Annual report 2014 by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society

2014 Annual Report

Preservation Through Education Since 1987

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jim Pigott PRESIDENT

Michele Kvarnstrom VICE PRESIDENT

James McBeath SECRETARY/TREASURER

Woody Hayes DIRECTOR

Rob Wickson DIRECTOR

Rory Carr DIRECTOR

Sherry Pettigrew FOUNDER AND HONOURARY DIRECTOR

STAFF Ann Peters EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Darren Colello EDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Message from the Board

NWPS History

Education Program Overview

Special Events

Corporate Sponsors Annual Outreach

Connel Bradwell VANCOUVER ISLAND WILDLIFE EDUCATOR

Kristine Krynitzki

Green Ribbon Campaign

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Anitra Paris

10 Manley Farm Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary

COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR

David Craig CONSULTANT

Volunteers

11 Financial Statements 17 What’s to Come in 2015

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society (NWPS) is a registered charity (Reg. 079317454 BN # 13302 9140) incorporated in 1987 as a non-profit society. Our mission is to develop and provide educational, research and advisory services that advance the public’s awareness and knowledge about wildlife and wildlife systems in northwest North America. Our vision is healthy wildlife and wildlife systems throughout northwest North America preserved for their own intrinsic worth and for the appreciation of all.

Message from the board It is with pleasure that I write another Annual Report message for your Society. The 2014 calendar year represented yet another in the long series of successes that Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society has achieved; another year of which to be profoundly proud. According to Wikipedia, that “authoritative” source of world information, there are over 85,600 registered charities in Canada, regulated through the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency. Narrowing the focus to environmental charities, the Internet reveals a plethora of organizational names from all Provinces and Territories. Focus is what gives NWPS our continued track record of success. Having assimilated the Manley Farm Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary into NWPS over the last few years, we have achieved a major milestone on the growth of the Society and its ability to deliver on wildlife preservation. But during those years of integration, NWPS never lost sight of its focus on wildlife education and environmental stewardship. We continue to deliver educational programs to varied groups of students and adults, conducting nature walks and environmental cleanups and participate in wildlife education events and conferences. We have even continued to grow in this purpose, having built upon our 2013 establishment of a Vancouver Island Wildlife Educator to complement our Lower Mainland focus. Growth. Success. Focus. This is the legacy NWPS continues to leave. At a time when charities continue to struggle to obtain core funding for operations, NWPS has a proud track record of maintaining our fundraising abilities. As the Canada Revenue Agency seeks to audit selected charities, NWPS remains true to its mandate and anticipates yet another year of successful adherence to our main objectives.

2014 was a great year solidifying some of the changes made and partnerships built in 2013. Some highlights include:    

   



Our work on the mainland continued to be a huge success with over 200 programs and events delivered by our Education Coordinator, Darren Colello, to over 10,000 people of all ages, exceeding yet again our previous record. Our Vancouver Island program delivery increased exponentially thanks to the continued hard work of our newest Wildlife Educator based in Victoria, Connel Bradwell. We continued building our relationship with Metro Vancouver, involving them in our program’s stewardship components with tree planting and invasive species removal. We continued increasing our presence at community events through the federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs program/grant. We hired a Community Outreach Coordinator, Anitra Paris, a UBC Natural Resource Conservation student for the summer. In April we expanded our annual Green Ribbon Campaign to include a new fantastic partnership with London Drugs. We continue to explore new fundraising and profile-raising activities. Thanks to Board member Rory Carr, we were fortunate to develop a partnership with Yaletown Brewing Company for ongoing charity pub nights. Our ever-popular internship program continued to be a huge success, attracting a large pool of excellent candidates. We were fortunate to welcome a fantastic volunteer, Emily Atkinson, who assisted in our 2014 Green Ribbon Campaign. Our volunteer support has been as wonderful as ever with some excellent superstars joining the team. Some of our many superstars include John Yeung who helped us build our website on a new platform and Jennifer Kostenchuk who was an invaluable jack-of-all-trades helping out with programs, office admin, special events and more. We once again thank Barbara Lee Chmil for her tireless tax receipt-writing and other administrative achievements. Two of our Board members completed a 100% transactional audit of the Society’s 2013 financial records, permitting us to qualify for more funding applications by having audited financial statements. The results of the audit showed that we can rely with complete confidence on the Society’s books. No errors in internal controls procedural adherence or financial transactions postings were uncovered.

