The Stewardship Network

“The Stewardship Networks 990 initial draft is reviewed for accuracy by our CEO and Finance Director. Any CEO approved proposed changes are made to our accountant. After the suggested changes have been incorporated, it is reviewed by the Chair of the Finance Committee who is a member of our Board of Directors. After approval by the Chair of the Finance Committee, the 990 is presented to the Board.”

“The Stewardship Network board members and employees annually sign the written conflict of interest policy and are required to disclose interests that could give rise of conflicts. We regularly and consistently monitor and enforce compliance with this policy through an annual review and discussion at board meetings and through the annual review of the policy and signing of the Conflict of Interest Policy certificate.”

“The Stewardship Network has researched and benchmarked compensation for the CEO against compensation studies by Guidestar, Association for Nature Center Administrators, and Nonprofit Enterprise At Work.”

“The Stewardship Network will research and benchmark compensation for other officers and key employees against compensation studies by Guidestar, Association for Nature Center Administrators, and Nonprofit Enterprise At Work when the organization determines that officers are to be paid or services are retained of an employee that meets the IRS definition of key employee.”

“The Stewardship Network makes its governing documents and conflict of interest policy available upon request. Financial statements are available to the public on our website.”

“2021 Successes The Stewardship Network TSN carries forward its mission and impact as part of an updated program service offering and continued collaborative ecological stewardship work. This work brings together like-purposed people and work across jurisdictional and property boundaries. TSNs Member Communities continued and expanded work on natural area restoration and stewardship, with complementing learning and engagement programs. TSN inspires local citizens to care for land and water in their community and supports regional coordinating leadership through our Member Community Program. This program offers operational support, leadership trainings, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.”

“The 2021 Stewardship Network Spring Challenge formerly the Garlic Mustard Challenge and the Spring Invasive Species Challenge, despite complications imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, logged successful engagement and connected participants from across the United States and Canada to care for natural areas in a collaborative conservation campaign. At the end of the 2021 Challenge, 807 individuals removed 25,510 pounds of invasive species, improving the ecological health of important landscapes. Furthermore, the 2021 Challenge marks an impressive economic impact volunteers reported 3,733 hours of donated time in the field, creating an enormous benefit to local governments, organizations, and private landowners. The 2021 value of volunteer, which is updated annually by the Independent Sector, was 28.54 per hour, providing a benchmark for the Challenges 100,000 volunteer economic impact. Ultimately, the 2021 Challenge connected ecological stewards across the United States and Canada, elevated enthusiasm for caring for natural areas, and also provided a snapshot of the immense impact that seemingly little actions can make when many people pull together for the health and preservation of natural areas. The Stewardship Networks monthly webcasts continued to grow in popularity in 2021, attended by natural areas professionals, researchers, students, volunteers, and landowners from around the world. In 2021, attendees were able to engage with presenters and new information in real time. Presentations included a range of topics including invasive species control, natural resource legislation changes, and best practices for natural areas management. Webcast recordings and additional information are available to the public on The Stewardship Network website. The 2021 Nature Photography Competition NPC pulled together a stunning variety of nature photographs from around the world. Logging 1850 entries from 6 continents, the 2021 NPC engaged and inspired supporters to observe, document, and photograph the natural world. The winning submission came from Poland and the results can be viewed online https//www.stewardshipnetwork.org/npc/.”

“Contractual services for various program services 177,676 Payroll service fees 191”