Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Inc.

“The membership can nominate individuals to serve on the board of directors from the floor and vote to elect the board directors at the annual meeting. The directors serve 3-year staggered terms, so 1/3 of the board is elected by the membership annually.”

“A draft of the organization's form 990 is prepared by an independent cpa firm. Such draft is reviewed by the exective director and finance committee members. The form 990 is also made available to all board members for review before being signed and filed. The form 990 is made available to board members in either electronic or paper format.”

“Each covered person, as defined in the conservancy's conflict of interest policy, is required to promptly and fully disclose all material facts of every actual or potential conflict of interest. Each covered person shall sign a statement acknowledging that he or she has received a copy of the policy, has read and understands it, and agrees to comply with it. If the board of directors has reasonable cause to believe that a covered person has failed to conply with this policy, the board may counsel the covered person regarding such failure and, if the issue is not resolved to the board's satisfaction, may consider additional corrective action as approriate. Each covered person shall annually complete and sign a conflict of interest questionnaire.”

“The finance committee prepares a proposed annual budget that includes a recommended salary for the executive director. A land trust alliance survey of various staff position salaries is use in determining this recommended salary. The proposed budget, with the salary recommendation, is presented to the board of directors for approval. Such budget discussion and approval is reported in the minutes of the board of directors.”

“Copies of the organizations's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, audited financial statements, and form 990, are available upon request at the organzation's business office.”

“Volunteers included individuals serving on the board of directors and individuals assisting in fundraising and program events of the organization.”

“Public education and technical assistance - major accomplishments during 2020-21: - publication and distribution of three issues of the conservancy's "the 'shed sheet" newletter to approximately 5,300 individuals, families, and businesses. - e-mail announcements (1,300 indviduals per e-mailing), facebook posts, watershed education public service announcements, and display messages. - maintenance of an educational website. - public education tours at nature preserves and targeted conservation sites. - provdied technical assistance to 131 lakeshore, stream side, and watershed landowners on landscaping to protect or enhance water quality and avoid or minimize herbicide and pesticide use. - implemented programs to train and educate property owners, groundskeepers, and landscapers on how to manage their properties and undertake activities to avoid or minimize pollution to the watersheds and water bodies of chautauqua county. - held 15 lake or watershed and wildlife education/pollution prevention, landscaping presentations, events and tours for the public and to organizations. Over 600 individuals attended these events.”

“Land conservation - major accomplishments during 2020-21: - conserved, via donation, 11.9 acres of wetland in the mud creek watershed tributary to chautauqua lake. - pursued the conservation of 51 acres at two sites on/or near goose creek, 14 acres on chautauqua creek at lake erie, a stream corridor easement on mud creek, and properties in the cheney and prendergast creek watersheds tributary to chautauqua lake. - made trail and access improvements for the development of the cassadaga lake nature park to open in 2022. - undertook invasive species control at cwc's outlet greenway, cassadage lake nature park, and other preserves. - planned and installed boardwalks, trails, signage, etc., to enhance nature preserves for public use. - improved preserves hosted approximately 4,300 visits. - updated management plans of five preserves and monitored the conservation easement land and preserves. - initiated geographic information system (gis) work to prioritize lands across the chautauqua lake watershed for conservation.”

“Change in beneficial interest in assets held by others 18,409 fr expenses netted against income (990 viii) 14,395 refundable (unearned) balance of grants received 0 in fiscal year 2021 recognized as liability at 9/30/21 0 for financial statement purposes. -26,286 fr expenses netted against income (990 viii) -14,395 total -7,877”