2025-11-03T09:23:46-05:00 2024-12-31 341602442 H & J CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS INC 7555 FREDLE DR STE 110 CONCORD OH 44077 990 2024-01-01 341859064 WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY WEST 2167493720 7381 CAMELOT DR PARMA OH 441347113 DEREK C SCHAFER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2167493720 2025-11-12 true true ROLLAND B STANDISH P00169705 4409512997 2025-10-29 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z DEREK C SCHAFER 7381 CAMELOT DR PARMA OH 441347113 14017772 false X WESTCREEK.ORG X 2000 OH OUR MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE IN NORTHEAST OHIO BY CONSERVING NATURAL HABITATS, RESTORING THE ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF OUR REGION'S LANDS AND WATERS, AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT PEOPLE FROM ALL CULTURES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE AND DISCOVER OUR GREAT OUTDOORS. 18 18 9 349 2883000 544737 10795971 9190434 2074782 4604263 18763 54741 72940 12925494 13886400 0 0 559862 636007 0 89165 10143194 12045893 10703056 12681900 2222438 1204500 6693479 7845548 1386730 1334299 5306749 6511249 X OUR MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE IN NORTHEAST OHIO BY CONSERVING NATURAL HABITATS, RESTORING THE ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF OUR REGION'S LANDS AND WATERS, AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT PEOPLE FROM ALL CULTURES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE AND DISCOVER OUR GREAT OUTDOORS. false false 11993485 4604263 WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY'S ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND REGION IS UNIQUE, AS IT TAKES A COLLABORATIVE WATERSHED APPROACH TO LAND CONSERVATION, STREAM/WETLAND RESTORATION, AND TRAIL/GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT. NORTHEAST OHIO HAS A STORIED HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT AND HAS OFTEN BEEN A POSTER CHILD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS. WHERE A RIVER'S FIRES AND POLLUTION WERE ONCE NATIONAL FRONT-PAGE NEWS, WE NOW HAVE ONE OF THE MOST VISITED NATIONAL PARKS IN THE COUNTRY, A VAST NETWORK OF METROPARKS AND PARK DISTRICTS, A 100-MILE WATER TRAIL, A HANDFUL OF NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT 'SCENIC RIVERS', A REGIONALLY COLLABORATIVE NETWORK OF WATERSHED GROUPS, ACTIVATION AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS ALONG MANY RIVERINE AND COASTAL AREAS, AND STORY AFTER STORY OF HABITAT AND WILDLIFE RECOVERY. EVEN WITH SUCH PROGRESS, WE STILL HAVE MUCH LEFT TO DO WEST CREEK IS A HYBRID LAND CONSERVATION AND WATERSHED-RESTORATION ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON MYRIAD ACTIVITIES: ACQUIRING LAND (INCLUDING HIGH QUALITY AND COMPLETELY DEGRADED AREAS); RESTORING ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONALITY (ENCOMPASSING STREAMS, WETLANDS, OPEN MEADOWS, FOREST LANDS, AS WELL AS BROWNFIELDS); RETROFITTING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (OFTEN REMOVING UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, RECLAIMING NATURAL AREAS, AND INSTALLING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE OR OTHER STORMWATER CONTROL MECHANISMS); BUILDING TRAIL/GREENWAY NETWORKS IN ORDER TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THESE SPECIAL PLACES; AND ENGAGING MUNICIPALITIES, STAKEHOLDERS, POLICY MAKERS, AND OTHER PARTNERS TO IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE AND POLICY. THIS IS WHAT WE REFER TO AS A "HEADWATERS-TO-CONFLUENCE APPROACH." WEST CREEK REGULARLY FILLS A NICHE: HELPING PARTNERS ACQUIRE LAND, POSSIBLY ON AN INTERIM BASIS, AND SOMETIMES PRE-ACQUIRING BEFORE THE OPPORTUNITY IS LOST. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR PARTNERSHIPS AND OUR COLLABORATIVE APPROACH. ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST RECENT EXAMPLES IS A PROJECT REFERRED TO AS IRISHTOWN BEND - A MORE THAN 23 ACRE RECLAMATION INITIATIVE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND ALONG A HALF MILE OF THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, WHICH MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN 2024. WEST CREEK ORCHESTRATED A SERIES OF COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS TO GAIN OWNERSHIP OF THE AREA SO THAT ITS PARTNERS COULD ACCELERATE AND IMPLEMENT A TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE AND CRITICAL PROJECT. OUR ROLE HELPED CATALYZE A NEARLY 100M PROJECT THAT WILL CHANGE THE FACE OF THE RIVER AND PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED URBAN PARK, GREENSPACE, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES TO A DENSE URBAN COMMUNITY. WITH A SMALL STAFF, OUR WATERSHED AND CONSERVATION SERVICES STRETCH BEYOND A DOZEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO. EMPLOYING OUR PARTNERSHIP APPROACH, WE ARE ASSISTING RICHLAND COUNTY PARK DISTRICT, TO CREATE AND RESTORE A 100- ACRE AREA WITHIN CLEAR FORK RIVER, INCLUDING TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO NEARLY THREE MILES OF THE RIVER; ASSISTING SUMMIT METRO PARKS TO EXPAND CONSERVATION ALONG THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, ADDING ANOTHER 57 ACRES & 1-MILE OF RIVER UNDER THEIR STEWARDSHIP, AS WELL AS FACILITATING A 20-ACRE ADDITION TO THEIR NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED VALLEY VIEW BLUFFS PARK; ASSISTING CLEVELAND METROPARKS WITH EXPANDING BEDFORD AND BRECKSVILLE RESERVATIONS, WHILE DEVELOPING OVER 2 MILES OF THE WEST CREEK GREENWAY TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY TO THE OVER 40,000 PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN A 1-MILE RADIUS ; ASSISTING CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK WITH IN-HOLD PROPERTY CONSERVATION; ASSISTING THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (ODNR) WITH A NEARLY 200-ACRE EXPANSION OF THE FUNK BOTTOMS WILDLIFE AREA, AS WELL AS EXPANSION OF DUPONT STATE NATURE PRESERVE AND TINKER'S CREEK STATE PRESERVE; DRIVING AN INITIATIVE TO PRESERVE CRITICAL AREAS AROUND TALCOTT CREEK, A COLD-WATER STREAM OF THE GRAND RIVER WATERSHED; PROTECTING A 108-ACRE CRUCIAL SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER IN THE HEADWATERS OF THE CUYAHOGA RIVER; FURTHER EXPANDING THE CONSERVATION CORRIDOR IN FURNACE RUN/BALDWIN CREEK - A SECOND PHASE NOW TOTALING OVER 100-ACRES THAT STRADDLES BRECKSVILLE AND BROADVIEW HEIGHTS; ADDING 12 ACRES TO THE HIGHLAND HEIGHTS CITY PARK, WHERE WE HAVE ALREADY PROTECTED OVER 40 ACRES ADJACENT TO IT ALONG CRITICAL HEADWATER STREAMS AND WETLANDS OF EUCLID CREEK; ASSISTING THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY TO EXPAND TWO DIFFERENT PRESERVES; AND LASTLY - WEST CREEK WAS A KEY CONVENER WORKING ACROSS CUYAHOGA AND LAKE COUNTIES TO LEVERAGE A 130M GRANT TO NOT ONLY INITIATE A SOLAR FIELD PROJECT THAT WILL PRODUCE MORE THAN 60 MEGAWATTS OF POWER REPLACING A COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT, BUT CONSERVE NEARLY 800 ACRES OF LAND IN THE PROCESS, WHILE ACTIVATING A ONE AND HALF MILE STRETCH OF THE GRAND RIVER AND NEARLY TWO-MILE REACH OF LAKE ERIE COASTLINE IN 2024 ALONE, WE HAD OVER 5.5M IN STREAM AND WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECTS ON THE GROUND IN 5 COUNTIES. THESE PROJECTS MAY APPEAR DISCONNECTED, BUT BY APPLYING A STRATEGIC WATERSHED APPROACH, THESE CORRIDORS BECOME CONNECTED OR OTHERWISE PART OF A LARGER INITIATIVE. WITH RESPECT TO OUR CONSERVATION INITIATIVES, THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT PURSUE PROJECTS BASED SOLELY ON A THRESHOLD OF ACREAGE OR OTHER FIXED MEASURABLES BUT RATHER A MYRIAD OF FACTORS THAT CREATE THE MISSION-CENTRIC FOCUS OF OUR WORK. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEREAS 300+ ACRES OF HIGH-QUALITY WETLAND IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THE HEALTH OF AN ECOSYSTEM OR WATERSHED, A 5-ACRE PARCEL IN AN URBAN AREA IS EQUALLY VALUABLE BY CONNECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO GREEN SPACES ON A DAILY BASIS. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE ORGANIZATION TAKES A HEADWATERS-TO-CONFLUENCE APPROACH IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION. IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE ALSO LEVERAGING OUR RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE TO AMPLIFY OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE PROVIDED A HOMEBASE FOR THE FOOTPATH FOUNDATION, A SPECIAL PLACE THAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES THEM WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE (OFFICE/HEADQUARTERS) BUT ALSO A PLACE FOR THEM TO IMPLEMENT THEIR MISSION, WHICH IS CENTERED AROUND ENGAGING YOUTH IN NATURAL PLACES AND SPACES. WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO HOST AND PARTNER WITH SPICE FIELD KITCHEN (SPICE) ON ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE PRESERVES, WHERE SPICE CAN IMPLEMENT THEIR MISSION OF "REVOLUTIONARY FOOD ENGAGEMENT" FOCUSED ON TEACHING YOUTHS WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM. ALONG THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, IN THE INDUSTRIAL HEARTLAND OF CLEVELAND, WE HAVE ACQUIRED AND RESTORED A PROPERTY THAT SERVES AS THE HOMEBASE FOR THE SPARTAN ALUMNI ROWING FOUNDATION, SO THAT THEY TOO HAVE A PLACE TO