Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and 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 | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 2,295,070 | 2,395,413 | 4,379,826 | 4,234,337 | 4,115,395 | 17,420,041 |
| 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 | 2,295,070 | 2,395,413 | 4,379,826 | 4,234,337 | 4,115,395 | 17,420,041 |
| 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) .. | 1,352,806 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 16,067,235 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 2,295,070 | 2,395,413 | 4,379,826 | 4,234,337 | 4,115,395 | 17,420,041 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 14,996 | 14,998 | 46,140 | 77,497 | 126,073 | 279,704 |
| 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.).. | 3,331 | 2,860 | 748 | 637 | 1,870 | 9,446 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 17,709,191 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (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) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (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 on 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 0.015 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 0.035 | 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 | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2023 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2023 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2023: | ||||
| a From 2018....... | ||||
| b From 2019....... | ||||
| c From 2020....... | ||||
| d From 2021....... | ||||
| e From 2022....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2018 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2023 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2023, 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 2023. 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 2024. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: | REFUNDS/REWARDS/OTHER - 2019 AMOUNT: $ 3,331. 2020 AMOUNT: $ 2,860. 2021 AMOUNT: $ 748. 2022 AMOUNT: $ 637. 2023 AMOUNT: $ 1,870. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A | DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, THE BUDDY BISON YOUTH PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA - 3 SCHOOLS, 138 STUDENTS ALABAMA - 1 SCHOOL, 75 STUDENTS ARIZONA - 4 SCHOOLS, 394 STUDENTS CALIFORNIA - 44 SCHOOLS, 2579 STUDENTS COLORADO - 3 SCHOOLS, 216 STUDENTS CONNECTICUT - 2 SCHOOLS, 160 STUDENTS DELAWARE - 3 SCHOOLS, 244 STUDENTS FLORIDA - 2 SCHOOLS, 155 STUDENTS GEORGIA - 3 SCHOOLS, 314 STUDENTS HAWAI'I - 4 SCHOOLS, 177 STUDENTS IDAHO - 6 SCHOOLS, 316 STUDENTS ILLINOIS - 8 SCHOOLS, 456 STUDENTS INDIANA - 5 SCHOOLS, 512 STUDENTS IOWA - 1 SCHOOL, 65 STUDENTS KANSAS - 6 SCHOOLS, 390 STUDENTS KENTUCKY - 3 SCHOOLS, 417 STUDENTS LOUISIANA - 3 SCHOOLS, 206 STUDENTS MAINE - 8 SCHOOLS, 625 STUDENTS MARYLAND - 33 SCHOOLS, 3606 STUDENTS MASSACHUSETTS - 1 SCHOOL, 16 STUDENTS MICHIGAN - 8 SCHOOLS, 382 STUDENTS MINNESOTA - 1 SCHOOL, 90 STUDENTS MISSISSIPPI - 1 SCHOOL, 111 STUDENTS MISSOURI - 4 SCHOOLS, 296 STUDENTS MONTANA - 5 SCHOOLS, 293 STUDENTS NEVADA - 4 SCHOOLS, 530 STUDENTS NEW JERSEY - 5 SCHOOLS, 304 STUDENTS NEW MEXICO - 7 SCHOOLS, 355 STUDENTS NEW YORK - 5 SCHOOLS, 504 STUDENTS NORTH CAROLINA - 6 SCHOOLS, 483 STUDENTS OHIO - 2 SCHOOLS, 210 STUDENTS OREGON - 1 SCHOOL, 18 STUDENTS PENNSYLVANIA - 5 SCHOOLS, 405 STUDENTS RHODE ISLAND - 1 SCHOOL, 271 STUDENTS SOUTH CAROLINA - 2 SCHOOLS, 60 STUDENTS SOUTH DAKOTA - 1 SCHOOL, 50 STUDENTS TEXAS - 5 SCHOOLS, 447 STUDENTS VIRGINIA - 19 SCHOOLS, 1775 STUDENTS WASHINGTON - 2 SCHOOLS, 90 STUDENTS WASHINGTON, DC - 103 SCHOOLS, 7194 STUDENTS WISCONSIN - 5 SCHOOLS, 340 STUDENTS AMERICAN SAMOA - 1 SCHOOL, 22 STUDENTS BELOW ARE SAMPLES OF BUDDY BISON SCHOOL EVENTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE PARK TRUST: ALASKA: FROM 5/9-5/11/2024, 60 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM WILLIAM TYSON ELEMENTARY (ANCHORAGE, AK) VISITED CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST. OVER THREE DAYS AND TWO NIGHTS, EDUCATORS AT THE ALASKA OUTDOOR SCHOOL LED THEM TO LEARN ABOUT GLACIERS, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND THE LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA. ALABAMA: ON 4/25/24 AND 4/26/24, 75 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM EAST LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL (TRINITY, AL) VISITED BANKHEAD NATIONAL FOREST. STUDENTS HIKED THE TRAILS AND MET WITH USFS STAFF TO LEARN ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE FERAL PIG POPULATION ON THE FOREST. ARIZONA: ON 2/8/24 AND 2/9/24, 117 3RD-GRADERS FROM SADDLEBACK ELEMENTARY (MARICOPA, AZ) VISITED THE RIO SALADO AUDUBON CENTER IN PHOENIX TO LEARN ABOUT NATURE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. NATURALISTS HELPED STUDENTS DISCOVER SONORAN DESERT WILDLIFE THROUGH THREE INTERACTIVE STEAM STATIONS. STUDENTS HIKED THE TRAILS OUTSIDE THE CENTER, PLAYED A GAME TO LEARN ABOUT THE MAMMALS OF ARIZONA, AND DID A SCIENTIFIC ART PROJECT. CALIFORNIA: ON 5/13/24, 54 4TH-GRADERS FROM HAMILTON ELEMENTARY (NOVATO, CA) VISITED POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A RANGER-LED HIKE ALONG THE EARTHQUAKE TRAIL, DURING WHICH THEY LEARNED ABOUT THE PARK'S GEOLOGIC HISTORY. THEY ALSO TOURED THE KULE LOKLO REPLICA VILLAGE, A RECREATED COASTAL MIWOK NATIVE AMERICAN TOWN. COLORADO: ON 3/5/24, 58 1ST & 2ND GRADERS FROM GILPIN COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (BLACK HAWK, CO) VISITED EVERGREEN NATURE CENTER TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL WILDLIFE, SPECIFICALLY OWLS. AFTER MEETING REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS NATIVE TO THEIR AREA, STUDENTS DISSECTED OWL PELLETS AND SPENT TIME IN THE MEADOW WITH BINOCULARS TO BIRD WATCH. CONNECTICUT: DURING THE WEEK OF 3/6/24, 120 3RD-GRADERS FROM ELI WHITNEY ELEMENTARY (STRATFORD, CT) VISITED DINOSAUR STATE PARK (ROCKY HILL, CT) TO LEARN ABOUT FOSSILS, DINOSAURS, AND CONNECTICUT'S GEOLOGIC HISTORY. DELAWARE: ON 6/5/24, 96 1ST-GRADE STUDENTS FROM KUUMBA ACADEMY (WILMINGTON, DE) VISITED FOX POINT STATE PARK IN WILMINGTON, DE. THEY RECEIVED BINOCULARS FOR A BIRD-WATCHING ACTIVITY THAT CORRELATED TO THEIR AVIAN CURRICULUM. FLORIDA: ON 4/19/24, 85 4TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM KEY LARGO SCHOOL (KEY LARGO, FL) VISITED JOHN PENNEKAMPE CORAL REEF STATE PARK. STUDENTS WHO WERE LED BY PARK RANGERS LEARNED ABOUT MANGROVES AND CORAL REEFS AND THEIR IMPACTS ON THE SURROUNDING ECOSYSTEM. GEORGIA: ON 10/25/23 & 10/26/23, 85 3RD-GRADERS FROM M. AGNES JONES ELEMENTARY (ATLANTA, GA) PARTICIPATED IN THE "POLLUTION SOLUTIONS" PROGRAM AT HERITAGE PARK. THE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON POINT/NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION, RECYCLING, AND HOW TO AVOID POLLUTING OUR ENVIRONMENT. HAWAI'I: ON 5/23/24, 60 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM CHIEFESS KAPI'OLANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (HILO, HI) VISITED HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. THROUGH INTERACTIONS WITH HVNP RANGERS AND GEOLOGISTS FROM THE HAWAI'I VOLCANO OBSERVATORY, STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT HAWAIIAN LEGENDS, VOLCANOES, AND ONGOING ERUPTIONS. IOWA: THIRD-GRADE STUDENTS FROM CLIVE LEARNING ACADEMY (WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IA) VISITED JESTER PARK ON 1/23/24, TO EXAMINE A PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM AND COMPARE IT TO SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, WHICH THEY VISITED VIRTUALLY EARLIER IN THE YEAR. THEY WORKED IN SMALL GROUPS AS THEY ROTATED THROUGH THE DAY'S THREE ACTIVITIES: A HIKE/SNOWSHOE THROUGH THE WOODS, A LAKE ECOLOGY LESSON AND ANIMAL DISCUSSION, AND AN OWL PELLET DISSECTION AND ROCK CLIMBING WALL. IDAHO: ON 5/22/24, 60 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM RULON ELLIS ELEMENTARY VISITED THE CITY OF ROCKS NATIONAL RESERVE. STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A PARK RANGER-LED PROGRAM AND LEARNED ABOUT THE AREA'S UNIQUE GEOLOGY. THEY ALSO INVESTIGATED HOW THE PARK'S PLANTS AND ANIMALS INTERACT WITH THESE GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS. ILLINOIS: ON 4/30/24, 40 FOURTH-GRADERS FROM JOSE DE DIEGO COMMUNITY ACADEMY (CHICAGO, IL) VISITED THE HELLER NATURE CENTER AT ROSEWOOD BEACH TO EXPLORE FOSSILS ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN. THEY DISCUSSED THE LAKE'S GEOLOGY AND THE GEOLOGICAL ERAS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE ROCKS, MINERALS, AND FOSSILS FOUND IN ILLINOIS. INDIANA: ON 9/26/23, 29 3RD GRADERS AT FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (WHITING, IN) VISITED GIBSON WOODS NATURE PRESERVE. STUDENTS EXPLORED THE WOODS THROUGH A SENSORY-BASED JOURNEY TO LEARN ABOUT THE PRESERVE'S UNIQUE HISTORY, GEOLOGY, AND WILDLIFE. KANSAS: ON 10/31/23, 50 4TH GRADERS FROM BUCKNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (WICHITA, KS) SPENT THE DAY AT THE BOTANICA WICHITA GARDENS. THEY COMPLETED A SCAVENGER HUNT AROUND THE GARDENS BEFORE EXPLORING THE INTERACTIVE CHILDREN'S GARDEN. KENTUCKY: ON 11/6/23, 60 KINDERGARTENERS FROM MORGAN ELEMENTARY (PADUCAH, KY) VISITED LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA. THEY SPENT THE MORNING LEARNING ABOUT EAGLES, OWLS, SNAPPING TURTLES, BOBCATS, AND RED WOLVES. NEXT, THEY WATCHED A PUPPET SHOW ABOUT THE ANIMALS OF THE FOREST WHO THEY HAD JUST MET. FINALLY, THEY WALKED ON THE NATURE TRAIL DOWN TO HEMATITE LAKE. LOUISIANA: ON 1/9/24, 51 4TH GRADERS FROM AUDUBON CHARTER (NEW ORLEANS, LA) BOARDED THE CREOLE QUEEN PADDLE WHEELER DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO CHALMETTE BATTLEFIELD. STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT HOW WOOL IS SPUN INTO YARN AND HOW TO AGE A TREE AND WERE GIVEN A MUSKET-FIRING DEMONSTRATION BY RANGERS. MAINE: ON 6/3/24, 123 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM THE FAIRMOUNT SCHOOL (BANGOR, ME) VISITED ACADIA NATIONAL PARK TO HIKE THE GORHAM MOUNTAIN TRAIL. DURING THE HIKE, STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT LOCAL PLANTS AND WILDLIFE AND THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF HIKING. FOR MANY STUDENTS, THIS TRIP ALSO MARKED THEIR FIRST TIME SEEING THE OCEAN! MARYLAND: ON 4/18/24, 32 2ND-GRADERS FROM ROBERT COLEMAN ELEMENTARY (BALTIMORE, MD) VISITED WILLOW GROVE NATURE CENTER (PARKVILLE, MD) FOR THEIR DISCOVERING INSECTS PROGRAM. FOCUSING ON POLLINATOR SPECIES, THE STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT INSECTS AND HOW THEY INTERACT WITH PLANTS. THEY THEN WENT FOR A NATURE WALK TO SEARCH FOR INSECTS ALONG THE TRAILS. MASSACHUSETTS: ON 3/21/24 AND 3/22/24, 16 9TH-12TH GRADERS FROM PHOENIX CHARTER ACADEMY LAWRENCE (LAWRENCE, MA) VISITED WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST FOR AN OVERNIGHT CAMPING EXPERIENCE. STUDENTS PRACTICED TEAM BUILDING AND LEARNED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE OUTDOORS. MICHIGAN: HORIZONS ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL (CALUMET, MI) TOOK 40 9TH-12TH GRADE STUDENTS TO COPPER HARBOR TOWNSHIP PARK ON 6/7/24. STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT LOCAL GEOLOGY, PLANT, AND ANIMAL LIFE FROM THEIR TEACHERS AND THE INFORMATIONAL DISPLAYS. STUDENTS ALSO RECEIVED LESSONS IN MOUNTAIN BIKING ON COPPER HARBOR'S EXCELLENT TRAIL SYSTEM AND KAYAKING IN THE HARBOR. IN ADDITION, THEY LEARNED ABOUT ISSUES INVOLVING INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES AND HOW TO REMOVE AND DISPOSE OF THEM PROPERLY. MINNESOTA: ON 5/8/24, 4TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM BRUCE F. VENTO ELEMENTARY (ST. PAUL, MN) PARTICIPATED IN THE "BIG RIVER JOURNEY" IN THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA. STUDENTS VIEWED AND LEARNED ABOUT THE RIVER THROUGH ONBOARD EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WHILE CRUISING ON A MODERN PADELFORD RIVERBOAT. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A | MISSISSIPPI: ON 5/8/24, 110 4TH GRADERS AT POPP'S FERRY ELEMENTARY (BILOXI, MS) VISITED THE MARINE EDUCATION CENTER FOR A COASTAL EXPLORER FIELD TRIP. BEGINNING AT THE CENTER'S STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY AT THE GULF COAST RESEARCH LABORATORY, STUDENTS PREPARED FOR A DAY FULL OF INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES LEARNING ABOUT MARINE LIFE, COASTAL BAYOUS, AND TIDAL MARSHES. MISSOURI: ON 11/17/23, 60 4TH GRADERS FROM MULLANPHY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (ST. LOUIS, MO) SPENT THE DAY EXPLORING THE AUDUBON CENTER AT RIVERLANDS! STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE "BIRD ADAPTATIONS" PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDED A 45-MINUTE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WITH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND A 1-HOUR GUIDED BIRDING HIKE. MONTANA: ON 5/22/24, 35 KINDERGARTEN AND 2ND-GRADE STUDENTS FROM THE HOT SPRINGS SCHOOL (HOT SPRINGS, MT) VISITED THE BIG ARM UNIT OF FLATHEAD LAKE STATE PARK. LED BY STATE PARK RANGERS, THE GROUPS DISCUSSED THE GENERAL FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE AREA AS WELL AS THE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE LAKE. THEY ALSO WENT OVER BASIC PLANT IDENTIFICATION, FOCUSING ON SPRING WILDFLOWERS. NEVADA: ON 2/23 AND 3/1/24, 75 5TH GRADERS FROM HOLLINGSWORTH ELEMENTARY (LAS VEGAS, NV) JOINED VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK RANGERS FOR A FUN DAY IN THE DESERT. STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN TWO DIFFERENT HIKES, LOOKED FOR FOSSILIZED DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS, EXAMINED PETROGLYPHS, AND ENJOYED A PICNIC. NEW JERSEY: ON 6/14/24, 62 6TH GRADERS AT MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (NEWARK, NJ) VISITED TRAILSIDE NATURE CENTER FOR THEIR "GEOLOGY OF THE WATCHUNG MOUNTAINS" PROGRAM. STUDENTS EXAMINED SAMPLES OF EACH TYPE OF ROCK AND LEARNED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROCKS AND MINERALS AND HOW THEY ARE USEFUL TO PEOPLE. THE GROUP HIKED THE RESERVATION, SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE OF ANCIENT LAKES, GLACIERS, LAVA FLOWS, AND EROSION. NEW MEXICO: ON 5/15/24, 50 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS FROM TAOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF THE ARTS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL (TAOS, NM) VISITED GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK PRESERVE FOR A DAY-LONG HIKING ADVENTURE. STUDENTS PRACTICED MINDFULNESS THROUGH NATURE JOURNALING AND JOINED A PARK RANGER ON A YOUTH ARCHAEOLOGY EXPEDITION, LEARNING ABOUT THE NATIVE PEOPLES OF THE GREAT SAND DUNES. NEW YORK: ON 6/3 & 6/4/24, 72 4TH GRADERS FROM PS 119 (NEW YORK, NY) WENT FISHING AT GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA. STUDENTS PRACTICED ROD FISHING AND SEINE NET FISHING WITH RANGERS AND NPT STAFF. STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO TAKE HOME A FISHING ROD AND TACKLE BOX TO PRACTICE THEIR FISHING SKILLS AT