52045 55681 338008 58719205 29602 32432 33085 50023 43237 188379 0 29602 32432 33085 50023 43237 188379 0 9881 7349 17230 12114486 3139129 36161669 4671179 3176359 59262822 0.99080 0.97590 0.00320 0.00440 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X 109 91 2 1 true 16 236381 false 68746 5092 63654 178947 123776 55171 831107 206204 624903 743728 1984093 Land protected in perpetuity 20826126 20826126 Funds held for others 65000 65000 3108013 -43148 2950 20179 -20019 3128032 3128032 2488231 2950 20179 23129 2465102 2465102 Part II, Line 3: Explanation of Each Easement Change The Conservancy (CLC) holds conservation easements (CEs) on five properties (the Properties) that lie in the path of a new sewer line planned by the City of Charlotte (the City). In May, 2014, the City initiated separate lawsuits against each of the property owners (the Owners) and CLC seeking to acquire by eminent domain both temporary construction and permanent sewer easements (the Sewer Easements) across each of the Properties. The temporary construction easements were typically 10-15 feet wide and the permanent sewer line easements were typically a maximum of 25 feet wide. The area subject to these easements was a minimal portion of each property.CLC and the Owners negotiated with the City as to the total amount that would be owed by the City in exchange for the Sewer Easements. The compensation amounts were based on before and after appraisals of each of the Properties. In October, 2014, the Citys lawsuits as to three of the properties were dismissed. In January 2015, the City's lawsuits as to the remaining two properties were dismissed pursuant to consent judgments entered by a Mecklenburg County Superior Court judge and consented to by the City, the Owners, and CLC. Condemnation award proceeds of $9,881 as to three of the lawsuits were distributed in December 2014 and reported on our 2014 Form 990. Condemnation proceeds of $6,480 as to the remaining two lawsuits were distributed in February 2015, and these two are being reported in 2015.Changes to the CEsAs a result of the condemnation proceedings, the CEs held by CLC were technically changed in that the City is allowed to enter a designated portion of each of the Properties and construct and thereafter permanently maintain an underground sanitary sewer line on a designated route, all as shown on Project maps attached as exhibits to the complaints filed by the City and to the consent judgments. Part II, Line 5: Summarized Policy The land stewardship staff inspects each property encumbered by a conservation easement to ensure compliance with the provisions in the easement document.Staff assesses current conditions and compares findings to those documented by the Baseline Documentation Report.Staff evaluates the status of reserved rights which may have been exercised since the last site visit.Staff assesses impacts to the conservation values associated with changes in land use on the easement property and adjacent properties, notes potential trespass issues and safety hazards, and makes observations on the condition of the boundary and the signage. The staff makes additions to the species list (flora and fauna), documents new findings and communicates with the appropriate government entity. Special attention is given to the evaluation of plant or animal species that may be state or federally listed (endangered, threatened, species of concern, etc.). Staff evaluates conditions in Natural Heritage Areas and inspects significant historical and/or cultural features conserved by the conservation easement.Post monitoring, an archival quality report is generated by the staff and includes written observations and photographs as appropriate; copies of the report are stored on and off site per Conservancy policy. Part II, Line 9: Organization Reporting of conservation easements. Conservation easements received as a gift are recorded at the estimated change in the market value of the associated property before and after the imposition of the easement. At that time, the Conservancy also records a like amount as an expense since the conservation easements have no future economic benefit to the Conservancy. Donated conservation easements amounted to $423,650 and $1,320,720 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Part XI, Line 2d: Other revenue amounts included in F/S but not included on form 990 Special event expense $20179 Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S Special event expense $20179 false Southern Spring Show 157720 136645 21075 1517 18028 500 134 157720 136645 21075 1517 18028 500 134 20179 896 false The Redlair Foundation 220 North Tryon Street Charlotte NC 28202 326451 0 0 1 Lat Purser Board member 66656 Rent false Trees Charlotte Former ED 65653 Tree planting false Schedule L, Part V Supplemental Information Catawba Lands Conservancy works with Foundation of the Carolinas, the City of Charlotte and Trees Charlotte to plant trees in neighborhoods to benefit the public. Davis Cable is a former Executive Director at Catawba Lands Conservancy and is now the Executive Director of Trees Charlotte. X 5 677388 Appraisal X 1 3968 X 1 2700 X Truck 1 2000 Estimate 3 false true false Form 990, Part III, Line 4d: Other Program Services Description OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Other - Other program expenses relate primarily to community education and outreach as well as working with Trees Charlotte to plant trees in neighborhoods to benefit the public. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process Review of the Form 990 is conducted by the Executive Director and the Finance Director. It is reviewed before filing. Prior to filing, a copy of the Form 990 is available to each Board member, questions and suggestions are an integral part of the review. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts Each Board member is required to sign a conflict of interest statement prior to joining the Board of Directors. Upon knowledge of a transaction involving a conflict, the details are fully disclosed to the Chairman of the Board and the member with a conflict will not participate in discussions or voting. Board members verify that there is no conflict of interest annually. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management Compensation of the Executive Director is determined in advance by the Executive Committee. Independent surveys are obtained that are used to compare the average salary for all positions, including the Executive Director. This documentation is available and reviewed annually as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available CLC's governing documents, minutes of Board meetings and committee meetings, and conflict of interest policy are kept in binders at our office. CLC's financial statements, audits and Forms 990 are on the website. Amended Explanation RETURN IS BEING AMENDED FOR CHANGES MADE AFTER RETURN WAS INADVERNTLY E-FILED BEFORE COMPLETION. Land During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Conservancy recorded a loss of $35,000 to adjust land held for sale down to current estimated fair market value. This amount is included as Investment Income. Property and Easements Acquired for Preservation The Conservancy may acquire certain property and/or conservation easements through purchases as well as through donor contributions. Donors generally contribute deeds to property and/or conservation easements. Conservation easements are legal agreements in which the landowner gives up some of the rights to their land, such as development, but retains ownership and management of the property. The conservation easements are permanent and run with the land to successive owners. Contributions are recorded at the estimated fair market value of the property or easement taking into consideration the fact that the lands use may be severely limited based on the intent to preserve the property in its undeveloped state. Based on these facts, the values of easements shown in the accompanying Statement of Activities are based on management estimates. Hickory Grove LLC 4530 Park Road Ste 420 Charlotte NC 28209 464669695 Rental house NC 5950 71765 N/A Carolina Tread Trail 220 North Tryon Street Charlotte NC 28202 261528527 Preservation of natural areas NC 501(c)(3) 509(a)(1) NA false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false Carolina Tread Trail l 700415 Carolina Tread Trail q 794313