Ruby Habitat Foundation

“Officer, director, etc. Family relationship (part vi, line 2) four of the ten voting board members are members of the woodson family, which is the founder and largest single donor to ruby habitat foundation. These family members are martha woodson, leslie vanderpool, robin mitts, and lisa matthews. They have an equal vote with other board members.”

“Martha woodson leslie vanderpool director director family martha woodson robin mitts director director family martha woodson lisa matthews director director family”

“Management of the foundation in 2021 was contracted with ranch resources inc. A total of 206,027 was paid for these services. There are no related parties who own ranch resources inc. The executive director of rhf receives compensation in the form of a consulting contract from ranch resources inc to his wholly-owned corporation ranch management inc. The amount for 2021 was 49,540.”

“The montana land reliance is the sole member of ruby habitat foundation.”

“Pursuant to the bylaws, montana land reliance has the right to elect members to the board of directors of ruby habitat foundation but shall not hold a majority of the board seats.”

“The montana land reliance is the sole member of ruby habitat foundation. It reserves the right to approve a number of actions set forth in the ruby habitat foundation bylaws, and to elect or remove, members of the board of directors.”

“A draft of form 990 is prepared by an outside accounting firm and the executive director submits information and reviews the draft before a final draft version is emailed to all board members for their review and input. All comments and questions are addressed before a final return is prepared and filed.”

“The ruby habitat foundation board of directors adopted a conflict of interest policy on may 7, 2007. This policy requires any director to immediately disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest on any matter that is before the board of directors and prohibits that director from either voting or even discussing the issue. All directors must acknowledge in writing their agreement with this policy, and all actions under this policy are documented in the minutes of the board.”

“At this time, there is no direct compensation of the executive director and there are no other paid positions. Management is conducted by an outside consulting firm, ranch resources inc. The management contract is negotiated and approved by the foundation board, and all invoices are reviewed and approved for payment. The fees for services provided are compared to rates by similar companies. The executive director of rhf owns ranch management inc which receives consulting fees from ranch resources inc.”

“There is no compensation for officers or key employees. All serve as volunteers without pay or benefits. Director lois delger-demars is employed by the montana land reliance, the supported organization, and retired at the end of 2021. Her compensation is disclosed on part vii line 11.”

“All governing documents are available upon request at the offices of ruby habitat foundation in sheridan, mt. The annual report is submitted to all donors of the foundation, past and present, and contains contact information regarding the foundation. The foundation has a website at rubyhabitat.org, but the 990 is not available there at this time but plans are to include it in the future. The 990 is available for public inspection via irs and montana filings.”

“In january 2011, the craig woodson endowment was funded with the transfer of ranch and personal property from the estate of craig woodson. With the transfer of these assets, the management and operation of the woodson ranch now belongs to the ruby habitat foundation. Consistent with the mission and goals of the foundation, we have continued to operate the ranch for agricultural purposes, while at the same time providing for wildlife habitat and community recreational opportunities.”

“Practical research and demonstration projects continue on the property to demonstrate economic viability, agricultural sustainability and the coexistence of agricultural operations and wildlife values. Innovative practices are conducted, such as the planting and maintenance of a soil health project to compare traditional tillage practices with no-till practices for a variety of plant communities and their affect on long-term soil health. A fertilizer trial was conducted on a small parcel to compare the effect of commercial fertilizer to organic microbial additives and a control plot with no fertilizer. We are also working on the development of pollinator plots and the creation of perennial wildlife food plots. A variety of wetland enhancements have been undertaken to improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat. We have initiated the establishment of a demonstration apple orchard using multiple heritage apple varieties.”

“The clear creek restoration project was started in 2017. This extensive multi-year wetland enhancement, water conservation and stream restoration project has been undertaken to improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat along the banks and adjacent to clear creek on the rhf property. A usda wetland reserve easement and new water saving irrigation infrastructure were put in place through the project. The project was completed in 2021 and total cost was 917,111.”