HOME. NORTH CAROLINA: ON 4/23/24, 50 1ST-GRADE STUDENTS FROM DANA ELEMENTARY (HENDERSONVILLE, NC) VISITED THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA NATURE CENTER IN ASHEVILLE, NC. NATURE CENTER STAFF WELCOMED THEM AND PROVIDED EACH GROUP WITH ANIMAL-THEMED SCAVENGER HUNTS TO USE WHILE WALKING THE TRAILS AND LOOKING AT THE ANIMAL EXHIBITS. STUDENTS ESPECIALLY LOVED SEEING THE BLACK BEAR, WOLVES, AND RIVER OTTERS. PENNSYLVANIA: ON 11/28/23, 65 5TH GRADERS FROM CHESTER COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL (CHESTER, PA) VISITED VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK TO LEARN ABOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR. STUDENTS ROLE-PLAYED AS CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS AND TOURED GEORGE WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS TO UNDERSTAND THE ENCAMPMENT PARTICIPANTS' PERSEVERANCE BETTER. OHIO: ON 5/3/24, 98 7TH GRADERS FROM THE NATIONAL INVENTORS HALL OF FAME STEM SCHOOL (AKRON, OH) VISITED CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK TO LEARN ABOUT INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN THE PARK, THEIR IMPACT, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THEM. STUDENTS WORKED WITH PARK RANGERS TO REMOVE THE INVASIVE PLANT, PRIVET, FROM AN AREA IN THE PARK. OREGON: FROM 5/31 TO 6/2/24, 18 11TH AND 12TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM SABIN SCHELLENBERG PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL SKILLS CENTER (MILWAUKIE, OR) VISITED FORT STEVENS STATE PARK FOR AN OVERNIGHT CAMPING EXPERIENCE. STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT WESTWARD EXPANSION AND THE PARK'S ECOSYSTEMS. THEY ALSO LEARNED ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF HUMAN-WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS. RHODE ISLAND: ON 5/31/2024, 31 4TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM EMMA G. WHITEKNACT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (EAST PROVIDENCE, RI) VISITED NORMAN BIRD SANCTUARY. STUDENTS HIKED THE TRAILS, SEARCHING FOR AND OBSERVING LOCAL WILDLIFE, SPECIFICALLY MIGRATORY BIRDS. THEY MARKED DOWN THEIR OBSERVATIONS IN NATURE JOURNALS, SKETCHING WHAT THEY SAW ALONG THE WAY. SOUTH CAROLINA: ON 5/23/24, 45 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM HARBISON WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (COLUMBIA, SC) VISITED HERON PARK NATURE CENTER. STUDENTS WENT ON A GUIDED TOUR OF THE BARRIER ISLANDS AND WETLANDS. THEY THEN PARTICIPATED IN A NET CASTING ACTIVITY, CATCHING AND OBSERVING SEVERAL DIFFERENT ORGANISMS LIVING IN THE WATER. SOUTH DAKOTA: ON 5/9/24, 50 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM THE BRIDGEWATER-EMERY SCHOOL (EMERY, SD) VISITED THE DIGNITY OF EARTH AND SKY MONUMENT. STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MONUMENT AND ITS OVERALL REPRESENTATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE. TEXAS: ON 10/26/23, 57 8TH-GRADE EHRHART SCHOOL (BEAUMONT, TX) STUDENTS BEGAN THEIR TRIP AT SAM HOUSTON PARK TO TOUR THE HERITAGE SOCIETY'S HISTORIC BUILDINGS. SPANNING OVER 100 YEARS OF TEXAS HISTORY, STUDENTS TOURED EACH STRUCTURE AND LEARNED ABOUT ITS CONNECTION TO TEXAS' DEVELOPMENT AND HISTORY. AFTER A PICNIC LUNCH, STUDENTS BOARDED BUSES AND MOVED TO THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES. VIRGINIA: ON 10/25/23, 66 2ND-GRADE STUDENTS FROM DREW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (ARLINGTON, VA) VISITED WATKINS NATURE CENTER (UPPER MARLBORO, MARYLAND). THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE "AMAZING ANIMALS" PROGRAM AT THE NATURE CENTER, WHERE THEY LEARNED ABOUT DIFFERENT ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS AND EACH ANIMAL'S ROLE IN THEIR ECOSYSTEMS. WASHINGTON: ON 4/15/24, 45 3RD AND 4TH GRADERS FROM WATERVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (WATERVILLE, WA) VISITED THE DOUGLAS CREEK BLM AREA TO STUDY WATER QUALITY. THE STUDENTS' DATA CONTRIBUTES TO A 20-YEAR-LONG STUDY OF THE CREEK'S WATER QUALITY AND HOW IT CHANGES OVER TIME. WASHINGTON, DC: THROUGHOUT MAY OF 2024, 100 1ST GRADERS FROM JOHN LEWIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (WASHINGTON, DC) VISITED OXON HILL FARM. STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM AND MET NPS RANGERS, WHO GUIDED THEM THROUGH THREE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES: CHICKEN FEEDING, A FARM TOUR, AND PRACTICING THEIR COW MILKING SKILLS. WISCONSIN: ON 5/14/24, 74 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM WONEWOC-CENTER JUNIOR HIGH (WONEWOC, WI) WENT TO WHITE MOUND COUNTY PARK TO HIKE AND KAYAK AND LEARN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE OUTDOORS. AMERICAN SAMOA: ON 3/27/24, 22 MATATULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KINDERGARTENERS (PAGO PAGO, AS) EXPLORED THE NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICAN SAMOA. THE STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS AROUND THEM AND ABOUT THE UNIQUE HABITATS AND ECOSYSTEMS WITHIN THE PARK. KIDS TO PARKS DAY AS A PUBLIC EXTENSION OF OUR RAPIDLY GROWING BUDDY BISON YOUTH PROGRAMS, THE PARK TRUST INITIATED KIDS TO PARKS DAY IN 2011. KIDS TO PARKS DAY HAS CAPTURED THE INTEREST OF MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE 14TH ANNUAL KIDS TO PARKS DAY WAS CELEBRATED ON MAY 18, 2024, WITH HUNDREDS OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE NATIONWIDE. THE IMPACT WAS MEASURED THIS YEAR THROUGH DIGITAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL ANALYTICS, WHICH SHOWED THAT MORE THAN 8.6 MILLION PEOPLE WERE REACHED THROUGH KIDS TO PARKS DAY SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE MESSAGING. TO DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST ENCOURAGED CITIES, TOWNS, PARKS, AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS TO PROCLAIM MAY 18, 2024, AS NATIONAL KIDS TO PARKS DAY, RESULTING IN MORE THAN 100 PROCLAMATIONS NATIONWIDE. MILITARY FAMILY PROGRAMS NATIONAL PARK TRUST SUPPORTS MILITARY COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING ACTIVELY SERVING MILITARY AND GOLD STAR FAMILIES, MILITARY FAMILY SURVIVORS, VETERANS, CAREGIVERS, AND OTHERS. WE PROVIDE THESE DEDICATED SERVICEMEN, WOMEN, AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH MEMORABLE OUTDOOR PARK EXPERIENCES NATIONWIDE IN VARIOUS PUBLIC PARKS, LANDS, AND WATERS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, USAA, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION, TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS), OUR MILITARY KIDS (OMK), PROJECT HEALING WATERS FLY FISHING, NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION, JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, AND OTHERS, WE ARE PROVIDING MEANINGFUL AND IMPACTFUL PARK EXPERIENCES FOR NEARLY 300 MILITARY-CONNECTED FAMILIES ANNUALLY. THE GOAL OF THESE COLLABORATIONS IS TO ENCOURAGE MILITARY-CONNECTED SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE THEIR LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL PARKS, EXPERIENCE THE EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS, AND DEVELOP LIFELONG OUTDOOR RECREATION HABITS. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A | COLLEGE AMBASSADOR PROGRAMS THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST COLLEGE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM PROVIDES COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH THE RESOURCES TO LEAD INITIATIVES ON THEIR CAMPUSES THAT INCREASE OUTDOOR RECREATION PARTICIPATION AND STEWARDSHIP WITHIN THEIR CAMPUS COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO AIMS TO INCREASE ACCESS AND AWARENESS OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR PLACES. EACH AMBASSADOR PAIR AT PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WORKS TO LEVERAGE SCHOOL ASSETS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SERIES OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT ENGAGE THEIR CAMPUS COMMUNITY IN OUTDOOR RECREATION. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A LOCAL PARK OUTING, A STEWARDSHIP EVENT, A FISHING-THEMED OUTING, AND SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH. THE FY24 PROGRAM INCLUDED 28 AMBASSADORS ACROSS 14 PARTICIPATING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THE PROGRAM RESULTED IN: 49 PARK OUTINGS: 16 LOCAL PARK OUTINGS, 16 STEWARDSHIP-FOCUSED OUTINGS, AND 17 NATIONAL PARK OUTDOOR RECREATION OUTINGS. 1,013 STUDENTS ENGAGED. LAND AND PARK PRESERVATION PROGRAMS THE PARK TRUST CONTINUES TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WITH OUR PARK CONSERVATION EFFORTS. IN THE LATE 1990S, WE WERE THE LEAD ORGANIZATION TO CREATE A NEW UNIT OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM DEDICATED TO PRESERVING OUR COUNTRY'S PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE. THE PARK TRUST CONTINUES TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN ADDING CRITICAL PRIVATE LANDS TO OTHER PARKS, INCLUDING IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS IN: YUCCA HOUSE NM (CO) PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE (MI) LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK (CA) APPALACHIAN NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL (ME, NY, AND VA) VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVE (NM) COLTSVILLE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK (CT) ST. CROIX NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAY (WI) RIVER RAISIN NB (MI) SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS HNP (TX) FORT WASHINGTON PARK (MD) LYNDON B JOHNSON NHP (TX) FORT SCOTT NHS WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON SEVERAL NEW AND UNIQUE PRESERVATION PROJECTS, INCLUDING: PECOS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, NM INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK, IN FOR A LIST OF OUR COMPLETED PROJECTS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.PARKTRUST.ORG. RECENTLY COMPLETED AND ONGOING PROJECTS INCLUDE: ARKANSAS JOHNNYCAKE RANCH (ONGOING SINCE 2003) THE PARK TRUST HOLDS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THIS 2,000-ACRE RANCH, WHICH ABUTS THE OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST AND THE POTEAU MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS AREA. THE FOREST HAS 79 PROPOSED, ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND SENSITIVE SPECIES. THE EASEMENT ALSO PROVIDES HABITAT PROTECTION FOR THE BALD EAGLE. THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT BENEFITS BOTH THE WILDERNESS AREA AND THE NATIONAL FOREST BY PROVIDING A BUFFER ZONE TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED ECOLOGICAL VIABILITY OF THESE FEDERAL ASSETS. BEGINNING IN 2018, THE PARK TRUST IS CONTRACTING WITH A NORTHWEST ARKANSAS-BASED LAND TRUST TO OVERSEE EASEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. THE LAND TRUST DID THE ANNUAL MONITORING OF THE EASEMENT IN FEBRUARY 2022, WITH NO ISSUES OR PROBLEMS FOUND. MICHIGAN PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE (2024) THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OFFERED TO SELL 20 ACRES OF LAND INSIDE THE PARK TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. UNDER FEDERAL LAW, THE PARK COULD NOT BUY PROPERTY FROM THE STATE, SO THE PARK TRUST STEPPED IN TO BUY THE PROPERTY AND DONATE IT TO NPS. ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE IS UNDERWAY, AND THE TITLE RESEARCH IS COMPLETE. THE TRANSACTION SHOULD BE COMPLETE IN 2025. NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL. (2022-PRESENT) THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONTACTED THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST SEEKING OUR HELP TO ACQUIRE A 3-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND. THE LAND OVER WHICH THE TRAIL RAN SOLD ON THE OPEN MARKET IN EARLY 2021. THE PREVIOUS LANDOWNERS ALLOWED THE TRAIL TO CROSS THEIR PROPERTY UNDER A "HANDSHAKE" AGREEMENT. WITHOUT A FORMAL EASEMENT, THE NEW LANDOWNER WAS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO ALLOW THE TRAIL ACROSS HIS LAND. HE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE NPS TO USE HIS LAND FOR THE TRAIL, SO THE SEGMENT WAS CLOSED. ACQUISITION OF THE PROPERTY ELIMINATED A DETOUR ALONG A BUSY COUNTRY HIGHWAY. THE NEW OWNER WAS WILLING TO SELL A 3-ACRE PORTION OF HIS PROPERTY TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SO THE TRAIL SECTION COULD BE OPEN AGAIN. HE COULD NOT WAIT 6-12 MONTHS FOR NPS TO BUY THE PROPERTY, SO THE PARK TRUST WAS INVITED TO ASSIST. THE PARK TRUST NEGOTIATED THE PURCHASE WITH THE OWNER, DID THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE, SURVEYED IT, AND WILL HOLD IT UNTIL NPS CAN BUY IT. THE PARK TRUST WORKED WITH THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION TO REOPEN THE TRAIL AND ALLOW HIKERS TO USE IT WHILE NPS IS IN THE PROCESS OF BUYING IT. THE PROJECT SHOULD FINISH IN 2025. VIRGINIA APPALACHIAN NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL (2022-2024) THE PARK TRUST WORKED WITH THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO PROTECT 128 ACRES ALONG THE AT. NPS WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO TAKE TITLE TO THE PROPERTY WITHIN A TIME FRAME ACCEPTABLE TO THE OWNER, SO THE PARK TRUST BOUGHT THE PROPERTY AND HELD THE TITLE UNTIL NPS COULD BUY IT AND INCORPORATE IT INTO THE AT. MANASSAS NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK (2016-PRESENT) IN 1914, THREE CIVIL WAR VETERANS FORMED A TRUST AND BOUGHT 1 ACRE OF LAND ON THE HISTORIC LOCATION OF THE SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS. THEY PLACED A GRANITE MONUMENT ON THE LAND TO COMMEMORATE THEIR COMMANDER, FLETCHER WEBSTER, ON THE SPOT WHERE HE FELL IN BATTLE. THE THREE MEN PASSED AWAY IN THE 1920S AND MADE NO PROVISION FOR CARE OR OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND. THE PROPERTY AROUND THE ACRE BECAME PART OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM IN 1936, BUT THIS ACRE WAS SPECIFICALLY LEFT OUT. UNDER VIRGINIA LAW, THE PARK TRUST HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE NPS AND PRO BONO ATTORNEY ASSISTANCE TO FIND A PATHWAY TO ACCEPT OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER IT TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO BECOME PART OF MANASSAS NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK. THE PARK TRUST BRIEFED THE NEWLY ASSIGNED NPS REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST ON THE PROJECT IN 2022 AND DISCUSSED STRATEGIES FOR PROJECT COMPLETION. THE PROJECT IS ONGOING. APPALACHIAN NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL (2022-PRESENT) IN NOVEMBER 2022, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND U.S. FOREST SERVICE CONTACTED US ABOUT PURCHASING LAND FOR THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL NEAR TROUTVILLE, VA. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO BUY TWO PARCELS OF LAND, EACH ADJACENT TO THE AT AND GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. ONE PARCEL WOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE NPS SECTION OF THE AT, AND THE OTHER PARCEL WOULD BE ADDED TO THE GEORGE WASHINGTON - THOMAS JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST. THE SAME PERSON OWNED OTHER PROPERTIES BUT WANTED TO MAKE ONE SALE. THE PARK TRUST AGREED TO MAKE THE SINGLE PURCHASE AND MAKE THE SALES TO THE NPS AND USFS. IN 2024, THE OWNERS RECEIVED A MUCH HIGHER OFFER ON THE NPS PORTION FROM A PRIVATE BUYER AND SOLD IT TO THEM. THE USFS PROJECT IS ONGOING. AFTER DETAILED LAND SURVEY WORK, TITLE RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE, AND A FAIR MARKET VALUE APPRAISAL, THE PARK TRUST BOUGHT THE PROPERTY, AND THE USFS WILL BUY THE PROPERTY IN 2025. INDIANA INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK (2020-PRESENT) THE MARQUETTE GREENWAY IS A PROJECT TO DEVELOP A 58-MILE TRAIL ALONG THE SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN IN INDIANA, FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TO NEW BUFFALO, MICHIGAN. THE TRAIL SPLITS INTO 20 SEGMENTS OF VARIOUS LENGTHS, AS DIVIDED BY THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE TRAIL IS LOCATED. THE PARK TRUST WOULD PROVIDE FUNDS FOR DUE DILIGENCE AND QUIET TITLE ACTIONS ON 19 ABANDONED LOTS IN A SUBDIVISION. THESE LOTS WERE OWNED BY A RAILROAD COMPANY ON THE LAND THEY OWNED FOR THEIR RAILWAY, WHICH THEY FORMALLY ABANDONED. WE WORKED WITH A LOCAL ATTORNEY IN GARY, NPS, AND THE CITY OF GARY ON THE FIRST PHASE; 9 PARCELS IN LAKE COUNTY. THOUGH THE COUNTY TRANSFERRED THE LAND WITHOUT COST, IT WAS TREATED AS A TAX SALE. THE ATTORNEY HAS TAX DEEDS FOR 5 OF THE PARCELS AND HAS DONE A QUIET TITLE ON THEM. THE ATTORNEY ACQUIRED TAX DEEDS FOR THE NEXT 4 IN NOVEMBER 2022 AND BEGAN A QUIET TITLE ACTION IN 2023; THEY ARE FINISHED, BUT A MISSED STEP IN THE LEGAL PROCESS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THEY CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NPS. THE SECOND PHASE OF 9 MORE PARCELS BEGAN IN EARLY 2024. WHEN THAT PHASE IS FINISHED, THOSE PARCELS WILL ALSO COMPLETE THE ACQUISITION OF THE NPS CONTRIBUTION TO THE MARQUETTE GREENWAY. THE PROJECT IS ONGOING. MARYLAND MONOCACY NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD (2018-PRESENT) TWO CIVIL WAR MONUMENTS AND ACCOMPANYING LAND REMAIN IN THE OWNERSHIP OF THE RESPECTIVE STATES OF ORIGIN OF THE MILITARY UNITS ENGAGED IN THE BATTLE. THEY ARE THE NEW JERSEY AND VERMONT MONUMENTS. THE PARK TRUST WORKED TO FIND THE PROPERTY DEEDS AND POINTS OF CONTACT WITH EACH STATE. WE WORKED WITH THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT TO DEVELOP A COURSE OF ACTION AND NPS TO PROCEED. WE CONTACTED NJ STATE PARKS AND THE VT STATE PRESERVATION OFFICE, BOTH OF WHICH WERE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE PARK TRUST TO MAKE THE TRANSFERS. THE STATE OF VERMONT HAS PASSED LEGISLATION TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER TO THE NPS. THE NPS IS WORKING WITH THE STATE OF VERMONT TO COMPLETE THE TRANSFER OF THAT MONUMENT TO NPS. THE PROJECTS ARE ONGOING. THE NEW JERSEY MONUMENT TRANSFER MAY FOLLOW IF THE NPS HAS SUFFICIENT STAFF TO COMPLETE IT. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A | CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, MD (2017-PRESENT) THE C&O CANAL SUPERINTENDENT IDENTIFIED A 2-ACRE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO NPS LAND ON WHICH ARE THE RUINS OF THE SENECA STONE MILL. THE TWO ACRES APPEARED AS AN EXHIBIT ON A DEED TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND, WHICH ALSO NOTED IT WAS INTENDED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO NPS; THE TRANSFER NEVER HAPPENED. BOARD MEMBER RAY SHERBILL ASSISTED HIS FIRM WITH GETTING A TITLE REPORT THAT POINTED TO THE STATE AS THE OWNER OF THE PARCEL. THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND INITIALLY FELT THE STATE DID NOT OWN THE PROPERTY. AFTER A REVIEW OF THE TITLE REPORT AND DEEDS, THE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL CHANGED HIS POSITION, GIVING THE OPINION THAT THE STATE OWNED THE PROPERTY AND WOULD BE WILLING TO TRANSFER IT DIRECTLY TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. THE STATE ESTIMATED THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROCESS WOULD BE FINISHED IN SEPTEMBER 2019, AFTER WHICH THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES WILL COMPLETE THE PROCESS. THE STATE HAS COMPLETED ITS PREPARATIONS AND IS AWAITING THE NPS TO COMPLETE ITS PART OF THE TRANSFER PROCESS. THE NPS IS WORKING ON ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE FOR THE PROPERTY TO ENSURE THEY CAN ACCEPT IT. THE PROJECT IS ONGOING. JULIUS ROSENWALD AND ROSENWALD SCHOOLS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE (2022-PRESENT) IN 2022, THE PARK TRUST BEGAN WORKING WITH THE ROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS TO PROPOSE THE CREATION OF A PARK TO COMMEMORATE THE EFFORTS OF JULIUS ROSENWALD AND BOOKER T WASHINGTON, IN WHICH THEY FACILITATED AND FUNDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 5,000 SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE BLACK CHILDREN IN THE SOUTH DURING AN ERA WHEN THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND ALL-WHITE SCHOOLS. WE WROTE LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND DID DUE DILIGENCE ON A POTENTIAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL SITE, THE SAN DOMINGO SCHOOL IN SHARPTOWN, MD. WE ALSO CONTRACTED AN ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE THE PRESENCE OF ANY RECOGNIZED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN AS NEEDED IN 2025. TEXAS LYNDON B JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK (2022-2023) IN NOVEMBER 2022, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONTACTED THE PARK TRUST SEEKING REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE AND FUNDING TO ACQUIRE A HISTORIC HOUSE ACROSS FROM PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON'S BOYHOOD HOME, WHICH INITIALLY BELONGED TO HIS YOUNGER SISTER, MRS. BIRGE ALEXANDER. THE ALEXANDER HOME, WHICH WAS MOST RECENTLY OWNED BY PRESIDENT JOHNSON'S NIECE, REBEKAH SHULMAN, IS VITAL TO THE PARK'S CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL LANDSCAPE. SINCE THIS WAS THE PARK'S HIGHEST LAND ACQUISITION PRIORITY, THE PARK TRUST WAS ABLE TO WORK QUICKLY TO COMPLETE AN APPRAISAL AND SURVEY AND PURCHASE THE LAND. THE DEED WAS TRANSFERRED IN AUGUST 2023 WHEN THE PARK TRUST SOLD THE LAND TO NPS. IN ADDITION TO PRESERVING THE HISTORY OF LYNDON B. JOHNSON, THE HOUSE ON THE PROPERTY WILL PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED HOUSING FOR PARK OFFICIALS. SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK (2024) NATIONAL PARK TRUST RECEIVED A QUITCLAIM FOR 0.3476 ACRES OF PROPERTY IN SAN ANTONIO INSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THE PARK. THE PROPERTY OWNER, AN ESTATE, RECORDED A QUITCLAIM DEED TRANSFERRING THE PROPERTY TO THE PARK TRUST. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS INTERESTED IN BUYING THE PROPERTY. ADDING TO THE PARK WILL PROTECT THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AND HISTORIC IRRIGATION CANAL (ACEQUIA) THAT PROVIDED WATER TO SUPPORT THE CULTIVATION OF FOOD FOR HISTORIC MISSIONS FROM THE SPANISH COLONIAL ERA. THE PROPERTY HAS A PORTION OF THE EAST BANK OF THE HISTORIC ACEQUIA THAT SUPPORTS THE CULTIVATION OF FOOD CROPS. IT IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE NPS PROPERTY THAT THE PARK TRUST TRANSFERRED TO THE PARK IN MAY 2021. THE PARK TRUST HAS OBTAINED THE TITLE RESEARCH AND IS WORKING WITH NPS TO ESTABLISH A SALE PRICE, AFTER WHICH ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE WORK WILL BE CONDUCTED. THE PROJECT SHOULD FINISH IN 2025. COLORADO YUCCA HOUSE NATIONAL MONUMENT (2021-2024) IN 2021, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONTACTED US SEEKING HELP TO ACQUIRE 160 ACRES AT YUCCA NATIONAL MONUMENT, A LARGE UNEXCAVATED PUEBLO WITH A STUNNING SETTING IN MONTEZUMA VALLEY, NESTLED BETWEEN MESA VERDE AND UTE MOUNTAIN. A LOCAL LANDOWNER WANTED TO DONATE THE PROPERTY TO THE PARK, AND CONGRESS RECENTLY PASSED A LAW CHANGING THE BOUNDARY TO INCLUDE THE NEW ACREAGE. HOWEVER, WHILE ACCEPTING THE DONATION OF LAND, NPS DISCOVERED THAT THE ADJACENT LANDOWNER'S PROPERTY BOUNDARY WAS INACCURATE. AT THIS POINT, WE STEPPED IN TO CONTRACT FOR THE SURVEY SINCE IT WOULD BE LESS COMPLICATED AND MUCH FASTER THAN IF NPS WERE TO DO SO. IN ADDITION, WE ASSISTED IN PREPARING A NEW BOUNDARY AGREEMENT FOR BOTH SETS OF PROPERTY OWNERS. NORTH CAROLINA CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE (2023) DUE TO SIGNIFICANT EROSION THAT REMOVED WHAT WAS ONCE A 500-FOOT BEACH, TWO HOUSES WERE DANGEROUSLY EXPOSED TO DIRECT WAVE ACTION. THE PROPERTIES FACED IMMINENT RISK, ESPECIALLY DURING STORMS WHEN OCEAN WATERS ARE HIGHER. SEVERAL NEIGHBORING HOUSES HAD ALREADY COLLAPSED INTO THE PARK, LEADING TO DEBRIS AND SEWAGE CONTAMINATION FOR MILES ALONG THE BEACH AND OCEAN. AS HURRICANE SEASON APPROACHED, THE NPS CAME TO US ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE IN FUNDING AND EXPEDITING TWO PROPERTY APPRAISALS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS CRITICAL ACQUISITION. USING OUR REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE SPECIFIC TO NATIONAL PARKS, WE CUT THE APPRAISAL PROCESS TIME BY MORE THAN HALF, PLAYING A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE TIMELY ACQUISITION AND, ULTIMATELY, THE PROTECTION OF THE RODANTHE SHORELINE AND PARK. THE APPRAISAL PROCESS WAS THE CRITICAL FIRST STEP BEFORE THE NPS COULD ACQUIRE THE PROPERTIES. ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, THE NPS CLOSED ON THE PURCHASE OF THE AT-RISK PROPERTIES USING RESOURCES FROM THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND, ESTABLISHED BY CONGRESS IN 1965, WHICH USES EARNINGS FROM OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASES NOT TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PROTECT LANDS, WATERS, AND HISTORIC SITES. NPS IS MOVING FORWARD WITH REMOVING THE HOUSES TO MITIGATE THE INEVITABLE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. CONNECTICUT COLTSVILLE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK (2023) IN 2023, WE ANNOUNCED OUR SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS), CONGRESSMAN JOHN B. LARSON (CT, 1ST DISTRICT), CHEVRON CORPORATION, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO PAVE THE WAY TO ESTABLISH COLTSVILLE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN HARTFORD, CT. LEGISLATION IN 2014 AUTHORIZED THE COLTSVILLE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, CONTINGENT ON SPECIFIED CONDITIONS RELATIVE TO THE LAND AND STRUCTURES THAT WOULD COMPRISE THE PARK. THIS INCLUDED EXECUTING FORMAL WRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE NPS, THE CITY OF HARTFORD, PRIVATE LANDOWNER COLT GATEWAY, LLC, AND ITS INVESTING PARTNER, CHEVRON CORPORATION. MEETING THE CONDITIONS OF THE AGREEMENT WITH THE LANDOWNER FOR THE DONATION OF THE PROPERTY AND AN EASEMENT WITHIN THE COLT FACTORY COMPLEX PROVED UNEXPECTEDLY CHALLENGING, WHICH LED TO COMPLEX AND EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS FOR YEARS. IN EARLY 2023, THE NPS ASKED FOR OUR ASSISTANCE IN ELEVATING AND REFRAMING THE TALKS BETWEEN THE NPS AND THE LANDOWNER, WHICH PROVED CRITICAL TO REACHING AN AGREEMENT. OUR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES AND EXPERTISE IN LAND PROTECTION AND COLLABORATION AMONG PUBLIC, NONPROFIT, AND PRIVATE ENTITIES HELPED FACILITATE MORE FOCUSED AND DIRECT DIALOGUE, RESULTING IN POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR ALL INVOLVED. THESE EFFORTS, COMBINED WITH THE GOOD FAITH OF ALL PARTIES, LED TO AN AGREEMENT THAT MARKED THE FINAL STEP NEEDED TO BEGIN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW NATIONAL PARK UNIT. THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF NEGOTIATIONS NOW OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE NPS TO ACQUIRE THE HISTORIC 1850S FORGE AND FOUNDRY BROWNSTONE BUILDINGS, WHICH WILL PRESERVE THE LEGACY OF THE ORIGINAL COLT COMPLEX. THESE TIME-HONORED STRUCTURES WILL BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE PARK'S VISITOR CENTER AND ARE DESTINED TO BECOME THE HEARTBEAT OF THE PARK. THE ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER OF THESE BROWNSTONES TO THE NPS ARE THE LAST SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH COLTSVILLE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT HERALDS THE REALIZATION OF A VISION AND SETS THE STAGE FOR TELLING THE STORY OF SAMUEL AND ELIZABETH COLT AND THEIR IMPACT ON OUR NATION. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A | MISSOURI MISSOURI NATIONAL RECREATIONAL RIVER (2024-PRESENT) THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) CONTACTED THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST ASKING FOR HELP TO ACQUIRE A 676-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND ON JAMES RIVER ISLAND INSIDE THE MISSOURI NATIONAL RECREATIONAL RIVER NEAR YANKTON, SD. THE PROPERTY, THE LARGEST LAND HOLDING ON THE 730-ACRE ISLAND, WOULD BE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONS TO THE PARK. IT IS FOR SALE BY PRIVATE OWNERS WHO PREFER SELLING TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. HOWEVER, THEY ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING THE SALE IN LESS TIME THAN THE EXTENDED TIME PERIOD. NPS NEEDS TO COMPLETE ITS PURCHASE PROCESS. THERE ARE OTHER INTERESTED BUYERS, SUCH AS HUNTING AND FISHING OUTFITTERS. PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT APPRAISALS HAVE NOT MET THE OWNERS' EXPECTATIONS OF VALUE. THE LAST APPROVED OFFER WAS ABOUT 60% OF A PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT OFFER, SO THEY REJECTED IT. THE PARK TRUST IS FINANCING THE APPRAISAL AND HAS ENGAGED A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR-APPROVED EXPERT, EXPERIENCED APPRAISER. HE DEVELOPED A WELL-RESEARCHED, CREDIBLE CURRENT FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR THE PROPERTY; THE DRAFT REPORT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. THE ACREAGE IS UNDEVELOPED, BUT ANY COMMERCIAL FACILITIES ADDED TO SERVE HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN COULD REDUCE THE OLD-GROWTH COTTONWOOD FOREST AND NATIVE PRAIRIE, WHICH ARE VANISHING HABITATS. LEAST TERN AND PIPING PLOVER, FEDERALLY DESIGNATED ENDANGERED SPECIES NEST ON THE ISLAND, AND CHANGES TO THE LANDSCAPE COULD AFFECT THEIR NESTING. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WOULD MANAGE THE ISLAND AS UNDEVELOPED LAND. THEY WOULD ENCOURAGE PUBLIC USES ALREADY AUTHORIZED IN THE PARK, SUCH AS HUNTING, FISHING, CAMPING, BOATING, AND PADDLING, YET COMPATIBLE WITH PROTECTING THE UNIQUE HABITAT AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. ONCE THE APPRAISAL IS APPROVED, THE NPS WILL MAKE AN OFFER TO THE OWNERS; IF THEY ACCEPT THE OFFER, THE TRANSACTION SHOULD OCCUR IN 2025. OHIO CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK (2023-PRESENT) THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONTACTED THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST SEEKING HELP TO ACQUIRE A 22-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND ADJACENT TO THE PARK. THE LAND IS UNDEVELOPED, SAVE FOR THE OWNER'S HOUSE. IT IS THE PARK'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR ACQUISITION. THE NPS COULD NOT MEET THE PROPERTY OWNER'S TIMELINE TO SELL THE PROPERTY, SO THE PARK TRUST PLANNED TO BUY AND HOLD IT UNTIL THE NPS COULD ACCEPT IT. THE PARK TRUST CONTRACTED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE AND TITLE RESEARCH. THE PARK TRUST PLANNED TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY FOR THE NPS, BUT WHEN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REVIEWED THE PROJECT, THEY FOUND THEY WERE RESTRICTED BY LAW FROM BUYING THE PROPERTY AND COULD ONLY BUY A SCENIC EASEMENT. THE OWNERS WERE INTERESTED IN SELLING THE EASEMENT TO THE NPS, SO THE PARK TRUST CONTINUES WORKING WITH THE OWNER AND NPS TO IMPLEMENT IT. THE PROJECT SHOULD BE FINISHED IN LATE 2025 NEW MEXICO PECOS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK (2024-PRESENT) THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ASKED THE PARK TRUST FOR HELP IN ACQUIRING A 2.18-ACRE DEVELOPED PLOT IN THE MIDST OF WHAT WAS A PORTION OF THE GROUND UPON WHICH OCCURRED THE BATTLE OF GLORIETTA PASS DURING THE CIVIL WAR ACQUIRING THIS PARCEL WILL ALLOW THE LAND TO BECOME PART OF THE PECOS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) WILL PROTECT ANY REMNANTS OF THE BATTLE OF GLORIETA PASS, REMOVE NON-HISTORIC BUILDINGS, AND RESTORE THE LANDSCAPE TO A STATE THAT REMINDS VISITORS OF THE LAND'S APPEARANCE WHEN THE BATTLE OCCURRED. THE PARK TRUST CONTRIBUTED EXPERTISE AND ASSISTED NPS IN COMPLETING THE REQUIRED DUE DILIGENCE ON THE PROPERTY SO THAT NPS COULD ACQUIRE TITLE, AT WHICH POINT THE LAND WILL BE PROTECTED AS PART OF THE PECOS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. THE PARK TRUST WAS ALSO ABLE TO QUICKLY CONTRACT AN IMPROVED LOCATION REPORT, WHICH WAS DISCOVERED TO BE REQUIRED FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE DUE DILIGENCE AND TO ALLOW THE PURCHASE BY THE NPS. THE NPS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY IN EARLY 2025. PECOS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK (2023-PRESENT) THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) CONTACTED THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST SEEKING HELP TO ACQUIRE A 192-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND ALONG THE PECOS RIVER AND ADJACENT TO PECOS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. THE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE WORKED FOR YEARS TO SET UP THE TRANSFER OF THE LAND TO THE PARK. THEY ARE READY FOR THE TRANSFER AND WANT TO MAKE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE NPS COULD NOT APPRAISE THE PROPERTY IN LESS THAN 6-9 MONTHS, AND THE OWNERS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT DONE SOONER. BECAUSE OF THIS, NPS ASKED THE PARK TRUST TO CONTRACT THE APPRAISAL, WHICH CAN BE DONE IN HALF THE TIME. THE ACREAGE IS UNDEVELOPED BUT NEAR THE TOWN OF PECOS AND A SHORT COMMUTE FROM SANTA FE. AS SUCH, IT IS PRONE TO DEVELOPMENT. ADDING THE LAND TO THE PARK WILL PERMANENTLY PRESERVE GREEN SPACE AND BUFFER THE INTERIOR FROM OUTSIDE DEVELOPMENT. THE PARK TRUST IS WORKING WITH THE NPS AND APPRAISAL COMPANY TO RESOLVE UNFORESEEN DIFFICULTIES IN VALUING THE PROPERTY. TITLE RESEARCH SHOWED THE NEED FOR A "QUIET TITLE ACTION" NECESSARY TO CLEAR UP THE OWNERSHIP OF THE TITLE; IT WILL INVOLVE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY ALL POTENTIAL CLAIMANTS TO OWNERSHIP. THE PARK TRUST RESEARCHED AND IDENTIFIED A NEW MEXICO LAW FIRM TO UNDERTAKE QUIETING THE TITLE. BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE TITLE AND APPRAISAL ISSUES, THE PROJECT COULD TAKE MORE THAN AN ADDITIONAL YEAR TO COMPLETE. PUBLIC EDUCATION THE PARK TRUST UNDERTAKES AND CONDUCTS PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE AND RAISE THE PROFILE OF NATIONAL PARKS AND THEIR NEEDS WITH THE PUBLIC, PARK AGENCIES, AND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES. THE PARK TRUST CIRCULATES ITS MONTHLY PUBLICATION, NATIONAL PARK TRUST NEWS (ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER), WHICH DESCRIBES CRITICAL PARKLAND ACQUISITIONS AND RELATED ISSUES. THIS INFORMATION IS ALSO SHARED ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS (INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND LINKEDIN), OUR WEBSITE, OUR ANNUAL REPORT, IN PRINT MAILINGS TO OUR SUPPORTERS, AND THROUGH PRESS RELEASES. THE PARK TRUST HOSTS ITS ANNUAL BRUCE F. VENTO PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD EVENT TO HONOR A PUBLIC SERVANT FOR HIS OR HER COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT, SERVICE, SKILL, AND INNOVATION IN SUPPORT OF OUR PUBLIC LANDS; AND TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION ON SUCH SERVICE. IN 2024, THE AWARD RECIPIENT WAS SENATOR ANGUS KING JR. FROM MAINE. THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO SENATOR ANGUS KING AT AN IN-PERSON EVENT ON JUNE 18, 2024, IN WASHINGTON, DC. THE PARK TRUST ALSO HOSTS ITS AMERICAN PARK EXPERIENCE AWARD EVENT TO RECOGNIZE AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP THAT HAS MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENHANCE THE AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF OUR NATION'S PARKS, WILDLIFE REFUGES, AND HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION ON SUCH CONTRIBUTIONS. IN 2024, THE AWARD RECIPIENT WAS BROADCASTER AND WEATHERMAN AL ROKER OF THE TODAY SHOW. THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED FROM STUDIO 1A ON NBC'S TODAY ON MAY 16TH, 2024, BY NATIONAL PARK TRUST'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GRACE LEE AND BOARD CHAIR SCOTT STONE IN MANHATTAN, NYC. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B | PRESERVE PARKS TODAY SINCE 1983, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST HAS COMPLETED 86 LAND ACQUISITION, RESTORATION, AND MITIGATION PROJECTS TO PROTECT MORE THAN 32,000 ACRES IN 33 STATES, ONE U.S. TERRITORY, AND WASHINGTON, D.C. SEVENTY OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE BENEFITED 55 UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. WHILE OUR EARLIER WORK INCLUDED PRESERVING VARIOUS FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PUBLIC LANDS, OUR CURRENT WORK FOCUSES SOLELY ON NATIONAL PARK SITES. THE PARK TRUST SELECTS LAND PROJECTS IN RESPONSE TO DIRECT REQUESTS FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) FOR REAL ESTATE ASSISTANCE TO ACQUIRE PRIVATELY OWNED PARCELS FROM WILLING SELLERS. THE ACQUIRED LANDS ARE LOCATED WITHIN, OR IN CERTAIN CASES ADJACENT TO, NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARIES. ALL LANDS ACQUIRED ARE SOLD OR DONATED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR PERMANENT PROTECTION. THE PARK TRUST OFTEN WORKS AS THE SOLE NON-PROFIT PARTNER WITH THE NPS ON A PARTICULAR PROJECT. WE ALSO WORK WITH OTHER PARTNERS TO COMPLETE PARK PRESERVATION PROJECTS, INCLUDING NATIONAL AND LOCAL LAND TRUSTS AND FRIEND GROUPS. CREATE PARK STEWARDS FOR TOMORROW TO ENSURE THE PRESERVATION OF OUR PARKS, PUBLIC LANDS, AND WATERS IN PERPETUITY, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST GETS KIDS AND FAMILIES TO PARKS TO CULTIVATE FUTURE PARK STEWARDS AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS. THE PARK TRUST HAS FOUR NATIONAL INITIATIVES TO ENGAGE YOUTH AND FAMILIES: 1) BUDDY BISON PROGRAMS, 2) NATIONAL KIDS TO PARKS DAY, 3) MILITARY FAMILY PROGRAM, AND 4) COLLEGE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM. THESE INITIATIVES PROVIDE PARK EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH, TEACHERS, MILITARY FAMILIES, COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY COMMUNITIES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ALL PARK TRUST YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS AIM TO 1) USE PARKS AS OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, 2) PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS THROUGH OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND 3) FOSTER PARK STEWARDSHIP THROUGH CAREER AWARENESS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. TO DATE, SINCE 2009, THE PARK TRUST'S YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS HAVE IMPACTED MORE THAN 3,225,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WHITE HOUSE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, AND NUMEROUS EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION PARTNERS. SINCE THE PANDEMIC, WHEN PROGRAMS EVOLVED TO VIRTUAL/DIGITAL FORMATS, THE PARK TRUST HAS RESPONDED TO EDUCATORS' REQUESTS AND NOW EMPLOYS A HYBRID EDUCATIONAL APPROACH TO CONNECT KIDS TO PARKS. THIS BLENDS THE BEST LOCAL PARK TRIPS AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS WITH RANGERS TO CONNECT CHILDREN WITH PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY. IN THE COMING YEARS, THE PARK TRUST WILL WORK TO EXPAND AND FURTHER INTEGRATE ITS LAND CONSERVATION AND YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, CREATING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES IN NATURE WHERE CHILDREN GAIN IMPORTANT ACADEMIC AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND HAVE NEW OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. THESE PROGRAMS ALSO TEACH CRITICAL LESSONS IN CONSERVATION, HISTORY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPHASIZE THE ROLE OF INDIVIDUALS IN PROTECTING OUR NATION'S PARKLANDS. WITH A POTENTIAL FEDERAL WORKFORCE RETIREMENT RATE OF 40% IN THE NEXT DECADE, THE PARK TRUST HAS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES IN NATURE AND EXPOSE THEM TO GREEN CAREER PATHWAYS AS TECHNICIANS, SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, LAND MANAGERS, AND EDUCATORS, AMONG OTHER PROFESSIONS. ANOTHER WAY THE PARK TRUST WORKS TOWARDS CREATING PARK STEWARDS OF TOMORROW IS THROUGH GRANT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. NATIONAL PARK TRUST PROVIDES TURN-KEY SERVICES THAT ENABLE BRANDS TO REALIZE THE BENEFITS OF A ROBUST GIVING PROGRAM - MINIMIZING ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES WHILE MAXIMIZING PROGRAM EFFICIENCY. GRANT MANAGEMENT DIRECTLY HELPS THE PARK TRUST ACHIEVE ITS MISSION. THE PARK TRUST CURRENTLY MANAGES SIX GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS AND, TO DATE, HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $3.3 MILLION TO SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE OUTDOORS. YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS FROM EXPLORING THE CHANNEL ISLANDS TO CANOEING ALONG THE ANACOSTIA RIVER, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST IS MAKING CONSERVATION RELEVANT TO THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM INNER-CITY AND RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. OUR PROGRAMS CENTER AROUND OUR LOVABLE PINT-SIZED WOOLLY MASCOT, BUDDY BISON, WHO REMINDS KIDS TO "EXPLORE OUTDOORS, THE PARKS ARE YOURS!" BUDDY BISON IS NOT ONLY A TANGIBLE REMINDER THAT KIDS NEED TO GET OUT AND GO, BUT HE ALSO CONNECTS KIDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH EACH OTHER. FAMILIES AND TEACHERS ALIKE WANT TO KNOW, "WHERE'S BUDDY BISON BEEN?" THE PARK TRUST PROVIDED EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION FOR 25,625 STUDENTS IN 349 SCHOOLS THROUGH OUR VARIOUS BUDDY BISON YOUTH PROGRAMS. OUR GOAL FOR ALL OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS IS TO INSPIRE A GENERATION OF FUTURE CONSERVATION LEADERS AND PARK ENTHUSIASTS. 1. BUDDY BISON SCHOOL PROGRAM FULLY INTEGRATES LEARNING OBJECTIVES FROM THE SCHOOL'S CURRICULUM WITH PARK PROGRAMS AND SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION MATERIALS. WORKING DIRECTLY WITH TEACHER FEEDBACK, THE PARK TRUST CUSTOMIZED OVER 260 EXPERIENCES TO PARKS, ENGAGING 9,307 STUDENTS. 2. 2023 KIDS TO PARKS DAY SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM AWARDED 150 GRANTS TO 110 TITLE-I SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT OVER 7,330 STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH 12. 3. PARK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS THIS MODEL OF ENGAGEMENT FOCUSES EFFORTS ON A PARTICULAR PARK, REACHING OUT TO AS MANY LOCAL SCHOOLS AS POSSIBLE TO BRING STUDENTS TO A PARK FOR AN IMMERSIVE DAY OF OUTDOOR LEARNING OR A VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE. DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST BROUGHT 8,988 STUDENTS TO THE FOLLOWING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AREAS: TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE (KS), CHANNEL ISLAND NATIONAL PARK (CA), NATIONAL MALL AND MEMORIAL PARKS (DC), KENILWORTH PARK & AQUATIC GARDENS (DC), GREAT FALLS PARK (VA), PISCATAWAY PARK (MD), OXON HILL FARM (MD), ANACOSTIA PARK (DC), AND MANASSAS NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK (VA). |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 | STEPHEN SCHULER AND KEVIN SETH HAVE A FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | THE DRAFT FORM 990 IS FIRST REVIEWED BY THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ACCURACY AND CONTENT FOLLOWED BY REVIEW BY AND APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. PRIOR TO FILING, THE FULL BOARD IS PROVIDED A COPY OF THE FINAL FORM 990. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | EACH TRUSTEE AND OFFICER ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW A COPY OF THE CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST POLICY, WHICH REQUIRES EACH PERSON TO DISCLOSE ANY RELATIONSHIPS, POSITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH HE OR SHE BELIEVES COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A CONFLICT. FOLLOWING FULL DISCLOSURE OF A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS AND IF SO, THE BOARD SHALL VOTE TO AUTHORIZE OR REJECT THE TRANSACTION OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION DEEMED NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICT AND PROTECT NPT'S BEST INTERESTS. THE TRUSTEE OR OFFICER WHO HAS THE CONFLICT IS RECUSED FROM ANY DECISION AND VOTE. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING AND APPROVING THE COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AS WELL AS FOR ALL STAFF, INCLUDING THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION, IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE 3-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FY24 - FY26 ADOPTED BY THE BOARD IN JUNE 2023. ADDITIONALLY, A FORMAL COMPENSATION COMMITTEE COMPARES MARKET ANALYSIS SURVEYS TO ENSURE THAT COMPENSATION PER THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR IS STILL REASONABLE. RECOMMENDED COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS ARE COMMUNICATED TO THE FULL BOARD OF TRUSTEES BY THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. THE LAST BOARD MEETING WHERE COMPENSATION WAS VOTED ON, IN CONJUNCTION WITH APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, WAS HELD ON JUNE 18, 2024, IN WASHINGTON, DC. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: | THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. |
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