2012-11-15T09:14:53-00:00 2011-12-31 Reed J Smiley CPA 1550 NE Loop 410 Suite 207 San Antonio TX 78209 990 2011-01-01 742884531 Bexar Land Trust Inc BEXA 2102228430 P O Box 6250 San Antonio TX 78212 Zack D Mason 2102228430 2012-11-14 true Reed J Smiley CPA 2108226900 2012-11-15 X 2011 2016-02-24 21:20:13Z Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas Susan Hughes PO Box 6250 San Antonio TX 78212 398435 false X www.bexarlandtrust.org X 1998 TX To sustain the natural environment and enhance urban spaces through land conservation, community engagement, and education. 19 19 8 868 0 201426 280340 40782 2889 6618 10707 49894 61687 298720 355623 0 0 229892 286921 0 5949 204001 180825 433893 467746 -135173 -112123 928322 825323 10569 19693 917753 805630 X To sustain the natural environment and enhance urban spaces through land conservation, community engagement, and education. false false 372699 Bexar Land Trust, Inc. dba Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas mission is to acquire land or conservation easement agreements in order to protect and preserve the land for conservation purposes. Today the Trust carries out its mission through three principal programs Land Conservation Program - The Trust holds conservation easements on three properties one in Kendall County and two in Bexar County. These conservation easements protect the land from development and carry with them the responsibility to enforce the provisions of the easements in perpetuity. The Trust is also a member of the Land Acquisition Team for the City of San Antonio Aquifer Protection Initiative. The success of the program and its enthusiastic support by the public lies in part in the structure of the evaluation and acquisition process. A scientific evaluation team SET prepares a model that reflects the conservation values sought for the purposes of the program. The SET comprises representatives from agencies including The Edwards Aquifer Authority, San Antonio Water System, 372699 true true false false false false true false false false true true false false false false true false false false false 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 false true 9 0 8 true false false false false false true true false false false false X 19 19 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false X Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas 2102228430 PO Box 6250 San Antonio TX 78212 X Jenna V Anguiano 001.00 X 0 0 0 Leslie Brown 001.00 X 0 0 0 Sonya Dawson 001.00 X 0 0 0 Jim Gillingham 001.00 X 0 0 0 Michael Goldstein 001.00 X 0 0 0 Richard Lewis Jr 001.00 X 0 0 0 Howard Peak 001.00 X 0 0 0 R Heath Reininger 001.00 X 0 0 0 Thom Robey 001.00 X 0 0 0 Zack Mason 004.00 X 0 0 0 Suzanne B Scott 001.00 X 0 0 0 Liz Tullis 001.00 X 0 0 0 John R Waugh II 001.00 X 0 0 0 Michael Waldrop 004.00 X X 0 0 0 Linda Hardberger 002.00 X X 0 0 0 Amy L Whitley 002.00 X X 0 0 0 James J Horan 001.00 X X 0 0 0 Betty Berchelmann 001.00 X X 0 0 0 D Dean Bibles 001.00 X X 0 0 0 Susan Hughes 035.00 X X 0 0 0 false false false 6905 6133 267302 13958 280340 Education Program Fees 611710 2889 2889 2889 10707 10707 103202 6133 42812 60390 60390 Other Income 900099 1297 1297 1297 355623 2889 72394 0 0 0 0 76128 62425 12942 761 0 175666 144046 29863 1757 0 16391 13441 2786 164 18736 15364 3185 187 0 0 24712 24712 0 0 10680 9612 961 107 1981 1189 792 18647 16271 1218 1158 166 133 33 0 27312 24581 2458 273 3825 3443 344 38 0 7570 6056 1514 0 0 20525 18473 1847 205 3346 3012 301 33 Board Development and Training 4317 4317 Community Gardens 38722 38722 Dues and Subscriptions, Membership Fees 5034 4800 211 23 Photo Contest Expense 10570 10570 3418 561 2439 418 467746 372699 89098 5949 105 137146 798368 151165 2050 7364 6452 182564 64990 122485 117574 40500 370436 928322 825323 10569 19693 10569 19693 X 680184 547795 237569 257835 917753 805630 928322 825323 -112123 X false true true X false X 301723 422425 304423 201426 280340 1510337 301723 422425 304423 201426 280340 1510337 112267 1398070 9570 10172 12357 6618 10707 49424 66226 50181 28698 49330 60390 254825 1399 462 24 564 1297 3746 1818332 776588 0.76890 0.58910 X 0.00000 0.00000 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X 3 458.59 1 true 20.00 440 false 31237 31237 151327 58977 86337 117574 Cash and Certificates of Deposit 370436 F 370436 355623 467746 -112123 -112123 357303 1680 1680 355623 355623 469426 1680 1680 467746 467746 II 5 The purposes of enforcement include 1 protecting and maintaining the easement 2 engendering public confidence in the easement program 3 maintaining the Trusts legal authority to enforce the easement and 4 maintaining the Trusts ability to accept tax-deductible easement gifts and its tax-exempt status. II 5 -- The conservation easement documents should be drafted to include the Grantees right to recover all costs of enforcement, including legal costs, from the landowner in the event of a violation of the easement. II 5 Procedures for Enforcement 1 Document the violation 2 Contact the landowner to discuss the violation 3 Consult with the counsel 4 Compile a thorough record of the violation to include 1 Photos 2 Measurement of damage to the affected resource 3 The extent of signed and dated field notes 4 Comparison with the baseline data. II 5 -- Seek a voluntary negotiated resolution to a violation, maintain a written record of any negotiations. II 5 -- Carefully consider the need for litigation and the risks involved 1 hire competent legal counsel 2 actively participate