Annual Report. Connecting People Connecting Places

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Marlene Hines
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green places of ecological, cultural, or

1 LAND TRUST FOR THE MISSISSIPPI COASTAL PLAIN Annual Report Photo of the Twelve Oaks Property, Courtesy of Bob Effinger Connecting People Connecting Places Continuing Our Mission: To conserve, promote, and protect the open spaces and green places of ecological, cultural, or scenic significance in the counties of the Mississippi Coastal Plain. 1

2 STAKEHOLDERS LETTER Why do we need open spaces, green places? If you are reading this, you are probably a member, donor, volunteer, or in some way a participant in the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain. And you already know the answer. You know the restorative effect of just a few minutes in the natural world, and you appreciate how nature calms and focuses the mind. You understand that we humans need our habitat, that it is more than just a pretty picture it gives us and other living things water, oxygen, soil, growth, regeneration. The native plants and animals, insects and birds, of our area are unique and incredibly varied. We have a fascinating ecosystem that others want to visit and observe. But we are increasingly threatened by development and by its accompanying introduction of non-native invasive species. The Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain works to rebuild what has been disrupted by attempts to turn the land into something it is not (see our Accomplishment this year) and to control and, if possible, eliminate invasive species that crowd out our natives. The Land Trust belongs to you, the stakeholders. Your contribution, your work, your appreciation of our mission is the basis of the organization. This year, we added 565 acres under stewardship, an 11 percent increase in properties under stewardship. You can communicate your knowledge to others in the community, and especially to children. Visit one of the Land Trust s properties and take someone with you. Be proud of your contribution and realize that this is your place. Pass on the land s message of beauty, serenity, and complexity by letting it speak for itself. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Land Trust for the Mississippi Plain depends on private contributions to finance our land protection work. We accept donations at any time for general operations or for any of our designated funds. Our tax identification number is Audited financial statements and our 990 are available by request. Become a member, or consider a gift! Join, Renew or Donate today online at Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance. Theodore Roosevelt 2

3 REVENUE EXPENSES (13.8% of Revenue) 101, % 12, % 924, % Where The Money Comes From 61, % 50, % 1,733, % Donations (1) Dues & Fundraising Grants (2) Unrealized Gain on Investments In Lieu program (3) Miscellaneous Income (4) (1) Land or easement donations, except for $92,500 endowment contribution (2) Includes $803,750 Supplemental Environmental Program fines levied to protect wetlands. (3) Turkey Creek Mitigation Bank (4) Includes investment and rental income 116, % 34, % Where The Money Goes 49, % 19, % 57, % 83, % Contract services Grant expenditures Office expenses (1) 37, % (1) Rent, expense reimbursement, legal and accounting, misc. office expense (2) Includes property maintenance, land management and insurance Other operating expenses Property maintenance (2) Salaries Taxes, depreciation, interest ENDOWMENT (Stewardship & Management Investments) 197, % International Funds Bonds 616, % At 12/31/2013. Distributions Reinvested Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain P.O. Box A Howard Avenue Biloxi, MS Judy Steckler, Executive Director

2013 Conservation Progress As of 2/2014 Before After HIGHWAY 603 RESTORATION PROJECT Developers had

The objective of the restoration plan was to reestablish wet pine savannah, cypress and swamp tupelo

In February 2014, approximately 3,500 bare-root seedlings of pond cypress, swamp black gum and red maple

13% Increase in Value of Property under Stewardship 11% Increase in Acres under Stewardship $25,000,000

4 2013 Conservation Progress As of 2/2014 Before After HIGHWAY 603 RESTORATION PROJECT Developers had improperly used this site for drainage. The objective of the restoration plan was to reestablish wet pine savannah, cypress and swamp tupelo wetlands in areas that had been altered by recent clearing, excavation, filling and/or re-contouring. In February 2014, approximately 3,500 bare-root seedlings of pond cypress, swamp black gum and red maple were planted throughout the restoration project site. Today the area shows signs of re-growth. 13% Increase in Value of Property under Stewardship 11% Increase in Acres under Stewardship $25,000,000 $20,000,000 $15,000,000 $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $18,074,090 $20,429, ,700 5,600 5,500 5,400 5,300 5,200 5,100 5,000 4,900 5,083 5, $ ,

