2023-05-22T11:59:47-05:00 2022-12-31 390758449 WIPFLI LLP 4949 HARRISON AVENUE SUITE 300 ROCKFORD IL 61108 990 2022-01-01 362478025 NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE NATU 8159646666 320 SOUTH THIRD STREET ROCKFORD IL 61104 PAUL BAITS PRESIDENT 8159646666 2023-05-15 1 PAUL BAITS 999009999 1 DAVID R SCHROEPFER P00171692 8153997700 2023-05-15 2 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z KERRY LEIGH 320 SOUTH THIRD STREET ROCKFORD IL 61104 1346054 0 X WWW.NATURALLAND.ORG X 1958 IL THE NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PRESERVING NATURAL LAND. 16 16 9 271 0 0 3443687 1051899 121150 37308 1145727 54886 31379 59281 4741943 1203374 0 0 0 0 383024 391970 0 0 12649 475936 692919 858960 1084889 3882983 118485 19906830 18758522 696221 619369 19210609 18139153 X THE MISSION OF THE NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE IS TO CREATE AN ENDURING LEGACY OF NATURAL LAND IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOR PEOPLE, PLANTS AND ANIMALS. 0 0 283701 0 10370 LAND PRESERVATION - PROTECT NATURAL AREAS THROUGH ACQUISITION OR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. BROTHERS JOHN AND ROBERT CARLETON HAVE HAD CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS (OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CONSERVATION EASEMENTS) ON A PORTION OF THEIR LAND SINCE 2006. IN 2022, WITH A GRANT FROM THE ILLINOIS CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE REMAINDER OF THEIR LAND INTO CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS NEXT TO NLI'S CONKLIN PRESERVE WHICH NOW PROTECTS 380 ACRES OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF THE PECATONICA RIVER FLOODPLAIN FOREST. THIS 380 ACRES IS ALSO PART OF A MUCH LARGER COMPLEX ALONG THE RIVER OF BIRD AND ANIMAL HABITAT. IT IS PART OF AN AREA KNOWN TO HOUSE SEVEN THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. THERE ARE LIKELY MANY OTHER SPECIES OF CONCERN THAT UTILIZE THIS IMPORTANT HABITAT CORRIDOR. THE PECATONICA RIVER CORRIDOR MAKES FOR SOME OF THE BEST WILD BIRD HABITAT IN THE COUNTY AND IS HOME TO OVER 100 SPECIES OF BIRDS. PROTECTING LAND WITHIN THIS IMPORTANT RIVER CORRIDOR HAS BEEN A PRIORITY, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE CARLETON'S FOR THEIR VISION THAT PRESERVES OUR CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, AND HOLDS FLOODWATERS AND CARBON IN THE SOIL. JOHN AND HIS BROTHER ROBERT WILL CONTINUE RESTORING FOREST HEALTH TO RELEASE DESIRABLE TREES FROM BEING CHOKED OUT BY INVASIVE SPECIES, AND FOR GROWTH AND REGENERATION OF BUR OAK, PIN OAK, POST OAK, BITTERNUT HICKORY, SYCAMORE, AND RIVER BIRCH AND ALL THE CREATURES THAT THEY SUPPORT.FOR 14 YEARS NLI AND HAS OWNED AND MANAGED MILAN BOTTOMS, A 94-ACRE FLOODPLAIN FOREST WITH ACCESS TO THE BACKWATERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. MILAN BOTTOMS IS A LARGE, BIOLOGICALLY RICH FLOODPLAIN FOREST AREA IN ROCK ISLAND COUNTY. THE SITE BOASTS HABITAT FOR SEVERAL ILLINOIS LISTED SPECIES, WHERE BALD EAGLES LIVE AND THRIVE. IT ALSO CONTAINS DIVERSE WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS IMPORTANT TO MIGRATORY WATERFOWL AND WILDLIFE SPECIES. IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF A LARGE NATURAL AREA COMPLEX OF 3,500 ACRES OWNED BY SEVERAL AGENCIES INCLUDING THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE AND THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. THE ILLINOIS DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES PURCHASED THIS PRESERVE FROM NLI WITH A DEED RESTRICTION TO PROTECT IT IN PERPETUITY. WE ARE USING THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE PARTIALLY TO INVEST IN OUR LANDS OWNED STEWARDSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND AND PARTIALLY TO FUND FUTURE ACQUISITIONS.NLI CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR THE PROTECTION OF BELL BOWL PRAIRIE, LOCATED AT THE CHICAGO ROCKFORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. AIRPORT EXPANSION PLANS INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS PRAIRIE, A PORTION OF WHICH IS AN ILLINOIS NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY SITE (INAI) THAT HAS NOT ONLY HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE TO ROCKFORD FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF CAMP GRANT AND THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS, BUT HOSTS A SIGNIFICANT NATURAL DRY GRAVEL PRAIRIE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. IT IS ONE OF THE FEW OF THESE LEFT IN ILLINOIS AND MANY MIGRATORY BIRDS REST THERE ON THEIR JOURNEY, ATTRACTING BIRDERS FROM ACROSS THE MIDWEST. NLI'S FOUNDER, GEORGE B. FELL, FOUGHT TO PROTECT THIS PIECE OF OUR HISTORIC ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE AND AT ONE TIME SAVED IT FROM THE BULLDOZERS. THE ENTIRE PRAIRIE WAS 25 ACRES, WITH 4.88 ACRES LISTED AS THE INAI. THE NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE AND ITS MANY PARTNERS HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF STEWARDING THE BELL BOWL PRAIRIE. IN 2021, THE RUSTY PATCHED BUMBLE BEE, A FEDERALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES, WAS OBSERVED ON THE PRAIRIE. NLI PARTICIPATED IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE IDNR AND THE ILLINOIS ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION BOARD. NLI HOPES THE CONSULTATION PROCESS LEADS TO WORKING WITH ALL PARTIES TO ALTER THE FOOTPRINT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND BELL BOWL PRAIRIE CAN BE SAVED. 163000 0 5958 NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE - RESTORATION OF 721-ACRE PRESERVE AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE ROCK AND PECATONICA RIVERS. WATER CONTROL PROJECTS AT THE NYGREN WETLAND: THANK YOU TO OUR MANY FUNDERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THESE TWO PROJECTS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. WE HAVE BEEN BUSY BEHIND THE SCENES WORKING TO GET THE PROJECTS DONE. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE WERE ABLE TO ENGAGE MCMAHON ENGINEERS TO PREPARE THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN. WE THEN USED THIS PRELIMINARY DESIGN TO APPROACH THE LOCAL NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) OFFICE TO GET PERMISSION TO DO THE PROJECT. WE NEEDED THEIR PERMISSION BECAUSE WE HAVE A WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM (WRP) EASEMENT FROM THEM ON THE PRESERVE. THE DESIGN OF THE LARGER PROJECT IS CONFIGURED TO GIVE US MAXIMUM CONTROL OVER MANAGING THE WATER FOR OPTIMUM HABITAT CONDITIONS FOR THE BIRDS AND OTHER CREATURES IN THE WETLAND. OUR ENGINEERS THEN PREPARED A JOINT PERMIT APPLICATION THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE. THIS PERMIT IS CURRENTLY IN REVIEW WHILE THE ENGINEERS COMPLETE THE FINAL DESIGN. FAMILY NATURE ADVENTURES WAS HELD AT NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE IN ROCKTON ON JUNE 25. INVITING FAMILIES TO PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF TOPICS GAVE THEM A CHANCE TO DISCOVER NATURE IN A PERSONAL WAY AS THEY EXAMINED THINGS LIKE ACORNS AND LEAVES AT THE WOODLANDS STATION, BIRCH BASKETS (AND LEARNED HOW NATIVE AMERICANS USED THEM), CRAYFISH AND WATER BUGS AT THE WETLANDS STATION, OR PETTED A COYOTE PELT FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE MAMMALS STATION, LEARNED HOW TO DRAW BIRDS AND HOW TO WRITE ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL WHILE EXPLORING OUTSIDE. THESE AND SO MANY OTHER EXPERIENCES BROUGHT JOY TO THE FACES OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE EIGHTH ANNUAL FAMILY NATURE EVENT. FAMILY NATURE ADVENTURES INSPIRES THE NEXT GENERATION TO PROTECT THE NATURAL WORLD. LEARNING TO UNDERSTAND NATURE AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH IT WILL LEAD TO WANTING TO PROTECT IT. THIS EVENT IS SUPPORTED BY GRANTS FROM THE BRUBAKER CHARITABLE TRUST, GRAND VICTORIA FOUNDATION, THE DR. COURTNEY J. AND MARGARET HUTCHINS HAMLIN FAMILY FUND OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS, KIWANIS CLUB OF ROCKFORD AND AN ACTION GRANT FROM ROCKFORD AREA ARTS