Once again, the Board sincerely thanks the volunteer efforts of Ann Peters, Executive Director and Kristine Krynitzki, Executive Assistant, in the efficient running of our fundraising efforts and office administrative functions. As we look forward in 2015, we have undertaken to reactivate the gravel pit on Manley Farm. This activity will offer us a new source of revenue. Under the guidance of our Consultant, David Craig, negotiations on gravel extraction have begun. I once again express my heartfelt thanks to my fellow Directors, who continue to volunteer to ensure effective oversight, strategic direction and continuity of NWPS in the achievement of its mission. Thank you, members and supporters of NWPS. Your continued dedication to wildlife preservation and environmental education and stewardship is acknowledged and appreciated with deepest thanks.

Jim Pigott NWPS Board Chair

Our History

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society (NWPS) was founded by Sherry Pettigrew, who served as the first Executive Director and continues to hold a position on the NWPS Board of Directors as an Honourary Director. The organization was incorporated in 1987 as a non-profit society, dedicated to preserving healthy wildlife and wildlife systems in northwest North America. Since that time, NWPS continues to earn reputation in the environmental movement as a powerful advocate for wildlife and wildlife habitats. NWPS was a founding member of the Wolf Working Group and fulfilled an advisory role on numerous committees for wildlife preservation. Additionally, NWPS organized conferences, forums, and symposiums that brought together diverse interests in the areas of wildlife management policy, protection and conservation. Today NWPS focuses on 'Preservation through Education'. We achieve our mandate through the development and delivery of a broad series of educational programs and services, newsletters and correspondence, which reach an average of 7,500 individuals annually. Our primary

audience has become school-age children. We introduce them to the wonders of the natural world through in-class presentations, nature walks & workshops and stewardship projects and work to inspire them to become environmental stewards.

Education Programs This was our most prolific year ever with regards to the number of wildlife programs delivered and the amount of individuals reached. With more than 200 wildlife education programs delivered to over 10,700 individuals of all ages across the entire lower mainland and Vancouver Island in BC, we indeed had an amazing year!

IN-CLASS WILDLIFE PROGRAMS

227 programs 6,401 participants

IN-CLASS WILDLIFE PROGRAMS Our in-class wildlife programs are highly interactive and educational and have become a staple for many schools’ environmental study units. Our programs combine engaging wildlife photography and animal vocalizations with hands–on learning opportunities to create a presentation that is passion-filled and awe-inspiring. Presentations are for all age groups and foster strong respect for and conservation of wildlife and wild habitats. We offer a diverse selection of topics including:

Bats; Bears; Climate Change; Endangered Species; Marine Wildlife; Owls; Raptors of BC; Reptiles & Amphibians; Salmon; Temperate Rainforest; Wildcats of BC; Wildlife of BC; Wolves.

NATURE WALKS & WORKSHOPS

19 programs 605 participants

YOUTH ESTUARY STEWARDSHIP (YES)

1 programs 28 participants

Our Nature Walks & Workshops is often booked several months in advance. These programs combine in-class presentations and discussions with hands on learning out in the field. A wide variety of topics are explored such as wildlife behaviour, natural history, animal adaptations and habitat preservation. Each program includes a stewardship activity at a local, regional or provincial park. Through our guided nature walks, students are able to reconnect with the natural world and become active environmental stewards within their communities and beyond.

YOUTH ESTUARY STEWARDSHIP (YES) Our YES program is a highly complex and in-depth program that involves several in-class sessions as well as two full field days. The aim of this program is to introduce students and ultimately protect one of Canada’s most important estuarine habitats; the lower Fraser River basin. This ecosystem is incredibly biodiverse and supports a myriad of mammal, bird, fish and invertebrate species. The Fraser River is also the largest salmon producing river in the world, with at times hundreds of millions of individual salmon relying on its conservation. Throughout this program, in-class studies are designed to introduce students to the value of estuaries and the species that depend on them as well as keystone wildlife identification and animal behaviours. During these sessions, students are also prepared for their field activities. In the field sessions include a comprehensive nature walk as well as activities that are indicative to the region and help students directly link their knowledge with hands-on work. One of the highlight stewardship activities during the YES program is the removal of industrial woody debris. This debris occurs from a host of human industrial activities and crushes native vegetation decreasing the overall biodiversity of the region. Students and volunteers are highly motivated to clean up these areas and in the last five years of this program we have removed 50,000lbs (22,700 kgs) of industrial woody debris and over 1,000 lbs (454 kgs) of invasive plant species, rehabilitating several acres of land. This process allows the vegetation to rebound and a greater diversity of species return to the area. 5 5

What makes our programs so special?