in the formulation of the case 3 determine if adequate enforcement funds are available, or if not, whether the same can be obtained through fundraising. II 5 -- Notify the Land Trust Alliance of any violation and utilize the available resources of the Land Trust Alliance, includinig consultation and advice, in order to effectively determine and proceed with the course of action for handling the violation. II 9 Bexar Land Trust values their easements at zero. A typical conservation easement provides the land trust with no affirmative rights except to monitor and enforce the easement, and thus constitutes a liability. Sunset/Green Spaces 109335 6133 103202 42812 109335 6133 103202 42812 42812 60390 X Plants and garden supplies 1 3940 FMV X Digital Camera 1 500 FMV X Airfare to Diversity Conference 1 528 FMV X Lighting for BLT office 1 8190 FMV X Laptops 1 800 FMV false false false Form 990 Part III 4a Texas Parks Wildlife Department, United States Geological Survey, United States Fish Wildlife Service, City of San Antonio Natural Areas Program, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The land acquisition team members work with landowners to identify potential properties and to explain the program to them. They provide guidance to the landowners regarding the importance of acquiring independent counsel and financial advice, and assist in performing the due diligence appraisal, survey, environmental assessment, etc. on the property. When and if a property moves to closing, the land acquisition team member that was involved in the acquisition receives a set compensation for indirect expenses, in addition to reimbursement for direct expenses incurred. Each property considered for acquisition is measured against the SET models criteria. The results are then presented Form 990 Part III 4a to a Conservation Advisory Board, which evaluates the scientific data as well as other criteria to be considered, and makes recommendations to San Antonio City Council regarding choice of properties for the program. This transparent process has worked very well and has received the confidence of the public. The City of San Antonios program has been heralded as an exemplary conservation project. Form 990 Part III 4a Community Gardens Program - The program was initiated in 2006. It subsequently has received several large grants that are designated as start-up funding for community gardens. As of 2011, there are thirty-three community gardens in the Green Spaces Alliance GSA network, with more in progress. These gardens are tended by neighborhood volunteers from diverse areas within the city. Neighborhood groups organize and apply to GSA for assistance. GSA does not build infrastructure, but these start-up funds can assist with the costs of soil, compost, and mulch materials to build raised beds local soil is so poor that good soil and soil amendments make significant difference in whether a garden can be successful drip irrigation systems small structures such as gazebos that can support rainwater harvesting systems and provide shade and simlar necessities. This financial assistance, Form 990 Part III 4a coupled with knowledgeable guidance by program staff and mentors, when available, breaks down barriers to success that might otherwise have been caused by the socio-economic status of the gardeners and their neighborhoods. Other benefits generated by the community gardens program include building skills in community development and leadership, problem solving, and effective communication. Additionally, the community gardens program is able to solicit and deploy volunteers to assist in the gardens, thus exposing an even larger number of citizens to their operations and potential, and planting yet another seed of change. Form 990 Part III 4a Picture Your World Program - This youth photography program has been a success for GSA for a number of years. For several years, the program had two elements A weekend program open to all youth ages 8 to 18, and an elementary school program that operated in two schools in disadvantaged areas of San Antonio. At present, limited funding has precluded the elementary school program. The weekend workshops take place at sites such as Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, Government Canyon State Natural Area, the Medina River Natural Area, and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. At each workshop a project manager/instructor, a master naturalist, and a professional artist/photographer are available to work with the participants, explaining what the students are seeing in their nature hikes and tips on conserving nature, while also helping them learn how to use a digital camera and compose Form 990 Part III 4a extraordinary photographic art pieces. Each workshop culminates in a critique of the days photos and a discussion of the preservation and conservation of nature. At the conclusion of the workshop, the students receive individual CDs of their workshop photos. After the spring workshops, there is an open photo competition for students ages 8 to 18, with professional judges. Prizes are awarded to the top photographers in each of two age groups, and thirty photographers receive honorable mention. Form 990 Part VI 11 A PDF copy of the form 990 is e-mailed to each board member for their review prior to filing. Form 990 Part VI 12c A conflict of interest policy was signed by the board members in 2010 or 2011. Form 990 Part VI 15A Annually, the salary for the Executive Director