Western Sustainability Exchange

“The form 990 is reviewed by the executive director and by members of the board of directors.”

“The board of directors annually reviews compliance with the policy.”

“The board of directors reviews the compensation of the executive director every year. The last review was in 2020. The next review scheduled will be in 2021.”

“The executive director evaluates all the staff and uses comparable data to establish compensation levels”

“Governing documents, conflicts of interest policy, tax returns and financial statements are available in the organization's office.”

“UPON REQUEST”

“Advancing sustainability in the western area of the united states through a series of programs and activities designed to promote better ranching and farming practices.a strong focus is to improve the direct link between local food producers and local consumers, including restaurants.”

“Since 1994, wse had advanced sustainable practices in the northern rockies. These practices improve soil health and ecosystem function as well as protect open space, wildlife, and farm and ranchlands.based in livingston, montana, wse is deeply committed to the people, the culture, the communities, and the breathtaking landscapes of montana and the northern rockies. We want future generations to thrive in this remarkable place and be good stewards of the region's resources so that those who follow will benefit from the quality of life we enjoy today. Wse works with farmers and ranchers to use regenerative agricultural practices that protect the environment, increase productivity, and decrease operational costs. To reward exceptional stewardship, wse connects these producers to lucrative markets for their products. Wse has provided educational workshops to over 1,500 ranchers on regenerative practices. Our programs have reduced contamination of ground and surface waters, improved soil health, and incresed biodiversity. In 2020, we provided technical assistance to 28 ranchers. We have documented that regenerative practices are being used successfully on a minimum of 1.6 million acres across montana. Ranchers who effectively use regenerative practices qualify to receive wse's help accessing markets, particularly opportunities provided by the growing voluntary market for carbon. Wse's montana grasslands carbon program uses regnerative grazing practices to improve soil health and plant vigor, which increases the ability of plants to photosynthesize. Photosynthesis draws dangerous carbon dioxide out of the air and sequesters the carbon deep underground. The program leverages carbon offset payments to ranchers based on the amount of carbon they sequester on their operations. Currently four ranch families, representing 34,000 acres, have signed 30- year contracts to keep the land in grazing and use regenerative methods proven to increase soil carbon levels. Four more ranch families (representing an additional 63,000 acres) have begun the complex enrollment process required before signing contracts. To ensure the carbon is successfully recaptured, wse implements a rigorous soil sampling program that measures baseline levels of soil carbon and other plant and soil health indicators. We sampled 276 sites on 22 ranches across montana. To increase park county's accesss to local food and bolster its economy, wse operated the livingston farmers market for 35 farmers and ranchers and an additional 70 artisans and prepared food vendors every wednesday throughout the summer. We also provided 82 low-income seniors with 50 vouchers, provided threough the federal senior farmers market nutrition program, so that senior citizens could buy honey, fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at the market. We also implemented a proxy shopper program for seniors who could not attend the market for fear of covid or other health reasons. Lastly wse has received national recognition for our groundbreaking work by receiving the shift sustainability award and the quivira coalitions' distinguished clarence burch award.”

“Consultants 15,301 1,463 20 technology 3,804 755 0 consultant - carbon sequestra 31,770 0 0 accounting & bookkeeping 0 4,819 0 consultant - communications 20,501 0 0 workshop speakers 6,750 0 0 consultants - soil sampling 33,050 0 0 software consulting 0 7,776 0 software & supplies 3,601 0 0 total 114,777 14,813 20”