Belgrade Regional Conservation

“CHANGES TO THE BY-LAWS”

“ORGANIZED WITH MEMBERS”

“The 990 review process includes review by the president/chief executive officer, the treasurer, the office manager, and the board.”

“7 lakes alliance conflict of interest policy is semi-annually reviewed at the spring and fall board meetings. Also, when issues arise during board meetings, where voting is required that may involve conflicts of interest, board members abstain.”

“The process for determining the chief executive officer's compensation was conducted by a professional search firm and included a review and approval by the board and will continue to be performed annually.”

“7 lakes alliance makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public. The bylaws are made available to the members upon request and distributed prior to any proposed amendments. The conflict of interest policy is written in the 7 lakes alliance's board manual and available on request. The 7 lakes alliance financial statements and 990 are available to public at guidestar website and the 7 lakes alliance's office.”

“1- the 7 lakes alliance invasive aquatic plant program protects aquatic ecosystems and the public use, values and enjoyment of the lakes in the belgrade lakes watershed by preventing and mitigating the spread of invasive aquatic plants. Through its courtesy boat inspection program, 7 lakes alliance partners with local watershed organizations to place both paid and volunteer courtesy boat inspectors at public boat launches to check for plant fragments on boats entering and leaving the lakes and educates boaters about the threats posed by invasive aquatic plants. 7 lakes alliance employees also survey and organize citizen volunteer invasive plant patrols to search for and then remove invasive plants that may become established in at-risk areas. In 2024, 7 lakes alliance employed 25 part-time workers and 12 volunteers that inspected boats on 5 public boat ramps and 1 private launch that affects public waters.”

“3- erosion control: 7 lakes alliance conducts diverse projects to protect and restore water quality by preventing the erosion of sediment and the algae fueling phosphorus it carries with it from entering waters of the belgrade lakes watershed. Erosion is the primary cause of excessive algal blooms in the watershed. 7 lakes work includes the section 319 program, youth conservation corps, lakesmart and various policy initiatives and communications. Section 319 projects are funded, in part, by the u.s. Environmental protection agency under section 319 of the clean water act and administered by the maine department of environmental protection nonpoint source (nps) program. 7 lakes alliance also operates a youth conservation corps which employs local youth to work with landowners to voluntarily implement various erosion control measures on their properties. Work also includes educational and policy efforts to educate and engage watershed communities in erosion control efforts.”

“7 lakes alliance, an accredited land trust, aims to protect the quality of the belgrade lakes watershed from degradation due to the impact of unsustainable development within the watershed. To accomplish this, 7 lakes alliance's land conservation program identifies and permanently conserves lands that provide high value habitats, recreational opportunities, and water quality protection and restoration to benefit the public. 7 lakes alliance also operates a land stewardship program through which 7 lakes' staff and dedicated volunteers protect and enhance conservation properties through robust monitoring, trail maintenance and communication and education about the values of land conservation to the public to ensure that conservation values are sustained. Additionally, 7 lakes alliance also provides educational, informational and communications programs to support the local lake associations and other water partners. These include numerous and wide-ranging conservation lectures, events and opportunities for all ages. 7 lakes alliance seeks to connect people with nature through educational programs, trainings, events, digital and printed newsletters and other activities. Events and activities include numerous presentations by experts on forestry, fisheries, hiking, conservation lands, water quality, hiking, erosion control workshops, and natural history programs that attract hundreds of participants. 7 lakes' newsletter the conservationist provides information on our diverse programs and conservation issues impacting the belgrade lakes region.”

“Professional services 231,893 17,045 1,200”

“Discount to pv capital campaign 67,363 reserve for uncollectible capital campaign 18,981 . 0 total 86,344”