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 executive committee.”

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

“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.”

“Program Service Area 1: Conservation ProjectsBitter Root Land Trust partnered with local families and the community to preserve 969 acres in 2023. This included three new conservation easements that protected a diverse suite of community and natural benefits. Program Service Area 2: Conservation Easement Monitoring, Stewardship, and Land Management/EnhancementThe Stewardship program monitored all of our conservation easements and fee land holdings in 2023. The Stewardship Program partnered with three local landowners to complete enhancement projects on their properties, including a riparian zone restoration. Program Service Area 3: Conservation EducationIn 2023, 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 969 acres from Stevensville to Victor and preserved a diverse suite of community and natural benefits, including prime agricultural soils and habitat for elk and mule deer. Bitter Root Land Trust staff secured and spent $1,044,696 from public and private sources to purchase conservation easements on these important properties. These 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. We closed the first project utilizing this program in 2023, partnering with the Mills family to preserve 71 acres. As we do every year, staff monitored all of our conservation easements in 2023 along with our fee title property. 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. The Annual Barn Dance which connects community members to conserved spaces was held at the conserved Flying E Ranch in the Burnt Fork neighborhood of Stevensville. The BRLT staff participated in farmers markets, a youth expo, and various other community events to further conservation educational opportunities for all ages.Program Service Area 1: Conservation Project Work Fishing and Recreational Access Projects:I.In 2023 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, work began to install a pit toilet for use by recreators. Completed Conservation Projects: I.In February 2023, co-landowners and siblings Charlie and Sarah DeVoe in partnership with the Bitter Root Land Trust conserved their 820-acre property. A diverse landscape that showcases many favorite attributes of the Bitterroot Valley, the property features over 150 types of wildflowers, sagebrush shrublands and montane grasslands, forest, natural springs, the headwaters of two forks of Willoughby Creek, and riparian habitat all of which support local wildlife such as elk, mule deer, black bear, mountain lion, owls, Brewers sparrow, as well as the occasional wolverine and badger. Funding for the Haywire Flats conservation easement was provided by the Agricultural Land Easement Program of the Farm Bill and the Heart of the Rockies Keep it Connected program.II. In August 2023, Bitter Root Land Trust completed the 71-acre Mills conservation easement with Barry and Paulie Mills in Stevensville, MT. The property is primarily used for alfalfa”

“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.”