Wild Arizona (Formerly Arizona Wilderness Coalition Et Al - See Sch O)

“Kelly Burke AWC Treasurer and Kim Crumbo AWC Director were employed by the same nonprofit organization in Flagstaff, AZ during the fiscal year. Burke was the Executive Director and Crumbo was the Conservation Director for Grand Canyon Wildlands Council GCWC. AWC and GCWC did not have any financial transactions or contractual arrangements with each other during FY 2016. Joel Barnes AWC Secretary and Doug Hulmes AWC Vice President are employed by Prescott College. AWC maintains an annual contract with Prescott College to provide office space for AWCs Wilderness Stewardship program, discussed in Program Service Accomplishments Form 990, p2. Also during FY 2016, AWC entered into a small contract 300 with another nonprofit to jointly conduct a large volunteer stewardship project. An employee of AWC who serves as its Office Manager serves on the board of that nonprofit. See Schedule L for additional information.”

“- Review of Form 990 Once the draft of Form 990 is completed, it is reviewed in detail by the Executive Director, staff bookkeeper and the Treasurer who is the Executive Director of another Arizona-based nonprofit organization, along with a copy of the preparers detailed workpapers. An electronic copy of the udpated draft 990 is then sent to all board members and officers for their review before it is finalized and filed.”

“- Conflict of Interest COI Policy The AWC Board of Directors adopted an updated COI policy in June 2016. Directors declared their conflicts at that time. The Directors are asked annually about their potential conflicts which are then documented in meeting minutes and with the Directors signatures on a statement confirming their receipt and understanding of the policy. Any director with a potential conflict abstains from voting on any related matters.”

“- Compensation Review The Board of Directors reviewed salary information for conservation nonprofits from consulting advisor TREC Training Resources for the Environmental Community to establish a compensation package for the current Executive Director during the hiring process in 2013 also considering the budget limitations. The Board has approved small salary increases the past three years for the Executive Director that have been at or below the national rate of inflation. All staff compensation is reviewed by the Board as part of the annual budgeting process. Officers and directors serve in those capacities as volunteers and are not compensated.”

“- Public Records The annual Form 990 and the application for tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501c3 are made available to the public upon request. The 990 is also available at www.guidestar.org. The organizations Articles of Incorporation and annual report to the Arizona Corporation Commission are available to the public at www.azcc.gov. A summary of the annual financial report is made publicly available through AWCs annual report on its website at www.azwild.org.”

“continued from 990, p2 plus Cochise Stronghold Dragoon Mountains and Lower Burro Creek. Stewardship projects removed 150 pounds of trash, improved or maintained 64 miles of trail, restored surveyed 26 miles of riparian vegetation habitat, installed 3 wilderness signs, naturalized 250 feet of social trails, constructed, repaired improved 42 water mitigation features, removed 45 downed trees obstructing trails, and planted 451 native trees sedges. During the fiscal year, AWC expanded the Stewardship program to encompass longer-term, more extensive restoration projects with more explicit ecological goals. A grant supported the initiation of two riparian restoration projects, in the Hassayampa River Canyon Wilderness Arnett Creek. Both projects aim to improve habitat for threatened sensitive species including yellow-billed cuckoo, Lowland leopard frog longfin dace. The Hassayampa project was completed in this fiscal year the Arnett Creek project will commence in fall of 2016. The Stewardship program also initiated its Veterans in Wilderness program this fiscal year, with a very successful veterans crew trail restoration project completed in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness north of the Grand Canyon. AWC also expanded student involvement to bring underserved middle-school students from rural central Arizona into the Galiuro Wilderness for an environmental education experience.”

“continued from 990, p2 AWC undertook particular outreach to garner support from local businesses in Cochise County for the Land of Legends initiative. Conversations are underway with political representatives regarding the potential for permanent land protection in this vulnerable region.”

“POLICY PLANNING Program Expenses 5,841 This program addresses diverse public lands natural resource issues facing Arizona, seeking to expand preservation of wilderness areas through revision of major U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management plans, and to improve management of existing wilderness other conservation lands. During the fiscal year, AWC appealed the Prescott National Forest Plan regarding inadequate preservation for wilderness-worthy areas riparian corridors. AWC also participated in multiple conservation collaborations authored individual comments submitted to agencies on topics including the revision of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area Resource Management Plan the Firescape Plan for the Coronado National Forest, and a number of additional actions that may affect Arizona wilderness. AWC also worked to counter efforts aimed at transferring federal public lands to state or certain local control.”

“OUTREACH EDUCATION Program expenses 21,724 AWC engaged in various outreach and educational efforts over the fiscal year to inspire, inform and activate Arizona citizens regarding wilderness issues. AWC hosted a nationally-acclaimed new author to conduct an outdoor writing workshop, an interpretive hike in Saquaro National Park, book signings and a social gathering, to elevate awareness of the need to protect wilderness and national parks in the West. In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the 1990 Arizona Desert Wilderness Act, AWC played a significant role in a celebration of Arizona wilderness and panel discussion on contemporary public land issues. AWC also reached out to diverse audiences through participation in varied events, including the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Earth Day, and continued highlighting relevant conservation issues through our monthly ENews, website and social media.”

“FEES FOR SERVICES-OTHER This line item represents the following expenses Communications consultants 9865 Fieldwork services, including wilderness inventory surveys, restoration crews, and data collection GIS analysis 48,780 office administrative support 3797 ecological management consulting 7445 - non-cash and proposal editing 100. Because the organization has only two full-time employees, it relies heavily on the services of outside professionals.”

“Prior period adjustments - This figure represents five vendor payment items from several prior fiscal years that had not previously cleared. After extensive research, these items have been documented voided.”