TEXAS LAND CONSERVANCY
ANNUAL REPORT 2014
The mission of the Texas Land Conservancy is to create a diverse and expanding network of protected natural areas throughout Texas supported by a community of Texans who share a commitment to enhancing our quality of life through land conservation.
We are pleased to share with you our 2014 Annual Report. In 2014, we made significant strides with our strategic conservation plan, Land for Water. We protected over 1,000 acres of private land in the Trinity River watershed, another 1,000 acres in the Neches watershed, and over 200 acres directly on the banks of the Medina River. These strategic and directed projects are at the heart of our Land for Water program, and are essential to creating a lasting legacy of land and water conservation for Texas. In the coming year, we are expanding our partnerships with other conservation groups, like Texas Parks & Wildlife and multiple chapters of Texas Master Naturalists across the state to reach out to more landowners about our work. In 2014 we also held numerous work days, guided hikes on several of our protected properties, and gave invited talks about conservation throughout the year. We continued renovations on our public preserve Oak Cliff Nature Preserve in Dallas, and conducted prescribed burns on Marysee Prairie and Kachina Prairie. We participated in Give 5% to Mother Earth Day and Amplify Austin giving campaigns, and hosted a variety of events to reach out to urbanites and rural landowners alike. Our positive progress has only been possible through the generous support from individuals and organizations like the Houston Endowment. Your support is vital to TLC and we hope you continue to help us protect the land you love in Texas in 2015.
Mark Steinbach, M k St i b h Ph.D. Ph D Executive Director, Texas Land Conservancy
LAND
Over the past 33 years, Texas Land Conservancy has worked to protect over 85,000 acres of private land from the pressures of development and fragmentation. From the pineywoods of East Texas to the cedar shrublands of the Hill Country to the high desert of West Texas, we help to protect vital ecosystems by collaborating with landowners across the state. This year, we worked closely with many of our landowners to manage their lands for ranching, wildlife, and habitat creation. We also own and manage a number of properties across the state. Much of our work managing these lands is made possible with help from our partners and volunteers around Texas. Check out our progress in 2014: MARYSEE PRAIRIE, LIBERTY COUNTY Marysee is a beautiful piece of remnant coastal prairie that we have been carefully restoring with the help of generous volunteers. The prairie had been overgrown with loblolly pine by TLC acquired it in 1991, but over the years one of our best stewards, Maxine Johnston, has been a passionate advocate for the return of the prairie. In March of 2014, with the help of volunteers, our Stewardship Director, Daniel Dietz, conducted a prescribed burn at Marysee to reduce the amount of woody species on the prairie. We also worked to remove multiple stumps from old trees, making the prairie more open and inviting for a diversity of native grasses.
Over 95% of the land in Texas is privately owned, three times more than any other state in the nation. KACHINA PRAIRIE, ELLIS COUNTY Kachina Prairie contains 30 acres of the 1,000 acres of blackland prairie left in Texas. This property was named “Kachina� for the Native American legend of the bluebonnet and was given to the TLC in 1985. Over the years, Kachina Prairie had been overwhelmed with weeds and woody species and the native grassland was being slowly choked out. With the tireless efforts of our partners at the Indian Trail Master Naturalists Chapter, the Ennis Garden Club, and the City of Ennis we have been working to bring back the healthy prairie. In 2014, with help from our partners, we conducted a prescribed burn at Kachina that opened up space for wildflowers and their pollinators. Both of these prairies are owned outright by TLC and are open to the public. To find out more information about these properties please visit our website: www.texaslandconservancy.org/lands/ open-to-the-public. With the help of volunteers and the tireless efforts of conservation supporters across the state, we are gradually bringing back our disappearing prairies.
