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.”

“On february 8, 2021, chikaming open lands purchased approximately 40 acres of undeveloped, forested land in chikaming township, michigan, for $200,000 plus associated costs. The property is known as sugarwood forest preserve and is preserved for the benefit of the general public for ecological, recreational, and educational purposes. On october 14, 2021, chikaming open lands purchased approximately 14 acres of undeveloped, forested wetland in chikaming township, michigan for $1,375,000 plus associated costs. The property is contiguous with the organization's harbert woods preserve expanding the preserve to 19 acres. The property is preserved for the benefit of the general public for ecological, recreational, and educational purposes. On december 16, 2021, chikaming open lands accepted the donation of approximately 27 acres of undeveloped, forested land in new buffalo township, michigan. The property is known as castle keep preserve and is preserved for the benefit of the general public for ecological, recreational, and educational purposes.”

“Chikaming open lands continued work on several habitat restoration projects in 2021. These projects include prairie restoration, forest restoration, and invasive species control the organization completed and opened new hiking trails in three preserves and now has hiking trails in twelve preserves open to the public. To improve public access, chikaming open lands began construction of parking areas in three preserves. Construction was substantially completed at two sites, with the third postponed to spring 2022. All three lots are expected to be open in spring 2022. The organization continued to collaborate with several partners in a cooperative invasive species management area (cisma) with continued grant funding from mdnr. The focus of the cisma is 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.”

“After postponing, cancelling, or downsizing many programs in 2020 due to the pandemic, in 2021, chikaming open lands was able to again offer a wide variety of programs and events throughout the year. Chikaming open lands hosted its popular #10trail challenge hiking program in july, with over 350 participants taking part. After a hiatus during the pandemic, the mighty acorns environmental educational program restarted in fall 2021. The variety of outreach programs were well-received and popular, generally reaching the maximum number of participants (programs were generally limited to 15-20 participants).”

“Change in beneficial interest held by community foundation 24,215.”

“No change in process from prior years.”