2015-06-26T15:08:04-05:00 2014-12-31 PATTISON KOSKEY HOWE BUCCI PC 2880 ROUTE 9 SUITE 2 VALATIE NY 12184 990 2014-01-01 141667526 DUTCHESS LAND CONSERVANCY INC % REBECCA THORNTON DUTC PO BOX 138 Suite MILLBROOK NY 12545 REBECCA THORNTON PRESIDENT 8456773002 2015-06-26 true MATTHEW H VANDERBECK P00874499 8456773002 2014 2016-03-07 17:11:31Z RALPH WEINDLING 1040 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK NY 10028 2700426 false X DUTCHESSLAND.ORG X 1985 NY THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE SCENIC, AGRICULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES OF DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. 24 24 11 175 0 1282006 1381565 0 0 207431 254428 106715 131003 1596152 1766996 0 0 0 0 756816 790863 0 0 59827 521069 513149 1277885 1304012 318267 462984 6009970 6479662 49903 38562 5960067 6441100 X DUTCHESS LAND CONSERVANCY (DLC) IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE SCENIC, AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES OF DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. DLC, AS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION, CARRIES OUT ITS MISSION PRIMARILY BY OBTAINING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON PRIVATELY HELD LAND AND MONITORING THESE EASEMENTS IN PERPETUITY. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, ACQUIRED THROUGH EITHER DONATION OR PURCHASE, ARE LEGAL AGREEMENTS LIMITING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO PROTECT LAND FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES. IN ADDITION, DLC PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE TO LANDOWNERS AND MUNICIPALITIES TO ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PLANNING, AND EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS OF LAND CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP. IN 2009 THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED ACCREDITATION STATUS BY THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION, AN INDEPENDENT PROGRAM OF THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE. IN 2014, THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED ITS 5-YEAR ACCREDITATION RENEWAL. false false 605592 LAND CONSERVATION: CONSERVATION EASEMENTS - IN 2014, THE ORGANIZATION WORKED WITH 47 LAND OWNERS ON CONSERVATION EASEMENTS COVERING MORE THAN 5,000 ACRES, AND SEVERAL CONSERVATION PLANNING PROJECTS DEVELOPING RESOURCE MAPS, RESPONDING TO INQUIRIES ABOUT CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, AND VISITING PROPERTIES. IN 2014, NINE (OF WHICH FOUR WERE DONATED)CONSERVATION EASEMENTS WERE FILED PROTECTING 1,940 ACRES WHICH BROUGHT THE ORGANIZATION'S TOTAL LAND PROTECTED TO APPROXIMATELY 39,000 ACRES. PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS - In total, the organization preserved 2 farms working with various partners. Working with Scenic Hudson, the Town of Red Hook, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the organization completed the protection of THE KLOSE FAMILY AND KESICKE CATTLE FARMS IN RED HOOK. The organization also continued its work with SEVEN other farmers in the Towns of AMENIA, LaGrange, MILAN, NORTH EAST, PINE PLAINS, Pleasant Valley, and STANFORD. MUNICIPAL CONSERVATION AREAS - THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S MUNICIPAL CONSERVATION AREA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, A PROGRAM TO HELP TOWNS ACQUIRE IMPORTANT RESOURCE LAND FOR PASSIVE PUBLIC USE, THE ORGANIZATION WORKED WITH DOVER TO ACQUIRE AND PROTECT AN ADDITIONAL 53 ACRES IN 2014, WHICH WAS ADDED TO THE STONE CHURCH PRESERVE, AND HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE TOWN OF LAGRANGE ON THE SUTER PROPERTY DONATION TO BE USED AS A PUBLIC CONSERVATION AREA, HAS PROVIDED ADVICE ON PROTECTING LAND SURROUNDING A HISTORIC CIDER MILL IN POUGHKEEPSIE, AND IS WORKING ON OPTIONS FOR DLC'S WHALEY LAKE PROPERTY AS A PUBLIC CONSERVATION AREA. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUED TO REVIEW AND TRACK SEVERAL MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WITH AN IMPACT TO SIGNIFICANT OPEN SPACE RESOURCES COVERING MORE THAN 3,300 ACRES IN FIVE TOWNS. 