Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
|
Total |
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Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2014 | (b) 2015 | (c) 2016 | (d) 2017 | (e) 2018 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 2,000,313 | 400,636 | 396,472 | 467,197 | 3,588,204 | 6,852,822 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 2,000,313 | 400,636 | 396,472 | 467,197 | 3,588,204 | 6,852,822 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | 2,563,799 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 4,289,023 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2014 | (b) 2015 | (c) 2016 | (d) 2017 | (e) 2018 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 2,000,313 | 400,636 | 396,472 | 467,197 | 3,588,204 | 6,852,822 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 131,980 | 132,544 | 126,734 | 102,161 | 114,011 | 607,430 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 7,460,252 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2014 | (b) 2015 | (c) 2016 | (d) 2017 | (e) 2018 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2014 | (b) 2015 | (c) 2016 | (d) 2017 | (e) 2018 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
||
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
||
| 9 Distributable amount for 2018 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2018 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2018 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2018 from Section C, line 6 |
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|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2018 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2018: | ||||
| a From 2013....... | ||||
| b From 2014....... | ||||
| c From 2015....... | ||||
| d From 2016....... | ||||
| e From 2017....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2018 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2013 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2018 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2018 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2018, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2018. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2019. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2014...... | ||||
| b Excess from 2015..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2016..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1 | IN 2018, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: TRAIL PROJECT: MRG COMMENCED WORK ON A NEW TRAIL KNOWN AS THE CLIFF TRAIL THAT DESCENDS DEEPER INTO THE GORGE AND PROVIDES AN EXCITING OPTION FOR HIKERS. PROFESSIONAL TRAIL-BUILDING COMPANIES AND VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED THE FIRST TWO PHASES OF THE PROJECT IN 2018. GOTHAM COYOTE PROJECT: THE GOTHAM COYOTE PROJECT (GCP) IS AN ONGOING EFFORT TO STUDY THE ECOLOGY, POPULATION GROWTH, AND RANGE EXPANSION OF EASTERN COYOTES (CANIS LATRANS) IN NEW YORK CITY. MRG AND ITS GCP PARTNERS LAUNCHED A GPS TELEMETRY STUDY. COYOTES WERE FITTED WITH TELEMETRY COLLARS THAT USE THE CELLULAR NETWORK TO SEND REGULAR LOCATION POINTS FOR EACH COLLARED ANIMAL. MRG CONTINUED TO MONITOR URBAN SITES ACROSS THE CITY WITH WILDLIFE CAMERA TRAPS. MRG'S DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CONTINUED TO SPEAK AT CONFERENCES AND PUBLIC WORKSHOPS, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES FOR CO-EXISTING WITH THIS CHARISMATIC ANIMAL. OLD-GROWTH FOREST PROJECT: MIANUS RIVER GORGE FOCUSED CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION ON KEEPING THE OLD-GROWTH FOREST HEALTHY AND INTACT. MRG AND PARTNERS DEVELOPED A STRATEGY TO TREAT EASTERN HEMLOCKS INFESTED WITH THE HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID, A SMALL INVASIVE APHID-LIKE INSECT THAT DESTROYS THE TREES. MRG STAFF, STUDENT INTERNS, AND VOLUNTEERS ALSO SPENT HUNDREDS OF HOURS REMOVING NON-NATIVE, INVASIVE VINES AND WEEDS FROM THE UNDERSTORY AND REPLANTING WITH NATIVE HERBACEOUS PLANT COMMUNITIES TO RESTORE THE FOREST FLOOR. OTHER ACTIVITIES: MRG STAFF CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON WHITE-TAILED DEER, COYOTES, AND BLACK BEARS IN THE REGION, COLLABORATING WITH SEVERAL INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THE NYC METRO AREA. WE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE LOWER HUDSON PARTNERSHIP IN INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT AND ARE ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE ECOLOGICAL MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE. A STAFF MEMBER WAS ELECTED THE PRESIDENT OF THE NYS CHAPTER OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY. MRG STAFF CO-AUTHORED THREE MANUSCRIPTS FOR PUBLICATION. STAFF ALSO DEVELOPED TWO COMPUTATIONAL TOOLS FOR ANALYZING CAMERA TRAP DATA, ONE OF WHICH WAS PRESENTED AT THE 2018 NORTHEAST NATURAL HISTORY CONFERENCE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | THE FINANCIAL RESULTS OF THE MIANUS RIVER GORGE ARE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND APPROVED AT THE MAY MEETING. THE AUDITOR PREPARES THE 990 BASED ON THIS FINANCIAL STATEMENT WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD. THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. ANY QUESTIONS ARE THEN DIRECTED TO THE AUDITOR WHO IN CONSULTATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PREPARES THE FORM 990. THE FINAL VERSION IS THEN REVIEWED BY THE TREASURER AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. A COPY IS THEN DISTRIBUTED ELECTRONICALLY TO ALL TRUSTEES BEFORE FILING WITH THE IRS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | A WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY WAS IN PLACE BY THE END OF 2008. THEY WERE IMPLEMENTED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE BOARD AFTER THEIR ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON DECEMBER 6, 2008. THESE POLICIES ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE "PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL AND THE "TRUSTEES MANUAL". GENERAL POLICY: THE DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, AND OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION HAVE A DUTY OF LOYALTY AND FIDELITY TO THE CORPORATION AND MUST GOVERN THE CORPORATION'S AFFAIRS HONESTLY AND ECONOMICALLY, EXERCISING THEIR BEST CARE, SKILL, AND JUDGMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CORPORATION. TO AVOID EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY, THE DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, AND OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION SHALL: 1. DISCLOSE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANY SITUATION IN WHICH THE DIRECTOR OR OFFICER OF THE CORPORATION HAS A CONFLICTING INTEREST OR DUALITY OF INTEREST THAT COULD REASONABLY BE VIEWED AS FORMING A BASIS FOR THAT PERSON TO ACT IN OTHER THAN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CORPORATION; AND 2. FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES STATED BELOW GOVERNING THE PARTICIPATION ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION IN ANY TRANSACTION IN WHICH THE PERSON HAS, OR MAY HAVE, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. PROCEDURES: 1. ANY DIRECTOR OR MEMBER HAVING A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTER SHOULD MAKE DISCLOSURE OF SUCH INTERESTS TO THE OTHER DIRECTORS OR MEMBERS. IN THE EVENT OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THE DIRECTOR OR MEMBER SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSIDERATION OR DISCUSSION OF NOR VOTE ON THE MATTER, BUT SUCH DIRECTOR OR MEMBER SHALL BE COUNTED IN DETERMINING THE QUORUM FOR THE MEETING. IN THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, A DIRECTOR OR MEMBER WITH A CONFLICT OF INTEREST MAY BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THAT PORTION OF A MEETING THAT CONSIDERS THE MATTER AS TO WHICH THERE IS A CONFLICT. THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING SHOULD REFLECT THE MAKING OF THE DISCLOSURE, THE ABSTENTION FROM DISCUSSION AND VOTING, THE QUORUM SITUATION, AND WHETHER THE DIRECTOR OR MEMBER WAS PRESENT OR ABSENT WHEN THE MATTER WAS CONSIDERED. 2. ANY OFFICER OF THE CORPORATION HAVING A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTER BEFORE SUCH OFFICER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OR OTHER ACTION SHALL REPORT SUCH CONFLICT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. IN THE CASE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR THE CHAIR, SUCH POSSIBLE CONFLICT SHALL BE REPORTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR THE FULL BOARD AND THE OFFICER SHALL ABSTAIN FROM TAKING ANY ADMINISTRATIVE OR OTHER ACTION ON SUCH MATTER. 