2024-10-11T12:00:59-05:00 2023-12-31 362996439 WSDD CPAS LTD 303 W MADISON ST SUITE 2075 CHICAGO IL 606063395 990 2023-01-01 363942451 THE WETLANDS INITIATIVE WETL 3129220777 53 W JACKSON BLVD 1015 CHICAGO IL 606043658 PAUL BOTTS PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 3129220777 2024-10-04 1 0 ROBERT REHAYEM P00075874 3123326622 2024-10-04 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z PAUL BOTTS 53 W JACKSON BLVD 1015 CHICAGO IL 606043658 2063118 0 X WWW.WETLANDS-INITIATIVE.ORG X 1994 IL TO RESTORE THE WETLAND RESOURCES OF THE MIDWEST. 22 21 25 55 0 0 4865011 1854680 4834 0 35483 66168 50000 56073 4955328 1976921 0 14034 0 0 1447603 1450922 0 0 130608 1343723 1336135 2791326 2801091 2164002 -824170 13019424 12021467 894827 630424 12124597 11391043 X TO RESTORE THE WETLAND RESOURCES OF THE MIDWEST TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, INCREASE WILDLIFE HABITAT AND BIODIVERSITY, AND REDUCE FLOOD DAMAGE. THE WETLANDS INITIATIVE SEEKS TO CONDUCT AND SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY RESTORATION PROJECTS THOUGH DIRECT, ON-THE-GROUND WORK AND BY FORMING LARGER PARTNERSHIPS TO DEMONSTRATE INNOVATIVE WAYS TO FINANCE LARGE-SCALE WETLAND RESTORATION, SUCH AS WATER QUALITY TRADING MARKETS WITH A FOCUS ON SCIENCE-BASED, ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS AND COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH PUBLIC AGENCIES, THE ORGANIZATION'S GOAL IS TO DEVELOP RESTORATION METHODS AND MODELS THAT OTHERS MAY COPY. 0 0 2349148 14034 ON-THE-GROUND RESTORATION - DURING 2023 THE WETLANDS INITIATIVE'S ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION WORK CONTINUED TO GROW ACROSS ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA. THE FIELD RESTORATION TEAM AT TWI'S 3,000-ACRE SUE AND WES DIXON WATERFOWL REFUGE IN NORTH-CENTRAL ILLINOIS MADE PROGRESS ON MULTIPLE FOCUSED HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS. WITH STATE GRANT FUNDING FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE RARE WETLAND HABITATS AT THE 26-ACRE DORE SEEP NATURE PRESERVE WITHIN THE REFUGE, RESTORATION TECHNICIANS WORKED TO MANAGE INVASIVE CATTAIL AND AGGRESSIVE WOODY SHRUBS THAT HAD BEGUN TO DOMINATE THE SEEP. IN 2023, TWI'S ALSO COMPLETED THE VIOLET MEADOW TRAIL AND RESTORATION PROJECT, WHICH TRANSFORMED 292 ACRES AT THE REFUGE'S NORTH END TO HEALTHY, HIGH-QUALITY WETLAND, WOODLAND, AND PRAIRIE HABITATS. TWI HAS CREATED A LOW-IMPACT GRAVEL HIKING TRAIL LEADING THROUGH THIS SPECIAL AREA, CULMINATING IN A LOW BIRDING/VIEWING PLATFORM THAT OVERLOOKS THE MARSH. AT MIDEWIN NATIONAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE IN WILL COUNTY, THE LARGEST PROTECTED OPEN SPACE IN THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN REGION AND THE NATION'S FIRST NATIONAL TALLGRASS PRAIRIE, TWI COMPLETED THE SEVENTH AND FINAL YEAR OF A MASSIVE 2,000-ACRE HABITAT RESTORATION EFFORT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE. AFTER MANY ROUNDS OF NATIVE PLANTING AND CONTROL OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES, A VAST LANDSCAPE OF NATIVE WETLANDS AND PRAIRIES HAS BEEN REESTABLISHED, BENEFITING RARE INSECTS, BIRDS, AND WILDLIFE AND OPEN FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT WITHIN THIS PERMANENTLY PROTECTED SITE. LATER IN 2023, TWI COLLABORATED WITH THE FOREST SERVICE AND OPENLANDS TO PLAN AND SECURE FUNDING FOR THE FIRST STAGE OF THE GRANT CREEK STREAM RESTORATION AT MIDEWIN, A MULTI-PHASE PROJECT THAT WOULD INVOLVE MIDEWIN'S FIRST STREAM RE-MEANDERING AND COULD ULTIMATELY BECOME THE LARGEST WATERSHED RESTORATION COMPLETED IN THE CHICAGO WILDERNESS REGION.FINALLY, IN 2023, TWI'S