WATER
Saving the water and the soil must start where the first rain drop falls. – Lyndon B. Johnson Texans are no stranger to drought and water shortages. In the 1950’s a seven-year dry spell “so momentous that it kicked off the modern era of water planning in Texas” struck hard, destroying nearly 100,000 Texas farms and ranches. In response, the legislature founded the Texas Water Development Board and local river authorities that constructed 62 new dams and reservoirs over the next two decades. State Climatologist John-Nielsen Gammon has warned that Texas could be in the midst of a drought worse than the drought of record in the 1950s. Even though 2014 saw frequent rains throughout parts of Texas, the drought is not over. One of the most successful methods for conserving water is by protecting land within watersheds from fragmentation and development. In 2011, we began a conservation planning initiative to help us protect water by strategically protecting critical landscapes. With the help of respected scientists in the conservation field, we have created the Land for Water Initiative, a framework focused on the protection of six key watersheds: the LLANO, PEDERNALES, MEDINA, LOWER BRAZOS, LOWER TRINITY, AND NECHES.
STRAUS MEDINA MITIGATION BANK, BEXAR COUNTY In 2014, we protected over 200 acres in the Medina Watershed, right along the river in the Straus Medina Mitigation Bank. The ranch was established in 1915 by W.T. Montgomery and was traditionally run as a cattle ranch. Today the owners continue to maintain a working ranching operation as well as some other agricultural practices. Located in Bexar County, this beautiful property features floodplain forests and is part of the blackland prairies eco-region. Less than one percent of the original vegetation remains in the Texas Blackland Prairies, scattered in several small parcels across the region. These remnant prairies contain imperiled plant communities and provide habitat for many bird species and other fauna. Projects like the Straus Medina Mitigation Bank, where we work with landowners to conserve not only the land but also the threatened freshwater ecosystems, are key to ensuring that Texans can continue to enjoy our rich ecological resources. To learn more about our Land for Water Initiative please visit our website: www.texaslandconservancy.org/land-for-water
PEOPLE
The population of Texas has grown astronomically since 2000. We have grown by more than 4.3 million people in the last 15 years, and the majority of these new residents live in urban and suburban areas around our major metropolitan centers. The state’s increasing population, particularly within or surrounding urban centers, will have significant influence on the continued loss of open space and wildlife habitat while stressing our already limited water supplies. Conservation doesn’t happen without the passion and dedication of people like you. This year, with your help, we hosted a variety of conservationfocused events, partnered with numerous state, local, and private organizations, and shared news about environmental issues across the state. VOLUNTEERING AT OAK CLIFF NATURE PRESERVE We are very lucky to protect land right in the heart of Dallas. The protection and stewardship of Oak Cliff Nature Preserve (OCNP) would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers from the Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association (DORBA). In October, 2014 our Stewardship Directors worked with volunteers to install informational kiosks and trail signs at OCNP. As we head into the summer of 2015, we are planning a hike and work day for National Trails Day on June 6th. Please visit our website for more information on this event and join us outside! Thanks to all of the volunteers who have helped us maintain trails, clean up litter, and protect this piece of nature in Dallas.
Over the past 100 years Texas’ population has flipped from being largely rural to mostly urban. HIKING IN THE HILL COUNTRY Over the course of 2014 our Stewardship Directors led hikes out to multiple properties in the Hill Country outside of Austin, bringing urban families out to rural farms and ranches to enjoy the beauty of the region. Starting in January 2015 we kicked off a series of monthly hikes that happen on the 3rd Saturday of every month. To provide people with an opportunity to visit private lands protected with TLC. These hikes are led with the help of our Stewardship Director, Daniel Dietz, and Master Naturalists from chapters across the state. To learn more about these hikes, please visit our website: www.texaslandconservancy.org/get-involved/events. NED FRITZ SOCIETY DINNER In September, 2014 we hosted our annual Ned Fritz Society dinner, honoring our donors that contribute $1,000 or more to TLC during the year. This year we celebrated our major donors with a dinner at Royal Fig in Austin. The generous donations from our Ned Fritz Society members help us continue to conserve vital lands all over Texas.