3. THE FOREGOING REQUIREMENTS SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS PREVENTING ANY DIRECTOR, MEMBER OR OFFICER OF THE CORPORATION FROM BRIEFLY STATING HIS OR HER POSITION IN THE MATTER, NOR FROM ANSWERING PERTINENT QUESTIONS OF THE OTHER DIRECTORS, MEMBER OR OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION. 4. TRANSACTIONS WITH INSIDERS. THE MRGP FOLLOWS THE PROCEDURES FOR TRANSACTIONS WITH INSIDERS AS OUTLINED IN THE LTA STANDARDS AND PRACTICES IN EFFECT AT THE TIME, AND CURRENTLY STATED IN 2008 AS: "WHEN ENGAGING IN LAND AND EASEMENT TRANSACTIONS WITH INSIDERS (SEE DEFINITIONS BELOW), THE LAND TRUST: FOLLOWS ITS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY; DOCUMENTS THAT THE PROJECT MEETS THE LAND TRUST'S MISSION; FOLLOWS ALL TRANSACTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES; AND ENSURES THAT THERE IS NO PRIVATE INUREMENT OR IMPERMISSIBLE PRIVATE BENEFIT. FOR PURCHASES AND SALES OF PROPERTY TO INSIDERS, THE LAND TRUST OBTAINS A QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL PREPARED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNIFORM STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL PRACTICE BY A STATE-LICENSED OR STATE-CERTIFIED APPRAISER WHO HAS VERIFIABLE CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE. WHEN SELLING PROPERTY TO INSIDERS, THE LAND TRUST WIDELY MARKETS THE PROPERTY IN A MANNER SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE THAT THE PROPERTY IS SOLD AT OR ABOVE FAIR MARKET VALUE AND TO AVOID THE REALITY OR PERCEPTION THAT THE SALE INAPPROPRIATELY BENEFITED AN INSIDER." EMPLOYEE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY: ANY EMPLOYEE HAVING A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON ANY MATTER SHOULD MAKE DISCLOSURE OF SUCH INTERESTS TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (IN THE CASE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRUSTEES). IN THE EVENT OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THE EMPLOYEE SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSIDERATION OR DISCUSSION OF THE MATTER. IN THE DISCRETION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (IN THE CASE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR), AN EMPLOYEE WITH A CONFLICT OF INTEREST MAY BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THAT PORTION OF A MEETING THAT CONSIDERS THE MATTER AS TO WHICH THERE IS A CONFLICT. THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING SHOULD REFLECT THE MAKING OF THE DISCLOSURE, THE ABSTENTION FROM DISCUSSION AND WHETHER THE EMPLOYEE WAS PRESENT OR ABSENT WHEN THE MATTER WAS CONSIDERED. THE FOREGOING REQUIREMENTS SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS PREVENTING ANY EMPLOYEE FROM BRIEFLY STATING HIS OR HER POSITION IN THE MATTER, NOR FROM ANSWERING PERTINENT QUESTIONS OF THE OTHER EMPLOYEES OF MRG. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A | COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS DETERMINED BY THE FOLLOWING PROCESS: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AT THEIR DECEMBER MEETING HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHERE STAFF ARE ASKED TO LEAVE AND THE BOARD DISCUSSES BONUSES AND COMPENSATION FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. AT THIS TIME, THE CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD THE LEVEL OF COMPENSATION FOR THE ED AND THE BOARD EITHER APPROVES IT OR MODIFIES IT AND THEN APPROVES. EVERY OTHER YEAR, THE CHAIRMAN RESEARCHES COMPARATIVE SALARIES AT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS IF NECESSARY. AT THE DECEMBER BOARD MEETING, THE BOARD HAS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION DURING WHICH THEY APPROVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY, RAISE, AND BONUS. THEY ALSO VOTE ON THIS SALARY WHEN THEY APPROVE THE BUDGET FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION AND ANNUAL BUDGET ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE BOARD MEETING MINUTES. THE PRESERVE DOESN'T HAVE KEY EMPLOYEES, AS PER THE IRS DEFINITION, IF THE PRESERVE DID, THE EMPLOYEE'S COMPENSATION WOULD BE DETERMINED IN A SIMILAR FASHION TO COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 18 | THE MRG MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE MRG MAKES ITS FORM 1023 AND FORM 990 AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY REQUEST. THE FORM 990 IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON GUIDESTAR.ORG |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE ORGANIZATION HAS A COMMITTEE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |