Bitter Root Land Trust Inc.

“All members of the board of directors are provided a copy of the 990 prior to submission”

“The organization has a written conflict of interest policy. The procedure for addressing conflicts of interest is provided in the policy and adhered to by the board. Insiders sign the conflict of interest policy on an annual basis.”

“Executive director's salary is determined annually by the full board using state and regional comparison data and recommendations provided by the personnel committee.”

“The organization makes its 990, 1023, governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“In 2022, BRLT DISPOSED OF a riverfront parcel of land for public recreational access and fisheries/habitat conservation on the East Fork of the Bitterroot River. The 12-acre East Fork Sula Fishing access site was sold to the Bitterroot National Forest and it will be developed in future years for public fishing, walking, and wildlife viewing. This asset was held directly for our programmatic conservation and recreational purposes. THE COST BASIS OF THIS LAND WAS $210,000 AND THE SALE RESULTED IN $158,650 OF GAIN TO BRLT. THE REMAINING $12,840 CONSIST OF REALIZED GAINS FROM SECURITIES SOLD WITHIN BRLT'S INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS.”

“The finance committee of the board has been designated by the board to perform the oversight function for the selection and the work performed by the independent accountants.”

“Conservation Easement Monitoring, Stewardship, and Land Management/Enhancement:The Stewardship program monitored all 53 of our conservation easements and fee land holdings in 2022. Additionally, stewardship staff worked with a local landowner to restore montane grassland habitats on their conservation easement for improved wildlife habitat. Conservation Education:In 2022, Bitter Root Land Trust continued building a lasting conservation legacy in the Bitterroot Valley by partnering with local families and our community to conserve important farm and ranchland, wildlife and fisheries habitat, scenic open space, and public recreational opportunities. These conservation victories protected over 2,028 acres from Illinois Bench to Conner and preserved a diverse suite of community and natural benefits, including prime agricultural soils, spawning grounds for native trout, winter habitat for elk and mule deer, and public access to the Bitterroot River. Bitter Root Land Trust staff secured and spent $2,683,750 from public and private sources to purchase conservation easements on three of these important properties, which payments were made directly to the landowners during closing and do not appear as revenue or expenses of BRLT on this 990. Further, BRLT continued to work closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Services Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to implement a $4.9 million grant designed to diversify agricultural conservation, support beginning farmers and ranchers, and increase the pace of farm and ranch conservation efforts in the Bitterroot. These RCPP funds will be used to purchase conservation easements from willing landowners through 2025, with the first projects set to close in 2023. As we do every year, staff monitored all 53 of our conservation easements in 2023. Bitter Root Land Trust again invested in conservation education programs to raise community awareness - among adults and students - of the importance of the Bitterroot Valleys water, wildlife, and working agricultural lands. 2022 was the first year after the COVID-19 pandemic that the Bitter Root Land Trust was able to resume its traditional conservation education activities. The Annual Barn Dance which connects community members to conserved spaces was held at the conserved Sutherlin Farms. The BRLT staff participated in farmers markets, a youth expo, and various other community events to further conservation educational opportunities for all ages.Conservation Project Work: Fishing and Recreational Access Projects:I. In 2022, Bitter Root Land Trust continued their partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Bitterroot National Forest to complete recreation infrastructure projects at C. Ben White Memorial Fishing Access Site and Trailhead located near Conner, MT. Through this partnership, a one-mile trail through state-held land to access the Bitterroot National Forest was completed. II. Bitter Root Land Trust continued to coordinate volunteer days with other nonprofits and the Hamilton High School at Skalkaho Bend Park to pull weeds at the park, improve signage for native plantings, and water the native plantings that had taken place the year before. Completed Conservation Projects: I. In June 2022, Bitter Root Land Trust completed the Haywire Flats conservation easement, a 258-acre working lands project located in the Burnt Fork. The Haywire Flats property was the last piece of the puzzle that created a 7,150-acre contiguous link of open land preserved by numerous landowners in the Burnt Fork neighborhood for wildlife, agriculture, and future generations that begins on the foothills of the Sapphire Mountains and runs to Logan Lane on the outskirts of Stevensville. Funding for the Haywire Flats conservation easement was provided by the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program and the Heart of the Rockies Keep it Connected program.II. In July 2022, Bitter Root Land Trust completed the 420-acre Triple D Ranch conservation ea”

“Of the $680,155 total in fixed assets, $615,000 consists of 160 Acres of land in ten parcels purchased by BRLT in 2022 for the Eastside Project. This land, which hosts a wide variety of wildlife and is prominently visible from the mid-valley, was likely to be converted to other uses prior to BRLT's acquisition. This asset is held directly for BRLT's programmatic conservation purposes.”