Chikaming Open Lands

“David eblen & victoria j. Herget - family relationship”

“The board of directors appoints the finance committee to oversee the preparation of the form 990. The committee reviews and revises drafts of the form. The completed form 990 is provided to all members of the board for examination prior to filing.”

“The board addresses the conflict of interest policy annually and will revise the policy on an interim basis if needed.”

“As documented in committee minutes, the executive committee determines compensation for all employees and provides a recommendation to the board of directors in the annual budget. Compensation for all employees is determined based on many factors, including but not limited to, performance, compensation data from the land trust alliance, heart of the lakes, and other non-profit organizations in michigan, the financial capability of the organization, and the budget recommendations of the executive director. The board of directors approves the recommended compensation for all employees in the annual budget as documented in meeting minutes.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, policies, and financial statements available to the public upon request. Audited financial statements are also posted on the organization's website.”

“In october 2018, chikaming open lands purchased approximately 49 acres of forest, fallow agricultural land, and wetland located in chikaming township, michigan, plus associated costs. The property, known as the chris thompson memorial preserve, is preserved for the benefit of the general public for ecological, recreational, and educational purposes. Chikaming open lands acquired approximately 109 acres of forest and agricultural land located in chikaming township, michigan. The property, known as the edward and elizabeth leonard wildlife preserve, was donated by elizabeth leonard rould in december 2018. The new nature preserve is protected for the benefit of the general public for ecological, recreational, and educational purposes. In december 2018, approximately 5 acres of forested wetland located in chikaming township and approximately 10 acres of wetland in the city of new buffalo were acquired by chikaming open lands in a transfer from southwest michigan land conservancy.”

“Chikaming open lands continued restoration efforts at its dayton wet prairie preserve, grand beach marsh preserve, and in the galien river marsh, including the sima marsh preserve. These restoration efforts focused on combatting invasive species such as phragmites, buckthorn, and purple loosestrife. The three sites are home to many state and federally-protected plant and animal species and management of the properties is focused on improving the ecological health of the preserves and improving habitat for the protected species and other wildlife. These efforts involved collaboration with several partners, both public and private, and received grant funding from the michigan department of natural resources (mdnr) and the u.s. Fish and wildlife service (usfws). The organization collaborated with several partners in a cooperative invasive species management area (cisma) with continued grant funding from mdnr. The focus of the cisma is to address issues associated with invasive species through outreach and education of the general public in a three county area of southwest michigan, as well as to monitor, identify, and implement control of invasive species in the area. The organization continued plans to add recreational and educational infrastructure, including parking areas, educational signage, and trail markers, in several nature preserves. These initiatives are expected to continue in 2019 and 2020.”

“Chikaming open lands expanded the mighty acorns program, a cooperative environmental education program with the field museum and local elementary schools, to a third school district with support from private foundations and other community groups such as the local rotary club. Chikaming open lands conducted a variety of community outreach and education events, including the well-received environmental film festival in partnership with fernwood botanical garden; guided hikes, kayaking, and canoe trips through its preserves; and several wildlife-themed events, such as a live owl encounter. Chikaming open lands participated in several local community events and programs, as well as giving presentations to local community groups on topics such as land conservation, invasive species identification and control, landscaping with native plants, and wetlands.”

“Change in beneficial interest held by community foundation -28,548.”

“No change in process from prior years.”