Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation General Information Contact Information Nonprofit Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation Address 117 30th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 Phone (615) 329-4441 Fax 615 329-9097 Web Site Web Site Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Email info@tenngreen.org At A Glance Year of Incorporation 1993 TennGreen 1
Mission & Impact Statements Mission Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation (TennGreen) conserves land where people and nature can thrive. TennGreen envisions large, connected natural areas that support diversity of life, inspire appreciation of nature, and spark action to protect the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the land that sustains us all. Background Kathleen Williams founded the Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation (TennGreen) in 1998 through the merger of the Tennessee Greenways Program of The Conservation Fund and the Tennessee State Parks Foundation. As the oldest accredited, statewide land conservancy in Tennessee, TennGreen works in collaboration with landowners, other organizations, and state, county, and local agencies to identify and conserve biologically important land and open space for wildlife corridors, critical habitat, and public benefit (e.g., recreation). Primarily, TennGreen protects land through conservation easements, donations of land, and land purchases. Over the years, your support has allowed us to protect some of Tennessee s most important natural areas and iconic features. Some of our successes include: Millikan s Overlook/Cane Creek Gorge, Fall Creek Falls State Park Virgin Falls State Natural Area Scott s Gulf, Caney Fork River at Big Bottom Cummins Falls State Park, Cookeville Crusher Hole adjacent to Fall Creek Falls Mill Creek Falls West Meade Waterfall, Davidson County Duck River Riverwalk Access, Columbia Eagle Pass, Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail, Ashland City Black Mountain, Cumberland Trail Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area, Maury County Chickasaw Bluff/Hickman Bar, Mississippi River North White Oak Creek, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area Devilstep Hollow Cave/Head of Sequatchie Spring Headwaters Wildlife Management Area, Cannon County South Fork of the Forked Deer River, Chester County Big East Fork along the Natchez Trace in Williamson County Scott s Gulf at Big Bottom (Dry Creek Headwaters) Interior Dog Cove at Dog Cove Scott s Gulf at Welch Point Bark Camp Barrens WMA, Coffee County Mitchell Cove, near Sewanee Grassy Cove, Cumberland Trail Belle Forest Cave Arboretum, Davidson County Hinch Mountain, Cumberland Trail Rock Island State Park, Warren County Bee Rock, Putnam County Our Guiding PrinciplesCommitment (Dedication) to the Entire State: We will focus on the entire state of Tennessee, an irreplaceable and boundless gift of natural landscapes that deserve protection in perpetuity.nature Nurtures: Our individual physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being is dependent upon access to and experiences in beautiful, natural spaces; we need places to hike and play.commitment to Future Generations: We accept responsibility as caretakers of the state s natural assets for not only its current inhabitants but for future generations.prioritized Protection: We will strategically invest in conservation, with priorities based on sound science and community needs, including recreation; response to clear environmental threats; the protection of large, connected natural areas; wildlife habitat and corridors; and land along lakes, rivers, and streams.building Trust and Awareness: We acknowledge that many within the state may not understand the value of its natural assets. It is, therefore, our responsibility to listen, learn, engage and provide many of the educational tools and experiences necessary to build awareness, relevance, and trust, and ensure that our work is honored in perpetuity.urgency: We recognize that Tennessee is experiencing extraordinary human development pressure and that the natural assets which draw many to the state are in jeopardy; we must act swiftly and smartly to protect them before it is too late.interdependence: We understand ourselves to be one small, interdependent part of a much larger, whole universe. We cannot exist separately and independently and have a duty to responsibly protect and share our natural world with all other species who are equally dependent upon it.tenngreen is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies solely on the philanthropy of private individuals. The organization has nine full-time employees and one part-time employee on staff, and its offices are located in Nashville, TN, and Memphis, TN. 2