COLLABORATIVE PROJECT WORK ACROSS THE URBAN BI-STATE CALUMET REGION EXPANDED SIGNIFICANTLY. WITH OUR PARTNERS, TWI BEGAN NEW PHASES OF PLANNING, ON-THE-GROUND RESTORATION, AND/OR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORK WITH NEW MAJOR FUNDING ACROSS THREE DIFFERENT SITES IN SOUTHEAST CHICAGO AND AT MULTIPLE PARCELS ALONG THE WEST BRANCH OF THE LITTLE CALUMET RIVER FLOODPLAIN CORRIDOR IN NORTHWEST INDIANA. APPLYING OUR UNIQUE COMBINATION OF ECOLOGY AND ENGINEERING EXPERTISE, TWI DEPLOYED IMPORTANT HYDROLOGIC IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL FACILITATE THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTHY HEMI-MARSH AT THESE HEAVILY ALTERED BUT IMPORTANT REMNANT WETLAND SITES. THIS WORK INCLUDED INSTALLING WATER CONTROL STRUCTURES AT DEADSTICK POND IN CHICAGO AND THE HIGHLAND ROOKERY AND MLK-SOUTH PARCELS IN NW INDIANA AND SHORELINE MODIFICATION AT INDIAN RIDGE MARSH NORTH IN CHICAGO TO RE-CREATE A NATURAL SHORELINE GRADIENT AND HABITAT TRANSITION ZONE. MEANWHILE, IN 2023 TWI PARTNERED WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND THE ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT TO BEGIN INITIAL RESTORATION STEPS AT SQUARE MARSH, LOCATED AT THE NORTH END OF HISTORIC LAKE CALUMET. INNOVATION OF NEW STRATEGIES - OVER 2023, TWI'S SMART WETLANDS PROJECT TEAM BUILT NEW HIGH-LEVEL PARTNERSHIPS AND EXECUTED A NEW PROJECT BUSINESS PLAN, ADDING STAFF CAPACITY WITH A NEW ENGINEER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INCREASING LANDOWNER INTEREST IN FARM TILE-TREATMENT WETLANDS TO REDUCE NUTRIENT RUNOFF. COLLABORATIONS WITH DUCKS UNLIMITED AG-FOCUSED STAFF AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE'S PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM ENABLED TWI TO EXPAND OUR OFFERING OF FIELD EVENTS IN 2023 AND TO DRAW NEW AUDIENCES TO LEARN ABOUT ON-FARM WETLANDS FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT. MEANWHILE, TWI'S FIELD OUTREACH TEAM CONTINUED TO IDENTIFY NEW FARMER PROSPECTS, PRESENT TO FARM ADVISER GROUPS TO SPREAD THE WORD, AND PARTICIPATE IN LANDOWNER MEETINGS ACROSS THE PROJECT'S SEVEN-COUNTY FOCUS AREA IN NORTH-CENTRAL ILLINOIS.ALSO IN 2023, TWI PARTICIPATED IN PLANNING EFFORTS THAT WILL SUPPORT FUTURE EXPANSION IN THE USE OF ON-FARM WETLANDS FOR NUTRIENT REMOVAL ACROSS ILLINOIS. WORKING WITH AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST, TWI STAFF CONDUCTED WATERSHED MODELING TO HELP DEVELOP A WATERSHED PLAN FOR THE VERMILION RIVER HEADWATERS. THIS IS A PRIORITY WATERSHED WHERE THERE IS HIGH POTENTIAL FOR VOLUNTARY FARM CONSERVATION PRACTICES TO BE DEPLOYED THAT COULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE WATER QUALITY. THE WETLANDS INITIATIVE IS INCREASINGLY PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING ITS WORK WITH A FOCUS ON THE POWERFUL ROLE THAT WETLAND RESTORATION CAN PLAY IN ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIETAL ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. THE MIDWEST'S CLIMATE IS ALREADY SHIFTING STEADILY TOWARD MORE-INTENSE RAINFALL EVENTS, LONGER DRY SPELLS, AND IRREGULAR SEASONAL PRECIPITATION PATTERNS. RESTORED FRESHWATER WETLANDS PROVIDE RESILIENCE FUNCTIONS AND SERVICES THAT INCLUDE STORING PRECIPITATION AND RUNOFF, MITIGATING LOCAL FLOOD RISKS, RECHARGING GROUNDWATER SUPPLIES DURING DROUGHTS, FILTERING AND PROCESSING NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTANTS, AND PROVIDING HABITAT REFUGES FOR DIVERSE SPECIES, AS WELL AS SEQUESTERING SOME ATMOSPHERIC CARBON IN HIGHLY ORGANIC SOILS. 