is suggested by the President who references the salaries of other non-profit organizations. The only performance evaluation is a self-evaluated assessment by the Executive Director. The board then determines whether the suggested salary is accepted. Form 990 Part VI 9 The governing documents, conflict of interest policy, financial statements, and Form 990 are available to the public upon request. Form 990 Part III Line 4a Texas Parks Wildlife Department, United States Geological Survey, United States Fish Wildlife Service, City of San Antonio Natural Areas Program, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The land acquisition team members work with landowners to identify potential properties and to explain the program to them. They provide guidance to the landowners regarding the importance of acquiring independent counsel and financial advice, and assist in performing the due diligence appraisal, survey, environmental assessment, etc. on the property. When and if a property moves to closing, the land acquisition team member that was involved in the acquisition receives a set compensation for indirect expenses, in addition to reimbursement for direct expenses incurred. Each property considered for acquisition is measured against the SET models criteria. The results are then presented Form 990 Part III Line 4a to a Conservation Advisory Board, which evaluates the scientific data as well as other criteria to be considered, and makes recommendations to San Antonio City Council regarding choice of properties for the program. This transparent process has worked very well and has received the confidence of the public. The City of San Antonios program has been heralded as an exemplary conservation project. Form 990 Part III Line 4a Community Gardens Program - The program was initiated in 2006. It subsequently has received several large grants that are designated as start-up funding for community gardens. As of 2011, there are thirty-three community gardens in the Green Spaces Alliance GSA network, with more in progress. These gardens are tended by neighborhood volunteers from diverse areas within the city. Neighborhood groups organize and apply to GSA for assistance. GSA does not build infrastructure, but these start-up funds can assist with the costs of soil, compost, and mulch materials to build raised beds local soil is so poor that good soil and soil amendments make significant difference in whether a garden can be successful drip irrigation systems small structures such as gazebos that can support rainwater harvesting systems and provide shade and simlar necessities. This financial assistance, Form 990 Part III Line 4a coupled with knowledgeable guidance by program staff and mentors, when available, breaks down barriers to success that might otherwise have been caused by the socio-economic status of the gardeners and their neighborhoods. Other benefits generated by the community gardens program include building skills in community development and leadership, problem solving, and effective communication. Additionally, the community gardens program is able to solicit and deploy volunteers to assist in the gardens, thus exposing an even larger number of citizens to their operations and potential, and planting yet another seed of change. Form 990 Part III Line 4a Picture Your World Program - This youth photography program has been a success for GSA for a number of years. For several years, the program had two elements A weekend program open to all youth ages 8 to 18, and an elementary school program that operated in two schools in disadvantaged areas of San Antonio. At present, limited funding has precluded the elementary school program. The weekend workshops take place at sites such as Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, Government Canyon State Natural Area, the Medina River Natural Area, and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. At each workshop a project manager/instructor, a master naturalist, and a professional artist/photographer are available to work with the participants, explaining what the students are seeing in their nature hikes and tips on conserving nature, while also helping them learn how to use a digital camera and compose Form 990 Part III Line 4a extraordinary photographic art pieces. Each workshop culminates in a critique of the days photos and a discussion of the preservation and conservation of nature. At the conclusion of the workshop, the students receive individual CDs of their workshop photos. After the spring workshops, there is an open photo competition for students ages 8 to 18, with professional judges. Prizes are awarded to the top photographers in each of two age groups, and thirty photographers receive honorable mention. Form 990 Part VI Section B Line 11 A PDF copy of the form 990 is e-mailed to each board member for their review prior to filing. Form 990 Part VI Section B Line 12c A conflict of interest policy was signed by the board members in 2010 or 2011. Form 990 Part VI Section B Line 15A Annually, the salary for the Executive Director is suggested by the President who references the salaries of other non-profit organizations. The only performance evaluation is a self-evaluated assessment by the Executive Director. The board then determines whether the suggested salary is accepted. Form 990 Part VI Section C Line 9 The governing documents, conflict of interest policy, financial statements, and Form 990 are available to the public upon request.