2013 Acquisitions Hancock County Lower Bay Road Mitigation Bank Conservation Easement Donation of 320 Acres

31 Acres George County Sistrunk Boneyard Lake Purchase of 80 Acres Lower Bay Road Mitigation Bank-Hancock Jackson

5 2013 Acquisitions Hancock County Lower Bay Road Mitigation Bank Conservation Easement Donation of 320 Acres Rooney/Shoreline Park II Donation of.31 Acres George County Sistrunk Boneyard Lake Purchase of 80 Acres Lower Bay Road Mitigation Bank-Hancock Jackson County Ely Property Purchase of 80 Acres McLeod Property Purchase of 40 Acres CSX Transportation Inc. Conservation Easement Donation of 23.6 Acres Sistrunk Boneyard Lake-George County Hannesson II Property Purchase of Acres Branch Property Donation of 1.23 Acres Weeks Bayou Donation of 2.25 Acres Ely Property-Jackson County For a list and description of each of our properties, please visit our website at 5

6 2013 SUPPORTERS Donors Lifetime Members In Memory of Julia Guice In Memory of Ethelyn Connor Julia Weaver David & Jennipher Spector Beth Ashley Gary & Cynthia Cuevas Bruce and Alice Duckett Dr. Bob Carter Annette Ashley WG Yates Construction Melanie Allen Dayton & Susanne Whites Nancy & David Murray Tom & Peggy Butera Annalyn Swan George Swan Phyllis Cosentino In Memory of Brick Goldman (Montambault) In Memory of Briscoe Goldman Sandy Steckler John & Laura Bowie Chevron Jon Bond Mississippi Power Gerald Rooney Gale Singley Laird Thomas & Edna Boone George & Cynthia Ramseur Fanwood Foundation Unabridged Architecture (John & Allison Anderson) Jesse & Janet Adcock John & Allison Anderson Rob Barber Laura Bowie Margaret Bretz Fay Browne Phyllis Cosentino Bruce & Alice Duckett Derrick Evans Bob Fairbank Joe Jewel T. Mitchell Kalom John Lambert Sam & Ann LaRosa Steve Lawler Maria Mavar Peter & Dita McCarthy Julie Moore Walter Morton, Sr. Martha Murphy Nell Murray Julia O Neal William Perret Thomas & Patricia Spinks Sandy & Judy Steckler Merry Thomson Jan Walker Jim & Terri Wyly Corporate Partners Donors of Land and Conservation Easements Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce Bradford O Keefe Butch Oustalet, Inc. Chevron Dupont Hancock Bank Holden Earth Moving & Construction Mississippi Power Company Natural Capital Development O Neal Bond Engineering South MS Electric Power Association The Peoples Bank W.G. Yates & Sons CSX Transportation, Inc. The City of Ocean Springs Ellis Branch & Anne Hindmarch Rooney Industries, Inc. Gulf Coast Wetland Mitigation Answers, LLC 6

VOLUNTEERS We could not accomplish what we do without the assistance of our many

Thank you for supporting our conservation efforts through general cleanup, trail

Community Collaborations Rutgers University Texas A & M University University of

Tarleton State University Ohio State University Old Dominion University Weston High

7 VOLUNTEERS We could not accomplish what we do without the assistance of our many volunteers. Thank you for supporting our conservation efforts through general cleanup, trail building, replanting and monitoring! We could not do it without you! Community Collaborations Rutgers University Texas A & M University University of Connecticut College of Central Florida University of Akron University of Hartford, CT Tarleton State University Ohio State University Old Dominion University Weston High School Massachusetts Gulf Coast Audubon Society Birding Survey Mississippi Habitat Stewards For more information on becoming a volunteer visit our website at 7

2013-2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jon Bond, President Melanie Allen, Vice President Alice Duckett, Secretary Flowers White, Treasurer Beth Ashley Jennifer Tyler Baker Russell Evans Lisa Eveleigh Peggy

8 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jon Bond, President Melanie Allen, Vice President Alice Duckett, Secretary Flowers White, Treasurer Beth Ashley Jennifer Tyler Baker Russell Evans Lisa Eveleigh Peggy Hoover Gale Singley Laird Steve Lawler Johnny Marquez Allen Reed Left to Right: Jon Bond, Peggy Hoover, Gale Singley-Laird, Allen Reed, Beth Ashley, Melanie Allen, Flowers White, Alice Duckett Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain P.O. Box A Howard Avenue Biloxi, MS

ANNUAL REPORT FY 2012

ANNUAL REPORT FY 2012 Continuing Our Mission: To conserve, promote, and protect the open spaces and green places of ecological, cultural, or scenic significance in the counties of the Mississippi Coastal