2349148 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 25 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 22 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 IL X X PAUL BOTTS 3129220777 53 W JACKSON BLVD CHICAGO IL 60604 CAROLINE REPENNING CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHARLES T PICK VICE-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 PAUL R BOTTS PRESIDENT 37.50 X X 145418 0 2750 BRUCE M BECKER SECRETARY & TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER B BURKE PHD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 EDWARD K CHANDLER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 THOMAS J CONRAD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GEORGE M COVINGTON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM F DOOLEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 WENDY FREYER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANNE GARDNER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BYRON GOULDING DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALLEN D GROSBOLL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LINDA M KURTZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK D MAFFEI PHD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN W ROBINSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEVEN M RYAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 REBECCAH A SANDERS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHINMAY SOMAN PHD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DOUGLAS F STOTZ PHD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CARL R YUDELL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL B ZEDDIES JR DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 145418 0 2750 1 0 0 0 0 461620 1393060 41774 1854680 65734 65734 50000 0 50000 50000 50000 86631 86197 434 434 434 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 6073 6073 6073 1976921 6507 0 115734 14034 14034 145418 118853 17973 8592 1045311 854355 129198 61758 27642 22593 3416 1633 144191 117850 17822 8519 88360 72219 10921 5220 446 446 21500 21500 87650 11246 66130 10274 15296 5463 4535 5298 74436 66992 7444 15073 9465 5245 363 16842 16842 127615 127615 52870 47583 5287 CONTRACTORS 599925 599925 SUPPLIES 145304 145304 MISCELLANEOUS 34663 5039 10850 18774 MEALS AND TRAVEL 30406 27186 2172 1048 114109 86138 18842 9129 2801091 2349148 321335 130608 2496084 1644704 2718156 2603017 4167 4167 20789 42972 7730121 949593 6872582 6780528 772746 880492 134900 65587 13019424 12021467 275721 127338 482183 435576 136923 67510 894827 630424 X 8529410 8487997 3595187 2903046 12124597 11391043 13019424 12021467 -824170 90616 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1963569 2316306 2881408 4865011 1854680 13880974 1963569 2316306 2881408 4865011 1854680 13880974 2219263 11661711 57818 121685 50241 86281 65734 381759 15013 658 3378 4834 6073 29956 14292689 0.81590 0.67040 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X 1 134.00 1 1 4.00 145 5175745 5175745 1892898 456254 1436644 178029 160908 17121 483449 332431 151018 6780528 LEASE LIABILITIES 67510 67510 X 2067537 90616 90616 1976921 0 1976921 2801091 0 2801091 0 2801091 PART X, LINE 2: AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022, THE INITIATIVE DID NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT IT IS OBLIGATED TO DISCLOSE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE NO RETURNS UNDER REVIEW OR OPEN TO REVIEW BY TAXING AUTHORITIES IN EXCESS OF STATUTORY PERIODS. THE INITIATIVE FOLLOWS A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH OF RESEARCH AND OPEN DISCLOSURE IN REGARD TO ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS AND POSITIONS HELD. PART II, LINE 9: THE INITIATIVE RECOGNIZES REVENUE AND RECORDS AN ASSET BASED ON THE APPROXIMATE MARKET VALUE OF THE EASEMENT AT THE TIME OF CONTRIBUTION. 