2016-08-09T13:25:05-05:00 2015-12-31 391628949 JOHNSON BLOCK & CO INC 406 SCIENCE DRIVE SUITE 100 MADISON WI 53711 990 2015-01-01 392015324 PARTNERSHIP FOR THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM PART 6082497870 222 S HAMILTON STREET NO 13 MADISON WI 53703 LIZ BERGERON PRESIDENT 9162851850 2016-08-09 1 JAN FROELICH P00179711 6082742002 2015 2016-12-15 16:53:06Z LIZ BERGERON 222 S HAMILTON STREET NO 13 MADISON WI 53703 307759 0 X WWW.PNTS.ORG X 2001 WI OUR MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT, AND PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM. 16 16 2 50 0 0 8743 261161 127730 43574 8 40 4315 2984 140796 307759 10031 23757 0 0 48616 77339 0 0 1128 115062 199094 173709 300190 -32913 7569 208633 136146 149777 69721 58856 66425 X OUR MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT, AND PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM. 0 0 194050 23757 43574 THE PARTNERSHIP STRENGTHENED THE CAPACITY OF THE MEMBER TRAIL ORGANIZATIONS BY FACILITATING COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE AMONG ORGANIZATION LEADERS AND FEDERAL AGENCY STAFF THROUGH A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE MAGAZINE "PATHWAYS ACROSS AMERICA AND HOSTING A WEBSITE WITH INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND LINKS TO THE AGENCIES AND MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO ORGANIZED THE 15TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS IN FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE. 59457 THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED TO PROMOTE THE "DECADE FOR THE NATIONAL TRAILS" BY PURSUING A NUMBER OF ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE THREE DECADE GOALS AND A SERIES OF OBJECTIVES TO GREATLY INCREASE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM, TO COMPLETE MORE OF THE TRAILS, AND TO STRENGTHEN THE CAPACITY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO SUSTAIN THEM. AMONG THESE ACTIONS THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED THE YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM BEGUN IN 2009 WITH FEDERAL FUNDING BY BRINGING "TRAIL APPRENTICES" TO THE BIENNIAL CONFERENCE MENTIONED ABOVE. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO WORKED WITH FEDERAL AGENCY PARTNERS TO DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATIVE LANDSCAPE PLANNING PROPOSAL FOR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND FUNDING TO ACQUIRE CRITICAL LAND TO CLOSE GAPS AND PRESERVE IMPORTANT NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ALONG 15 OF THE NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS FOR INCLUSION IN THE PRESIDENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2017 BUDGET. 17861 THE PARTNERSHIP PROVIDED ANNUAL REPORTS AND INFORMATION TO CONGRESS AND FEDERAL TRAIL MANAGING AGENCIES ABOUT THE STATE OF THE TRAILS AND CONTRIBUTIONS, PROJECTS, AND ACTIVITIES OF OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS TOWARDS SUSTAINING THE NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION TO CONGRESS ABOUT THE FUNDING NEEDED TO SUSTAIN AND INCREASE ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY TO ACQUIRE LAND AND TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, INTERPRET, AND MANAGE THE SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS THROUGH WRITTEN AND ORAL TESTIMONY PROVIDED TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES. THE PARTNERSHIP PARTICIPATED WITH DOZENS OF OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN COALITIONS URGING CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE AND FULLY FUND THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND; REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL LAND TRANSFER FACILITATION ACT; AND REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM TO CONTINUE THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS FUNDING PROGRAM AND OTHER PROGRAMS FUNDING DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL TRAILS.DURING 2015 THE PARTNERSHIP COMPILED AN ANNUAL REPORT WHICH IT SHARED WITH CONGRESS AND FEDERAL AGENCY STAFF DOCUMENTING THAT DURING 2014 THE 35 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS OF THE PARTNERSHIP HAD ORGANIZED AND GUIDED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTED AT LEAST 1,054,022 HOURS OF LABOR TO HELP SUSTAIN THE 30 NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. THE VALUE OF THIS DONATED LABOR AND THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE NONPROFIT TRAIL ORGANIZATIONS TOTALED MORE THAN $35.8 MILLION -- 1/3RD MORE THAN CONGRESS APPROPRIATED FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S.FOREST SERVICE, AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THESE NATIONAL TRAILS. 7239 THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED TO ENCOURAGE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE (USFS) TO ADOPT SPECIAL MANAGEMENT CORRIDORS TO GUIDE LAND USE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR THE SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. WE EMPHASIZED THIS MANAGEMENT APPROACH THROUGH COMMENTS ON PLANNING FOR SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS ON PUBLIC LANDS ADJACENT TO THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION SYSTEM. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO PROMOTED THIS CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT APPROACH IN COMMENTS PROVIDED TO THE USFS REGARDING PROPOSED LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THREE NATIONAL FORESTS AROUND LAKE TAHOE IN CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA. THE PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES LED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENTS OF THE INTERIOR AND AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO GUIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S "AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS" INITIATIVE. THE PARTNERSHIP PARTICIPATED IN PLANNING UNDERWAY BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR THE PARK SERVICE CENTENNIAL IN 2016, ENCOURAGING THE AGENCY TO GIVE GREATER RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS IN THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM. THE PARTNERSHIP PROVIDED WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE'S REVISED DRAFT SAW USE POLICY FOR STANDARDIZING PROCEDURES FOR SAFE USE OF CHAINSAWS AND CROSSCUT SAWS BY VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ON ALL NATIONAL FORESTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL "TRAILS CONNECT" PUBLIC DISCUSSION MEETINGS ORGANIZAED BY THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLY MAINTAINING THE 155,000 MILES OF TRAILS IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 7239 278607 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 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 1 7 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 WI X GARY WERNER 6082497870 222 S HAMILTON ST SUITE 13 MADISON WI 53703 LIZ BERGERON PRESIDENT 6.00 X X 0 0 0 REBA WELLS GRANDRUD SECRETARY 6.00 X X 0 0 0 ROSS MARSHALL VICE PRESIDENT FOR GOVERNA 6.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN LEINEN TREASURER 6.00 X X 0 0 0 MARGARET GORSKI DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 TERESA MARTINEZ DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES MALLORY DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 MORGAN SOMMERVILLE DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 JON KNECHTEL DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 STEVEN GONZALES DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH STEWART DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 BRUCE MATTHEWS DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 MIKE DAWSON DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 MIKE WOLLMER DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 STEVE ELKINTON DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 JIM ZIMMERMAN DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 GARY WERNER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 46731 0 0 46731 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40401 211230 9530 261161 CONFERENCE REVENUE 900099 43574 43574 43574 40 40 2904 2904 SALE OF BRAND GEAR 900099 80 80 80 307759 43654 0 2944 X 23757 23757 46731 30655 15889 187 25025 24965 60 5583 4349 1217 17 1349 1253 91 5 9654 8963 655 36 43154 41448 1083 623 26238 25789 437 12 771 590 40 141 8566 7953 581 32 11041 11041 91884 91880 4 3091 2869 210 12 CREDIT CARD FEES 1938 1880 55 3 AWARDS, GIVEAWAYS 1215 1215 GOVERNMENT FEES 109 109 BAD DEBT 84 84 300190 278607 20455 1128 108826 41706 81409 81449 10000 6000 5009 4705 3389 2286 208633 136146 12644 14368 137133 55353 149777 69721 X 58856 66425 58856 66425 208633 136146 7569 0 X 0 1 X 0 0 X 185216 218565 150149 121225 261161 936316 39084 22062 78388 15248 43574 198356 224300 240627 228537 136473 304735 1134672 0 0 0 1134672 37 16 16 4323 2944 7336 37 16 16 4323 2944 7336 1265 1265 80 80 225602 240643 228553 140796 307759 1143353 0.99240 0.99430 0.00640 0.00450 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1156 1 16705 0 17861 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: THE PARTNERSHIP PROVIDED ANNUAL REPORTS AND INFORMATION TO CONGRESS AND FEDERAL TRAIL MANAGING AGENCIES ABOUT THE STATE OF THE TRAILS AND CONTRIBUTIONS, PROJECTS, AND ACTIVITIES OF OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS TOWARDS SUSTAINING THE NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. THE PARTNERSHIP ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION TO CONGRESS ABOUT THE FUNDING NEEDED TO SUSTAIN