Impact For more than 20 years, the Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation (TennGreen) has conserved land where people and nature can thrive safeguarding wetlands, grasslands, mountains, forests, and waterways across the state we call home. A few of our recent accomplishments include: The protection of 582 acres at Dry Creek Headwaters to protect wildlife and expand public lands for recreation. Acquisition of this property located adjacent to Lost Creek State Natural Area (SNA) and Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness Wildlife Management Area (WMA) enabled the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to coordinate a swap of land management and build a nine-mile hiking trail that connects Lost Creek and Virgin Falls State Natural Areas. The protection of 247 acres at Bark Camp Barrens WMA to expand public lands in Middle Tennessee for people and wildlife. While much of Bark Camp Barrens has had its ownership divided over the years, the acquisition of this property enables TWRA to connect the WMA's two biggest land components. Primarily containing wetland hardwoods, this expansion will protect forested habitat in the area, ensuring that we have a place to connect with nature and wildlife have a place to call home. The permanent protection of 1,001 acres of Mitchell Cove to ensure that its natural wonders and irreplaceable landscapes remain forever wild. Throughout 2017 and 2018, your generosity supported the collaborative efforts of TennGreen, South Cumberland Regional Land Trust, and Jumpoff Community Land Trust to protect this scenic, tranquil property located near Sewanee on the South Cumberland Plateau, with a conservation easement. The first-ever expansion of Rock Island State Park in Warren County. Acquisition of 46 acres of natural bluff line overlooking Sandy Beach will protect hikers from nearby private grounds used for hunting; provide future campers Scout troops and kayakers with an essential campground for privacy; will protect wildlife habitat along the Caney Fork of the Cumberland River; will protect the area's spectacular viewshed and scenery from being dotted with private homes; and will enable Tennessee State Parks to better accommodate the park's growing crowds. The permanent protection of Bee Rock Overlook to ensure that outdoor enthusiasts can experience its beauty and recreational opportunities for generations to come. Bob Walker's donation of a conservation easement at Bee Rock limits future development and timbering on the land and allows permanent public access. With the easement in place, Walker has generously given the land to the Town of Monterey for its use as a public park. The establishment of the Wildlife Habitat Conservation Assistance Fund to further private conservation efforts across the state. Together, we will continue to do great things in 2019. Since the start of the new year, we have added a valuable member to our team, advanced important conservation initiatives in key areas across the state, and completed our Strategic Plan 2019-2023. Thanks to your input and feedback, this Strategic Plan will enhance our ability to: Identify and protect biologically important land and open space across Tennessee for wildlife corridors, critical habitat, and public benefit (e.g., recreation). Connect Tennesseans with nature and engage them in meaningful ways to build relevance, support, and action for conservation. Build a stronger organizational platform to professionally support and fulfill our mission in perpetuity. Big things are on the horizon, and we want you to be a part of them! Needs Every missed opportunity to protect our cherished lands is an irreversible loss to our future. We must work together not just for our own health, but for that of future generations and the wildlife with whom we are graced to share this land.your support matters. Contributions to critically-needed operating funds, and funding through annual memberships, corporate event sponsorships, and major gifts, enable our ability to act quickly and effectively when conservation opportunities arise. TennGreen also accepts support for its Emergency Land Fund, which is a revolving fund that assists with unexpected purchases of conservation-worthy land. 3
Other ways to donate, support, or volunteer Ways to GiveOnline: An easy way to give support is by making your secure online gift at https://www.tenngreen.orgmonthly Giving: Small monthly donations can add up to a significant gift. Those who give regularly, ensure that TennGreen has resources for important conservation opportunities as they arrive, every single day. Tribute Gifts: Your gift can be in memory of someone special or to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday, wedding or anniversary.gifts of Land: We consider gifts of land to be the most generous donation a landowner can make. A gift of land may provide substantial tax benefits and can be set up in a way that allows you to continue to live on the land or to receive a life income.gifts of Appreciated Assets: A gift of appreciated assets such as stocks, mutual funds or bonds can provide you with significant tax advantages. Note: If you are a stock or mutual fund donor, please specifically ask your broker to include your name in the notes/transfer instructions.planned Gifts: A planned gift can be as simple as including the Foundation in your will or naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of an insurance policy, retirement plan or certificate of