1) THE INITIATIVE HELD ONE EASEMENT CONSISTING OF ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FOUR ACRES AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THE EASEMENT WAS RECEIVED IN 2015 AND IS LOCATED IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 2) NO EASEMENTS WERE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, RELEASED OR TERMINATED DURING THE YEAR COVERED BY THIS FORM 990 SCHEDULE D. 3)A. THE INITIATIVE DOES NOT HOLD ANY EASEMENTS THAT ENCUMBER A GOLF COURSE OR PORTIONS OF A GOLF COURSE. B. THE INITIATIVE DOES NOT HOLD ANY EASEMENTS THAT ARE WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND HOUSING SUBDIVISIONS, INCLUDING EASEMENTS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTY. C. THE INITIATIVE DOES NOT HOLD ANY EASEMENTS THAT WERE ACQUIRED IN A TRANSACTION DESCRIBED UNDER PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY FROM CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS IN NOTICE 2004-41. 4) THE INITIATIVE MONITORED ALL THE ACREAGE OF ITS EASEMENT DURING THE YEAR COVERED BY THIS FORM 990 SCHEDULE D THROUGH PHYSICAL INSPECTION AND OTHER MEANS. 5) THE TOTAL STAFF HOURS INCURRED FOR MONITORING AND ENFORCING THE EASEMENT DURING THE YEAR COVERED BY THIS FORM 990 SCHEDULE D WAS 4 HOURS. THERE WERE NO EXPENSES INCURRED FOR MONITORING. 1 AUDUBON GREAT LAKES 125 S WACKER DRIVE 2125 CHICAGO IL 60606 131624102 501(C)(3) 12398 0 SUPPORT OF THE WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECTS ALONG THE CALUMET RIVER IN NORTHWEST INDIANA. PART I, LINE 2: EACH RECIPIENT SIGNS A GRANT AGREEMENT, WHICH INDICATES THE GRANT AMOUNT, SCOPE OF WORK, TERMS OF PAYMENT, AND GUIDELINES AS TO HOW THE GRANT SHOULD BE SPENT. IN ADDITION, GRANT REPORTING IS REQUIRED FROM RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND PERIODIC MEETINGS TO DISCUSS PROGRESS AND ON-SITE VISITS TO THE PROJECT AREAS ARE CONDUCTED AS NEEDED. X 259 41774 MARKET VALUE 0 1 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DELEGATED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE FORM 990 TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE DOES A COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE FORM 990 WITH THE CPA FIRM AND APPROVES THE FILING OF THIS FORM 990. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORTS ITS PROCEDURES AND APPROVAL PROCESS OF THE FORM 990 TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHO ARE PROVIDED A COPY OF THE FINAL DRAFT PRIOR TO THE FILING OF THE RETURN. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ANNUALLY EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MUST COMPLETE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONAIRE AND SUBMIT THE QUESTIONAIRE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE QUESTIONAIRE LISTS EXISTING AND POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 IN CONNECTION WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' APPROVAL OF THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET, THE BOARD REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE SALARIES OF THE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE BOARD USES COMPENSATION INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES, SUCH AS THE DONORS FORUM, TO EVALUATE COMPENSATION AND DOCUMENTS APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET IN THE MINUTES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 COPIES OF THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICES FOR A NOMINAL FEE. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THIS PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PRIOR YEARS.