conservation lands foundation 2014 annual report

2014ANNUAL REPORT

2 CONSERVATION LANDS FOUNDATION

CECIL D. ANDRUSGovernor of Idaho (1971-1977 and 1987-1995)Secretary of the Interior (1977-1981)

BRUCE BABBITTGovernor of Arizona (1978-1987)Secretary of the Interior (1993-2001)

ELAINE BRONGFounding Director, National Conservation Lands (2000-2002); Oregon State Director, Bureau of Land Management (2002-2006)

TIFFANY CLAYVice President, TPG Biotech

DAYTON DUNCANWriter and Documentary Filmmaker

MICHAEL KOWALSKIChairman and CEO, Tiffany & Co.

ALEX LASKEYPresident and Co-Founder, Opower

MOLLY MCUSICPresident, The Wyss Foundation

WILLIAM MEADOWSFormer President, The Wilderness Society

RICHARD MOEPresident Emeritus, National Trust for Historic Preservation

GREG MOOREPresident and CEO, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

EDWARD H. NORTONActor, Filmmaker and Conservationist

EDWARD M. NORTONChairman, Conservation Lands FoundationSenior Advisor, TPG Capital

LUTHER PROPSTConsultant, Luther Propst Consulting

PETER ROSEManaging Director for Public Affairs, The Blackstone Group

ANNE SHIELDSFormer Chief of Staff, Department of the Interior

JENNIFER SPEERSConservationistChair, The Nature Conservancy-Utah Chapter

DOUGLAS W. WALKEREntrepreneur; Chairman, The Wilderness Society

DOUGLAS P. WHEELERPartner, Hogan Lovells, LLP

ROB WHITEChairman, National Trust Community Investment Corporation

HANSJÖRG WYSSChairman, The Wyss Foundation

ELAINE ZIELINSKIArizona State Director, Bureau of Land Management (1993-2001)

THE NATIONAL CONSERVATION30 MILLION ACRES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2014 ANNUAL REPORT 3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRIAN O’DONNELL

Our top five Dear Friends,

There are many accomplishments that helped make 2014 our best year yet – a few top highlights include:

None of these achievements would be possible without the steadfast support of our generous donors, the hard work of our talented staff and the inspiring leadership of our dedicated Board of Directors. Read on to learn more about our successes and how we’re positioned for even greater opportunities in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

1 We helped permanently protect 496,330 acres of incredible lands - including wildlife habitat, cultural sites and recreational opportunities - with the designation of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument near Las Cruces, New Mexico.

For the first time, the California Coastal National Monument was expanded on-shore, protecting 12 miles of rare, undeveloped coastline with the addition of the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands.

Our Friends Grassroots Network – now 58 groups in 12 states – is more resilient and effective than ever, coming together to advance strong conservation policies and to ensure consistent on-the-ground management of our National Conservation Lands.

Visitors to National Conservation Lands units across the country will see a new common visual identity on all maps, brochures and signage – a proud branding partnership that the Bureau of Land Management is fully embracing.

We put teams of youth and veteran corps to work on the ground in Colorado and California to rebuild trails, restore riverbanks and repair wildlife corridors so we can all enjoy better access to our public lands.

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Our nation’s newest collection of protected public lands and waters, the National Conservation Lands stand proudly alongside our National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges as guardians of our nation’s rich and diverse outdoor heritage.

Founded in 2007, the Conservation Lands Foundation has a mission to protect, restore and expand the National Conservation Lands through education, advocacy and partnerships.

LANDS AND GROWING

20 NATIONAL MONUMENTS

21 NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREASand similar designations

21.5 MILLION ACRESof Wilderness & Wilderness Study Areas

2,423 MILESof Wild & Scenic Rivers

5,761 MILESof National Scenic & Historic Trails

877 LOCATIONS


PUBLIC LANDS ARE FOR EVERYONE

“We have an opportunity here to not only support the community’s vision to conserve this land, but also to create a world-class destination for outdoor recreation and the study of coastal resources, and to strengthen the local economies.”

—Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, at the Point Arena – Stornetta Public Lands

expansion ceremony

NATIONAL MONUMENTS ARE FOR ALL OF US – honoring our rich history, protecting open spaces and ensuring abundant wildlife, clean water and opportunities to explore for all Americans. Since 2011, we have been leading community-based campaigns across the West to build the local and national support needed for the Obama Administration to take action to permanently protect our most ecologically and culturally important lands. In 2014, President Obama used the Antiquities Act more boldly than ever before, adding 800,000 acres of iconic public lands in California and New Mexico to the National Conservation Lands. With these monumental achievements, we have set a course for even bigger conservation victories in next two years.