deposit. Regardless of the kind of planned gift you choose, you can be assured your gift will be used for conservation. For more information on planned gifts or for personal assistance, please contact Steve Walsh, Director of Leadership Giving, at (615) 545-0195 or steve@tenngreen.orgin- Kind and Corporate Membership: We welcome gifts of professional services, equipment loans, and donationsin-kind on a case-by-case basis. Please contact TennGreen to learn more about our In-Kind Donation policies.other Ways to Give: Learn more at https://www.tenngreen.org The Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Gifts are tax-deductible as provided by law. Service Categories Primary Organization Category Environment / Land Resources Conservation Secondary Organization Category Environment / Natural Resources Conservation & Protection Tertiary Organization Category Environment / Environmental Education Areas of Service Areas Served TN TN - Bedford TN - Cannon TN - Cheatham TN - Clay TN - Coffee TN - Cumberland TN - Davidson TN - Dekalb TN - Dickson TN - Fentress TN - Franklin TN - Giles TN - Hickman TN - Houston TN - Humphreys 4
TN - Jackson TN - Lawrence TN - Lewis TN - Lincoln TN - Macon TN - Marshall TN - Maury TN - Montgomery TN - Moore TN - Overton TN - Perry TN - Pickett TN - Putnam TN - Robertson TN - Rutherford TN - Smith TN - Stewart TN - Sumner TN - Trousdale TN - Van Buren TN - Warren TN - Wayne TN - White TN - Williamson TN - Wilson We serve the entire state of Tennessee. Board Chair Statement For generations, Tennessee s rich natural heritage remained relatively undaunted. Yet, it is the inherent beauty of this land that has, in recent years, attracted an increasing number of new businesses and residents to the state. Tennessee's population increased from 3.9 million in 1970 to 6 million in 2005, and is expected to increase to 7.6 million by 2025. A larger population will need more recreation opportunities. We depend on wild species to enrich the soil, cleanse the water, pollinate the flowering plants, and create the very air we breathe. Additionally, tourism is the second largest industry in Tennessee, employing 184,000 Tennesseans and contributing $14.2 billion to our economy and $1.1 billion in local and state tax revenues. The top tourist attractions in Tennessee are parks. Tennessee attracts visitors because of its natural beauty. The Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation challenge is to conserve the best Tennessee has to offer. By creating more public parks to inspire a love of nature while conserving fragile life and wondrous geologic features, and by linking parks together with greenways, corridors of protected land, we can conserve Tennessee s bountiful natural environment. 5
CEO Statement For over twenty years, Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation (TennGreen) has been committed to protecting the best of our natural world. As the oldest statewide land trust in Tennessee, our vast experience with land conservation projects has proven time and again that collaboration is the key to success. We continually seek partnership opportunities with private landowners, local municipalities, and state and federal agencies to conserve Tennessee s rich natural heritage by creating parks, establishing wildlife corridors and expanding existing protected public lands. By creating these networks of parks and conserved forests and waterways, TennGreen is effectively protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink and the land that sustains us all. When practical, based on a site s ecological sensitivity, our land conservation initiatives are also intended to enhance public access for compatible recreational pursuits and to instill a greater appreciation of nature. We strongly believe that a public in touch with and inspired by nature s intrinsic beauty will forever make its protection a high priority. 6
Programs Programs Fee Land Acquisition Description Through the resources available through Tennessee Parks and Greenways's Emergency Land Fund and the generous support of many private entities and individuals, TennGreen is able to negotiate with sellers and purchase land (often at a discount) for transfer or donation to local, state and federal municipalities. An example would be the purchase at auction of Cummins Falls, Tennessee's 54th State Park. Budget 1000000 Category Population Served Short Term Success Long term Success Examples of Program Success Environment, General/Other Land Conservation General/Unspecified, General/Unspecified, General/Unspecified Conserving open space (public and private lands) yields significant environmental, recreational and health benefits. Creating conservation corridors and protecting extensive areas of contiguous habitat reduce the negative impacts of habitat fragmentation which threatens our biodiversity. Protecting isolated patches of habitat is not enough as these ecological islands reduce wildlife and species richness, alter species interactions and ecosystem functions, and hinder the natural migration and distribution of plants and animals. Habitat connectivity is essential to ecosystem stability and