DONORS Lone Star Circle: $25,000+ Tramell S. Crow Thomas Durisoe The Meadows Foundation Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation Founder’s Circle: $10,000-$24,999 The Malcolm C. Damuth Foundation Land Trust Alliance The RGK Foundation The Reese Foundation Shield-Ayres Foundation Director’s Circle: $5,000-$9,999 Philip Theodore Charitable Trust The Jacob and Terese Hereshey Foundation Warren Pruess Pam and Mike Reese Conservators: $1,000-$4,999 Jim Avant Bob and Margie Ayres John Blackmon and John Roberson Anne Brockenbrough Michael Buratti Marion C. Campbell William Durham and Susan Gallagher
Phil Ferguson and Kathy O’Neil Genie Fritz Edward and Linda Golding Michael Grimes Craig and Felicia Hester Houston Endowment Adam Jochelson Michael Jung and Gretchen Megowen James Pipe Earl and Lonnie Matthew Ranney McDonald William McKee Elizabeth Mitchell John Moore Robert O’Kennon Randy Parten Sandra Penz Peterson Charitable Lead Trust Sharon Reed Rivers McNamara PLLC Betty Sanders Jim Shultz and Rikky Rivers Charles Snakard and Dorothy Prengler Pat Y. Spillman Jr. and Toni Hennike Buddy and Ellen Temple Robert and Darlene Tusch Candace and Mark Williams Charitable Foundation Donald and Jill Wood
Benefactors: $500-$999 Jeff and Pam Brown Buehring Family Foundation Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church Tom and Ann Kelsey Travis and Ashley Phillips David Stelter Patricia and Tom Turner John and Wendy Whaley Guardians: $250-$499 Joan Blomquist Charles and Diana Briner Dansko John and Anne Donovan Rufus and Marianna Duncan Hazel Edwards Wade and Anne Forbes Harry and Catherine Graham Paul and Melissa Griffith Kyle Hahn Robert and Sirpa Harms Nancy Hyde Burgess Jackson Mark and Ashley Landry Janell Morgan Nancy Powell Moore Anne Norvell Oak Cliff Lions Club Bob and Jimmie Putnam
Elmer and Susan Rosenberger Matthew Valentine Merritt Westcott Trustees: $100-$249 Anonymous Charles and Kathy Boortz Alistair and C. Mary Brown Champions Ridge HOA James and Margaret Dunham Mary Carol Edwards Brian Freedman Eileen Fritz McKee Gayle Fritz Judy Gaskell Heinz and Julie Gaylord Wayne Graham Katherine Greene Laura Hannusch Russ Jewert Maxine Johnston Kimberly Kittle Richard Kooris Walter Krudop James Langham, Jr. David and Patricia Lewis Martha Mason Carroll McCarter Eralyn McLarty Robert Milam, Jr. Julie Miller-Hendry Timothy Moore Don and Jean Nigbor
William and Glenda Norcross Charles Oltorf John Parker John L. and Rhonda K. Parker John Pettigrove Charles Porter Donald Purinton Anne Rowe Vickie Schubert Carter and Stacy Smith Sam and Becky Smith Emily Snooks Allen and BJ Sonstein Emily Stanislaw Doris Stevens Burnham and Joan Terrell Suzanne Tuttle Neile and Jan Wolfe Jesse and Olivia Wood Jim and Janet Zimmermann Friends: $50-99 Anonymous Julia Burgen Hance W. Burrow III James and Polly Cartwright Durhl Caussey Anna Clepper Robert and Shirley Cooper Nickie Cox Damien DiFede Emily Todd Ennis Garden Club Jeff Ersig
Neil and Joan Ford Travis Guinn Donald and Claudia Gwynn Violet Hammett Anastasia Jenkins Fritz Johnson Mark Kendrick Karen Kinnison Bedelle Langdale Michael and Julie Lowenberg Mark Manroe Joseph Byron McCaffree Nick Medrano Campbell Read R. Walton Shelton David Shinn Ted Siff Chris and Michelle Smith Loreine Smith Randolph Smith Mary Martha Steed Bonnie Tanner Trace Thomas Barbara Vinson Sandy Wilson Supporters: Up to $49 Elizabeth Badger Jim and Betty Bowie Helen Bush Qi Qing Cao Paige Crew John Demaria John Dorsey Laura and Mark Edlin
