2023-09-15T20:32:45Z 2022-12-31 270173348 H AND R BLOCK 507 RICHLAND AVE ATHENS OH 45701 990 2022-01-01 320035073 ATHENS CONSERVANCY ATHE 7406628005 PO BOX 2281 ATHENS OH 45701 BARBARA FLOWERS TREASURER 7406628005 2023-09-07 false BARBARA FLOWERS GAIL GREGG P00977759 8004725625 2023-09-15 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z DONNA GOODMAN PO BOX 2281 Athens OH 45701 3885876 false X www.athensconservancy.org X 2002 OH THE ATHENS CONSERVANCY IS A LAND TRUST THAT PRESERVES LAND IN AND AROUND ATHENS COUNTY, OHIO THROUGH THE PURCHASE OR DONATION OF PROPERTY AND THE CREATION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. 14 14 2 75 0 273974 3880882 0 23688 3311 885 1683 298547 3885876 0 0 9258 24037 0 22942 70042 3106435 79300 3130472 219247 755404 5032824 5725755 7760 0 5025064 5725755 THE ATHENS CONSERVANCY IS A SMALL LAND TRUST THAT PRESERVES LAND IN AND AROUND ATHENS COUNTY, OHIO THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND ACQUISITION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. WE PROTECT ABOUT 3,000 ACRES. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE INFORMATION. false false PART III 4A: PRESERVATION $2,996,383 SEE SCHEDULE O #2 PART III 4B: STEWARDSHIP $64,465 SEE SCHEDULE O #3 PART III 4C: EVENTS/OUTREACH $8,292 SEE SCHEDULE O #4 PART III 4 ALL PROGRAM EXPENSES $3,069,140. true true false false false true false false true true false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 0 0 false 2 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false 0 false false false false 14 14 true false false false false true false true true false false true true true true true true false false false X BARBARA FLOWERS 7406628005 6198 BETHANY RIDGE RD Guysville OH 45735 X Donna Goodman PRESIDENT 20.00 X X 0 0 0 Sally Zalek BOARD MEMBER 10.00 X 0 0 0 Chris Fahl VICE PRESIDENT 10.00 X X 0 0 0 BARBARA FLOWERS TREASURER 15.00 X X 0 0 0 CAROLYN SHEEHAN BOARD MEMBER 10.00 X 0 0 0 MARK SHUBERT BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 DAWN HANDLEY BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN BLAIR BOARD MEMBER 15.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID FUNK BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 PHIL CANTINO BOARD MEMBER 8.00 X 0 0 0 LINDA THORNTON SECRETARY 8.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRIS OBARA BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREA MILLER BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 GREG KESSLER BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 false false false 1315 3879567 3712100 3880882 3311 3311 1683 1683 3885876 4994 21355 21355 904 268 636 1778 1778 50750 5075 25375 20300 1185 1185 3658 3658 683 438 44 201 1639 1039 600 250 250 1209 600 260 349 2508 1839 669 50 50 2298 1494 804 STEWARDSHIP MAINT CONSTR TOOLS 40959 40959 PR OUTREACH 4268 340 2436 1492 CLOSING COSTS 2500 2500 COAL RIGHTS WRITE DOWN 2992000 2992000 2478 444 2034 3130472 3069140 38390 22942 183821 105108 303291 163224 4737293 4545612 4737293 100 130 720000 5032824 5725755 3743 4017 7760 0 479452 268462 4545612 4737293 720000 5025064 5725755 5032824 5725755 755404 -54713 X false false false X 37887 76583 60495 282659 167588 625212 37887 76583 60495 282659 167588 