sustainability. TennGreen s efforts to conserve contiguous conservation corridors are positive steps in that direction. In addition to the many environmental benefits associated with land conservation, protection of open space helps meet the ever-increasing demand for publicly accessible outdoor recreation areas. Numerous studies have also documented the correlation between experiences in nature and physical health and mental well-being. Tennessee is the 45th healthiest state in the U.S., ranking 47th in obesity, 44th in cardiovascular deaths and 46th in diabetes. Improving the quality of our air, water and forests and enhancing opportunities for outdoor recreation will significantly reduce the risk of these chronic diseases and improve our quality of life. Cummins Falls State Park, Virgin Falls State Natural Area, the West Meade Waterfall, and Black Mountain are examples of fee land acquisitions in support of conservation. 7
Conservation Easements Description A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values.tennessee Parks and Greenways holds over 5,000 acres in easements on land with high conservation values. Many of these conservation easements protect endangered species, headwater streams, sensitive forests and buffer public lands. The most distinguishing feature of the conservation easement as a conservation tool is that it enables users to achieve specific conservation objectives on the land while keeping the land in the ownership and control of landowners for uses consistent with the conservation objectives. The decision to place a conservation easement on a property is strictly a voluntary one whether the easement is sold or donated. The restrictions of the easement, once set in place, are perpetual (and potentially reduce the resale value of the associated property). Budget 500000 Category Population Served Program Success Monitored By Environment, General/Other Land Conservation General/Unspecified, General/Unspecified, General/Unspecified Each year, TennGreen representatives (staff, board and trained volunteers) walk every property with a conservation easement to ensure that the restrictions outlined in the easement are upheld. This is required by our accrediting body, the Land Trust Alliance. CEO Comments A map prepared for us by TWRA identifies over 1.3 million acres in 75 project conservation areas that will protect the most scenic natural treasures and critical wildlife corridor connections, maintain our state's rich biodiversity and beauty, while also protecting Tennessee's headwaters. Project areas include parks and natural areas, wildlife management areas, state scenic trails and rivers, towns with greenway systems, arches, peaks, waterfalls, and areas of conservation interest. This map guides our conservation efforts. 8
Governance Board Chair Board Chair John H. Noel III Company Affiliation John H. Noel Company Term Oct 2018 to Sept 2019 Email johnhnoel@outlook.com Board Members Name Affiliation Status Mr. Charles Askew Voting Mr. Ryan Bailey The Bailey Company Voting Ms. Mary Lynn Dobson Community Volunteer Voting Mr. John Fenderson Voting Ms. Janie Finch Community Volunteer Voting Mr. Steve Law TennGreen Voting Mr. Scott May Attorney Voting Matt McClanahan Voting Mr. Gary Myers Retired, TWRA Voting Nick Nunn Bank of Halls Voting Dr. Mark Peacock MID-STATE PULMONARY ASSOCIATES Voting Mr. Frank Ricks Looney Ricks Kiss Voting Mrs. Lois Ruleman Community Volunteer Voting Mr. Wayne Russell Voting Ms. Estie Sheahan Community Volunteer Voting Mr. Steve Stedman Retired Voting Ms. Ann Tidwell Community Volunteer Voting Mr. Bob Tuke Trauger & Tuke Voting Ms. Melinda Welton Community Volunteer Voting Dr. Chuck Womack Urology Associates Voting Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 1 Asian American/Pacific Islander 0 Caucasian 20 Hispanic/Latino 0 Native American/American Indian 0 Other 0 0 Board Demographics - Gender 9
Male 16 Female 6 Unspecified 0 Governance Board Term Lengths 3 Board Term Limits 3 Board Meeting Attendance % 65% Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? No Percentage Making Monetary Contributions 100% Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions 36% Constituency Includes Client Representation Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 4 Standing Committees Executive Development / Fund Development / Fund Raising / Grant Writing / Major Gifts Project Oversight Finance Board Governance Board Development / Board Orientation Risk Management Provisions Automobile Insurance Commercial General Liability Directors & Officers Policy General Property Coverage Special Event Liability Workers Compensation & Employers' Liability 10