Nora Fallon Elaine Falukner-Overturf Kathryn Flowers Pete Gunter Lori Hall Ashley Hicks Gary Hutchings Milton Jacobs Marjorie James Robert Jones Jennifer Keane H. Lee Kelton, Jr. Dales Kent Steve Kuehner Stephanie Lewis Joyce Lucas Thomas Maddux Carol Martin Patricia Middaugh Deborah Mikolaitis Clint Murchison Elizabeth Newton Jonathan Ogren Hal and Jane Persun Robert Phillips Tom Pingleton Georgia Prakash Rattle Inn Pokey Rehmet Monica Shultz Jeffrey Sheriff Kathy Smith-Willman Johnnie K. Stark Willene Sweeney Erin Taylor Heather Vaughn Kate Vickery
Tom Wallace John Ward and Elizabeth Fountain Alison Week Billy and Bobbie Wofford Craig and Anita Woods Margaret Yard In Honor Of Forrest Dailey Edward C. “Ned” Fritz Katherine Goodbar Terry Weldon In-Kind Donors Dick and Kathie Hanson Toni Hennike & Pat Y. Spillman Jr. Henri’s Cheese & Charcuterie KIND healthy snacks Live Oak BBQ & Beer Live Oak Brewing Company Republic Tequila Tiny Pies Tito’s Handmade Vodka
FINANCIAL SUMMARY REVENUES Stewardship & Legal Defense Fund*
2014 $287,130
2013 $32,750
Contributions
$191,495
$215,437
Grants
$184,000
$252,750
Dividends & Interest
$141,583 $100,100
Royalties
$40,693
$19,504
Gain (loss) securities Other
$46,203 $24,786
$26,571 $24,598
$915,875
$671,710
2014
2013
$314,442
$310,242
Management
$88,711
$86,132
Fundraising
$39,964
$39,298
Total Support and Revenue EXPENSES Conservation Programs
Total Expenses ASSETS
2013
$556,127
$264,619
Stewardship Fund
$1,633,664
$1,479,340
Operating Fund
$1,829,228
$1,737,905
Montgomery Trust
$1,789,747
$1,789,746
$102,500
$102,500
Properties
$4,150,759
$4,150,758
Net Assets
$10,062,025
$9,524,868
Cash & Equivalent Investments
Other Current Assets
21%
Dividends & Interest
27%
Grants
* Landowners who conserve land with the TLC are asked to contribute to our Stewardship and Legal Defense Fund. The principal of this dedicated fund is protected by the Board of Directors and the income is directed toward the stewardship and maintenance of the properties we protect.
7%
43%
Stewardship & Legal Defense Fund
29% Contributions
9%
Fundraising
20%
Management
$439,165 $435,672 2014
4%
6%
Gain (loss) Other Royalties Securities
72%
Conservation Programs
$10,500,000
$10,062,025
$10,000,000 $9,500,000
$9,524,868 $9,026347
$9,000,000 $8,500,000 2012
2013
2014
TEXAS LAND CONSERVANCY 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADVISORY COUNCIL Trammel S. Crow, Dallas Anne Newman, San Antonio Chico Newman, San Antonio Buddy Temple, Lufkin Ellen Temple, Lufkin BOARD OF DIRECTORS P.Michael Jung, President, Dallas Earl Matthew, President-Elect, Rockport Wayne Graham, Treasurer, Austin Travis Phillips, Secretary, Austin Michael Grimes, Austin Jason Hill, Austin Adam Jochelson, Dallas Eileen McKee, Dallas Janell Morgan, Dallas Robert J. O’Kennon, Fort Worth Pat Y. Spillman, Jr., Houston Merrit Westcott, Houston STAFF Texas Land Conservancy P.O. Box 162461, Austin, TX 78716 512.301.6363 www.texaslandconservancy.org
Mark Steinbach, Executive Director Daniel Dietz, Stewardship Director Leigh Steumke, Stewardship Director Rachael Garbowski, Development Director Ashley Lovell, Director of Partnerships and Outreach