2015-08-11T07:41:15-07:00 2014-12-31 C DeWitt Foard & Co PA CPAs 817 E Morehead Street Ste 100 Charlotte NC 282022767 990 2014-01-01 581969605 Catawba Lands Conservancy CATA 7043423330 4530 Park Road Ste 420 Charlotte NC 28209 Thomas Okel Executive Dir. 2015-08-11 true Terry W Lancaster P00096087 7043721515 2014 2016-04-25 22:37:26Z Thomas Okel 105 W Morehead Street Charlotte NC 28202 4684408 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 179 properties, totaling 15,066 acres of land. We are the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail. 24 23 25 400 0 36118824 4597634 6000 0 33085 -187548 3760 20841 36161669 4430927 0 0 1067726 1213910 0 136767 32052979 2895764 33120705 4109674 3040964 321253 24497034 24477118 487206 45788 24009828 24431330 As a nationally accredited land trust, we conserve and manage land for public benefit in North Carolinas Southern Piedmont. We have conserved 179 properties, totaling 15,066 acres of land. We are the lead agency for the Carolina Thread Trail. false false 2769650 Land Acquisition: Catawba Lands Conservancy (the Conservancy) protected 4 new properties in 2014, totaling 200 acres in four counties. The Conservancy works with landowners and communities to conserve land in perpetuity by placing voluntary conservation easements on land, accepting donations of land, and occasionally purchasing land. The Conservancy 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 our properties provide critical habitat for state or federally listed threatened, endangered or unique plants or animals. 838158 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 link more than two million citizens with hundreds of miles of conservation lands and pedestrian and bicycle trails that wind through fifteen 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 activity 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 2014 there were 1,588.4 planned trail miles and 233.20 completed trail miles. 253574 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 2014, the Conservancy worked with the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program to identify and designate an additional 650 acres of land for inclusion in the program. In addition, the Conservancy identified new populations of rare or imperiled plant species including Hexastylis naniflora (Federally Threatened), Magnolia macrophylla (State Threatened), Tradescantia virginiana (State Threatened), and Ilex longipes (Significantly Rare). 3861382 true true false false false false true false false false true true false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true true true false false true false false false false false true 11 0 true 25 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 true false true true false true true false false true true true true true true true true false NC SC X X Robin Buckler Finance Dir 7043423330 4530 Park Road Ste 420 Charlotte NC 28209 Walter Fisher Chair 5.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Jenny Ward Vice Chair 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Sandra Conway Board Member 3.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jonathan Mangels Treasurer 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Laurie Smith Board Member 3.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Phillips Bragg Board Member 3.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jessica Braswell Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 David Clark Jr Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jarred Cochran Board Member 3.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 John Culbertson Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bobby Drakeford 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 Phil Kuttner Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 John Mader Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Julianne McCollum Board Member 2.00 0.00 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 Reed Perkins Board Member 3.00 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 110431 0 10082 Karl Freolich CTT Project Mgr 40.00 0.00 X 107000 0 0 217431 10082 2 false false false 0 X 721891 995064 2880679 1789360 4597634 0 39063 39063 0 0 10960 10960 10960 10960 26870 253481 26870 -253481 -226611 -226611 0 0 0 Condemnation Proceeds 9881 9881 9881 4430927 -205770 39063 0 0 0 0 120513 102436 18077 0 937301 825950 17621 93730 13224 11653 249 1322 60109 52968 1130 6011 82763 72931 1556 8276 0 0 8500 8500 0 0 0 49009 49009 144717 144717 139621 130270 9351 15056 1164 13892 0 51252 51252 34391 34391 0 7510 7510 0 0 68577 68577 23643 23643 Easements granted 2353488 2353488 0 4109674 3861382 111525 136767 30407 66391 1268276 1008769 0 760408 130871 0 0 0 0 0 1017119 256889 711385 760230 0 1535460 2191820 50000 50000 0 20141098 20269037 24497034 24477118 62206 45788 425000 487206 45788 X 22576505 23175512 1433323 1255818 24009828 24431330 24497034 24477118 321253 100249 X false true X true true true X 1812911 12071035 3097847 36118824 4597634 57698251 13849 8850 6000 28699 0 0 0 1812911 12084884 3106697 36124824 4597634 57726950 166229 79663 85719 64900 52045 448556 683744 683744 166229 79663 85719 64900 735789 1132300 56594650 110776 29602 32432 33085 50023 255918 0 110776 29602 32432 33085 50023 255918 0 9881 9881 1923687 12114486 3139129 36157909 4657538 57992749 0.97590 0.98540 0.00440 0.00630 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X 107 91 3 1 true 16 253575 false 68746 2546 66200 154693 120440 34253 793680 133903 659777 760230 2191820 Land protected in perpetuity 20269037 20269037 4534673 100249 3497 103746 4430927 4430927 4113171 3497 3497 4109674 4109674 Part II, Line 3: Explanation of Each Easement Change The Conservancy ("CLC") holds conservation easements ("CE's") on certain properties (the "Properties") that lie in the path of a new sewer line by the City of Charlotte (the "City"). In May, 2014, the City initiated three 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 easement 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 City's lawsuits 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 were distributed in December 2014."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, 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 $1,320,720 and $30,752,229 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Lat Purser Board member 4443 Rent false Trees Charlotte Former ED 13614 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 3 1320720 Appraisal X 3 442747 Appraisal X Phones 1 6375 FMV X Office equipment 1 15800 FMV X Tools 1 2000 FMV X Miscellaneous 1 1718 FMV 11 false false false Form 990, Part VI, Line 4: Description of Significant Changes to Organizational Documents In 2014 the following substantive changes were made to the Bylaws:1.In Article III Membership, replace A member shall be entitled to one vote per director to be elected. with A member shall be entitled to one vote on any matters that are explicitly referred for membership decision at meeting of members.2.In Article IV Meeting of Membershipa.Remove annual meeting requirements, change special meeting to meeting, and change the minimum number of members required to call a meeting of the members, to not fewer than 50 members, or, if greater, 3% of all members. b.Remove section 5 regarding issuing ballots.3.In Article V Board of Directors a.Change election of directors from being elected by members to being voted in by the current directors. Add that, if any director so demands, the election of directors shall be by ballot.b.Remove the requirement that we have staggered classes of directors that are exactly equal in number (i.e., so that some of our new directors aren't asked to serve less than a full three-year initial term);4.In Article VI Officers and Committees- Remove the requirement that we have a treasurer and a second vice president, as well as a secretary who is a board member (given that staff ably fulfill all the duties of that latter office);a.Change the composition of the Exec Committee, which was tied to those offices; andb.Re-name the "President" and "Vice President" as "Chair" and "Vice Chair," to better reflect their status as officers of the Board. 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. 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. 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. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Conservancy placed a conservation easement on land held for preservation resulting in an extinguishment of developing rights of $168,076. The property with conservation easement was then sold to another exempt organization resulting in a loss on disposal of $69,076. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Conservancy transferred two properties held for conservation to other exempt organizations and as a result recognized a loss on disposal of $158,630, which is included as Investment Income. Property and Equipment During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Conservancy disposed of property and equipment recognizing a loss of $25,775. Hickory Grove LLC 4530 Park Road Ste 420 Charlotte NC 28209 464669695 Rental house NC 7200 70910 N/A false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false