irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2025
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $48KPublic outreach and programs: Outdoor fitness and recreational programming and events; educational programming related to natural history and the environment for children and adults; programs that engage the community with the arts in nature and/or conservation lands; and programs to foster volunteerism on trails and properties.
- #2 $32KConservation planning, projects and acquisitions: Review and approval of new agricultural, forest land and historic preservation projects; grant writing and management to support projects and acquisitions; outreach to owners of strategic land conservation and trail connectivity properties; engagement with municipalities and other local, county, state and non-profit planning and conservation agencies and organizations; review of proposed renewable energy generation projects and potential impacts to natural and visual resources; and engagement in local land use planning.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Beyond Rooftop Solar
Series of panel discussions on commercial solar energy projects, focusing on community planning, agricultural land use, and economic impacts in Cazenovia
Historic Building Signage Initiative
Program to research and install signs on historic buildings in Cazenovia, listing construction dates and original occupants or architects
Trail Stewards Program
Volunteer program for individuals to adopt and monitor specific trail sections for maintenance needs and safety issues
Trail Work Volunteer Days
Monthly volunteer events from April to October to maintain and improve community trails
Winter Trails Grooming
Partnership with FROSTY and other local organizations to groom and maintain winter trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter recreation
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 2 activities
- Conservation planning and land acquisitionEvaluates land and easement acquisition opportunities, conducts conservation planning for agricultural, forest, and historic preservation initiatives, and conducts outreach to landowners of strategic properties to advance land protection and trail connectivity goals.
- Land conservation and easement managementPreserves over 3,800 acres of open space, farmland, forests, wetlands, and scenic vistas in the Cazenovia area through conservation easements and direct land ownership; holds twelve conservation easements to protect historical building façades. Owns 14 properties totaling 430 acres in the Village and Town of Cazenovia.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Community stewardship and volunteer engagementFacilitates volunteerism on trails and conservation properties through organized events and community engagement programs. Engages volunteers in trail maintenance, office tasks, research for grant writing, and production of trail signs through volunteer woodworkers.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Grant writing and funding managementWrites and manages grants to support conservation projects, land acquisitions, and organizational programming.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Historic building preservation and signage initiativeOperates the Historic Building Signage Initiative to install signs on historically significant buildings in Cazenovia, indicating construction date and original occupant or architect. Provides research assistance, coordination with the village Historic Preservation Committee, and sign production for participating property owners.
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Local Land Conservation Advocacy 1 activity
- Local land use advocacy and planning reviewEngages in local land use planning, reviews proposed renewable energy projects for impacts on natural and visual resources, and promotes long-term, thoughtful development decisions to preserve community character. Works with residents and local governments to maintain the rural character and architectural integrity of the Village and Town of Cazenovia.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Public outreach and environmental educationConducts public outreach and educational programming on natural history, the environment, and conservation for children and adults. Hosts panel discussions on commercial solar projects and co-hosts the Beyond Rooftop Solar series with local organizations.
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Youth Scouting Leadership Programs 1 activity
- Recreational programming and nature connection eventsOrganizes outdoor fitness and recreational events including Snowshoe Sunday, lantern-lit hikes, and winter trail grooming for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to connect the community with nature and conserved lands.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Trail maintenance and public access managementMaintains 14 miles of public, year-round trails accessible daily from dawn to dusk on conserved lands, including pruning, invasive species control, water control, and hazardous tree removal. Organizes monthly trail work days from April through October and operates a chainsaw crew for trail clearance.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$462K
Contributions & grants$412K89%
Program service revenue$28K6%
Investment income$16K4%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$270K
Program expenses58%
Admin / overhead33%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$135K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.55M
Cash$373K
Investments$380K
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$1.55M
Liquid reserves33.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +51.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Wong | Executive Director | 30 | $52K |
board members · 14
- Andy Mistur — Member-at-large
- Chuck Stormon — Member-at-large
- Craig Buckhout — Vice president
- Daniel Morgan — Member-at-large
- David Beam — Treasurer
- David Gerber — President
- Jack Stevens — Member-at-large
- Jim Dungey — Secretary
- Jim Smith — Member-at-large
- Jocelyn Gavitt — Member-at-large
- Leslie Bowser — Member-at-large
- Lisa Lounsbury — Member-at-large
- Scott Shannon — Member-at-large
- Will Wester — Member-at-large
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Cazenovia Area Community Development Association Partner — Co-hosts the Beyond Rooftop Solar panel discussion series.