312938 STEWARDSHIP: THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOW PROTECTED 39,000 ACRES STEWARDING 383 EASEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION AERIAL MONITORS ALL PROPERTIES ANNUALLY AND GROUND MONITORS ITS EASEMENTS ON A THREE YEAR ROTATIONAL BASIS. IN 2014, THE ORGANIZATION ADDED TO ITS STEWARDSHIP STAFF A FULL-TIME STEWARDSHIP AND LAND PLANNING ASSOCIATE, AERIALLY MONITORED ALL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND COMPLETED 206 ON A ROTATIONAL GROUND MONITORING SCHEDULE THROUGH STAFF, AND LAND STEWARDS. THE ORGANIZATION WORKED ON NUMEROUS STEWARDSHIP MATTERS FROM PRIOR APPROVAL REQUESTS AND LAND MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS TO RESOLVING EASEMENT ISSUES. IN 2014 THE ORGANIZATION AGAIN REGISTERED FOR TERRAFIRMA, THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT DEFENSE INSURANCE PROGRAM TO ENHANCE ITS FINANCIAL ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY ENFORCE ITS EASEMENTS. EACH YEAR THE ORGANIZATION ALSO WORKS TO UPDATE OLD BASELINE DOCUMENTATION FILES. STAFF STRIVES TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON INTERNET SERVICES SUCH AS MICROSOFT'S MAPSLIVE.COM, GOOGLE EARTH, AND BING WHICH PROVIDE VERY USEFUL ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. THE ORGANIZATION'S STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUE TO INCREASE EACH YEAR AS MORE AND MORE EASEMENTS ARE ACCEPTED. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO IMPROVE THE TRACKING OF EASEMENT PROTECTED PROPERTY SALES, COMMUNICATION WITH LAND OWNERS AND MAINTAINING A "WATCH LIST" OF EASEMENT PROTECTED LAND ON THE MARKET TO CHECK FOR NEW OWNERSHIP. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR STAFF FILES CRITICAL EASEMENT RELATED DOCUMENTS IN THE ORGANIZATION'S ARCHIVAL STORAGE UNIT IN AN OFF-SITE FACILITY TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM SAFETY OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MOST VALUABLE DOCUMENTS. VOLUNTEERS: IN ORDER TO HELP WITH STEWARDSHIP AND MONITORING EASEMENTS, THE ORGANIZATION'S LAND STEWARDS VOLUNTEER TEAM WORKED TOGETHER WITH STAFF TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE GROUND MONITORING. THE ORGANIZATOIN ALSO CONTINUED ITS COLLABORATION WITH COLUMBIA LAND CONSERVANCY (CLC) ON ITS FARMER LANDOWNER MATCH PROGRAM, THAT FACILITATES LEASE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN LANDOWNERS SEEKING TO HAVE THEIR LAND FARMED, AND FARMERS SEEKING LAND, AS A WAY TO KEEP LAND OPEN. AS PART OF THE PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION CO-HOSTED WITH CLC A WORKSHOP SERIES PROVIDING EDUCATION ON LEASING, FARM TRANSFER, FARM AND ESTATE PLANNING, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AS WELL AS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO FARMER AND LANDOWNER PARTICIPANTS. 175997 EDUCATION: EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT CONSERVATION TOOLS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF REGULARLY TALK WITH MUNICIPALITIES, SCHOOL GROUPS, SERVICE AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS, AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND PRESERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP, SOUND PLANNING, QUALITY GROWTH THAT PROTECTS IMPORTANT RESOURCES, LAND STEWARDSHIP AND WAYS TO KEEP FARMERS ON THE LAND. IN 2014 IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CARY INSTITUTE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES (CIES) AND CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF DUTCHESS COUNTY (CCEDC), THE ORGANIZATION PRESENTED THREE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS AND LANDOWNERS ON WEB MAPPING RESOURCES FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, FOREST STEWARDSHIP, AND HOW WOODS AND WETLANDS REDUCE FLOOD RISK; HOSTED TWO INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS ON CONSERVATION WITH PLANNERS, CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCILS, AND WATERSHED GROUPS; SCREENED THE ALDO LEOPOLD FILM GREEN FIRE AT TRINITY PAWLING SCHOOL IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OBLONG LAND CONSERVANCY AND AT THE CIES; CO-SPONSORED WITH THE TOWN OF DOVER, FRIENDS OF STONE CHURCH AND THE HARLEM VALLEY TRAILS CONFERENCE: AN INTRODUCTION TO TRAIL MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP WITH A SPEAKER FROM THE NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY TRAILS CONFERENCE AND PARTICIPATED IN THE HARLEM VALLEY TRAILS DAY. THE ORGANIZATION INCREASED ITS CONNECTIONS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS PRESENTING A PRIMER ON LAND CONSERVATION AND THE USE OF GIS MAPPING TO A GROUP OF ADVANCED SCIENCE STUDENTS FROM ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL; PRESENTED AN EDUCATION PROGRAM ON LAND CONSERVATION TO THE ENTIRE KILDONAN SCHOOL BODY, AND WORKED WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO PLAN A FULL-DAY OUTING TO THE STONE CHURCH PRESERVE; WORKED WITH SALISBURY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO CALCULATED THE ORGANIZATION'S CARBON FOOTPRINT; HOSTED AN INFORMAL BOOTH AT AN EARTH DAY FAIR AT DOVER HIGH SCHOOL; AND CONTINUED TO MONITOR PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE PLOTS AT MILLBROOK SCHOOL AS PART OF ITS MILLBROOK MARSH BEETLE RELEASE PROJECT, WORKING WITH A STUDENT WHO PRESENTED DATA FROM THE RESEARCH AS PART OF A CLASS PROJECT. PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDED COLLABORATING ON THE CAORA FARM SHEEPDOG TRIALS; PRESENTING ON LAND CONSERVATION AND LOCAL LAND USE HISTORY AT THE FOUNTAINS OF MILLBROOK; HOSTING A BOOTH AT THE ORVIS GAME FAIR WITH CIES; AND PARTICIPATING IN THE SECOND ANNUAL DUCKS UNLIMITED (DU) EVENT AT DOVER FURNACE AND CROWN MAPLE, CO-HOSTING A JOINT DU PROGRAM ON WETLAND CONSERVATION. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTICIPATED IN AND ATTENDED NUMEROUS EVENTS INCLUDING A LISTENING SESSION FOR MOHONK PRESERVE'S STRATEGIC PLAN; A FARMING OUR FUTURES CONFERENCE; A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION AT BARD COLLEGE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND URBAN STUDIES STUDENTS; HOSTED A COCKTAIL PARTY FOR LOCAL REALTORS TO DISCUSS CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, A PRESS EVENT FOR NYS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GRANT AWARDS, A CONSERVATION DEFENSE STEWARDSHIP ROUNDTABLE; AN AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST FARM LEASING SEMINAR; A HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY BIODIVERSITY COMMITTEE MEETING; A TEN MILE RIVER WATERSHED FORUM; A NEW ENGLAND STATES LAND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION MEETING; A LAND ACCESS INNOVATION TRAINING SESSION; A HIKE AT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S ROGER PERRY PRESERVE; A LAND TRUST ALLIANCE REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE; AND HOSTED A BOOTH AT THE HUDSON VALLEY APPALACHIAN TRAIL COMMUNITY DAY. BOARD AND STAFF MEMBERS ATTENDED THE NATIONAL LAND TRUST RALLY (CONFERENCE) IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, CLASSES AND WEBINARS TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE, PARTICIPATED ON NUMEROUS COMMITTEES (STATE,REGIONAL AND LOCAL) AND ATTENDED VARIOUS GATHERINGS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, LAND CONSERVATION AND THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT CONTINUED TO SERVE ON THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE'S NEW YORK ADVISORY BOARD, TURNING THE CHAIRMANSHIP OVER TO ANOTHER MEMBER. IN 2014, THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT WAS ELECTED TO SERVE ON THE MEMBERS COMMITTEE OF TERRAFIRMA, THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT DEFENSE INSURANCE ORGANIZATION. 1094527 true true false true false false true false false true true false false false false true true false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false true true true true false false false false false false false false true 11 0 true 11 true false false false false false true true false false false false X 24 24 true false true false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false NY X X X REBECCA THORNTON 8456773002 4289 ROUTE 82 MILLBROOK NY 12545 OAKLEIGH THORNE VICE CHAIRMAN 2.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 REBECCA M SEAMAN CHAIRMAN 3.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 BARRY CHASE DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 KATHLEEN V AUGUSTINE DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 STEVEN BENARDETE DIRECTOR 1.5 0.0 X 0 0 0 WOLCOTT B DUNHAM JR DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 THOMAS FLEXNER DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 NANCY N HATHAWAY DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 THOMAS KEESEE DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 FRED WHITRIDGE JR DIRECTOR 1.5 0.0 X 0 0 0 ERIC D ROSENFELD DIRECTOR 1.5 0.0 X 0 0 0 MOLLY SCHAEFER DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 DAVID R TETOR DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 OLIVIA VAN MELLE KAMP SECRETARY 1.5 0.0 X X 0 0 0 RALPH WEINDLING TREASURER 2.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 ROSS WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 1.5 0.0 X 0 0 0 BRAD KENDALL DIRECTOR 1.5 0.0 X 0 0 0 LESLIE FARHANGI DIRECTOR 1.5 0.0 X 0 0 0 CHUCK MEAD DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 JACK BANNING DIRECTOR 1.5 0.0 X 0 0 0 TIM MAYHEW DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 KATHLEEN WEATHERS DIRECTOR 1.5 0.0 X 0 0 0 CONSTANCE I DUHAMEL DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER L MANN DIRECTOR 0.25 0.0 X 0 0 0 REBECCA THORNTON PRESIDENT 40.0 0.0 X 162164 0 0 162164 0 0 1 false true false 0 16710 1364855 5374 1381565 0 81548 81548 0 0 0 0 0 833734 187000 660854 187000 172880 172880 172880 207260 16710 85576 121684 0 0 MISCELLANEOUS 1655 1655 CONSULTING INCOME 7664 7664 9319 1766996 9319 254428 0 0 0 0 162164 139461 11352 11351 0 517286 455160 36560 25566 19779 17208 1384 1187 42694 37474 4210 1010 48940 42618 3541 2781 0 21921 21921 12120 12120 0 0 35269 35269 100110 98110 2000 4861 4861 37883 