625212 80664 544548 735 4711 5727 24573 4994 40740 140 612 752 666704 0.81680 0.78100 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 13 1416.00 1 true 50.00 649 true 303291 113751 -51402 -198758 -3658 163224 64304 216266 265 303291 57521 1056 265 64304 0.83000 0.17000 false false 4737293 4737293 4737293 COAL MINERAL RIGHTS 720000 720000 SCH D PART 2 LINE 9 SCH D PART 2 LINE 9: WE RECOGNIZE A $10 DONATION CLASSIFIED AS ASSET ON BALANCE SHEET FOR EACH CONSERVATION EASEMENT. WE REQUEST $1000 DONATION (TO DEFEND AND MAINTAIN THE EASEMENT) FOR EVERY 100 ACRES OF EASEMENT. SCH D, PART II LINE 9 (CONTD) SCH D, PART II LINE 9 (CONTD): FUNDS INVESTED IN FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO. ADDITIONALLY, WE CARRY INS WITH TERRAFIRMA SCH D PART V LINE 4 SCH D PART V LINE 4: FUNDS IN PERMANANET AND QUASI PERM ENDOWMENT ARE SET ASIDE FOR FUTURE. ANNUAL INVESTMENT FUNDS ARE USES TOWARD MISSION. ONE BOARD DIRECTED FUND IS USED FOR DEFENSE OF EASEMENTS IN COURT. SCH D PART V, LINE 4 (CONTD) SCH D PART V, LINE 4 (CONTD): REMAINING FUNDS RESERVED FOR LAND ACQUISITION PHIL CANTINO BOARD MEMBER PURCHASE LAND X 20000 false true true X 1 3712000 APPRAISAL X GIFT CARD DONATION 1 100 ACTUAL VALUE 1 false false false PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11A FORM 990 DELIVERED ELECTRONICALLY TO EACH BOARD MEMBER PRIOR TO THE JULY 5, 2023 MEETING. AT THE MEETING ALL BOARD MEMBERS HAD OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS PRIOR TO VOTING APPROVAL ON THE DOCUMENT PART V1, SECTION B. LINE 12C OUR CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS MONITORED TO ENSURE NO MATERIAL FINANCIAL INTEREST FOR TRANSACTIONS OR PROJECTS UNDER BOARD CONSIDERATION PART VI, SECTION C, LINES 18 AND 19 OUR RECORDS ARE AVAILABBE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, SUPPLIED BY POSTAL MAIL OR E-MAIL PART III 4A PRESERVATION $2,996,383 THE ATHENS CONSERVANCY RECEIVED AN UNPRECEDENTED DONATION OF MINERAL RIGHTS FOR COAL RESERVES ON APPROXIMATELY 10,000 ACRES LOCATED MOSTLY IN NORTHERN ATHENS COUNTY, OHIO. IN COAL-BEARING REGIONS, THESE RIGHTS WERE OFTEN SEVERED FROM SURFACE RIGHTS AND SOLD TO COAL COMPANIES, WITH TRANSACTIONS DATING BACK MORE THAN A CENTURY. THE CONSERVANCY INTENDS TO LEAVE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COAL UNTOUCHED AND IN THE GROUND TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS NONCASH DONATION ALIGNS PERFECTLY WITH OUR MISSION. PART III LINE 4A CON'T THERE IS A PREVIOUSLY EXISTING LEASE THAT ALLOWS ABOUT 1,100 ACRES OF THE DONATED RESERVES TO BE MINED UNTIL THE LEASE EXPIRES IN 2023. ATHENS CONSERVANCY WILL NOT EXTEND THIS LEASE NOR ENTER INTO ANY NEW LEASES. PART III PART 4A CON'T THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUED A COAL MINING PERMIT THAT INCLUDES NEARLY 300 ACRES OF THE LEASED COAL RESERVES. IN 2022, MINING BEGAN PRIOR TO THE DONATION AND COULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE PERMIT EXPIRES IN 2027. DURING THE LIFE OF THE LEASE, THE COAL COMPANY MAY PURSUE ADDITIONAL PERMITS TO MINE THE REMAINING 800 ACRES OF LEASED COAL RESERVES. ALTHOUGH THE LEASE EXPIRES IN 2033, COAL MINING ACTIVITIES MAY WELL CEASE OR BE REDUCED EARLIER BASED ON MARKET CONDITIONS. PART III 