2026-08-17T13:28:59-05:00 2025-12-31 390974031 WEGNER CPAS LLP 2921 LANDMARK PL STE 300 MADISON WI 537134236 990 2025-01-01 391393389 SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE INC SOUT 6082552473 211 S PATERSON ST 340 MADISON WI 53703 MATT FORTNEY CHAIR 6082552473 2026-08-14 1 HANNAH JENSEN CPA P01635171 6082744020 2026-07-27 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z MATT FORTNEY 211 S PATERSON ST 340 MADISON WI 53703 1747284 0 X SWIBIRDS.ORG X 1980 WI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY MANAGEMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. 10 10 34 400 0 0 7051705 1366144 12238 13163 1312832 197046 28321 40431 8405096 1616784 0 0 0 0 892715 960150 0 0 144728 508705 628235 1401420 1588385 7003676 28399 22810809 23952213 141929 106800 22668880 23845413 X OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE HABITAT FOR BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE THROUGH LAND ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY. 0 0 840428 0 13163 SANCTUARIES: SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE (SOWBA) ACTIVELY PROTECTS, RESTORES, AND MANAGES NEARLY 3,000 ACRES OF LAND. AT OUR FOUR EXISTING SANCTUARIES (FAIR MEADOWS, FAVILLE GROVE, GOOSE POND, AND HILLSIDE PRAIRIE) WE CONTINUE PERFORMING HIGH-QUALITY HABITAT CONSERVATION, INCLUDING PRAIRIE PLANTING, NATIVE SEED COLLECTION (FROM 400+ NATIVE SPECIES), AND PRESCRIBED BURNS. WE HOSTED 9 SUMMER INTERNS AND RAN IMPACTFUL VOLUNTEER CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS LIKE MONARCH BUTTERFLY TAGGING, NEST BOX MONITORING, WILDLIFE SURVEYS, AND MUCH MORE. COUNTLESS VISITORS ENJOYED THE OUTDOORS AT OUR SANCTUARIES. WE MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR EXCELLENCE AND LAND CONSERVATION PERMANENCE AS A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAND TRUST, A MARK OF DISTINCTION. 208390 0 0 EDUCATION: SOWBA HAS TWO FULL-TIME EDUCATORS AND ONE INTERN ON OUR STAFF WHO TAUGHT WEEKLY IN ABOUT 14 CLASSROOMS SPANNING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH GRADE. WE ALSO WORK WITH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AT LOCAL COMMUNITY CENTERS. OUR PARTNERSHIPS ARE WITH ORGANIZATIONS SERVING GROUPS WITH MORE THAN HALF OF THE KIDS BEING PEOPLE OF COLOR OR FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. OUR FUN, HANDS-ON LESSONS GET KIDS RUNNING, EXPLORING, AND THINKING LIKE SCIENTISTS. LESSONS AND PODCAST EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR FREE! WE ALSO PROVIDED MANY ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS LIKE BIRDING 101 AND BIRDING BY EAR (FOR PEOPLE OF ALL VISUAL ABILITIES) IN ADDITION TO A VARIETY OF FIELD TRIPS WELCOMING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BACKGROUNDS AND ABILITIES. 187483 0 0 ADVOCACY: ALONG WITH ITS MEMBERS, SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE SUPPORTED MEANINGFUL CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND ADVOCATED WIDELY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES THROUGH A BLOG, NEWSLETTER, EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITE, AND MORE. WE PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC OUTREACH THROUGH HYBRID (IN PERSON, STREAMED ONLINE) PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. WE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO IMPROVE REPRESENTATION IN CONSERVATION AND ACCESS TO NATURE FOR BIPOC, LGBTQ+, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. WE COORDINATED MULTIPLE VOLUNTEER-LED COMMUNITY SCIENCE EFFORTS ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING BALD EAGLE NEST WATCH, NOW ESTABLISHED IN OVER HALF OF THE COUNTIES AROUND WISCONSIN. WE ALSO PROMOTED BIRD-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUR BIRD-WINDOW COLLISION MONITORING AND BIRD-WINDOW COLLISION PREVENTION OUTREACH PROGRAMS. WE HELPED LAUNCH AND MAINTAIN A STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE LIGHT POLLUTION CALLED LIGHTS OUT WISCONSIN. SOWBA ALSO COORDINATES MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR A COALITION OF BIRD AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO BETTER IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE APPROACH AND WORK TO BETTER ADVOCATE FOR BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS. 1236301 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 13 0 34 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 10 10 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 WI X JOHN MINNICH 6082552473 211 S PATERSON ST STE 340 MADISON WI 53703 MATTHEW FORTNEY CHAIR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 PATRICK CLARK VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JEFF GALLIGAN SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TIM NORRIS TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 LISA LEPEAK DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DARCY KIND DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MATT KRUEGER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 OLIVIA DUNN DIRECTOR (THRU APRIL) 1.00 X 0 0 0 DEXTER PATTERSON DIRECTOR (THRU JUNE) 1.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICK EAGAN DIRECTOR (THRU FEBRUARY) 1.00 X 0 0 0 JANET SILBERNAGEL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JASMINE BANKS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KLARA HENRY DIRECTOR (FROM AUGUST) 1.00 X 0 0 0 MATT REETZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 99740 0 2992 99740 0 2992 0 0 0 0 0 5410 1360734 116314 1366144 RENTAL INCOME 531190 7898 7898 5265 5265 13163 189116 189116 133973 126043 7930 7930 7930 44888 4457 40431 40431 1616784 13163 0 237477 102732 80649 10163 11920 693970 544795 68656 80519 17494 13733 1731 2030 84905 66654 8400 9851 61049 47926 6040 7083 7106 5969 1137 17946 17946 69227 69227 129284 91286 11052 26946 7222 1928 5249 45 92698 81686 4771 6241 6126 6126 59694 59694 37427 34956 2471 WILDLIFE/HABITAT RESTOR 183516 183516 MEMBERSHIP EXPENSES 10575 10075 500 7414 7308 13 93 1588385 1236301 207356 144728 486336 296054 99234 242750 98278 87536 18126 14015 15820744 854626 15019527 14966118 5785812 7643640 847414 177088 456082 525012 22810809 23952213 26227 28845 115702 77955 141929 106800 X 17020002 17703168 5648878 6142245 22668880 23845413 22810809 23952213 X 28399 1091669 56465 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1441330 1283237 3100830 7051705 1366144 14243246 1441330 1283237 3100830 7051705 1366144 14243246 4895282 9347964 64007 123974 159882 168890 189116 705869 14949115 291371 0.62530 0.62020 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 1588385 1588385 229419 57355 0 0 174029 186080 215142 229419 804670 1207005 43507 46520 53786 57355 201168 301752 X X X 8 309.00 0 0 0 1 1 20.00 1000 1 659233 125266 124341 3459 656699 572426 50000 48144 8592 2745 659233 265315 264191 55924 10418 2586 572426 327004 -49033 12205 451 265315 288496 49455 10503 444 327004 0.23130 0.57050 0.19820 1 0 14293463 14293463 1342532 687876 654656 184749 166750 17999 14966118 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 77955 77955 2700148 1091669 -12762 1078907 1621241 -4457 -4457 1616784 1523615 4457 4457 1519158 69227 69227 1588385 PART II, LINE 9: CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ACCEPTED OR PURCHASED BY SOWBA ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AS ASSETS OR REVENUE IN THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BECAUSE SOWBA DOES NOT HOLD FEE TITLE TO THESE PROPERTIES AND THERE ARE NO EXPECTED FUTURE ECONOMIC BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE EASEMENTS. IN ADDITION, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS CARRY SIGNIFICANT OBLIGATIONS TO MONITOR AND DEFEND THEIR TERMS. IF PURCHASED, THE COSTS OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ARE EXPENSED WHEN THE EASEMENTS ARE ACQUIRED. PART V, LINE 4: SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE'S ENDOWMENTS CONSIST OF FOUR FUNDS. THE MARY MUCKENHIRN STEWARDSHIP ENDOWMENT WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO SUPPORT SANCTUARY MAINTENANCE. THE SANCTUARIES FUND WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO PROVIDE FOR COMPENSATION INCREASES AND TO SUPPORT LAND MANAGEMENT. THE JILL MARTEN ENDOWMENT FUND IS A DONOR-RESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUND ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT LAND MANAGEMENT. THE FAIR MEADOWS STATE NATURAL AREA FUND IS A DONOR RESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUND ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT LAND MANAGEMENT AT THE FAIR MEADOWS SANCTUARY. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: CHANGE IN BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN ASSETS HELD BY NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION 56,465. INVESTMENT FEES -69,227. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: DIRECT EXPENSES REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 8B COST OF GOODS SOLD REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 10B -4,457. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: COST OF GOODS SOLD REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 10B 4,457. X 3 116314 QUOTED MARKET PRICE 0 0 1 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): THE ORGANIZATION IS REPORTING THE NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN COLUMN B. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY WHO LIVE IN THE SOWBA'S CHAPTER SERVICE AREA ARE CONSIDERED MEMBERS OF THE SOWBA. MEMBERSHIP POLICIES SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE MEMBERSHIP POLICY OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BIRD ALLIANCE MAY ELECT TO ESTABLISH A CHAPTER-ONLY MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY AND DETERMINE THE BENEFITS OF SAID MEMBERSHIP. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A DIRECTORS ARE ELECTED BY MEMBERSHIP. SOWBA'S MEMBERSHIP ELECTS THREE MEMBERS OF SOWBA'S GOVERNING BODY EACH YEAR. THE BYLAWS PROVIDE FOR A MAXIMUM OF FIFTEEN MEMBERS. MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY SERVE A THREE-YEAR TERM. SOWBA'S OFFICERS ARE ELECTED ANNUALLY BY THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY FROM AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B THE BYLAWS MAY BE AMENDED BY VOTE OF THE CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE PREPARED FORM 990 IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE SOWBA'S CHAIR, TREASURER, AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 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 DISCLOSES INTERESTS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICTS. THE SIGNED STATEMENTS ARE KEPT AT SOWBA'S MAIN OFFICE. THE DIRECTORS 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 15A COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS REVIEWED EACH YEAR AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGETING PROCESS. IN DETERMINING CHANGES TO COMPENSATION, SOWBA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EVALUATES THE ED'S PERFORMANCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS, SETS ANNUAL GOALS, AND REVIEWS DATA ON SALARY AND BENEFITS PROVIDED TO EXECUTIVE STAFF AT SIMILARLY SIZED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THIS DISCUSSION IS DOCUMENTED IN MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DOCUMENTATION RETAINED FROM MATERIALS DISTRIBUTED SUPPORTING THAT DISCUSSION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 SOWBA MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: CHANGE IN BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN ASSETS HELD BY NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION 56,465.