COUNCIL. PARTY ON THE PRAIRIE RETURNED THIS SUMMER AFTER A THREE-YEAR HIATUS. THE JULY 16TH EVENT WAS HELD PRAIRIE-SIDE TO BENEFIT THE NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE. PRIOR TO THE EVENT START, PARTYGOERS WERE INVITED TO ENJOY HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES THROUGH A WILD-FLOWER LADEN PRESERVE, ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AND THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE PRAIRIE. PARTYGOERS WERE INVITED TO ENJOY BEVERAGES PROVIDED BY PRAIRIE STREET BREWING CO. AND EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC WAS PROVIDED BY THE UPBEAT JON BON STAMOS GROUP. A HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENING WAS THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2021 GEORGE AND BARBARA FELL AWARD TO FRAN HARTY, WHO WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS LIFELONG SERVICE TO CONSERVATION.HONONEGAH HIGH SCHOOL HONORS BIOLOGY STUDENTS USED NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM WHERE THEY STUDIED THE WATER QUALITY OF RACCOON CREEK, THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE PRESERVE, OBSERVED PRAIRIE ECOLOGY AND DID A MACROINVERTEBRATE STUDY.WILDLIFE MONITORING WAS CONDUCTED BY VOLUNTEERS FOR BLUEBIRDS, AMPHIBIANS, BATS, DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES AT NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS MONITOR BIRDS USING THE EBIRD APP TO ESTABLISH DATA ABOUT BIRDS AND MIGRATION AT THE NYGREN WETLAND.AT THE NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE, NLI CONTINUES RESTORATION EFFORTS, GROWING AND PLANTING PLUGS FROM OUR GREENHOUSE INTO THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY TYPES AT THE PRESERVE. WE ARE ESTABLISHING A DIVERSE RANGE OF SPECIES IN OUR FLOODPLAIN THAT ARE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH THE INVASIVE REED CANARY GRASS AND PROVIDE HABITAT FOR OUR NATIVE FAUNA. 392181 0 14336 RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PRESERVESNLI STEWARDSHIP STAFF BEGAN DIGGING INTO A NEW PROJECT AT THE RECENTLY EXPANDED LIND-MCGEACHIE PRESERVE IN ROCKFORD. THIS PRESERVE INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF PROTECTED HABITAT SOUTHWEST OF ROCKFORD WITH FULLER MEMORIAL PRESERVE TO THE WEST AND NLI'S SILVER CREEK WOODS PRESERVE TO THE NORTH. NLI HIRED MCMAHON ENGINEERS|ARCHITECTS AS WELL AS BLUESTEM ECOLOGICAL SERVICES TO STABILIZE AN ERODED GULLY IN AN AREA THAT WILL BE PART OF A LARGER POLLINATOR PLANTING THROUGH FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE ILLINOIS CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (ICECF). ROCK CHECK-DAMS AND RE-GRADING WILL SLOW THE FLOW OF WATER OVER THE SURFACE AND INCREASE DEPOSITION OF SEDIMENTS FLOWING DOWNHILL TOWARDS SILVER CREEK. THE POLLINATOR HABITAT WILL CONSIST OF DEEP-ROOTED PERENNIAL WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES THAT WILL PROVIDE LOTS OF GREAT HABITAT FOR MANY FORMS OF WILDLIFE AND ALSO SERVE TO FURTHER REDUCE RUNOFF FROM THIS FALLOW FARM FIELD. A TRAIL NETWORK WILL ALLOW VISITORS TO REACH THE NEW PRAIRIE AND APPRECIATE GRAND OLD OAKS FROM A SMALL PARKING AREA ON FITZGERALD ROAD THAT WILL BE INSTALLED THROUGH A PUBLIC AMENITY GRANT, ALSO FROM ICECF.NLI BEGAN COORDINATING WITH A SMALL GROUP OF LOCAL OREGON VOLUNTEERS TO LAUNCH RESTORATION EFFORTS AT CARPENTER WOODS PRESERVE AND KYTE RIVER BOTTOMS LAND AND WATER RESERVE, LOCATED IN OGLE COUNTY. BOTH ARE THREATENED BY INVASIVE SPECIES AND THIS DEDICATED AND ENTHUSIASTIC GROUP WILL DRASTICALLY EXPAND OUR LAND STEWARDSHIP FOR BOTH OF THESE PRESERVES. ANOTHER BENEFIT OF THE EXPANDED RESTORATION EFFORTS IS THE ABILITY TO COLLECT MORE NATIVE SEEDS. BOTH OF THESE PRESERVES SUPPORT POPULATIONS OF PLANTS (AND ANIMALS) THAT WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO IN OUR OTHER PRESERVES AND HAVE BEEN PROVIDING NLI'S RESTORATION PROJECTS WITH NATIVE SEEDS FOR DECADES. ENTER SILVER CREEK WOODS PRESERVE (ROCKFORD, ILL.) AND YOU'LL NOTICE THAT YOU CAN SEE THROUGH THE WOODS. IN 2016 NLI ENGAGED IN A