The Monadnock Conservancy

“Organization review process of Form 990 after initial draft preparation by the CPA of the organization, the executive director conducts an initial review of the 990, asking questions and making edits as necessary. The document is then provided electronically to the full board of trustees for review, comment, and edits as necessary prior to filing.”

“Enforcement of conflicts policy all officers, trustees, and key employees are required to complete and /or update disclosures of potential conflicts of interest annually following the election of new trustees and officers in July and August. All new officers, trustees, and key employees are briefed on the conflict of interest policy when joining the organization, and compliance is monitored and enforced thereafter by using the disclosures to ensure appropriate recusals from board votes and actions. If/when an actual or potential conflict is discovered, appropriate public disclosures are made consistent with state law.”

“Compensation process for top official no trustees or officers of the organization are compensated. Paid employees include the executive director and other subordinate managers and associates. The salary of the executive director is determined by the board using comparability data from the Land Trust Alliance survey of salaries and benefits for land trust staff. All other staff salaries are determined by the executive director, in consultation with the finance committee of the board, using comparability data from the aforementioned Land Trust Alliance survey.”

“Governing documents, disclosure explanation governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available for public inspection in the office of the organization, upon request.”

“LAND PROTECTION continued A staff member was also on the board of the Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition, an organization that advances the development of sustainable local food systems across the Monadnock region. In addition, a staff member served on the board of the New Hampshire Land Trust Coalition, an organization that advances land conservation in the state through professional development, policy advocacy, and education.”

“OUTREACH AND EDUCATION continued In addition, the Conservancy was selected by the Land Trust Alliance to participate in a pilot program to assess capacity and help the board and staff integrate the philosophies of community conservation into all of the work of the Conservancy. In 2019, the initial working group was formed and received training. The group worked with an outside consultant to gather relevant organizational materials and interview all staff and board members.”

“COMMUNITY CONSERVATION The organization once again ran its summer program for underserved children aimed at getting them outside and learning about gardening, farming, healthy eating, and teamwork. The program reached eight children and their families. This program was offered free of charge for attendees thanks to the generous support of donors.”

“LAND MANAGEMENT AND RECREATION The organization monitored 19 properties owned in fee simple for a total of 1,703 acres. Staff and volunteers continued scientific studies of restoration of the American chestnut and control of American beech, which included maintaining deer exclusion fencing in five areas previously planted with 150 hybrid American chestnut seedlings. Staff worked with a professor and students from Keene State College to study carbon storage on land owned by the Conservancy. Staff maintained or enhanced 20 miles of public hiking trails and continued to co-lead the Wantastiquet to Monadnock Trail Coalition in governing management issues through the entire 48-mile trail route. A new public trailhead parking area was constructed on the Mountain Brook Reservoir property in Jaffrey to enable safe hiker access, and the trail was rerouted to connect with the parking area and reduce hiker impacts on wetland habitats. On the Devan Preserve in Marlborough, a remotely triggered wildlife camera was installed to monitor wildlife, a winter mammal tracking workshop was held, and a local ecologist was hired to perform breeding bird surveys. Staff began to learn about historic resources on land the Conservancy owns and methods for their protection and preservation. Staff also planned two new parking and trail projects for fiscal year 2020.”