2025-05-12T09:06:36-04:00 2024-12-31 300003878 BENNING GROUP LLC 6815 WEAVER RD STE 300 ROCKFORD IL 611148060 990 2024-01-01 362478025 NATURAL LAND INSTITUTE NATU 8159646666 320 SOUTH THIRD STREET ROCKFORD IL 61104 PAUL BAITS PRESIDENT 8159646666 2025-04-28 false CURTIS D KLECKLER P00641247 8153162375 2025-05-02 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z PAUL BAITS 320 SOUTH THIRD STREET ROCKFORD IL 61104 6304060 false X WWW.NATURALLAND.ORG X 1958 IL TO CREATE AN ENDURING LEGACY OF NATURAL LAND IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOR PEOPLE, PLANTS AND ANIMALS 18 18 9 286 0 1231735 2416065 45657 46658 146568 422136 63185 64772 1487145 2949631 0 0 434030 458289 0 19712 615803 408972 1049833 867261 437312 2082370 20055779 22540756 131300 146127 19924479 22394629 X TO CREATE AN ENDURING LEGACY OF NATURAL LAND IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOR PEOPLE, PLANTS AND ANIMALS false false 124485 4449 LAND PRESERVATION - PROTECT NATURAL AREAS THROUGH ACQUISITION OR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS (SEE SCHEDULE O) 220954 1200 NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE - RESTORATION OF 721-ACRE PRESERVE AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE ROCK AND PECATONICA RIVERS (SEE SCHEDULE O) 183574 11861 RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PRESERVES (SEE SCHEDULE O) 247298 29148 SEE PREVIOUS DESCRIPTION FOR 4D 247298 29148 776311 true true false false false false true false true true true false false true false true true false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 0 0 true 9 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 18 18 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false 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 PRESIDE 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARK LUTHIN VICE PRESIDE 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ASHLEY SARVER SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 NANCY HOLM TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TREY AMBROSE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 APRIL BIESCHKE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT CLARK TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN COOK TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK CORMIER 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 JAMIE JOHANNSEN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 RUSS JOHANSSON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 HOWARD KNODLE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 LISA NORMOYLE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JENN NOWICKI TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 NANCY WILLIAMSON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALAN BRANHAGEN EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 98501 0 9419 98501 9419 false false false 223190 10000 2182875 2416065 LAND HOLDING & MANAGEMENT 541610 44048 44048 PROGRAM FEES 611600 2610 2610 46658 211115 211115 44792 44792 44792 44792 3514331 3303310 211021 211021 211021 70635 51119 19516 OTHER INCOME 900099 464 464 464 2949631 91914 422136 X 107920 89470 14119 4331 292399 242247 38443 11709 30312 25306 3763 1243 27658 23090 3434 1134 146529 146529 10749 10749 48084 40653 6136 1295 8132 8132 3956 3956 55850 55850 46966 45480 1486 FIELD SUPPLIES 31348 31348 LAND TRANSACTIONS 25158 25158 PLANTS AND SEEDS 21176 21176 VEHICLE & EQUIP. REPAIR 12345 12345 -1321 -5178 3857 867261 776311 71238 19712 331930 569460 493510 423804 300000 25700 34878 41031 1885263 404281 1489435 1480982 6792221 8116264 333046 349831 10280759 11533684 20055779 22540756 125346 137763 5954 8364 131300 146127 X 14575560 15952209 5348919 6442420 19924479 22394629 20055779 22540756 X 2082370 387779 1 X false true X true false X 849022 3443687 1051899 1231735 2416065 8992408 849022 3443687 1051899 1231735 2416065 8992408 1927469 7064939 158832 100054 156834 224176 255907 895803 10902 10902 500 1193 464 2157 9901270 761313 0.71350 0.73720 X PART II, LINE 10 OTHER INCOME 2,157 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X 53 4589.98 1 true 243.00 9080 false true X 3908165 275825 380831 217375 4347446 3449611 28300 556477 126223 3908165 4117358 45555 -556335 156967 3449611 3713798 67177 459433 123050 4117358 3417108 20800 362644 86754 3713798 0.34150 0.65850 true false 1254868 1254868 83446 54326 29120 546949 349955 196994 1480982 LAND HELD FOR PRESERVATION 11533684 11533684 X 3337411 387780 387780 2949631 2949631 867261 867261 867261 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 1, 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 AND LEGAL ENFORCEMENT COSTS THAT MAY ARISE. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 1, 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. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, 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. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, 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. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X 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. FUNDRAISERS 70635 70635 51119 70635 70635 51119 51119 19516 FORM 990, PART III 4A: LAND PRESERVATION - PROTECT NATURAL AREAS THROUGH ACQUISITION OR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. NLI PURCHASED THREE PARCELS COMPRISING 535 ACRES IN 2024, STARTING WITH THE 327-ACRE BUSSE PRAIRIE PRESERVE WHICH CLOSED ON SEPTEMBER 16, FOLLOWED BY THE 80-ACRE BLACKHAWK KENNEL TRACT ON DECEMBER 13 AND 128-ACRE OXBOW SPRINGS AT THE TAIL END OF THE YEAR ON DECEMBER 30. THE BUSSE PRAIRIE PRESERVE ACQUISITION IMPROVES OUR PROTECTION OF THE RACCOON CREEK CORRIDOR, A BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT IN THE COUNTY WITH LOTS OF REMNANT GRASSLANDS ALONG THIS MEANDERING STREAM. ACCORDING TO OUR FOUNDERS FATHER, EGBERT FELL (IN HIS FLORA OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY) IT WAS THE LAST PLACE FOR PRAIRIE CHICKENS IN THE COUNTY. WE DOUBT THEY WILL EVER RETURN BUT WE MOST CERTAINLY ARE SUCCESSFUL WITH ENHANCING HABITAT FOR OTHER GRASSLAND BIRDS. OXBOW SPRINGS AND THE BLACKHAWK KENNEL ARE ACQUISITIONS ALONG THE DOTY CREEK CORRIDOR, AND ADDED TO NLIS PECATONICA RIDGE PRAIRIE, PROTECT REMNANTS OF A MAJOR SLOUGH (GRASS WETLAND) DELINEATED ON THE 1843 ORIGINAL LAND SURVEY OF PECATONICA TOWNSHIP. MORE THAN 200 ACRES WERE ADDED TO REGIONAL STATE PARKS: NLI SOLD 55-ACRE WHITE WOOD RIDGE TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (IDNR) SO THAT IT COULD ADD IT TO MISSISSIPPI PALISADES STATE PARK ON JUNE 3RD AND 149-ACRE TOWNSEND GLADE TO THE IDNR TO ADD TO APPLE RIVER CANYON STATE PARK ON OCTOBER 29TH. MORE THAN 200 ACRES OF PRIVATE LANDS WERE PLACED INTO CONSERVATION EASEMENTS SO THAT THESE LANDS REMAIN AS CONSERVATION LANDS IN PERPETUITY. THIS INCLUDED THE 77-ACRE HANDEL AND 77-ACRE MILLER LANDS IN CARROLL COUNTY; THE 28-ACRE LANGOUSSIS LAND IN WINNEBAGO COUNTY AND THE 35-ACRE PECATONICA STREAM MITIGATION BANK IN STEPHENSON COUNTY. 4B: NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE - RESTORATION OF 721-ACRE PRESERVE AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE ROCK AND PECATONICA RIVERS. NYGREN IS A BIRDING HOTSPOT SUPPORTED BY CORNELL LABORATORY OF ORNITHOLOGYS E-BIRD DATA. IF YOU ARE ON FACEBOOK, JOIN OUR BIRDERS OF NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE TO SEE DAILY IMAGES FROM VISITORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO THE SITE WHO GENEROUSLY SHARE A WEALTH OF IMAGES OF WHAT THEY ENCOUNTER. WANDER AT THE WETLAND: FULL MOON SNOWSHOE & HIKE WAS HELD ON FEB. 22 AT NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE TO SHOWCASE THE WINTER LANDSCAPE. PARTY ON THE PRAIRIE, A FUNDRAISER FOR NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE AND HELD THERE ON JULY 20. THIS IS AN OUTDOOR GALA THAT SHOWCASES THE WORK WE DO WHILE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GUESTS TO ENJOY DINNER OVERLOOKING THE PRAIRIE. FALL PRAIRIE HARVEST DAY, A SEED COLLECTION EVENT, WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 5 AT NYGREN WETLAND. FAMILY NATURE ADVENTURES WAS HELD AT NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE IN ROCKTON ON JUNE 22. 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 AT THE MAMMALS STATION, LEARNED HOW TO DRAW BIRDS AND HOW TO WRITE ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL WHILE EXPLORING OUTSIDE. OTHER EXPERIENCES BROUGHT JOY TO THE FACES OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED 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. HONONEGAH HIGH SCHOOL BROUGHT NEARLY 300 FRESHMEN BIOLOGY STUDENTS TO NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE ON OCT. 8 AND 9 TO DO AN ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD STUDY. 