IMPLEMENT THEIR COMMUNITY MISSION. THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF WEST CREEK LEVERAGING ITS OWN EXPERTISE IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE IMPACT OTHERS HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY. LASTLY, WE WOULD BE REMISS TO NOT MENTION THE GROWTH (PUN INTENDED) OF OUR NATIVE PLANT, TREE, AND SEED NURSERY, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PARMA. ONCE FALLOW LAND IS NOW A THRIVING CENTRIFUGE OF ENGAGEMENT AND PROPAGATION. THIS SITE MAY ONLY BE A COUPLE ACRES, BUT IT HAS BEEN A BEACON OF ACTIVITY, ENGAGING HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS (WHO PUT IN THOUSANDS OF HOURS), ACTING AS A CLASSROOM FOR AREA STUDENTS, AND PROVIDING A PLACE OF STUDY FOR OUR PARTNERS ANALYZING ECOLOGICAL PRACTICES, IN ADDITION TO PROPAGATING THOUSANDS OF TREES/PLANTS THAT ARE BEING PLANTED THROUGHOUT OUR REGION. THE 'SEED LIBRARY' PROGRAM WITHIN THIS SITE HAS QUICKLY GAINED MOMENTUM TO THE POINT WHERE CAPACITY IS OUTSTRIPPED BY DEMAND. THIS PROPERTY HAS BECOME A PLACE OF COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS THROUGH ORGANIC ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, INCLUDING SPICE FIELD KITCHEN WEST CREEK'S ENTERING ITS 28TH YEAR OF PROTECTING/RESTORING THESE AMAZING PLACES AND WE ARE PROUD THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE VISION OF OUR FOUNDERS OF 'MAKING NATURE YOUR NEIGHBOR'. WHERE CAPACITY ONCE LIMITED US TO THE WEST CREEK VALLEY, WE ARE HUMBLED THAT WE CAN NOW SERVE CONSTITUENTS IN OVER A DOZEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO AND BEYOND (INCLUDING THE LAKE ERIE AND OHIO RIVER WATERSHEDS). WE INVITE YOU TO HELP WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY CONTINUE WITH ITS MISSION. WE ARE PROUD OF THE VAST NETWORK OF PARTNERS THAT WE GET TO WORK WITH AND THE FACT THAT OUR WORK HAS A GENERATIONAL IMPACT - AND YOU TOO, CAN BE A PART OF THAT LEGACY. THROUGH DIRECT FINANCIAL GIFTS, ATTENDING MEETINGS, HIKES, TOURS, EVENTS, CONSERVING YOUR LAND, OR VOLUNTEERISM - THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT WEST CREEK A GIFT NOW MAKES A LASTING DIFFERENCE. 11993485 true true false false false false true false false false true false false false false true true true false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false true false false false false true 42 0 true 9 true true true false false false false true true false false false false false false false false X 18 18 false false true false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false OH X X X DEREK C SCHAFER 2167493720 7381 CAMELOT DR PARMA OH 441347113 DEREK C SCHAFER EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 106710 0 19939 JOSEPH LESLIE REAL ESTATE 40.00 X 109623 0 3248 MICHAEL J MOHLENKAMP CHAIR 10.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER B OWEN VICE CHAIR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 LUKE SCHWANN TREASURER 4.00 X X 0 0 0 MARIBETH B FEKE SECRETARY 4.00 X X 0 0 0 SHIMSHON BALANSON DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 LIZ BOEHM DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 BENJAMIN M BORNS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT S BRILL DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN CRAWFORD DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT J DAGOSTINO DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 BARBARA J HERMES DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MENG LIU DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ALBERT JOHNSON III DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 KURT SARDIGA DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC M SLUSS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 KAREN VARGO DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 RICHARD K WEISER DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MENGXUE XIE DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 216333 23187 2 false false false RICHARD GOETTLE INC 12071 HAMILTON AVE CINCINNATI OH 45231 RESTORATION 1000000 RJB REAL ESTATE LLC 304 MAIN STREET STE 439 NORWALK CT 06851 CONSULTING 684638 RIVERREACH CONSTRUCTION 92 31ST ST NW BARBERTON OH 44203 RESTORATION 394163 F BUDDIE CONTRACTING LTD 12120 SOBIESKI AVE CLEVELAND OH 44135 RESTORATION 270000 EMSHOFF EXCAVATING 4556 OH-82 MANUTA OH 44255 RESTORATION 245533 8 130012 6212926 2847496 1787809 9190434 LAND SALES - UBI 531390 2883000 2883000 PROJECTS AND PROGRAM INCOME 1589992 1589992 LAND SALES - NOT UBI 127906 127906 PROPERTY LEASE INCOME 3365 3365 4604263 18763 18763 131372 130012 131372 OTHER REVENUE 72940 72940 72940 13886400 1794203 2883000 18763 X 106710 106710 439031 263819 131009 44203 47840 19006 23018 5816 42426 25549 10749 6128 40352 10088 30264 29059 1601 27074 384 755231 685421 50771 19039 62373 32034 26330 4009 15999 8401 6261 1337 16222 14674 1548 13835 13835 3299 3299 22944 20537 2407 RESTORATION WORK EXP 3374248 3374248 LAND ACQ DIRECT COSTS 2684985 2684985 CONSERV LAND TRANSFERS 2162232 2162232 LAND SALE EXPENSE 856294 856294 2008820 1710752 289819 8249 12681900 11993485 599250 89165 1257037 1411113 760967 221387 671245 179100 323896 11968 37824 4647421 7272 5023635 4640149 352 354 6693479 7845548 564271 763804 109455 70495 713004 500000 1386730 1334299 X 4807921 5893804 498828 617445 5306749 6511249 6693479 7845548 X 1204500 X false true X true false X 4991058 5966165 9582216 10795971 9736077 41071487 4991058 5966165 9582216 10795971 9736077 41071487 264580 40806907 18763 18763 148997 544737 693734 8765 135834 164716 54741 72940 436996 42220980 9131069 0.96650 0.96930 X PART II, LINE 10 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME - 5 YR CUMULAT 436,996 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X X X 344 2747.65 1 11 1 true 110.00 55504 true 4624936 4624936 22485 7272 15213 4640149 X 13030106 13030106 856294 856294 13886400 11825606 11825606 856294 856294 12681900 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 1, PART II, LINE 5 IF A LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR ENVIRONMENTAL COVENANT IS OBSERVED, WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY PROVIDES APPROPRIATE NOTICE OF THE NONCOMPLIANCE TO THE TITLE OWNER OF THE RESTRICTED PROPERTY AND SOLICITS COOPERATIVE ACTION TO RESTORE COMPLIANCE WITH THE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN THE EASEMENT OR COVENANT. IF NECESSARY, THE CONSERVANCY USES ARBITRATION, LITIGATION, OR OTHER APPROPRIATE MEANS TO SECURE COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE D, PAGE 1, PART II, LINE 9 LAND THAT IS PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED FOR CONSERVATION, EASEMENTS, AND COVENANTS, WHICH WERE ACQUIRED THROUGH PURCHASES AND CONTRIBUTIONS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION'S INCEPTION, ARE GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AT A VALUE OF 1 PER PERMANENT PARCEL NUMBER (PPN) ON THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS). MANAGEMENT CLASSIFIES THESE ACQUISITIONS AS A "COLLECTION," AS DEFINED IN ASC TOPIC 958, DUE TO ITS INTENT TO HOLD THESE ASSETS IN PERPETUITY FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES. BECAUSE MANAGEMENT BELIEVES THE VALUE OF THESE PARCELS HAS BEEN IMPAIRED, AS DEFINED IN ASC TOPIC 360, AT ACQUISITION DUE TO THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS PLACED ON THESE PARCELS, DIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF LAND, EASEMENTS, OR COVENANTS ARE EXPENSED IN THE YEAR INCURRED. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C) (3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (THE "CODE") AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION WHEREBY ONLY UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME, AS DEFINED BY SECTION 509(A) OF THE CODE, IS SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX. REFER TO FOOTNOTE 11 FOR DETAILS ON THE 2024 ACTIVITIES THAT GENERATED UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME. 11.GAIN ON SALE OF TRADE LAND - UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME TAX (UBIT) FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE ORGANIZATION INCURRED UBIT EXPENSE OF 101,500 AND 45,000, RESPECTIVELY, RELATED TO THE SALE OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LOTS. THESE SALES ARE TREATED AS UNRELATED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 512. THE UBIT EXPENSE IS CALCULATED BASED ON THE NET TAXABLE INCOME FROM THESE TRANSACTIONS AND IS PRESENTED AS A SEPARATE LINE ITEM WITHIN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES, CLASSIFIED UNDER MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES. THE ORGANIZATION MONITORS ITS UNRELATED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE TAX REGULATIONS AND TO MINIMIZE FUTURE EXPOSURE. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 4B UBI EXPENSES NET ON FINANCIALS 856,294 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XII, LINE 4B UBI EXPENSES NET ON FINANCIALS 856,294 UP A CREEK 261384 130012 131372 45512 41384 19934 2800 21742 261384 130012 131372 45512 41384 19934 2800 21742 131372 X 4 1575696 APPRAISED VALUE X MISC GOODS 1 110110 FMV X EASEMENTS 4 102003 FMV AND GAAP MEASUREMENT 2 false true false FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OUR MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE IN NORTHEAST OHIO BY CONSERVING NATURAL HABITATS, RESTORING THE ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF OUR REGION'S LANDS AND WATERS, AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT PEOPLE FROM ALL CULTURES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE AND DISCOVER OUR GREAT OUTDOORS. FORM 990, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 6 VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATED FOR LANDSCAPING, PROPERTY UPKEEP, AND OTHER SERVICES TOTALLED 1,507 IN 2024. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY'S ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND REGION IS UNIQUE, AS IT TAKES A COLLABORATIVE WATERSHED APPROACH TO LAND CONSERVATION, STREAM/WETLAND RESTORATION, AND TRAIL/GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT. NORTHEAST OHIO HAS A STORIED HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT AND HAS OFTEN BEEN A POSTER CHILD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS. WHERE A RIVER'S FIRES AND POLLUTION WERE ONCE NATIONAL FRONT-PAGE NEWS, WE NOW HAVE ONE OF THE MOST VISITED NATIONAL PARKS IN THE COUNTRY, A VAST NETWORK OF METROPARKS AND PARK DISTRICTS, A 100-MILE WATER TRAIL, A HANDFUL OF NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT 'SCENIC RIVERS', A REGIONALLY COLLABORATIVE NETWORK OF WATERSHED GROUPS, ACTIVATION AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS ALONG MANY RIVERINE AND COASTAL AREAS, AND STORY AFTER STORY OF HABITAT AND WILDLIFE RECOVERY. EVEN WITH SUCH PROGRESS, WE STILL HAVE MUCH LEFT TO DO WEST CREEK IS A HYBRID LAND CONSERVATION AND WATERSHED-RESTORATION ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON MYRIAD ACTIVITIES: ACQUIRING LAND (INCLUDING HIGH QUALITY AND COMPLETELY DEGRADED AREAS); RESTORING ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONALITY (ENCOMPASSING STREAMS, WETLANDS, OPEN MEADOWS, FOREST LANDS, AS WELL AS BROWNFIELDS); RETROFITTING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (OFTEN REMOVING UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, RECLAIMING NATURAL AREAS, AND INSTALLING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE OR OTHER STORMWATER CONTROL MECHANISMS); BUILDING TRAIL/GREENWAY NETWORKS IN ORDER TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THESE SPECIAL PLACES; AND ENGAGING MUNICIPALITIES, STAKEHOLDERS, POLICY MAKERS, AND OTHER PARTNERS TO IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE AND POLICY. THIS IS WHAT WE REFER TO AS A "HEADWATERS-TO-CONFLUENCE APPROACH." WEST CREEK REGULARLY FILLS A NICHE: HELPING PARTNERS ACQUIRE LAND, POSSIBLY ON AN INTERIM BASIS, AND SOMETIMES PRE-ACQUIRING BEFORE THE OPPORTUNITY IS LOST. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR PARTNERSHIPS AND OUR COLLABORATIVE APPROACH. ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST RECENT EXAMPLES IS A PROJECT REFERRED TO AS IRISHTOWN BEND - A MORE THAN 23 ACRE RECLAMATION INITIATIVE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND ALONG A HALF MILE OF THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, WHICH MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN 2024. WEST CREEK ORCHESTRATED A SERIES OF COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS TO GAIN OWNERSHIP OF THE AREA SO THAT ITS PARTNERS COULD ACCELERATE AND IMPLEMENT A TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE AND CRITICAL PROJECT. OUR ROLE HELPED CATALYZE A NEARLY 100M PROJECT THAT WILL CHANGE THE FACE OF THE RIVER AND PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED URBAN PARK, GREENSPACE, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES TO A DENSE URBAN COMMUNITY. WITH A SMALL STAFF, OUR WATERSHED AND CONSERVATION SERVICES STRETCH BEYOND A DOZEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO. EMPLOYING OUR PARTNERSHIP APPROACH, WE ARE ASSISTING RICHLAND COUNTY PARK DISTRICT, TO CREATE AND RESTORE A 100- ACRE AREA WITHIN CLEAR FORK RIVER, INCLUDING TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO NEARLY THREE MILES OF THE RIVER; ASSISTING SUMMIT METRO PARKS TO EXPAND CONSERVATION ALONG THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, ADDING ANOTHER 57 ACRES & 1-MILE OF RIVER UNDER THEIR STEWARDSHIP, AS WELL AS FACILITATING A 20-ACRE ADDITION TO THEIR NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED VALLEY VIEW BLUFFS PARK; ASSISTING CLEVELAND METROPARKS WITH EXPANDING BEDFORD AND BRECKSVILLE RESERVATIONS, WHILE DEVELOPING OVER 2 MILES OF THE WEST CREEK GREENWAY TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY TO THE OVER 40,000 PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN A 1-MILE RADIUS ; ASSISTING CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK WITH IN-HOLD PROPERTY CONSERVATION; ASSISTING THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (ODNR) WITH A NEARLY 200-ACRE EXPANSION OF THE FUNK BOTTOMS WILDLIFE AREA, AS WELL AS EXPANSION OF DUPONT STATE NATURE PRESERVE AND TINKER'S CREEK STATE PRESERVE; DRIVING AN INITIATIVE TO PRESERVE CRITICAL AREAS AROUND TALCOTT CREEK, A COLD-WATER STREAM OF THE GRAND RIVER WATERSHED; PROTECTING A 108-ACRE CRUCIAL SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER IN THE HEADWATERS OF THE CUYAHOGA RIVER; FURTHER EXPANDING THE CONSERVATION CORRIDOR IN FURNACE RUN/BALDWIN CREEK - A SECOND PHASE NOW TOTALING OVER 100-ACRES THAT STRADDLES BRECKSVILLE AND BROADVIEW HEIGHTS; ADDING 12 ACRES TO THE HIGHLAND HEIGHTS CITY PARK, WHERE WE HAVE ALREADY PROTECTED OVER 40 ACRES ADJACENT TO IT ALONG CRITICAL HEADWATER STREAMS AND WETLANDS OF EUCLID CREEK; ASSISTING THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY TO EXPAND TWO DIFFERENT PRESERVES; AND LASTLY - WEST CREEK WAS A KEY CONVENER WORKING ACROSS CUYAHOGA AND LAKE COUNTIES TO LEVERAGE A 130M GRANT TO NOT ONLY INITIATE A SOLAR FIELD PROJECT THAT WILL PRODUCE MORE THAN 60 MEGAWATTS OF POWER REPLACING A COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT, BUT CONSERVE NEARLY 800 ACRES OF LAND IN THE PROCESS, WHILE ACTIVATING A ONE AND HALF MILE STRETCH OF THE GRAND RIVER AND NEARLY TWO-MILE REACH OF LAKE ERIE COASTLINE IN 2024 ALONE, WE HAD OVER 5.5M IN STREAM AND WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECTS ON THE GROUND IN 5 COUNTIES. THESE PROJECTS MAY APPEAR DISCONNECTED, BUT BY APPLYING A STRATEGIC WATERSHED APPROACH, THESE CORRIDORS BECOME CONNECTED OR OTHERWISE PART OF A LARGER INITIATIVE. WITH RESPECT TO OUR CONSERVATION INITIATIVES, THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT PURSUE PROJECTS BASED SOLELY ON A THRESHOLD OF ACREAGE OR OTHER FIXED MEASURABLES BUT RATHER A MYRIAD OF FACTORS THAT CREATE THE MISSION-CENTRIC FOCUS OF OUR WORK. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEREAS 300+ ACRES OF HIGH-QUALITY WETLAND IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THE HEALTH OF AN ECOSYSTEM OR WATERSHED, A 5-ACRE PARCEL IN AN URBAN AREA IS EQUALLY VALUABLE BY CONNECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO GREEN SPACES ON A DAILY BASIS. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE ORGANIZATION TAKES A HEADWATERS-TO-CONFLUENCE APPROACH IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION. IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE ALSO LEVERAGING OUR RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE TO AMPLIFY OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE PROVIDED A HOMEBASE FOR THE FOOTPATH FOUNDATION, A SPECIAL PLACE THAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES THEM WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE (OFFICE/HEADQUARTERS) BUT ALSO A PLACE FOR THEM TO IMPLEMENT THEIR MISSION, WHICH IS CENTERED AROUND ENGAGING YOUTH IN NATURAL PLACES AND SPACES. WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO HOST AND PARTNER WITH SPICE FIELD KITCHEN (SPICE) ON ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE PRESERVES, WHERE SPICE CAN IMPLEMENT THEIR MISSION OF "REVOLUTIONARY FOOD ENGAGEMENT" FOCUSED ON TEACHING YOUTHS WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM. ALONG THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, IN THE INDUSTRIAL HEARTLAND OF CLEVELAND, WE HAVE ACQUIRED AND RESTORED A PROPERTY THAT SERVES AS THE HOMEBASE FOR THE SPARTAN ALUMNI ROWING FOUNDATION, SO THAT THEY TOO HAVE A PLACE TO IMPLEMENT THEIR COMMUNITY MISSION. THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF WEST CREEK LEVERAGING ITS OWN EXPERTISE IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE IMPACT OTHERS HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY. LASTLY, WE WOULD BE REMISS TO NOT MENTION THE GROWTH (PUN INTENDED) OF OUR NATIVE PLANT, TREE, AND SEED NURSERY, LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PARMA. ONCE FALLOW LAND IS NOW A THRIVING CENTRIFUGE OF ENGAGEMENT AND PROPAGATION. THIS SITE MAY ONLY BE A COUPLE ACRES, BUT IT HAS BEEN A BEACON OF ACTIVITY, ENGAGING HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS (WHO PUT IN THOUSANDS OF HOURS), ACTING AS A CLASSROOM FOR AREA STUDENTS, AND PROVIDING A PLACE OF STUDY FOR OUR PARTNERS ANALYZING ECOLOGICAL PRACTICES, IN ADDITION TO PROPAGATING THOUSANDS OF TREES/PLANTS THAT ARE BEING PLANTED THROUGHOUT OUR REGION. THE 'SEED LIBRARY' PROGRAM WITHIN THIS SITE HAS QUICKLY GAINED MOMENTUM TO THE POINT WHERE CAPACITY IS OUTSTRIPPED BY DEMAND. THIS PROPERTY HAS BECOME A PLACE OF COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS THROUGH ORGANIC ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, INCLUDING SPICE FIELD KITCHEN WEST CREEK'S ENTERING ITS 28TH YEAR OF PROTECTING/RESTORING THESE AMAZING PLACES AND WE ARE PROUD THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE VISION OF OUR FOUNDERS OF 'MAKING NATURE YOUR NEIGHBOR'. WHERE CAPACITY ONCE LIMITED US TO THE WEST CREEK VALLEY, WE ARE HUMBLED THAT WE CAN NOW SERVE CONSTITUENTS IN OVER A DOZEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO AND BEYOND (INCLUDING THE LAKE ERIE AND OHIO RIVER WATERSHEDS). WE INVITE YOU TO HELP WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY CONTINUE WITH ITS MISSION. WE ARE PROUD OF THE VAST NETWORK OF PARTNERS THAT WE GET TO WORK WITH AND THE FACT THAT OUR WORK HAS A GENERATIONAL IMPACT - AND YOU TOO, CAN BE A PART OF THAT LEGACY. THROUGH DIRECT FINANCIAL GIFTS, ATTENDING MEETINGS, HIKES, TOURS, EVENTS, CONSERVING YOUR LAND, OR VOLUNTEERISM - THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT WEST CREEK A GIFT NOW MAKES A LASTING DIFFERENCE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 4 THE ORGANIZATION AMENDED ITS BYLAWS IN AUGUST 2024, TO ADD A NEW PURPOSE SECTION UNDER ARTICLE II CLARIFYING THE ORGANIZATION'S SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL RESOURCES, PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, AND SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLE RESOURCES. CORRESPONDING ARTICLE AND SECTION REFERENCES WERE RENUMBERED TO REFLECT THIS ADDITION. NO SUBSTANTIVE GOVERNANCE OR OPERATIONAL PROVISIONS WERE CHANGED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS PRESENTED TO FINANCE STAFF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND IS THEN REVISED AS NEEDED, FOLLOWING WHICH A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL IS MADE TO THE BOARD. THE BOARD THEN HAS FINAL REVIEW OF THE 990 AND APPROVES IT FOR FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C EACH YEAR, ALL BOARD AND STAFF MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW AND PLEDGE COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE POLICY MAKES IT CLEAR THAT ALL DECISIONS OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE MADE SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF A DESIRE TO PROMOTE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THE PUBLIC GOOD. THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT SUBMITTED ANNUALLY BY BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF REQUIRES BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF TO IDENTIFY TO THE BEST OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE AFFILIATIONS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY BE POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE FINANCIAL OR OTHER SUBSTANTIVE OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION. BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF ARE ALSO ASKED TO IDENTIFY CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING EITHER THEMSELVES, OR A MEMBER OF THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY, THAT MAY BE CONSTRUED AS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE ORGANIZATION'S EMPLOYEES ALSO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WHEN CONSIDERING THE ENGAGEMENT OF A VENDOR. IF A POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICT IS IDENTIFIED, APPROPRIATE STEPS ARE TAKEN TO BOTH ASSESS THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, TO ENSURE THAT THE ISSUE IS MITIGATED. THE BOARD AND ORGANIZATION TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO MITIGATE THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND UPHOLD THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THE POLICY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD ANNUALLY EVALUATES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. COMPENSATION IS BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND COMPARISON TO OTHER AREA MISSION-COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS OF SIMILAR SIZE. THIS COMPENSATION IS A COMPONENT OF THE BUDGET, WHICH IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD AS A WHOLE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S CURRENT GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, FORM 990, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. THE PUBLIC INSPECTION VERSION OF THE FORM 990 CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON SEVERAL PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITES. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 24E CONTRACT SERVICES - PROP 668,418 167,104 0 LAND/EASEMENT ACQ COSTS 525,485 0 0 RECHARACT OF RECOV GRANT 250,000 0 0 BARGAIN SALES 225,000 0 0 UNRELATED BUS. INCOME TAX 0 101,500 0 ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH 16,260 13,252 808 MEMBERSHIP EXPENSE 19,917 0 7,441 DONATIONS 0 7,963 0 BAD DEBT 5,661 0 0 CONVEYANCE FEES 11 0 0 TOTAL 1,710,752 289,819 8,249 FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 UBI EXPENSES NET ON FINANCIALS -856,294 UBI EXPENSES NET ON FINANCIALS 856,294 RIVERBED WEST LLC PO BOX 347113 CLEVELAND OH 44134 822295824 LAND HOLD OH 1000000 3791 N/A RIVERBED 007 LLC PO BOX 347113 CLEVELAND OH 44134 822278255 LAND HOLD OH 1530 N/A RIVERBED 003 LLC PO BOX 347113 CLEVELAND OH 44134 822248113 LAND HOLD OH N/A RIVERBED 002 LLC PO BOX 347113 CLEVELAND OH 44134 822235019 LAND HOLD OH 6433 N/A RIVERBED 001A LLC PO BOX 347113 CLEVELAND OH 44134 822270353 LAND HOLD OH 3093 N/A CUYAHOGA RECLAMATION LLC PO BOX 347113 CLEVELAND OH 44134 832699190 LAND HOLD OH 75000 43257 N/A CREEKSIDE LEDGES LLC PO BOX 347113 CLEVELAND OH 44134 341859064 RES DEVEL OH 2035136 18454 N/A VBR LAND LLC PO BOX 347113 CLEVELAND OH 44134 341859064 LAND HOLD OH 1683965 N/A SCHEDULE R THE ENTITIES LISTED ABOVE (EXCEPT FOR CUYAHOGA RECLAMATION LLC, VBR LAND LLC, AND CREEKSIDE LEDGES LLC) WERE CREATED AS SUBSIDIARIES OF WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY ("WCC") TO HOLD FEE SIMPLE INTEREST IN CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED IN THE FLATS AREA OF CLEVELAND, OHIO. ALL ACTIVITIES OF THESE ENTITIES ARE TRANSACTED BY THE BOARD AND STAFF OF WCC. COST-SHARING FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND THIRD PARTY PASS-THROUGH IS DEFINED IN A MASTER INTERCOMPANY SERVICES AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN WCC AND THE SUBSIDIARIES. IN 2018, THE ORGANIZATION CREATED CUYAHOGA RECLAMATION LLC TO HOLD A DONATION OF UNIMPROVED LAND (10 PARCELS) LOCATED IN INDEPENDENCE, OHIO. FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE LAND (FORMERLY KNOWN AS "HAYDITE MINE"), AS PROVIDED FOR IN AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL, AMOUNTED TO 21,100,000. THE LAND RECEIVED IS NOT DEED-RESTRICTED AND THE ORGANIZATION'S POLICY IS TO RECORD "LAND - TRADE" AT ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY IS ADJACENT TO THE CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, IT IS MANAGEMENT'S INTENT TO RESTORE THE LAND TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE IN PERPETUITY. GIVEN THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED ABOVE, MANAGEMENT HAS REDUCED THE RECOGNIZED VALUE OF THE LAND TO 1. VBR LAND LLC, A SUBSIDIARY OF WCC, WAS CREATED IN 2023 ORIGINALLY TO HOLD FEE SIMPLE INTEREST IN CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED BETWEEN E. SCHAAF ROAD AND THE CUYAHOGA RIVER IN THE VILLAGE OF BROOKLYN HEIGHTS. ALSO ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY OWNED IN VBR LAND LLC IS THE ANTICIPATED FUTURE LINE OF THE CUYAHOGA VALLEY SCENIC RAILROAD. VBR LAND LLC WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO TEMPORARILY HOLD FEE SIMPLE INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY UNTIL A LARGER LAND ASSEMBLAGE AROUND THE RIVER AND RAIL CAN BE COMPLETED. ADDITIONAL TRANSACTIONS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION HAVE NECESSITATED A LONG-TERM CONSERVATION-ORIENTED HOLDING COMPANY AND VBR LAND LCC NOW FILLS THAT ROLE AS A DUAL PURPOSE ENTITY THAT EITHER TEMPORARILY HOLDS OR POTENTIALLY PERMANENTLY HOLDS SUCH CONSERVATION LAND FOR THE ORGANIZATION. CREEKSIDE LEDGES LLC, A SUBSIDIARY OF WCC, WAS CREATED IN 2022 TO HOLD CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED OFF HADDEN ROAD WITHIN TWINSBURG TOWNSHIP. THIS INCLUDED LAND THAT WAS PROPOSED FOR RESIDENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT AND WAS BIFURCATED FROM THE ADJACENT CONSERVATION LAND ACQUIRED AND PRESERVED BY WCC. CREEKSIDE LEDGES WAS INTENDED TO HOLD FEE SIMPLE INTEREST IN THE LAND, READY THE ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES FOR DEVELOPMENT, AND DISPOSE OF THEM IN INCREMENTAL TRANSFERS TO A RESIDENTIAL BUILDER. CREEKSIDE LEDGES CONTRACTED WITH A 'DEVELOPMENT' MANAGER TO SEE THROUGH ALL DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENTS PRIOR TO TRANSFER TO THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDER. SEPARATING, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ACQUIRING, THE 'DEVELOPMENT' LAND AND 'CONSERVATION' LAND WAS IN EFFECT THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THE LARGER PORTION OF THE PROPERTY (E.G. 77+ ACRES) WAS PRESERVED IN PERPETUITY. THE ~11 ACRES WAS 'REDEVELOPED' IN A RESIDENTIAL FASHION AS DESIRED BY THE COMMUNITY.