POINT ARENA – STORNETTA PUBLIC LANDSFirst on-shore addition to the California Coastal National MonumentMarch 11, 2014 | 1,665 acres

The designation of the Point Arena – Stornetta Public Lands, just a short drive from northern California population centers, protects open space and recreational opportunities for millions of nearby residents while safeguarding the estuary of the Garcia River, which provides critical habitat for migratory waterfowl, coho and Chinook salmon and many endangered and threatened wildlife species. As part of the California Coastal National Monument, the designation also ensures that traditional uses will continue.

2014 VICTORIES

ANTIQUITIES ACT For over a century, Presidents have used their authority under the Antiquities Act to conserve our most important scenic and historical sites, protecting the wildlife habitat, sacred places and pioneering spirit that define our outdoor heritage. Since 2012, President Obama has used the Antiquities Act 13 times, preserving over 1 million acres of America’s history and open spaces.

BOB WICK


In recognition of our leading role in the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument campaign, the White House sent the Conservation Lands Foundation one of the pens the President used to sign the monument proclamation and invited Brian O’Donnell to speak at the designation ceremony.

ORGAN MOUNTAINS – DESERT PEAKS NATIONAL MONUMENTMay 21, 2014 | 496,330 acres

At just shy of a half-million acres, the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument marked the President’s largest landscape-level monument designation. Championed by a broad coalition of community members, tribal leaders, sportsmen and women, businesses and nonprofit organizations, the campaign overcame challengers – making it the President’s boldest designation as well.

Natural wonders like the peaks of the Organ Needles and the petroglyph-lined canyons of the Sierra de las Uvas Mountains define this spectacular New Mexico landscape, which is also home to thousands of cultural and historic sites used by well-known historical figures and events including Billy the Kid, Geronimo and the Apollo Space Program.

“I am not finished… I’m searching for more opportunities to preserve federal lands where communities are speaking up. Wherever I see an opening to get things done for the American people, I’m going to take it.”

—President Obama at the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument designation

“The Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument would not exist without the Conservation Lands Foundation. Their expertise, resources and support played a paramount role in preserving this iconic landscape for future generations.”

—Ben Gabriel, Executive Director,Friends of Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks

Strong local support from a coalition of businesses, educators, elected officials, scientists and residents is critical for any national monument designation. Our Friends Grassroots Network partner, the Friends of Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks, spearheaded the on-the-ground campaign to organize and rally the local support needed to inspire the President use his executive authority to protect this incredible region—known for its biodiversity, cultural and historic sites and recreational opportunities—for all Americans, and for generations to come.

FRIENDS OF ORGAN MOUNTAINS – DESERT PEAKS

WAYNE SUGGS WAYNE SUGGS LISA MANDELKERN

BOB WICK


CONSERVATION STARTS WITH COMMUNITY. At the heart of every protected landscape, policy advancement and restoration project is a passionate group of citizen advocates who lead the on-the-ground efforts to protect, restore and expand the National Conservation Lands.

The Conservation Lands Foundation builds and strengthens these community-based groups, which collectively make up our Friends Grassroots Network. Every day, we work hand-in-hand with our local partners to provide training, coaching and networking opportunities that foster organizational resiliency, strengthen advocacy, amplify communications and build a stable base of future conservation leaders.

Our Friends Grassroots Network – 58 groups in 12 states across the West and Florida – has never been stronger or better positioned to tackle the conservation challenges and opportunities ahead. Where individually, each group’s voice is only so loud, together, they marshal their collective influence to advocate for new designations and advance strong conservation management policies and practices.

We empowered diverse stakeholder groups, including Network partners, sportsmen, tribal

leaders and elected officials to show broad support for expansion of the National Conservation Lands, resulting in one national monument expansion and the President’s biggest and boldest national monument designation to date.

We teamed up with youth, veterans and corporations to restore the National Conservation Lands, repairing 10 miles of trails in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto

Mountains National Monument and restoring 25 miles of native vegetation on the banks of the Colorado River in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, enhancing wildlife habitat and improving recreation access for tens of thousands of visitors.

We inspired Network groups to share successes, challenges and develop solutions together –

fostering new and deeper interactions among our partners through regular Network communications and engagement.

TYLER ROEMER

IN 2014,

ADVOCATES ON THE GROUND


FORT ORD PUBLIC LANDS DAYEvery fall, Friends Grassroots Network groups partner with local Bureau of Land Management offices to hold service projects and community events in celebration of National Public Lands Day.

This year, we teamed up with FORT Friends and local utility provider, Pacific Gas & Electric, to mobilize over 100 volunteers to plant native trees and plants, maintain trails, collect seeds, pick up litter and remove invasive species in Fort Ord National Monument – all to give back to our National Conservation Lands.

“I visit Fort Ord National Monument almost every day, logging over 60 miles of trail runs each week. I am inspired by our community’s passion for conserving our storied military history, protecting our diverse wildlife habitat and ensuring hundreds of miles of recreational opportunities for hikers, bikers, equestrians and runners like me.”

—Eric Palmer, FORT Friends Board of DirectorsU

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PARTNERS IN ACTION

OUR INVESTMENT We provide direct support to Friends Grassroots Network groups to strengthen organizations and build effective leaders so they can mobilize members, advance expansion campaigns and advocate for strong management policies for the National Conservation Lands.

This year, we granted $1 million (the most ever!) to 29 Friends Grassroots Network groups in nine states. Collectively, the

Friends Grassroots Network raised over $2 million to support their work to protect and steward the National Conservation Lands.

The California-based organizations in our Friends Grassroots Network reached out to their local communities to amass an

astounding 200,000 hours of volunteer work on the National Conservation Lands - a value of more than $4.5 million!

Top-notch leadership paired with training and mentoring support from the Conservation Lands Foundation helped the Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument increase their

fundraising success from $12,000 in 2010 to $190,000 in 2014 – a 16-fold increase in just four years!

ERIC PALMER BOB WICK BOB WICK


STRONG MANAGEMENT PROTECTED LANDSEstablished in 2000, the National Conservation Lands are our nation’s newest collection of protected public lands as well as the most vulnerable to threats, including vandalism, looting and damage from off-road vehicles. Since our founding, we’ve worked to define a vision for how the National Conservation Lands should be managed, upholding strong system-wide conservation management standards while clearly outlining which activities are compatible with conservation for each protected landscape. Together with our Friends Grassroots Network partners, we are ensuring that new additions to the National Conservation Lands meet high conservation standards and that conservation of habitat, wildlife and cultural resources continues to be a top priority for the Bureau of Land Management.

In 2014, our coalition of conservation advocates, including sportsmen groups, tribal leaders, elected officials, local businesses and community members exercised their collective voice to advance important conservation policy issues, including:

Stopping development of a a major power transmission line in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, which would have undermined the

Bureau of Land Management’s new rights-of-way avoidance policy for National Conservation Areas.

Successfully advocating to remove lands with sensitive cultural and historical resources from a planned Bureau of

Land Management oil and gas lease sale in the Cedar Mesa region of southeastern Utah.

Coming together to advocate for increased funding for the National Conservation Lands by sharing examples of how

consolidation, turnover and budget cuts are affecting on-the-ground management of the National Conservation Lands.

TYLER ROEMER


ALASKA’S WESTERN ARCTICAt 23 million acres, the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (Reserve) is our nation’s largest parcel of public land, providing critical habitat for the 400,000-member Western Arctic caribou herd, the Arctic’s largest density of grizzly bears, migratory birds from all corners of the Earth, beluga whales, polar bears and many other important wildlife species. Generations of Alaska Natives have depended on these lands for the subsistence hunting and gathering that defines their culture – a way of life that is increasingly threatened by oil and gas development.

In a year when the Bureau of Land Management finalized permitting for the Reserve’s first oil and gas development project, we are leading a coalition of conservation groups, sportsmen, scientists, Alaska Natives and community members to define what responsible oil and gas development should look like on lands available for leasing while advocating for long-term protection of the Reserve’s 11 million acres of Special Areas. In August, we explored the Western Arctic’s Etivluk River with a group of allies, including donors and a documentary film producer, to get a first-hand look at what makes this landscape so special, what’s at stake and why these lands, rivers and subsistence values are worth protecting.

“I’ve been to a lot of places in the world, but without exception, this is the most incredible wilderness experience I have ever had. Spectacularly rich in wildlife – caribou, birds, grizzly bears – this is worth protecting.”

—Ed Norton, Chairman, Conservation Lands Foundation

In order to inspire public recognition and support for the National Conservation Lands, we’ve partnered with the The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and the Bureau of Land Management to develop a visual identity that unites this collection of protected public lands. As a result of our partnership, the Bureau of Land Management has not only adopted a new “look and feel” for the National Conservation Lands that presents a consistent, recognizable

identity to the public, it has committed significant funding to implement new signage and print materials across all 41 major units of the National Conservation Lands.

