Sierra Foothill Conservancy Annual Report
2003-2004
Message From the President – Mary Biskup |
 The
past year has been one of change and growth for SFC and its Board of
Directors. This process began two years ago when the Board engaged in a
process of organizational development. We identified, and in some cases
adjusted the respective functions and duties of SFC’s Board and staff,
and instituted a committee structure to carry out these functions and
duties. There are Board committees directed by the Executive Committee
as well as staff committees directed by the Executive Director, Chuck
Peck. Each Committee meets independently and brings their findings and
recommendations to the Board for discussion, and in some cases Board
action.
There are currently 12 members of the Board of Directors representing a range of geographic areas within Fresno, Madera and Mariposa Counties. The directors also represent a range of interests and expertise, including education, ranching, business, botany, geology, and community involvement. This range of experience makes for thoughtful and sometimes lively discussions at our Board meetings. I am pleased to report, however, that in my experience without exception, we have been able to reach an informed consensus on the important issues which have come before our Board relating to the work of SFC. The result of this committee structure has been four-fold: 1) Board members are more intimately involved in specific areas of SFC’s work, and are able to concentrate their areas of interest and expertise, 2) SFC members at large, with specific areas of interest, are encouraged to join committees and thus become more invested in the work of our land trust, 3) Our Board is able to accomplish its work while meeting every other month instead of monthly, and 4) Our Board meetings are more tightly organized, efficient, and productive.
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Another important resource for the Sierra
Foothill Conservancy and our Board will be the establishment of a State of
California Sierra Nevada Conservancy. Many land trusts based in Sierra
Nevada Communities, prominently led by our own Executive Director, Chuck
Peck, have been working to make this a reality. This conservancy, a part
of state government, would bring much needed financial resources into
saving land in the Sierra Nevada. Currently, it appears that momentum for
such a conservancy is building and it may be approved by the State
Legislature this year.
All of the individuals and efforts described above are united in the work of our Board of Directors, which is committed to SFC’s mission. As urban development grows in Fresno, Madera and Mariposa Counties, and begins its inevitable climb into the Sierra foothills and mountains, our Board is aware of the challenges we face, both in the pace with which development is occurring in our region, and the continuing need to obtain funding for land conservation, as well as for maintenance of the SFC office and staff that performs so much of the actual work of conservation. In working to meet these challenges, our Board shares a real unanimity of commitment to SFC and I believe that this unanimity serves the Sierra Foothill Conservancy well in moving toward the accomplishment of our mission. SFC Board of Directors Mark Balcom, Treasurer – Fresno County Dave Bazar – Fresno County Mary Biskup, President – Fresno County Bonnie Bladen, Secretary – Fresno County Len McKenzie – Mariposa County Steve Medley – Madera County Sallie Mook – Fresno County Sue Overstreet – Mariposa County Craig Poole – Fresno County John Schiro, Vice-President – Fresno County John Stebbins – Fresno County Bart Topping – Madera County
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – 2003/2004 |
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| Sierra Foothill Conservancy began to make a significant push
to expand into Mariposa County about three years ago. This fiscal year
those early efforts began to pay off with three significant and large
donated conservation easements. Thanks for this success go to SFC board
members and Mariposa residents Sue Overstreet and Len McKenzie and
especially to the donors. Toni and Steven Kellenberg donated an easement
on 343 acres that includes Striped Rock which is a landmark in
southeastern Mariposa County. Al and Carliene Anderson donated a
conservation easement on 640 acres of forest and meadow in Clarks Valley
in the Jerseydale area of the county. And Mareka Lodge donated an easement
on 1,295 acres near the intersection of Triangle Road and Highway 49. This
easement is called the Wilfred Von der Ahe easement in memory of Mrs.
Lodge’s father. This property was logged in the 1950’s and had turned
into a brushfield and Mr. Von der Ahe spent many years clearing the brush
and replanting a forest much like the one that had been there before the
logging.
Fifty-two important acres were added to the northern side Tivy Mountain Preserve this year enlarging the buffer around the part of the preserve where the rare Keck’s Checkerbloom grows. This brings SFC’s holdings on Tivy up to 826 acres. That total, when added to the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation lands on Tivy, brings the total protected land on the mountain to over 1,303 acres. Over 2,000 people visited SFC’s three preserves last year thanks to our volunteer docents led by Marvin Kientz and to the many class leaders who volunteered their time to share with others their special knowledge of our foothills. SFC’s hike and class programs are critical to our mission and we couldn’t continue them without the generous commitment of our volunteers.
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In addition to showing people why they should help preserve
the foothills, the classes and hikes are a very good source of new
members.
With over 4,700 acres on SFC’s three preserves there are always going to be maintenance projects and volunteers are the backbone of our maintenance program. This year SFC hired Paul Ogren to coordinate volunteer projects on the preserves. With Paul on board the backlist of projects is steadily shrinking. Between mailings, preserve maintenance, events and other activities, SFC members contributed over 1,600 hours to the organization last year. This donation of time is as essential to the health of our organization as are money donations. With the help of SFC Associate Director Jim Carl, SFC is receiving more grants to help continue our work. We received a grant of $109,000 to continue the Millerton Area Watershed Program and another $138,000 in smaller grants for various projects. All in all it was a good year and next year promises to be the same. If everything stays on track we hope to have some announcements about land acquisitions and new conservation easements during the 2004/2005 fiscal year.
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2003-2004 Program Highlights |
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| July – Mark Balcom is elected
to the SFC Board of Directors.
September – Completed a 1,295 acre conservation easement on the Wilfred Von der Ahe property in Mariposa County donated by Mareka Lodge. October – At its annual member’s barbecue, SFC recognizes Marv Kientz for years of outstanding volunteer service. October – Len McKenzie is elected to the SFC Board of Directors. November – Millerton Area Watershed Coalition completes Phase I assessment and publishes final report. Phase II planning project begins on December 1, 2003. November- Operational Trust Fund fundraising campaign begins in an effort to raise $350,000 in three years. December – A conservation easement on 640 acres in Clark’s Valley (Mariposa County) is donated to SFC by Al and Carliene Anderson. December – A conservation easement on 343 acres including Striped Rock (Mariposa County) is donated to SFC by Steve and Toni Kellenberg. February – Purchased an additional 53 acres for the Tivy Mountain Preserve. June – Steve Medley is elected to the SFC Board of Directors. |
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Financial Information |
Income
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Expenses
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June 30, 2004 Balance Sheet |
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ASSETSCurrent Assets Bank and Investments 1,240,821 Grants Receivable 177,526 Accounts Receivable 38,711 Other Current Assets 37,386
Fixed Assets Land 1,886,000 Equipment 32,862 Accumulated Depreciation (31,786) Improvements 23,424 Total Assets 3,404,944
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LIABILITIES & EQUITYCurrent Liabilities Accounts Payable 16,443 Deferred Revenue 236,038 Payroll Liabilities 5,350
Equity Permanently Restricted Net Assets 2,667,294 Temporarily Restricted Net Assets 399,294 Unrestricted Net Assets 80,525
Total Liabilities and Equity 3,404,944
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