CONTRACT WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) CALLED ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP). THE PROGRAM PROVIDED A COST-SHARE FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES, AND TO PURCHASE AND PLANT NATIVE SEEDS AND TREES, MOSTLY OAK TREES. WE COULDN'T HAVE ACCOMPLISHED ALL THIS WITHOUT A STALWART GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS SHOWING UP EVERY THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH. SILVER CREEK WOODS REMAINS ONE OF OUR MOST ACTIVE PRESERVES WHEN IT COMES TO VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT. AS OF DECEMBER 2021, WE COMPLETED THE EQIP TASKS. OUR LAST BIG PUSH CAME OVER THE COURSE OF TWO DAYS WHEN WE PLANTED 544 TREES AND 100 SHRUBS ACROSS 23 ACRES. ON ANOTHER RESTORATION DAY WE SCATTERED 47 POUNDS OF NATIVE SEED, BRINGING OUR TOTAL OF NATIVE SEED INTRODUCED TO 183 LBS. WILLIAM & GAYLE KEEFER NATURE RESERVE. DONATED TO NLI BY GAYLE KEEFER IN 2017 AND LOCATED ON THE EDGE OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKTON, THE KEEFER NATURE RESERVE IS 37 ACRES OF DIVERSE LANDSCAPES AND HABITATS. FROM OLD RIVER ROAD YOU CAN SEE A STEEP BLUFF THAT IS HOME TO NUMEROUS OAK TREES AND IN THE SPRING IS COVERED BY CUT-LEAVED TOOTHWORT (CARDAMINE CONCATENTA). HIDDEN FARTHER BACK INTO THE PROPERTY ARE THREE OLD LIMESTONE QUARRIES. ALL OF THIS IS SURROUNDED BY DENSE WOODLAND THAT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK THROUGH. BUCKTHORN AND HONEYSUCKLE ARE BOTH NATIVE TO EUROPE AND ASIA AND ARE THE TWO MAJOR INVASIVE SPECIES ISSUES ON THIS PROPERTY THAT WE ARE WORKING TO REMOVE. WE STARTED BY USING A FORESTRY MOWER TO CLEAR BRUSH AND SMALL TREES ALONG THE PROPERTY BOUNDARY. AS OUR RESTORATION ACTIVITIES PROGRESS, NEW INTERIOR HIKING TRAILS TO VIEW THE RARE CHINQUAPIN OAK HABITAT, OAK SAVANNA RESTORATION, AND PRAIRIE RESTORATION WILL BE AVAILABLE TO EXPLORE. NIEMAN MARSH, IS LOCATED JUST EAST OF PECATONICA AND IS HOME TO MANY PLANTS AND ANIMALS THAT ARE RARE IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. THE KING RAIL (RALLUS ELEGANS), ONE OF THE RAREST MARSH BIRDS IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS, CAN BE HEARD IN THE SEDGE MEADOW AND SHALLOW MARSH HABITATS PRESENT ON SITE. IN COORDINATION WITH ILLINOIS DUCKS UNLIMITED, NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE AND OTHER REGIONAL PARTNERS ARE PARTICIPATING IN A GRANT AWARDED BY THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE THROUGH THE NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT (NAWCA). THE PORTION OF THE AWARD ALLOTTED TO NIEMAN MARSH WILL BE USED TO RESTORE HEALTHY WETLAND HABITAT MORE SUITABLE FOR THE SUSTAINED UTILIZATION OF THE SITE BY THE KING RAIL AND OTHER RARE WETLAND SPECIES, SUCH AS AMERICAN BITTERNS, OCCASIONAL YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS, BALTIMORE CHECKERSPOT BUTTERFLIES, AND BAND-WINGED MEADOWHAWKS, A SPECIES OF DRAGONFLY CLASSIFIED AS IMPERILED IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. RESTORATION ACTIVITIES WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF NIEMAN MARSH THROUGH THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES, CONTROLLED BURNING, AND COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS OF MANY NATIVE PLANTS THAT GROW IN WET PRAIRIES, SEDGE MEADOWS, AND MARSHES. 181760 0 6644 NLI IS HONORED TO BE PART OF THE ILLINOIS WORKING LANDS, WATER AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP. THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP LED BY THE CONSERVATION FUND, AND SUPPORTED BY USDA NRCS'S REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (RCPP). ALL PROJECTS ADDRESS INADEQUATE HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE SPECIES, WATER QUALITY CONCERNS INCLUDING EXCESS FIELD NUTRIENT AND SOIL LOSS, AND LONG-TERM FARMLAND PROTECTION. OVER A MILLION ACRES OF ILLINOIS FARMLAND HAS BEEN LOST SINCE 1992. NATURAL AREAS ARE HIGHLY FRAGMENTED AND OUR VULNERABLE WILDLIFE SPECIES NEED CONNECTED HABITAT TO THRIVE. COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS SUCH AS AGRICULTURAL LAND AGREEMENT (OTHERWISE KNOWN AS EASEMENT) AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES ARE VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION ACTIONS BY PRIVATE LANDOWNERS THAT HELP WITH THIS CONNECTIVITY. THE LAND STAYS IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL, WITH A PERMANENT EASEMENT RECORDED ON THE DEED THAT LIMITS NON-AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT. PAYMENT FROM THE SALE OF AN EASEMENT CAN BE USED BY THE FARMER TO REINVEST IN THE FARMING OPERATION, PAY OFF LOANS, SUPPORT A GENERATIONAL LAND TRANSFER, PURCHASE MORE LAND, OR PROVIDE CASH-IN-HAND. LAND MANAGEMENT INCENTIVES - WHERE FARMERS CREATE A CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THEIR FARM THAT MEETS THEIR GOALS, AND ALLOWS FOR BOTH TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INSTALL CONSERVATION PRACTICES THAT IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND PROVIDE WILDLIFE HABITAT ON THEIR FARMS.NLI HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN A PARTNER IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF ROCKFORD'S KEITH CREEK WATERSHED PLAN AND THE STEPHENSON COUNTY WINNESHEIK CREEK WATERSHED PLAN, BOTH FUNDED BY THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (IEPA) THROUGH THEIR SECTION 319 GRANT PROGRAM. THE WINNESHEIK CREEK WATERSHED IS LOCATED IN AN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY AND WAS DEVELOPED WITH GRASSROOTS FARMERS INPUT TO ASSIST WITH CLEANING POLLUTED WATERS. ROCKFORD'S KEITH CREEK IS WITHIN A HIGHLY URBANIZED AREA THAT SUFFERS FROM REPEATED FLOODING. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE PLANS UNLOCKS FURTHER IEPA FUNDS TO DO PROJECTS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE PLANS, ASSISTING THESE COMMUNITIES WITH CREATING GREENWAYS, STREAM RE-MEANDERING, AND PRACTICES TO ASSIST LANDOWNERS WITH PROVIDING WATER CLEANSING FEATURES ON THEIR LAND. BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT OF HABITAT WITHIN THESE STREAM CORRIDORS, AND WE SEE FURTHER PARTNERING OPPORTUNITIES AS THESE HABITAT PROJECTS ARE IDENTIFIED. POLLINATOR, AND ESPECIALLY CORRIDOR HABITAT FOR MONARCHS, TURTLES AND BIRDS TO SUPPORT CORE PROTECTED HABITAT WILL BE A PRIORITY FOR NLI. WE ALSO SEE THAT IN BOTH THE AGRICULTURAL AND URBAN WATERSHEDS, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH NATURE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AS PROJECTS ARE DEVELOPED AND ACCESS IS IMPROVED.WILDFLOWER WALKABOUT: NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE AND SEVERSON DELLS NATURE CENTER CO-SPONSORED THE 10 WEEK SERIES OF HIKES THAT WERE LED BY AREA EXPERTS THROUGHOUT APRIL, MAY AND JUNE. JOINING THE WILDFLOWER WALKABOUT IS A GREAT WAY TO SEE AND LEARN ABOUT OUR AREA'S NATURAL HISTORY, NATIVE PLANTS, AND ANIMALS. THE 2022 SERIES INCLUDED VISITS TO KINNIKINNICK CREEK CONSERVATION AREA, FUNDERBURG FOREST PRESERVE, DEER RUN FOREST PRESERVE, PECATONICA RIDGE PRAIRIE, CEDAR CLIFF FOREST PRESERVE, AND DEDICATED NATURE PRESERVES BURR OAK VALLEY, HOWARD D. COLMAN DELLS, PECATONICA WETLANDS FOREST PRESERVE, JARRETT PRAIRIE, AND SEARLS PRAIRIE."OAKTOBER" - NLI PARTICIPATED IN THE STATE-WIDE OAKTOBER BY PROMOTING A HIKE THROUGH THE ROLLING HILLS OF BURR OAK VALLEY PRESERVE TO CELEBRATE ALL TYPES OF OAK TREES AND THEIR HABITATS. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROMOTED THE CONSERVATION@HOME PROGRAM THROUGH SITE VISITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. NLI HELD FALL PRAIRIE HARVEST DAY, ON OCTOBER 2, AT NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE. INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS COLLECTED SEEDS FROM NATIVE PRAIRIE WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES. THE SEEDS WILL BE USED IN FUTURE PLANTINGS AT NLI PRESERVES.MARKETING INTERN, MIKE TACKETT, A MASS COMMUNICATIONS MAJOR AT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE, SPENT THE SUMMER ASSISTING WITH ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THAT ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, IN THE MISSION OF NLI. MIKE HELPED WITH SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, CREATED A TIKTOK ACCOUNT FOR NLI, MADE SEVERAL TIKTOK VIDEOS, HELPED WITH SETTING UP AND WORKED AT EVENTS, UPDATED THE NLI WEBSITE AND LEARNED HOW TO WRITE NEWS RELEASES. AMERICORP MEMBERS AMELIA NEWBERRY AND ASHLYN LUCKEY, WORKED WITH NLI STEWARDSHIP STAFF DURING THE SUMMER TO REMOVE INVASIVE SPECIES, WATER TREES AND SEEDLINGS, AND SETTING UP EVENTS. 