RON HUNTER

INSPIRING AWARENESS

DAVE TIMKO

DAVE TIMKO RON HUNTER

JENNIFER BASSIGNANI


Statement of financial position as of December 31, 2014. Copies of the complete audited financial statements are available at www.ConservationLands.org or by contacting us at [email protected].

2014 NUMBERS

BALANCE SHEET

REVENUE EXPENSES PROGRAM EXPENSES

ASSETS

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

TOTAL LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS Unrestricted General Operating Board-designated Reserve

Total Unrestricted Total Temporarily RestrictedTOTAL NET ASSETS

TOTAL NET ASSETS AND LIABILITIES TYLER ROEMER

$7,555,315

98,772

2,965,020 3,000,000

5,965,0201,491,5237,456,543

$7,555,315


THANK YOU TO OUR DONORSIn 2013, we launched a 4-year, $20 million Campaign for the National Conservation Lands to ensure that our programs, and the people who drive them, are positioned for success over the long haul, including building a Board-designated Reserve totalling $4 million.

In Year 2 of the campaign we secured $6.6 million in contributions and pledges, reaching 57% of our campaign goal. Additionally, we added $1.5 million to our Board-designated Reserve, bringing it to $3 million.

We gratefully acknowledge these generous individuals, foundations, corporations and agencies whose gifts, pledges and in-kind services were received in 2014.

BOB WICK LISA MANDELKERN JOHN FIELDER

$100,000+Anonymous (1)S.D. Bechtel, Jr. FoundationThe William and Flora Hewlett FoundationKowalski Family FoundationRachel Farbiarz and Alex Laskey*New Venture FundShauna Robertson and Edward H. Norton*PatagoniaResources Legacy FundJennifer Speers*The Tiffany & Co. FoundationThe Wyss Foundation

$10,000 - $99,999Bureau of Land ManagementVirginia Wellington Cabot FoundationCampion FoundationBarbara and Bertram CohnThe Conservation AllianceDianne and Dayton Duncan*eBay IncEdison InternationalEmmett FoundationSamuel Freeman Charitable TrustGoldman, Sachs & Co. directed by Tracy WolstencroftThe Henry S. and Patrice Hemingway FoundationThe Jim and Robin Herrnstein FoundationHogan Lovells

Elizabeth G. Maughan Charitable FoundationSally Brooks Meadows and William Meadows*Julia and Richard Moe*Ann McBride Norton and Edward M. Norton*Arthur OrtenbergThe Robert P. Rotella FoundationRBC Blue Water ProjectAnne and Mark Shields*George B. Storer FoundationTortuga FoundationMaggie and Douglas WalkerConnie and Rob White*Wilburforce FoundationWyss Charitable Endowment directed by Edward M. Norton

$1,000 - $9,999Rennie and Kai AndersonHattie and Bruce BabbittAnthony BarronTeresa BeckElaine and Chris Brong*Barbara and David ChurchillTiffany Clay*Tim and Candace DeeMonica Lopez and Sameer GandhiDanielle Sandstedt and Jeremy Garncarz Philip S. Harper Foundation directed by Kerry Lamar Wrisley

John LeshyMary and Robert LittermanAnn and Michael LoebNancy Peterson and Greg Moore*Melyssa Watson and Brian O’DonnellOsprey PacksThe David and Lucile Packard Foundation directed by William ReillyPacific Gas and Electric CompanyElizabeth Storer and Luther Propst*Sally and Tom ReeveElizabeth and William ReillyAlicia Kershaw and Peter RoseMolly McUsic and Thomas RosshirtThe Jim and Patty Rouse Charitable Foundation directed by Jim NortonThe Jim and Patty Rouse Charitable Foundation directed by Molly NortonLinda and Arnold SpellunJack StephensonCarrie Sandstedt and John WallinHeather and Douglas WheelerElaine and William Zielinski*

*We thank these donors for their multi-year pledges to the Campaign for theNational Conservation Lands.

CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

$20M

$15M

$10M

$5M

$0

2013$4.7M

2014$6.6M

$11.3M


The National Conservation Lands encompass 30 million acres and 2,400 river miles of National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic and Historic Trails and other special designations. As the only organization in the country dedicated solely to their protection, our mission is to protect, restore and expand these lands through education, advocacy and partnerships.

FRONT COVER ORGAN MOUNTAINS: MIKE GROVESWOMAN: CHARLOTTE OVERBY

BIGHORN SHEEP: BOB WICKBLUE FLOWER: LISA MANDELKERN

BACK COVER: BOB WICK

835 E. 2nd Ave., Suite 314Durango, CO 81301(970) 247-0807 [email protected]

/ ConservationLands

@ConservationLF

conservation lands foundation 2014 annual report

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