- Cazenovia Area Community Development Association (CACDA) Partner — Partner in winter trail grooming and community recreation efforts
- Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce Partner — Co-hosts the Beyond Rooftop Solar panel discussion series.
- Cazenovia Preservation Foundation Partner — Organization through which individuals participate in preservation and stewardship efforts in Cazenovia.
- Friends of Stoney Pond (FROSTY) Partner — Collaborates on grooming winter trails and co-hosts recreational events
- GoCaz.com Partner — Provides interactive trail maps for CPF trails.
- Lorenzo State Historic Site Partner — Partner in winter trail grooming and outdoor recreation initiatives
- Madison County Distillery Partner — Partner in winter recreation events and trail access promotion
- Meier’s Creek Brewing Company Partner — Partner in winter trail events and local recreation promotion
- Meier’s Creek Brewing Company Partner — Provides refreshments after Trail Work Thursday events.
- North Country Trail Association Partner — Collaborates on trail development and maintenance for winter recreation
- Scenic Hudson Partner — Collaborates on adapting the 'How to Solar Now' Toolkit for use in Cazenovia.
- Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed Partner — Partner in winter trail grooming and community event programming
- St. Peter's Church Partner — Provides parking lot meeting space for monthly trail work volunteer days.
- Stone Quarry Art Park Partner — Partner in winter trail grooming and community outdoor programming
- United Climate Action Network Partner — Co-hosts the Beyond Rooftop Solar panel discussion series.
- area residents Partner — Collaborates with local residents to maintain the rural character and architectural integrity of the Village and Town.
- jwong@cazpreservation.org Partner — Contact point for community members interested in contributing expertise or skills through committee service.
- local governments Partner — Works with local governments to maintain the rural character and architectural integrity of the Village and Town.
- local, county, state and non-profit planning and conservation agencies and organizations Partner — Collaborates with government and nonprofit agencies on conservation planning and project implementation.
- municipalities Partner — Engages with local municipalities on land use planning and conservation initiatives.
- village Historic Preservation Committee Partner — Reviews and approves historic descriptions, research, and architectural integrity for buildings in the Historic Building Signage Initiative.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Collaborative Conservation and Land Use Planningmethodology: collaborative land use planningBy partnering with municipalities and other conservation organizations, we influence land use and development decisions to align with long-term sustainability and conservation goals, because coordinated planning prevents fragmentation and preserves community character.
- Community-Engaged Stewardship Modelmethodology: community-engaged stewardshipBy involving community volunteers in hands-on stewardship—such as trail maintenance and adoptive care of land sections—we foster shared responsibility and sustained care for natural and historic resources, because local investment increases vigilance and long-term engagement.
- Conservation Easements for Permanent Land Protectionmethodology: conservation_easementsBy placing conservation easements on privately owned land, we ensure the permanent protection of conservation values—such as agricultural, historic, and natural resources—even as ownership changes, because legal restrictions prevent incompatible development.
- Education as a Tool for Informed Conservation Decisionsmethodology: community-educationBy hosting educational forums on complex issues like renewable energy siting, we build community understanding and support for balanced conservation outcomes, because informed public discourse leads to more sustainable and widely accepted development decisions.
- Preservation of Community Character through Historic and Rural Integritymethodology: community-benefit conservationBy protecting historic buildings, rural landscapes, and architectural integrity, we preserve the unique character of Cazenovia as an irreplaceable community asset, because maintaining visual and cultural continuity strengthens community identity and resilience.