181760 0 6644 1020642 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 IL X X JILL KENNAY 8159646666 320 SOUTH THIRD STREET ROCKFORD IL 61104 PAUL BAITS PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JUDY BARNARD VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JON DUERR SECRETARY - THRU 06/08/22 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JAY EVANS TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 NANCY HOLM TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARK LUTHIN VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ASHLEY SARVER SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ROBERT CLARK TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN COOK TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 RAY FERGUSON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ADAM GUARINO TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 BILL HOFF TRUSTEE - THRU 02/01/22 1.00 X 0 0 0 RUSS JOHANSSON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CRISTOBAL MANZANO TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JENN NOWICKI TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 RICARDO MONTOYA PICAZO TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHARLES STURM TRUSTEE - THRU 06/08/22 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANIEL SWIFT MD TRUSTEE - THRU 09/01/22 1.00 X 0 0 0 NANCY WILLIAMSON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT YOUNG TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 KERRY LEIGH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 80941 0 0 80941 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 203847 12900 835152 18800 1051899 LAND HOLDING & MANAGEMENT 541610 35642 35642 PROGRAM FEES 611600 1666 1666 37308 103387 103387 53447 0 53447 53447 53447 61089 109590 -48501 -48501 -48501 38113 33090 5023 5023 811 811 811 1203374 37308 0 114167 X 80941 69887 8688 2366 261697 225960 28088 7649 24026 20395 2929 702 25306 21237 3086 983 448181 448181 7967 7967 48074 43079 4046 949 7785 7738 47 8681 8681 39493 39493 34724 33342 1382 PLANTS AND SEEDS 31403 31403 LAND TRANSACTIONS 26258 26258 FIELD SUPPLIES 20414 20414 VEHICLE & EQUIP. REPAIR 8179 8179 11760 8428 3332 1084889 1020642 51598 12649 845589 447423 50965 414313 500 500 763741 512600 22247 25142 1756555 328462 1304357 1428093 6170406 5690797 370468 309895 10378557 9929759 19906830 18758522 112039 119182 582298 496093 1884 4094 696221 619369 X 14779818 14039478 4430791 4099675 19210609 18139153 19906830 18758522 118485 -1189941 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1871732 695618 849022 3443687 1051899 7911958 1871732 695618 849022 3443687 1051899 7911958 972443 6939515 92157 66779 158832 100054 156834 574656 15989 10902 26891 393 500 893 8514398 540009 0.81500 0.67110 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X 51 4403.82 0 0 0 1 1 236.00 7405 0 1 X 4117358 45555 -556335 156967 3449611 3713798 67177 459433 123050 4117358 3417108 20800 362644 86754 3713798 2883745 290150 373799 130586 3417108 2841521 599905 -437289 120392 2883745 0.36200 0.00000 0.63800 1 0 1254868 1254868 58675 52675 6000 443012 275787 167225 1428093 LAND HELD FOR PRESERVATION 9929759 9929759 X 13433 -1189941 -1189941 1203374 0 1203374 1084889 0 1084889 0 1084889 PART II, LINE 5: NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE VISITS THE LAND ONCE A YEAR TO DETERMINE THAT THE LAND USE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE EASEMENT'S RESTRICTIONS. IF A VIOLATION IS FOUND THE NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION, LEGAL