4A CON'T IN ACCORDANCE WITH KEEPING ABOUT 8,900 ACRES OF UNLEASED COAL RESERVES IN THE GROUND, ATHENS CONSERVANCY HAS WRITTEN-DOWN THE BOOK VALUE OF THE COAL ASSETS DUE TO THE REDUCTION OF ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE BY APPROXIMATELY 81%. THE ASSET IS NOW VALUED AT THE POTENTIAL REVENUE OF ROYALTIES WE MAY RECEIVE FROM THE LEASED RESERVES IF MINING CONTINUES. PART III 4A CON'T ATHENS CONSERVANCY NOW PROTECTS 14 PRESERVES WITH THE ADDITION OF THE LINDY ROOSENBURG PRESERVE, LOCATED JUST NORTH OF ATHENS, OHIO. THE NEARLY 71- ACRE PRESERVE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTY WITH MATURE FORESTS, SCENIC ROCK FORMATIONS, AND 1.5 MILES OF WELL-MAINTAINED TRAILS. THE LINDY PRESERVE WAS ESTABLISHED IN MEMORY OF A LOCAL YOUNG WOMAN AND ASPIRING WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER. PART III 4A, CON'T IN 2022, FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH PRESERVING LAND INCLUDED CLOSING COSTS FOR LAND PURCHASED, PROPERTY TAXES PAID, LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR OUR PRESERVES, INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE LEGAL COSTS OF DEFENDING OUR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, AND INTEREST ON A MORTGAGE (WHICH WAS PAID IN FULL IN 2022) ON ONE OF OUR PRESERVES. PART III LINE 4B STEWARDSHIP $64,465 KEEPING OUR PRESERVES HEALTHY AND ACCESSIBLE TO OUR COMMUNITY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR MISSION. TWO PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, ALONG WITH A STUDENT INTERN AND VOLUNTEERS, REMOVED INVASIVE NON-NATIVE PLANTS THAT CROWD OUT NATIVE PLANTS ON OUR PRESERVES. INVASIVE SPECIES ARE CAPABLE OF REDUCING BIODIVERSITY BY COMPETING WITH NATIVE SPECIES FOR LIMITED RESOURCES AND ALTERING HABITATS. THESE PLANTS INCLUDE GARLIC MUSTARD, MULTIFLORA ROSE, STILT GRASS, JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLE, PRIVET, BURNING BUSH AND AUTUMN OLIVE. THEY MUST BE REMOVED REGULARLY BY MECHANICAL MEANS AND BY LIMITED HERBICIDAL CONTROL TO CURB THEIR IMPACT TO NATIVE WILDLIFE HABITAT. WE WORK IN OUR PRESERVES ON A ROTATING BASIS TO CONTROL THE INVASIVE PLANTS AS THEY TYPICALLY REAPPEAR IN PREVIOUSLY CLEARED AREAS. IN ADDITION TO OUR EMPLOYEES' SALARIES, EXPENSES INCLUDED THE PURCHASE, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF VARIOUS HAND TOOLS AND POWERED TOOLS, SUCH AS A WEED EATER. PART III 4B CON'T OUR TWO PART-TIME EMPLOYEES ALSO HELPED MAINTAIN OVER 10 MILES OF TRAILS AND SEVERAL FOOTBRIDGES. THEY REGULARLY REMOVED ENCROACHING VEGETATION ALONG THE TRAILS, FOOTBRIDGES, AND KIOSKS; CLEARED DOWNED TREES THAT BLOCKED TRAILS; AND MADE TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS TO KEEP THE TRAILS SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE TO HIKERS. SIGNS WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED TO MARK SEVERAL TRAILS THIS YEAR. ONE NEW TRAIL WAS MARKED WHITE BLAZES. PART III 4B CON'T THE NEW TRAILS WERE COMPLETED AND OPENED IN 2022. THE JOHN KNOUSE TRAIL, A 2-MILE TRAIL ON THE CANAAN PRESERVE THAT CONNECTS THE BAKER PRESERVE WITH STROUDS RUN STATE PARK, AND AN ART TRAIL AROUND A SMALL POND ON THE MARY BETH ZAK LOHSE PRESERVE COMPRISING 10 ARTIST-DESIGNED TRAIL MARKERS