4C: RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PRESERVES LAND STEWARDSHIP STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS MANAGED PRESERVES BY REMOVING INVASIVE SPECIES IN PRAIRIES, WETLANDS AND WOODLANDS, CONDUCTED PRESCRIBED BURNS, PLANTED TREES AND NATIVE WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES, AND MONITORED WILDLIFE SUCH AS DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES, TURTLES, MUSSELS, AND BIRDS. VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDSHIP WORKDAYS WERE HELD AT LOST FLORA FEN ON RACCOON CREEK, LIND-MCGEACHIE PRESERVE, SILVER CREEK WOODS PRESERVE, WILLIAM & GAYLE KEEFER NATURE RESERVE, AND NYGREN WETLAND PRESERVE. 4D: 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. 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. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT EVENTS ARE HELD TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN OUR PRESERVES AND WE PARTICIPATE IN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS EVENTS TO REACH THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE KNOW ABOUT OUR MISSION. A MEMBERS ONLY HIKE AT BURR OAK VALLEY NATURE PRESERVE ON JULY 24TH FEATURED A CLOSE LOOK AT THE RESTORED AND REMNANT PRAIRIES THERE. NLI HELPED PLAN ROCKTON PELICAN FEST HELD ON MAY 18 IN ROCKTON AND AT NYGREN WETLAND AND HOSTED A BOOTH WITH INFORMATION AND A CHILDRENS ACTIVITY. A PUBLIC OPENING EVENT WAS HELD AT THE WILLIAM & GAYLE KEEFER NATURE RESERVE ON SEPT. 26 TO KICK OFF THE START OF THIS SITE BEING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON A DAILY BASIS. THE OAKTOBER HIKE WAS HELD AT A NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR, THE LIND-MCGEACHIE PRESERVE, ON OCT. 26TH. NLI AT COMMUNITY EVENTS NLI HOSTED AN INFORMATION TABLE AND KIDS ACTIVITY AT SEVERAL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS EVENTS THIS YEAR INCLUDING: 815 OUTSIDE SUNSET SOIREE, POLLINATOR PALOOZA, SPRING NATIVE PLANT SALE AT COUNTRY ROAD GREENHOUSES, KLEHM ARBORETUMS GARDEN FAIR, AND ROCKFORD CITY MARKET. NLI HOSTED AN INFORMATION TABLE AT THE COLLINS AEROSPACE HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE ROCKFORD VOLUNTEER FAIR, AND AT THE WILD ONES ROCK RIVER VALLEY CHAPTERS 30TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION. NLIS LEGACY TREE PROGRAM NLIS LEGACY TREE PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN JANUARY. WEVE LEARNED ABOUT TREES THAT HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT MEANING TO THE COMMUNITY AND FAMILIES, AND SEVERAL HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED AS NEW STATE CHAMPIONS AND HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE REGISTERED IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS BIG TREE REGISTRY BECAUSE OF THEIR SIZE. FORTY-THREE TREES WERE NOMINATED AND TWELVE WERE RECOGNIZED, ONE A MONTH, AND PROMOTED TO THE COMMUNITY VIA NEWS RELEASE TO THE MEDIA, EMAIL NEWSLETTERS, ON OUR WEBSITE: NATURALLAND.ORG, AND ON FACEBOOK, X, INSTAGRAM AND LINKEDIN. CONSERVATION@HOME THE CONSERVATION@HOME PROGRAM IS A WAY TO RECOGNIZE HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN THEIR OWN YARD AND GARDEN. EIGHT HOMEOWNERS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THE EFFORTS IN NATIVE VEGETATION, YARD MANAGEMENT, WATER STEWARDSHIP AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D SEE PREVIOUS DESCRIPTION FOR 4D FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B CIRCULATED DURING THE FIRST BOARD MEETING AFTER COMPLETING, POSTED ON NLI WEBSITE FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, 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, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A COMPENSATION IS COMPARED WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS AND THE NATIONAL LAND TRUST ALLIANCE FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B COMPENSATION IS COMPARED WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS AND THE NATIONAL LAND TRUST ALLIANCE FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, 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 146,529 0 0 FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 ROUNDING 1