IF NECESSARY, TO STOP FURTHER DAMAGE AND CORRECT ANY PROBLEM. IF/WHEN THERE ARE NEW LANDOWNERS, THE STAFF WILL SPEND TIME WITH THEM TO ENSURE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE EASEMENT. MONEY IS SET ASIDE IN A STEWARDSHIP FUND TO COVER ANY LEGAL ENFORCMENT COSTS THAT MAY ARISE. PART II, LINE 9: PURCHASED EASEMENTS ARE RECORDED AT ACTUAL COST AS AN ASSET ON THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION. DONATED EASEMENTS ARE NOT ASSIGNED A VALUE AND ARE NOT RECORDED ON THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES OR ON THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION. PART IV, LINE 2B: THE ORGANIZATION WAS ASKED TO SERVE AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR KISHWAUKEE RIVER ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIP TO ADMINISTER TWO GRANTS THE PARTNERSHIP RECEIVED AND OTHER REVENUES. PART V, LINE 4: TO ASSURE THE ONGOING VIABILITY OF THE NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE ITS BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS ESTABLISHED THE NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE ENDOWMENT FUND. THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE AS IT CARRIES OUT ITS MISSION TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE NATURAL LANDS IN THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS REGION. THE FUND SERVES AS A REPOSITORY INTO WHICH DONORS OR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES CAN DEPOSIT FUNDS TO BE USED IN SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS PROGRAMS AS A LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY OR AS OTHERWISE DIRECTED BY SUCH DONOR OR BOARD. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS ALSO ESTABLISHED THE GORDON G. EGGERS FUND, AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE. THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF NLI'S LARGEST PRESERVE, THE 721-ACRE NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE. DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THIS FUND SUPPORT THE LONG-TERM RESTORATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE NYGREN WETLAND. PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, EXCEPT ON NET INCOME DERIVED FROM UNRELATED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. THE ORGANIZATION IS CLASSIFIED AS A PUBLIC CHARITY. THE ORGANIZATION IS ALSO EXEMPT FROM ILLINOIS TAXING JURISDICTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR THOROUGHLY REVIEWS AND COMPARES THE 990 TO THE AUDIT REPORT. PRIOR TO SIGNING, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD TREASURER REVIEW THE 990. THE FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE AT THE JUNE BOARD MEETING FOR REVIEW AND UPLOADED FOR PUBLIC REVIEW ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE MONITORS AND ENFORCES COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY BY REQUIRING ALL OFFICERS, TRUSTEES, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO SIGN AN ANNUAL STATEMENT AGREEING THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED AND READ THE POLICY AND WILL COMPLY WITH THE TERMS. ANY PERSON WITH A PERCEIVED OR ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST SHALL LEAVE THE MEETING DURING THE DISCUSSION OF, AND THE VOTE ON, THE TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT INVOLVING THE POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PAY AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REVIEWS ALL OTHER STAFF. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE MAKES ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THEIR WEBSITE. IT PROVIDES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONTRACTUAL SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 448,181. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 448,181. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C THE ORGANIZATIONS BOARD OF TRUSTEES ASSUME RESPONSIBLE OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. THE SELECTION AND REVIEW PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.