AND INCREASE ACTIVITIES UNDERWAY TO ACQUIRE LAND AND TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, INTERPRET, AND MANAGE THE SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS THROUGH WRITTEN AND ORAL TESTIMONY PROVIDED TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES. THE PARTNERSHIP PARTICIPATED WITH DOZENS OF OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN COALITIONS URGING CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO REAUTHORIZE AND FULLY FUND THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND; REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL LAND TRANSFER FACILITATION ACT; AND REAUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM TO CONTINUE THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS FUNDING PROGRAM AND OTHER PROGRAMS FUNDING DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL TRAILS. 0 X 309208 1449 1449 307759 0 307759 301639 1449 1449 300190 0 300190 PART X, LINE 2: THE PARTNERSHIP ADOPTED THE ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE FOR RECOGNIZING AND MEASURING UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THE PARTNERSHIP FOLLOWS THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR THEIR INCOME TAX ACCOUNTING AND GENERALLY AVOIDS RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC TAX POSITIONS THAT MAY BE CHALLENGED UPON EXAMINATION. MANAGEMENT BELIEVES ANY LIABILITY RESULTING FROM TAXING AUTHORITIES IMPOSING ADDITIONAL INCOME TAXES FROM ACTIVITIES DEEMED TO BE UNRELATED TO THE PARTNERSHIP'S TAX-EXEMPT STATUS WOULD NOT HAVE A MATERIAL EFFECT ON THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE PARTNERSHIP'S FEDERAL EXEMPT ORGANIZATION TAX RETURNS ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, GENERALLY FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THEY ARE FILED. WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, THE PARTNERSHIP IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO SUCH EXAMINATIONS FOR YEARS BEFORE 2012. 0 YOUTH INITIATIVE SCHOLARSHIPS 13 5941 CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS 10 17816 PART I, LINE 2: YOUTHS AGES 18-25 WITH AN INTEREST IN THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM MAY APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORICAL TRAILS. SCHOLARSHIPS INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION, ACCOMMODATIONS, MEALS, CONFERENCE CONTENT, AND MOBILE WORKSHOPS. CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO LEADERS OF OTHER NATIONAL TRAILS ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL SCENIC AND HISTORIC TRAILS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THE PARTNERSHIP HAS TWO CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP. REGULAR ORGANIZATION MEMBERS CAN DESIGNATE A VOTING REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL TO VOTE ON THEIR BEHALF. VOTING RIGHTS ARE FORFEITED IF DUES ARE NOT PAID. AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION MEMBERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO A VOTING REPRESENTATIVE ON THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ELECTS THE DIRECTORS AND THE OFFICERS OF THE PARTNERSHIP. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B CHANGES TO THE PARTNERSHIP'S BYLAWS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 THE PREPARED FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ANNUALLY ALL DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS COMPLETE AND SIGN A STATEMENT THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR INTERESTS AND THOSE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICTS. THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY MAKE DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS AND REVIEW ACTUAL CONFLICTS. ANY PERSON WITH A CONFLICT IS PROHIBITED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE GOVERNING BODY'S DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS IN THE TRANSACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE PARTNERSHIP'S HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REVIEWED DATA ON COMPENSATION PAID BY COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS FOR SIMILAR SERVICES AND RECOMMENDED A COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO THE PARTNERSHIP'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL. THIS PROCESS WAS LAST UNDERTAKEN IN 2012. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE PARTNERSHIP MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G POLICY & PROGRAM: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 26,448. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 1,083. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 623. TOTAL EXPENSES 28,154. STRATEGIC PLAN: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 15,000. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 15,000.