Management Executive Director/CEO Executive Director Mr. Steve Law Term Start Nov 2015 Email stevelaw@tenngreen.org Experience Steve Law s resume includes nearly 25 years in the sector of conservation, including natural resource management, greenways planning and operations, strategic conservation planning, negotiating land acquisitions, and environmental education. He has a B.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine at Orono. He has served Real Estate Coordinator for the Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, North Carolina as well as the Division Director Natural Resources for Mecklenburg County. Additionally, he has served on the board of directors for the Catawba Lands Conservancy, Environmental Educators of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Natural Heritage Advisory Committee. Prior to this appointment Law was the Executive Director of the Steep Rock Association, a land trust in Washington Depot, CT. Staff Full Time Staff 9 Part Time Staff 1 Volunteers 25 Contractors 0 Retention Rate 100% Plans & Policies Does the organization have a documented Fundraising Plan? Does the organization have an approved Strategic Plan? Number of years Strategic Plan Considers 5 When was Strategic Plan adopted? Sept 2018 In case of a change in leadership, is a Management Succession plan in place? Under Development Does the organization have a Policies and Procedures Plan? Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy? Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy? Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy? 11
Affiliations Affiliation Center for Nonprofit Management Excellence Network Year 2011 Land Trust Alliance 2011 Tennessee Conservation Voters 2011 Center for Nonprofit Management Excellence Network 2012 National Land Trust Alliance 2012 Land Trust Alliance 2012 Tennessee Conservation Voters 2012 External Assessments and Accreditations Assessments/Accreditations Year Land Trust Alliance 2015 Awards Awards Award/Recognition Organization Year Land Conservation Organization of the Year Tennessee Wildlife Federation 2013 Senior Staff Mr. Steve Walsh Title Director of Leadership Gifts Experience/Biography Ms. Alice Hudson Pell Title Director of Development Experience/Biography Mrs. Christie Peterson Henderson Title Director of Land Conservation Experience/Biography 12
Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start Oct 01 2018 Fiscal Year End Sept 30 2019 Projected Revenue $777,807.00 Projected Expenses $777,807.00 Endowment Value $30,041.00 Endowment Spending Policy N/A Endowment Spending Percentage (if selected) 0% Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Total Revenue $1,845,859 $397,644 $537,091 Total Expenses $684,776 $556,592 $679,630 Revenue Sources Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Foundation and Corporation $0 $0 $0 Contributions Government Contributions $0 $0 $0 Federal $0 $0 $0 State $0 $0 $0 Local $0 $0 $0 Unspecified $0 $0 $0 Individual Contributions $1,375,013 $299,240 $710,415 Indirect Public Support $0 $0 $0 Earned Revenue ($7,661) ($28,578) ($299,760) Investment Income, Net of Losses $9,037 $4,430 $8,962 Membership Dues $0 $0 $0 Special Events $91,383 $85,779 $88,371 Revenue In-Kind $378,087 $36,773 $29,103 Other $0 $0 $0 13
Expense Allocation Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Program Expense $547,769 $459,204 $496,228 Administration Expense $64,354 $54,754 $82,155 Fundraising Expense $72,653 $42,634 $101,247 Payments to Affiliates -- $0 $0 Total Revenue/Total Expenses 2.70 0.71 0.79 Program Expense/Total Expenses 80% 83% 73% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue 5% 11% 13% Assets and Liabilities Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Total Assets $4,647,228 $4,543,470 $2,903,018 Current Assets $1,281,669 $1,422,293 $1,533,886 Long-Term Liabilities $760,588 $1,812,269 $13,269 Current Liabilities $31,444 $37,088 $37,142 Total Net Assets $3,855,196 $2,694,113 $2,852,607 Short Term Solvency Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities 40.76 38.35 41.30 Long Term Solvency Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets 16% 40% 0% Top Funding Sources Fiscal Year 2017 2016 2015 Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount Contributions, Gifts and Grants $1,375,013 Contributions, Gifts Contributions, Gifts and Grants $299,240 and Grants $710,415 Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Noncash Contributions $378,087 Fundraising Events $91,383 Fundraising Events $85,779 Noncash Contributions $36,773 Fundraising Events $88,371 Noncash Contributions $29,103 Capital Campaign Is the organization currently conducting a Capital Campaign for an endowment or the purchase of a major asset? Campaign Purpose Each year, Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation launches several campaigns to purchase land on behalf of the State and/or to conserve privately held land. In 2019, these fundraising efforts separate from general operating campaigns may include land projects in the Mid Cumberland Wilderness, Mississippi River, Nonconnah Creek, land along the Cumberland Trail, and others as they arise. Capital Campaign Goal $0.00 Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next 5 Years? State Charitable Solicitations Permit TN Charitable Solicitations Registration - Expires June 2019 Registration No 0 14
GivingMatters.com Financial Comments Financial figures are taken from the 990 and audit. 990 completed by Blankenship CPA Group, PLLC. Comment provided by Kathryn Bennett 3/28/18. Created 04.08.2019. Copyright 2019 The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee 15