FEATURING NATIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS. A NON-PROFIT TRAIL ORGANIZATION WAS HIRED TO ASSIST IN THE DESIGN AND COMPLETION OF THE JOHN KNOUSE TRAIL. PART III 4B CON'T TWO KIOSKS WITH DISPLAY CASES WERE INSTALLED BY A LOCAL CONTRACTOR NEAR THE CUCUMBER TREE TRAILHEAD PARKING LOT AND THE BAKER PRESERVE. THE KIOSKS ARE USED TO DISPLAY TRAIL MAPS; EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ON AN ASSORTMENT OF TOPICS; GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY; AND EVENT POSTERS. PART III 4B CON'T OUR LARGEST EXPENDITURE WAS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PARKING AREA AND ACCESS DRIVE TO THE LINDY ROOSENBURG PRESERVE BY A LOCAL CONTRACTOR. EXPENSES INCLUDED ALL LABOR, EQUIPMENT, AND MATERIALS TO BUILD A 210 FOOT LONG DRIVEWAY WITH A 6 SPOT PARKING LOT. AS PARKING CAN BE A CHALLENGE AT SOME OF OUR PRESERVES, THIS WORK WILL PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE FOR VISITORS TO PARK. PART III, LINE 4C EVENTS/OUTREACH $8,292 ATHENS CONSERVANCY CELEBRATED ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY DURING 2022 WITH THE GRAND OPENINGS OF THE ART TRAIL AT THE MARY BETH ZAK LOHSE PRESERVE AND THE JOHN KNOUSE TRAILS AT THE CANAAN PRESERVE. THE CONSERVANCY PARTNERED WITH PASSION WORKS STUDIO TO CREATE ARTWORK; LIVE HEALTHY APPALACHIA WHO PROVIDED SEASONAL POSTERS; AND OHIO VALLEY MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY WHO PRODUCED ACTIVITY BROCHUES FOR THE KIOSK. THE VISIBILTY OF THE ART TRAIL WAS EXPANDED WITH SISTER TRAILS INSTALLED IN THREE ATHENS COUNTY LIBRARY BRANCHES. THE JOHN KNOUSE TRAIL WAS BUILT IN MEMORY OF A FOUNDING MEMBER OF OUR ORGANIZATION. IT CONNECTS SEPARATE TRAIL SYSTEMS AND MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO HIKE NINE MILES WITHOUT CROSSING A ROAD. PART III 4C CON'T THE CONSERVANCY HELD OUR ANNUAL GROUNDHOG AND SPRING WILDFLOWER HIKES AND PARTICIPATED IN THE PAWPAW FESTIVAL. WE HOSTED AN EVENT WITH THE OHIO UNIVERSITY ALUMNI AND TOOK PART IN A COLLABORATIVE EVENT IN ATHENS CALLED HIGH TEA AND TREES. THESE EVENTS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY TIME OUTDOORS AND LEARN ABOUT NATURE AND THE CONSERVANCY. PART III 4C CON'T WE USE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, NEWSLETTERS, PRESS RELEASES, WEB ARTICLES, BROCHURES, AND INFORMATION POSTED IN OUR KIOSKS TO REACH OUT TO OUR MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. PART 111 4C CON'T 2022 EXPENSES INCLUDED OUR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR'S TIME, ALONG WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF HOURS WITH A DESIGN CONSULTANT, TO CREATE BROCHURES, TRAIL MAPS, NEWSLETTERS, POSTERS, AND GENERAL INFORMATION USED AT OUR EVENTS AND DISPLAYED IN THE KIOSKS; PRINTING FEES; MAINTENANCE OF OUR WEBSITE AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS; AND EVENT COSTS. PART III LINE 1 THE CONSERVANCY PROTECTS WATER QUALITY AND MAINTAINS HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT NATIVE BIODIVERSITY AND HELP COUNTERACT THE CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE. WE CONNECT OUR COMMUNITY TO NATURE THROUGH RECREATION, EVENTS, EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND INSPIRATION.