24365 9592 3926 11851 7362 2140 2349 0 10683 8182 1251 1250 12509 10828 955 726 0 9936 9268 79 589 0 0 36628 28528 8100 38852 33145 2849 2858 PROJECT EXPENSES 115985 115985 EDUCATION PROGRAMS 12067 12067 DUES AND PUBLICATIONS 12494 10861 786 847 STEWARDSHIP EXPENSES 5084 5084 34896 12039 19470 3387 1304012 1094527 149658 59827 X 0 0 526767 844081 17890 71200 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15325 21895 484805 323323 192470 161482 4584342 5236829 346926 31425 0 0 0 0 326250 112750 6009970 6479662 49903 38562 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 49903 38562 X 3378879 3506333 1988076 2303680 593112 631087 5960067 6441100 6009970 6479662 462984 18049 X false true X true false X 1087014 1100158 1005340 1282006 1381565 5856083 155035 135985 141976 141661 207260 781917 0 0 0 1242049 1236143 1147316 1423667 1588825 6638000 203205 128949 150620 143500 163740 790014 0 203205 128949 150620 143500 163740 790014 5847986 6650 23575 43684 72400 81548 227857 0 6650 23575 43684 72400 81548 227857 0 0 1248699 1259718 1191000 1496067 1670373 6865857 0.85175 0.84659 0.03319 0.02669 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false true false false false false false false true 429 429 false SCHEDULE C, PART 1-A, LINE 1 THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATES IN MINIMAL LOBBYING ACTIVITIES CONSISTING OF MAILINGS TO LEGISLATORS, ATTENDANCE AT LAND TRUST ALLIANCE AND AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST ORGANIZED LOBBY DAYS, MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVES TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK, AND PARTICIPATION IN PRESS CONFERENCES CONCERNING STATE GRANTS. OTHER EXPENSES CONSISTS OF MILEAGE AND OTHER REIMBURSABLES TO THOSE WHO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES. THE ORGANIZATION COMPLIES WITH ALL NEW YORK STATE AND FEDERAL LOBBYING LIMITS. X X X 383 39000.00 3 1 true 5580.00 332707 true 3557671 219123 236484 35000 3978278 3045484 53875 552933 94621 3557671 2598008 110685 336791 3045484 2614967 163612 -180571 2598008 2348583 176392 89992 2614967 0.77000 0.16000 0.07000 false false 376162 258329 117833 108643 64994 43649 161482 0 0 X 1795290 18049 45514 63563 1731727 35269 35269 1766996 1314257 45514 45514 1268743 35269 35269 1304012 SCHEDULE D, PART II, LINE 9 EXPENSES RELATED TO PURCHASED CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ARE RECORDED AS PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS. ANY OFFSETTING REVENUES ARE RECORDED AS PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS CONTRIBUTIONS OR LAND PROTECTION CONTRIBUTIONS. THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HOLD ANY CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON ITS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS DONATED TO THE ORGANIZATION HAVE NO MARKET VALUE IN THE HANDS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THEREFORE ARE NOT CONSIDERED AS SUPPORT. DONATED EASEMENTS ARE CARRIED AT ZERO BOOK VALUE PRIMARILY BECAUSE A TYPICAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROVIDES THE ORGANIZATION WITH NO AFFIRMATIVE RIGHTS EXCEPT TO MONITOR AND ENFORCE THE EASEMENT AND THIS CONSTITUTES A BURDEN. COSTS INCURRED BY THE ORGANIZATION TO PURCHASE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ARE EXPENSED IN THE PERIOD INCURRED. SCHEDULE D PART V LINE 4 - ENDOWMENTS Permanently restricted net assets as of December 31, 2014 consist of funds contributed for the long-term administration of conservation easements. The earnings on these funds are solely for the purpose of covering the costs of stewarding each easement. Permanently restricted net assets totaled $631,087 at December 31, 2014. Unrestricted net assets as of December 31, 2014, consist of four Board Designated categories. The Board designated unrestricted amounts are for the following purposes: Stewardship Fund $ 1,274,447, Land protection Fund $ 1,323,138, Land easement acquisition fund $ 262,586, and Reserve fund $ 208,180, for Total Board Designated net assets of $3,068,351. SCHEDULE D PART II LINE 3 - AMENDED EASEMENTS Easement: CLARKE (SHEER) 25.0 ACRES Landowners: CHRISTINA LANG-ASSAEL Amendment: RECORDED AT DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AT DOCUMENT NO. 02-2014-2822 ON 5/9/2014. Reasons for Amendment: TO ADVANCE THE SCENIC PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION PURPOSES OF THE ORIGINAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT (WHICH WAS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK ON FEBRUARY 1, 1999 AT LIBER 2022, PAGE 470, DOCUMENT NO. 826) BY UPDATING THE ORIGINAL EASEMENT TO CURRENT ORGANIZATION CONSERVATION EASEMENT TERMS AND STANDARDS WHICH WILL FACILITATE THE INTERPRETATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORIGINAL EASEMENT; BY UPDATING NATURAL RESOURCE INFORMATION TO INCORPORATE NEW DATA ON EXISTING CONDITIONS, WILDLIFE HABITAT AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES ON THE PROPERTY; BY INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE PRESERVATION AREA BY TWO AND ONE-HALF ACRES, THEREBY DECREASING THE AREA PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED FOR NEW STRUCTURES, WHILE PERMITTING USE OF ONE ACRE OF THE PROPERTY FOR CEMETERY USES WITH LIMITS ON STRUCTURE SIZE AND APPEARANCE, ALL OF WHICH WILL PROTECT THE SCENIC AND OPEN CHARACTER OF THE PROPERTY, RESULTING IN A GAIN IN CONSERVATION VALUE, ENHANCED PRESERVATION AND NO INCREASE IN VALUE TO THE LANDOWNER. EASEMENT: DOWNEY 163.7 ACRES LANDOWNERS: ESTRELLITA BRODSKY AMENDMENT: RECORDED AT DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AT DOCUMENT NO. 02-2014-8082 ON 12/30/2014 REASONS FOR AMENDMENT: To advance the conservation purposes of the original conservation easement (which was recorded in the Office of the Dutchess County Clerk on December 8, 2011 at Document Number 02-2011-5791, as corrected by a Conservation Easement recorded in the Dutchess County Clerk's Office on August 13, 2012 at Document No. 02-2012-3572) as required under the terms of the conservation easement to enable the Landowner to exercise rights reserved therein to specifically designate the location of two permitted building envelopes thereby showing the location of such building envelopes on the conservation easement map under Exhibit B; which is consistent with the conservation purposes of the original conservation easement, resulting in no increase in value to the landowner. EASEMENT: GREENBURG-ELY 52.2 ACRES LANDOWNERS: ELIZABETH WINIFRED ELY AND JONATHAN K. GREENBURG CORRECTIVE AMENDMENT: RECORDED AT DUTCHESS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AT DOCUMENT NO. 02-2014-8075 ON 12/30/2014 REASONS FOR AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT: To advance the scenic preservation and conservation purposes of the original conservation easement (which was recorded in the Office of the Dutchess County Clerk on November 21, 2011, at Document No. 02-2011-5445) by providing an accurate legal description of the Property boundaries under Exhibit A, which had been discovered to be incorrect as filed under the original conservation easement; by correcting a cross-reference to "Restrictions Applicable to the Building Envelope", which had been discovered to be incorrect in the original conservation easement; all of which will facilitate the interpretation and administration of the original easement, is consistent with maintaining the conservation values of the Property, and resulting in no increase in value to the landowner. SCHEDULE D PART II LINE 5 - EASEMENT POLICIES The organization has the following policies/procedures in place and approved by the organization's Board: The organization's Conservation Easement Enforcement Procedure: This procedure discusses the importance of Conservation Easement enforcement, process guidelines, prevention strategies, steps to take in the event of a violation from remediation to litigation. Conservation Easement Acquisition Procedures and Checklist (updated and approved in 2014): This document outlines the procedure for easement acquisition from A-Z including the organization's obligation to monitor easement protected properties annually. The Easement Stewardship Fund Policy: This Policy notes the legal obligation the organization takes on to uphold the terms of the conservation easements and to monitor, oversee and enforce them. It spells out the organization's Stewardship Endowment request to land owners. The organization's Stewardship Records Management Procedure: This Procedure spells out annual monitoring procedures as well as baseline documentation and record keeping. These policies are not directly reflected in the organization's current conservation easements. THIS DOCUMENT WAS UPDATED AND REAPPROVED IN 2014. SCHEDULE D, PART X, QUESTION 2 THE ORGANIZATION HAS EVALUATED ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AND RELATED INCOME TAX CONTINGENCIES AND DETERMINED UNCERTAIN POSITIONS, IF ANY, ARE NOT MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ACCORDING TO FASB ASC 740-10. PENALTIES AND INTEREST ASSESSED BY INCOME TAXING AUTHORITIES ARE INCLUDED IN OPERATING EXPENSES, IF INCURRED. THE ORGANIZATION IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY FEDERAL AND STATE TAXING AUTHORITIES FOR YEARS PRIOR TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011. COUNTRY LUNCH 99545 8710 90835 11478 17993 8591 BARN DINNER 124425 8000 116425 13166 25241 9107 0 223970 16710 207260 24644 43234 17698 85576 121684 X X X X false false false false false false false false false REBECCA