Conservation Foundation of the Gulf

“The completed annual Form 990 is reviewed by staff and approved by Big Waters Land Trust management. The audit committee then reviews the Form 990 with management staff, recommends to the Board that they accept its recommendation to approve the 990 and authorizes management to file the Form 990 with the IRS. The Board then reviews and acts on the audit committee's recommendation.”

“Board members, staff, and volunteers are required to annually review, acknowledge their understanding of and compliance with, and sign the conflict of interest policy. The board is apprised of the response results and acts on all potential conflicts in accordance with required policy procedures.”

“The President's contract and compensation are reviewed annually by the chair and vice-chair. They compare the compensation to industry standards and comparisons, share their findings with and solicit input from all the trustees. The finance committee and the board of trustees approve the budget, including the President's compensation.”

“Big Waters Land Trust's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and audited financial statements, as well as the Form 990, are available for review in the organization's office. The past five years' Form 990 and audited financial statements, as well as the five-year Strategic Plan and Conservation Plan are available on the Land Trust's website. Form 990 and audited financial statements are also available for review on-line at Guidestar and through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Giving Partner website.”

“The organization's net revenues from the Party in Paradise, Feast Upon the Fields, and Wild About Nature events consist of contribution revenues, sponsorships revenues, and ticket sales netted with the related expenses. The Party in Paradise event was cancelled in November 2025 due to the impact of hurricane Milton. Revenues from the event are from donors and sponsors that did not request a refund or change in donation restriction. The net revenue from the Party in Paradise and Feast Upon the Fields was $251,566. Included in this amount is $219,441 in sponsorships and other contributions which for IRS purposes is reported on Form 990, Part VIII, line 1c as contributions.”

“Big Waters Land Trust protects land and water for the benefit of people and nature. A nationally accredited land trust, we partner with landowners, businesses, government, and the community to identify critical land parcels and protect them in perpetuity. Over our 22 years, we've protected 20,070 acres across 69 properties. Our urgent work is accomplished by purchasing natural areas, holding voluntary land conservation agreements, creating, and restoring native habitats, and educating for responsible land and water stewardship. We continue to steward natural areas on thirty-two different properties totaling over 3,100 acres. This includes pine flatwoods restoration on Pine Island in Lee County, Myakka River restoration in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, and scrub restoration in Myakka City. Our work contributes to water quality, flood prevention, wildlife corridor connectivity, habitat protection, and unique public access, benefiting all those who call our region home. This year, we protected critical burrowing owl habitat in Cape Coral by partnering with the City of Cape Coral, the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. We also partnered to preserve rare coastal habitat and native American history. After years of collaborations and negotiations, we protected 14.5 acres of the Elling Eide Center on Little Sarasota Bay using Sarasota County's ESLP. In Englewood, we conserved 34 acres on Sandpiper Key, the property protects the mangroves and seagrass beds that keep Lemon Bay clean and was added to the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve for the public to enjoy forever. We also permanently protected 13 acres of wetlands and wildlife habitat adjacent to Crane Park on the Myakka River in Manatee County. We worked with the landowner to use Manatee County's Environmental Land Fund to expand this community green space, providing more public access to nature. A true win-win for both people and wildlife. And earlier this year, together with our partner Sarasota Audubon Society, we broke ground on Rewilding the Quads at the Celery Fields! Our community education, youth education, outreach events, speaking engagements, and volunteer programs continue to grow, increasing the number of community members engaged to 6,748. This fiscal year we rolled out our first ever Conservation Plan which informed our next five-year Strategic Plan: A Promise to Protect.”

“Volunteers participate in the following ways: Board of Trustees, Board of Advisors, Committees, pro bono legal work, advocacy, office administration, youth and community education, special event planning and implementation, community outreach events, and land stewardship activities.”

“There were no changes to the audit review process.”