Our People. We employ only the best of the best so you get the best of the best. Darren Colello, our mainland Educator, might just be one of the most passionate people in the world when it comes to wildlife preservation. He lives and breathes it in his daily life. There is nothing that he cares about more in life and that is evident in all of the work that he does. Darren is constantly learning. He knows that to understand North American wildlife, oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey does not stop at our borders. This past summer Darren travelled to Africa to experience many of the wild species and conservation efforts of this diverse and wondrous continent. He explored Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, with the Okavango delta (a miracle wetland within a desert), the vast Linyanti region, Etosha National park and the Greater Kruger ecosystem. During our wildlife education programs here in BC, after our local wildlife the most common questions revolve around African animals (almost 1,000 questions each year!). Students of all ages find it interesting and enriching to learn of some of the complex behaviours and adaptations of animals as well as the cross-continent similarities of these species with many of our own. Some of the many highlights of his trip included observing a cheetah mom with three cubs, a lion pride, a leopard caching an impala up a tree, an African wild dog pack on the hunt, hundreds of zebra and antelope along a migration and an elephant herd with precious week-old calves. In addition to observing them for research purposes, he also captures the incredible experiences on camera to share. Displayed is some of his work. See more at wildlifephotos.zenfolio.com

Special Events Reaching out to members of the community to spread the word about wildlife preservation.

29 events 7,415 people reached Stewardship Events Partnering with Metro Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Environment Department, NWPS organized many groups to get involved with active environmental stewardship in communities throughout BC. Activities included tree plantings, clean-ups and invasive species pulls.

Festivals We attended many events to educate communities across Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island about the ecology of the Northwest. Events in the Lower Mainland included RiverFest in New Westminster, Crankworx in Whistler, Paddlefest in Vancouver, EarthFest in Burnaby, the Salmon Festival in Steveston, Richmond Raptor Festival, Coho Festival in Port Moody, and Critter Careâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Walk for Wildlife in Langley. On Vancouver Island, events included BC Day, Canada Day Gorge, One Wave Festival, Creatively United for the Planet, Oak Bay Night Market and Turning the Tide Picnic & Paddle.

Corporate & Foundation Donors Funders are the backbone of all our work. Without them, none of what we do would be possible. A very heartfelt Thank You goes out to our corporate sponsors and business donors for providing us the opportunity to continue our work in the community: BC Hydro, Chevron, Chris Spencer Foundaiton, RBC Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, TELUS Vancouver Community Board, The Province of BC, TLC Fund for Kids, Vancity Foundation and many others.

Annual Outreach As with our corporate sponsors and business donors, we are so lucky to have such a steadfast group of individual donors. Without this loyal dedication on the part of each and every individual donor, NWPS would not have the privilege of continuing to deliver our environmental education programs, instilling responsible environmental stewardship in children of all ages throughout our great province.

Green Ribbon Campaign 2014 saw the 13th year of our Green Ribbon Campaign. Thanks to the invaluable support of Chevron, BC Liquor Distribution Board, London Drugs, IGA Marketplace, and various independent retailers, NWPS raised close to $7,000 in donations throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, Thank you to all the board members, volunteers and staff that took the time to help make this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign a huge success.

Volunteers

NWPS is very fortunate to have support from such a wonderful, dedicated group of individuals. With their help, our society is able to accomplish so much more in the office, in schools and in the community. Thank you, volunteers!

Ann Peters

Carlo Acuna

Angelina Henshaw

David Craig

Courtney Tova

Sarah Weiss

Jim Pigott

Chloe

Veronica Pagowski

Michele Kvarnstrom

Nicole Lee

Kathleen Belton

James McBeath

Anne Fisher

Sophie Church

Woody Hayes

Rowena Shi

Kathryn MacDonald

Rory Carr

Emily Atkinson

Brittny Turner

Rob Wickson

Jen Kostenchuk

Fennie van der Graaf

Tony Fong

Peter Andrews

Hilary Rejto

Amanda Peters

Melissa DeJong

Jill Neale

Richard Carroll

Orla Robinson

Barb Rodger

Barbara Lee Chmil

Emmanuelle Riveslange

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Manley Farm Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary NWPS has been entrusted with stewardship of Manley Farm, located in the Cowichan Valley area. The property comprises 240 acres of natural space and farm land. The property is situated next to Boatswain Bank (pictured below), which is an ecologically sensitive area. To the greatest extent possible, NWPS is creating a bird and wildlife sanctuary on Manley Farm to provide a safe habitat for wildlife in the area. Manley Farm currently supports deer, ducks, geese, quail, heron, owls, osprey, eagles, and many small bird species. While the property won't become a public park, it may be used in the future for activities to support the wildlife sanctuary and the societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educational and preservation goals. NWPS continues to work with partners to develop environmentally sound and sustainable farming practices.