THORNTON PRESIDENT 156158 0 0 0 6006 0 0 0 10685 0 172849 0 0 0 OAKLEIGH B THORNE FORMER DIRECTOR/RELATIVE 1 LEASES OFFICE SPACE FOR $1/YR false X 4 0 false true false SCHEDULE M, PART I, LINE 14 - NO REVENUE REPORTED FOR COLUMN C THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED 4 DONATED CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN 2014. THE VALUE TO THE ORGANIZATION IS $0 SINCE IT FOLLOWS A ZERO VALUATION POLICY FOR EASEMENTS. NO VALUE IS ASSIGNED TO EASEMENTS BECAUSE A TYPICAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROVIDES THE ORGANIZATION WITH NO AFFIRMATIVE RIGHTS EXCEPT TO MONITOR AND ENFORCE THE EASEMENTS, AND THUS CONSTITUTES A BURDEN. FURTHERMORE, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS DONATED TO THE ORGANIZATION HAVE NO MARKET VALUE IN THE HANDS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND ARE NOT CONSIDERED AS SUPPORT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, QUESTION 12C - CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY THE ORGANIZATION REGULARLY AND CONSISTENLY MONITORS AND ENFORCES COMPLIANCE WITH ITS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE ORGANIZATION UPDATED ITS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IN 2014 IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW YORK STATE NON-PROFIT REVITALIZATION ACT. PERSONS COVERED UNDER CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY: COVERED PERSONS INCLUDE ANY INSIDER OF THE ORGANIZATION WHO IS ANY DIRECTOR, OFFICER, ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER OR EMPLOYEE, OR ANY TRUSTEE OF THE LAND OR OTHER SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTOR, PARTY RELATED TO THE ABOVE, VOLUNTEER WITH AN INVOLVEMENT IN POLICY OR STEWARDSHIP OF EASEMENTS, ANYONE WITH AN ABILITY TO INFLUENCE DECISIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION OR A PERSON WITH ACCESS TO INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE LEVEL AT WHICH DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS ARE MADE: ANY CONFLICT OR POSSIBLE APPEARANCE THEREOF IS FULLY DISCLOSED A) TO THE BOARD (IF ACTION THEREON IS TO BE TAKEN BY THE BOARD); B)TO A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD (IF ACTION THEREON IS TO BE TAKEN BY SUCH COMMITTEE), OR C) TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OR THE PRESIDENT (IF NO ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN BY THE BOARD OR A COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD). THE LEVEL AT WHICH ACTUAL CONFLICTS ARE REVIEWED: THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS ADMINISTERED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD AUDIT COMMITTEE, WHICH IS AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THIS POLICY AND INTERPRET THE PROVISIONS OF THE POLICY. IN THE CASE OF AN EMPLOYEE, AFTER DISCLOSURE TO THE PRESIDENT, THE PRESIDENT MAY CHOOSE TO SUBMIT THE QUESTION TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR A DECISION OR TO PROCEED WITH THE DECISION OR ACTION AT ISSUE, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT PROCEEDING DOES NOT VIOLATE THE LAW, INCLUDING APPLICABLE SELF-DEALING PROVISIONS AND PROHIBITIONS AS TO PRIVATE INUREMENT AND PRIVATE BENEFIT. RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON PERSONS WITH A CONFLICT: IN THE CASE OF CONFLICTS INVOLVING A DIRECTOR OR OFFICER, THE DIRECTOR OR OFFICER HAVING SUCH CONFLICT LEAVES THE ROOM IN WHICH DISCUSSION IS CARRIED ON AND REFRAINS FROM VOTING OR OTHERWISE ATTEMPTING TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION THEREON. VIOLATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY MAY BE GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL AS AN EMPLOYEE OR SEVERANCE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ADVISORY COMMITTEE OR AS A VOLUNTEER. THE ORGANIZATION HAS AN AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE FOR ALL BOARD OF DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS THE FOLLOWING: "1) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - OPPORTUNITY FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA." THIS SERVES AS A REMINDER TO BOARD MEMBERS (OR STAFF) TO DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST AT THIS TIME. CONFLICTS OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS ARE RECORDED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S MEETING MINUTES. IN 2014, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED ITS PROCEDURE REQUIRING AN ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT TO BE FILED ANNUALLY WITH THE ORGANIZATION BY ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, QUESTION 15- GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW BY A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF FOUR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD THAT 1) REVIEWS THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF COMPENSATION PACKAGES, 2) ENSURES THE ORGANIZATION'S COMPENSATION PACKAGES ARE IN LINE WITH CURRENT MARKET BY RESEARCHING COMPARABLE COMPENSATION PACKAGES THROUGH A COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS & COMPENSATION & BENEFITS STUDY, 3) REVIEWS INFORMATION GATHERED BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, STAFF AND/OR OUTSIDE SPECIALISTS, AND 4) MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE MEETS IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR TO DETERMINE STAFF COMPENSATION FOR THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR. USE OF COMPARABLE COMPENSATION DATA FOR SIMILARLY QUALIFIED PERSONS IN FUNCTIONALLY COMPARABLE POSITIONS AT SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS: THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REVIEWS SALARY INFORMATION BY THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE, STAFF BENEFIT SURVEYS OF SIMILAR CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW YORK; COMPARABLE SALARY DATA FROM AVAILABLE FORM 990'S AND OTHER INFORMATION FOR SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS AND COMPARABLE POSITIONS AND TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION INFORMATION FROM THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, New York COUNCIL OF NON PROFITS, GUIDESTAR, CHARITY NAVIGATOR, AND OTHER APPLICABLE INDEPENDENT SOURCES. THEY REVIEW ALL INFORMATION AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH MAKES THE FINAL DECISION ON STAFF COMPENSATION PACKAGES. THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES THE PRESIDENT AND ALL KEY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD, AND APPROVES ALL OTHER STAFF COMPENSATION AS PART OF THE BUDGET APPROVAL. IN 2014 THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD UPDATED AND RE-APPROVED A POLICY FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF COMPENSATION, WHICH SPELLS OUT THE ANNUAL PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION AND THE PROCESS FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF COMPENSATION FOR THE PRESIDENT AND ALL KEY EMPLOYEES ENSURING ADHERENCE TO ITS POLICY ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DURING ALL DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS. CONTEMPORANEOUS DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDKEEPING WITH RESPECT TO DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS REGARDING THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT: THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, AND BOARD DELIBERATIONS ARE HELD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE PRESIDENT PARTICIPATES IN DISCUSSION OF ALL STAFF EXCEPT HERSELF AT WHICH TIME SHE LEAVES THE ROOM. THE PRESIDENT IS IN CHARGE OF KEEPING THE RECORDS OF STAFF COMPENSATION AND DECISIONS BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE IS IN CHARGE OF KEEPING THE RECORDS OF THE PRESIDENT'S AND KEY EMPLOYEE'S COMPENSATION AND DECISIONS BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEETINGS DURING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS WHEN THE PRESIDENT AND ANY KEY EMPLOYEE ARE RECUSED FROM DELIBERATIONS AND VOTING ON HIS/HER COMPENSATION. THE RESPECTIVE MINUTES OF THESE MEETINGS ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B - 990 REVIEW PROCESS THE ORGANIZATION'S AUDITORS PREPARE THE FORM 990 BASED ON THEIR AUDIT AND IT IS PRESENTED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT, TREASURER, AND FINANCIAL MANAGER IN DRAFT FORM FOR REVIEW, WHO THEN ENSURE THAT THE AUDIT COMMITTEE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW IT. FOLLOWING THEIR COMMENTS AND ANY APPROPRIATE REVISIONS AGREED TO AND MADE BY THE AUDITORS IT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS TO REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE IRS. THE BOARD TREASURER SIGNS FORM 990 PRIOR TO FILING. ONCE FORM 990 IS FILED, IT IS INCLUDED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE VIA A DIRECT GUIDESTAR CONNECTION AS WELL AS IN THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD MANUAL WHICH THE BOARD CAN REVIEW ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE BY SPECIAL PASSWORD. ALTERNATIVELY ALL BOARD MEMBERS MAY RECEIVE A PAPER COPY UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 - PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF 990 The Organization makes its Financial Statements available on its website and its IRS Form 990 available on its website through a direct GuideStar link. It makes these as well as other governing documents and Conflict of Interest Policy available to the public by request. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 - RELATIONSHIPS The Organization and a local non-profit organization, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (CIES), have overlapping Organization Board Members (OBM), Board member family members, and staff: Timothy Bontecou (Organization Board Chair until October 2014), Steven Benardete, (CEIS Board Vice Chairman), as well as Jack Banning's (OBM) wife Irene Banning (CEIS Board Chairman), and Fred Whitridge's (OBM) wife Serena Whitridge, all serve on the Board of CIES. OBM's Kathleen Weathers and Olivia Van Melle Kamp, are employees of the CIES. The organization and a local private school, Dutchess Day School (DDS), had an overlapping OBM, family member, and staff: Leslie Farhangi's (OBM) husband John Tuke is THE TREASURER OF THE DDS Board and Nancy Hathaway (OBM) is the Head of School for Dutchess Day School. FOUR OBM's have business relationships: Oakleigh Thorne and Timothy Mayhew are both clients of Gil Schafer (for G. P. Schafer Architect, PLLC). GIL SCHAFER SPECIFIES FRED WHITRIDE'S SLATE FOR THEIR PROJECTS FROM TIME TO TIME. Two OBM's have a family relationship: Jack Banning is Oakleigh Thorne's cousin-in-law. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1A - DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO EXEC. COMM. Composition of the Executive Committee: The Executive Committee is composed of eleven members of the Organization's Board of Directors (can be anywhere from 4 to 12 members and members must be Board members per the Organization's By Laws). This committee meets monthly and oversees the day to day operations of the Organization and manages Board issues between Board meetings as appropriate. Not less than four members constitute a quorum. Scope of Executive Committee Authority: Under the Organization's updated By Laws adopted in APRIL 2014 AND EFFECTIVE AS OF JULY 1, 2014, the Organization's Board delegated authority to the Executive Committee by resolution adopted by the Board in July 2008, as amended by resolution and Delegation of Transaction Approval Policy adopted by the Board in OCTOBER 2013. The Executive Committee has all of the authority of the Board, except authority as to: (a) the filling of vacancies in the Board or in any committee thereof; (b) the fixing of compensation of the Directors for serving on the Board or any committee thereof; (c) the amendment or repeal of the By-Laws or the adoption of new By-Laws; or (d) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its terms shall not be so amendable or repealable. This authority is limited so that, with respect to any land or easement transaction, the Executive Committee is only authorized to: a) review and approve conservation easements between regular meetings of the Board; b) act on land deals as delegated to it by the Board of Directors; c) act on minor items between regular meetings of the Board; and d) meet in situations where the Executive Committee concludes that it is necessary or desirable to take prompt action where it is impossible or impractical to call a special meeting of the Board, and take whatever action it deems necessary. All major items, items that are controversial in nature, and all conservation easement amendments are decided by the full Board. Information pertaining to conservation easements and all other items to be considered by the Executive Committee are sent to the full Board prior to each Executive Committee meeting. Specific notice is given to the full Board whenever possible when the Executive Committee is considering making a final decision on behalf of the full Board. Executive Committee minutes reflecting its discussion and decisions are circulated to all board members prior to the following full Board meeting. A report of any actions specifically taken by the Executive Committee on behalf of the Board are given at each full meeting of the Board. All decisions made by the Executive Committee on behalf of the Board are presented to the full Board for ratification at the next subsequent meeting. In cases where time is of the essence and items up for a decision by the Executive Committee are controversial, a special meeting of the Board is called to deliberate such issues. The Organization's Conflict of Interest Policy applies in all cases pertaining to the Organization's Delegation of Transaction Approval Policy. The Board reviews and assesses the Delegation of Transaction Approval Policy and its implementation EVERY TWO YEARS and makes modifications as voted upon by the full Board. FORM 99, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4- SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO GOVERNING DOCS THE ORGANIZATION REVIEWED AND MADE CHANGES TO ITS BYLAWS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW YORK STATE NON-PROFIT REVITALIZATION ACT OF 2013.