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Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society Financial Statements Year Ended December 31, 2014 (See Notice to Readers)

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Financial Statements Treasurer’s Report – Management’s Statement on Financial Reporting

The Financial Statements and all information in this annual report are the responsibility of management and have been approved by the Board of Directors. The Financial Statements are based upon management’s best estimates and judgments and have been prepared with the application of generally accepted accounting principles. Financial information presented elsewhere in this annual report is consistent with the Financial Statements. To ensure the integrity and objectivity of the data, the management maintains a system of internal controls comprising of policies and procedures that provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded and executed in accordance with their authorization, that assets are properly safeguarded, and that reliable financial records are being maintained.

Audited Financial Statements Notice to Readers

The Directors of the Society have appointed an Auditing Committee from their independent members. The Auditing Committee has reviewed and verified 100% of the financial transactions of the Society and has verified all balance sheet accounts to independent sources to ensure that the Operations of the Society and the Capital Funds are fairly presented in the Financial Statement of the Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society for the year ended December 31, 2014. For the benefit of the Society’s members, the Board adopted an Auditing Committee approach with 100% review and has not had an independent auditor review or provide an audit opinion on the Financial Statements of the Society. The Auditing Committee report, on its audit of the Financial Statements, is presented to the Directors of the Society in support of the Board’s approval of the Financial Statements.

________________________________________________________ President: Jim Pigott

_____________________________________________ Date

_____________________________________________ Treasurer: James McBeath

_____________________________________________ Date

_____________________________________________ Rob Wickson Chairman, Auditing Committee

______________________________________________ Date 12

BALANCE SHEET - AUDITED AS AT DECEMBER 31 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash Restricted Funds GIC Investment Accounts Receivable GST Refund Receivable Prepaid Expenses

2014 Operations Capital

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

14,365 73,063 1,945 89,373

2013 Operations Capital

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

2,607 2,607

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

15,602 85,962 10,000 415 1,945 113,924

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

428 428

106,000 10,346

NON-CURRENT ASSETS Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary - Investment Gravel Pit Reclamation - Bond

$ $

- $ - $

100,000 10,346

$ $

- $ - $

Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary - Land

- $ 1,219,560

Capital Property - Buildings & Utilities

- $

399,421

- $

Farm Property - Barns & Utilities

$ $

- $ 50,000 - $ 1,779,328

$ $

- $ 50,000 - $ 1,785,328

89,373 $ 1,781,935

113,924 $ 1,785,756

Total Assets

399,421

LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts Payable Manley Farm

$ $ $ $

340 340

$ $ $ $

- $

200,000

$ $ $

73,987 $ - $ 1,581,595 73,987 $ 1,581,595

$ $ $

111,273 $ - $ 1,579,756 111,273 $ 1,579,756

89,373 $ 1,781,935

113,924 $ 1,785,756

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities $ Payroll Expenses Payable $ $ GST Owing (Refund) $ LONG TERM LIABILITIES $ Mortgage Payable FUND BALANCES Operations Fund Capital Fund

Total Liabilities and Fund Balances

- $ 13,406 2,411 (431) 15,387

- $ 4,202 (1,551) 2,651

6,000

$ $ $ $

6,000

- $

200,000

Approved by the Directors:

James McBeath, Treasurer

Jim Pigott, President 13

STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES AND SURPLUS - AUDITED YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 2014 Operations CONTRIBUTIONS

2013 Operations Capital

Capital

Support Contributions (Note 2) Rental & Miscellaneous (Note 3)

$ $ $

87,460 4,087 91,547

$ $ $

27,740 27,740

$ $ $

152,854 $ 10,834 $ 163,688 $

27,519 27,519

Campaign Donations (Note 4) Cost of Campaigns (Note 5) Net Contribution from Campaigns

$ $ $

145,613 (49,438) 96,176

$ $ $

141,495 $ (48,482) $ 93,014 $

Total Net Contributions

187,722

27,740

256,702 $

27,519

$ $ $ $

431 431

$ $ $ $

19,248 19,248

$ $ $ $

5,934 5,934

$ $ $ $

7,371 18,953 26,323

$ $ $ $ $ $

126,466 41,650 31,795 14,519 16,800 231,230

$ $ $ $ $ $

111,154 29,925 15,012 33,379 14,156 203,628

$ $ $ $ $ $

231,661

19,248

209,561 $

26,323

(43,939)

8,492

47,141 $

1,196

$ $ $

111,274 6,652 73,987

$ 1,579,756 $ (6,652) $ 1,581,596

$ $ $

EXPENSES Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary Capital Property Maintenance Loan Interest & Property Taxes General Administration Environmental Education & Stewardship Salaries & Benefits Support Expenses Product Expenses Office Expenses Space Expenses

Total Expenses EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR

FUND BALANCES AT BEGINNING OF YEAR Transfer (from) to Operations Fund and Capital Fund FUND BALANCES AT END OF YEAR

170,541 $ 1,472,152 (106,408) $ 106,408 111,274 $ 1,579,756

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - AUDITED 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES a) Amortization No amortization is recorded on the Society's assets because the management and Board of the Society believe such amortization would represent an unreasonable valuation of the Society's principle assets relative to their Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary purpose. b) Deferred revenue Grants and donations received in the year with restrictions on their use are deferred until the applicable conditions have been fulfilled. YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2014

Operations

2013 Operations

Capital

2. SUPPORT CONTRIBUTIONS Corporations Foundations Donations & Bequests BC Gaming Grants (Note 6) Canada Summer Student Grant Wildlife Education Membership Fees

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

7,830 21,914 4,205 40,000 6,244 7,164 103

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

33,616 23,125 53,585 35,000 7,339 190

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

87,460

152,854

$ $ $

115 3,972

$ $ $

27,740 -

$ $ $

43 10,792

$ $ $

27,519 -

4,087

27,740

10,834

27,519

$ $ $

137,910 6,516 1,188

136,857 4,639 -

$ $ $

145,613

141,495

Donations and bequests in 2013 involved a one time receipt of $50,000 from an estate. Corporate donations included a one time contribution to the Manley Farm marsh restoration in 2013. These two items account for the significant change in support

3. MISCELLANEOUS Manley Farm Rental Interest Income Sundry Income

4. CAMPAIGN SALES Community Outreach Green Ribbon Event Income

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - AUDITED YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2014 Operations

5. COST OF CAMPAIGNS Community Outreach Green Ribbon

6. BC GAMING GRANTS Account Balance as at the Beginning of Year BC Gaming Grant Revenue Expenses - Salaries Account Balance as at the End of Year

2013 Capital

Operations

Capital

$ $

48,687 $ 751 $

$ $

47,891 $ 591 $

49,438 $

48,482 $

$ $ $ $

35,962 40,000 (37,891) 38,072

$ $ $ $

22,202 35,000 (21,240) 35,962

$ $ $ $

38,072 34,991 73,063

$ $ $ $

35,962 50,000 85,962

$ $ $ $

The BC Gaming Grants are required to be maintained in separate bank accounts with accountability for expenditures from that account being demonstrably applied to the project for which the grant was provided. 7. RESTRICTED FUNDS Gaming Grants Corporate and Other Funds Bequest

The gaming grants received by NWPS are generally received from the province toward the end of the year and are restricted to particular expenditure types, which the NWPS generally reserves for the following year. In 2014 NWPS received approximately $35,000 in corporate & donor funds, which funds have been restricted for the purpose of supporting NWPS education programs in 2015. In 2013 NWPS received a bequest from an estate where the funds are also restricted by NWPS to be invested in the Manley Farm Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to Come in 2015 In 2015 we will continue to solidify our growth from 2014 and building upon the momentum. Our goals for achieving this include diversifying the way people can financially support the projects they care most about, and reaching out to our audiences in new and engaging ways. Some projects to look out for include a wildlife adoption program, a promotional video showing the inspirational journey of our program participants, more planned giving information and member engagement events. We succeeded in our 2014 objective of moving forward with our plans to enhance our operations on Vancouver Island. We are working on the next phase of a multi-year wetland restoration project and our full-time Wildlife Educator in Victoria is exponentially increasing the number of programs we are able to provide to students throughout Vancouver Island thanks to growing support. As in previous years, we will be offering seasonal internship programs to provide students and recent graduates with stimulating work experience in both our offices and field operations.

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Thank You to our Sponsors:

Report produced by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society Designed and Written by Kristine Krynitzki Photography by Darren Colello www.wildlifephotos.zenfolio.com

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society

720-1190 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 3W1 t 604-568-9160 f 604-568-6152