irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.77MCONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM (CEP) - WORKS TO CONSERVE FARM AND FOREST LAND BY PURCHASING THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO THESE LANDS. PERMANENT PROTECTION OF THIS "UNDERDEVELOPED" LAND THROUGH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IS ULTIMATELY THE MOST LASTING WATER QUALITY PROTECTION.
- #2 $1.71MWATERSHED FORESTRY PROGRAM (WFP) - WORKS WITH FOREST LANDOWNERS, FORESTORS, AND LOGGERS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANS. THE PLANS GIVE LANDOWNERS AN OPPORUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE IMPORTANT RESOURCE THEY OWN AND ITS MANY VALUES SUCH AS LUMBER, FIREWOOD, AESTHETICS, HABITAT, OPEN SPACE RECREATION, ETC
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Conservation Easement Program (CEP)
Works to conserve farm and forest land by purchasing development rights through permanent conservation easements, protecting water quality and supporting working landscapes in the NYC Watershed.
East of Hudson Program
Works with farmers and forest landowners in the Croton Watershed to address pollution risks and support sustainable agriculture amid development pressures.
Pure Catskills
Supports economic viability by promoting farm and forest products from the NYC Watershed/Catskills region through a branded buy-local campaign and producer network.
Watershed Forestry Program (WFP)
Provides technical and financial support to forest landowners, loggers, and foresters to implement forest management plans that protect water quality and promote sustainable forestry practices.
Whole Farm Planning
Helps farmers develop comprehensive plans to implement environmentally sound agricultural practices that protect water quality while maintaining economic viability.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
-
Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 3 activities
- Croton Watershed Agricultural SupportProvides support to 78 farms across more than 10,000 acres in the Croton Watershed to promote sustainable practices and protect water quality.
- Documented Conservation ProjectsCompletes and publicly documents conservation projects in the NYC Watershed with before-and-after photos and videos to demonstrate impact.
- Water Quality Protection through Collaborative ConservationDelivers over 1.1 billion gallons of clean water daily to New York City by implementing collaborative conservation programs across farm and forest lands in the Watershed.
-
-
Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 2 activities
- Conservation Easement ProgramAcquires development rights through conservation easements to permanently protect farm and forest land in the NYC Watershed, safeguarding water quality. Has protected over 30,000 acres across more than 200 families.
- Forestry Easement Pilot ProgramLaunched a pilot program to protect forest lands through targeted conservation easements, expanding efforts beyond traditional farm-focused easements.
-
-
Tree Planting and Reforestation Initiatives 2 activities
- West of Hudson Agricultural ProgramWorks with eligible farm owners in the East of Hudson Watershed to assess water quality risks, develop Whole Farm Plans, and implement conservation practices through technical assistance and funding. Supports 290 farms across 153,000 acres.
- Whole Farm Planning and Conservation ImplementationImplements Whole Farm Plans, Forest Management Plans, and Conservation Easements to promote sustainable agricultural and forestry practices that protect water quality in the NYC Watershed.
-
-
Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Forest Management and Stewardship InitiativesCollaborates with forest landowners, foresters, and loggers to develop and implement voluntary forest management plans and stabilize logging trails. Manages conservation efforts across 120,000 acres, including stabilization of over 500 miles of logging trails.
-
-
Agricultural Grantmaking and Funding Programs 1 activity
- Funding for On-Farm Conservation InfrastructureFunds construction and installation of conservation infrastructure on farms in the NYC Watershed, including heavy use areas, fencing, manure storage, watering facilities, and trails through targeted grant programs.
-
-
Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- NYC/Watershed Classroom PartnershipEstablishes and supports an environmental education partnership to enhance learning about watershed protection and stewardship.
-
-
Agricultural Producer Education & Support Networks 1 activity
- Precision Feed Management ProgramImplements a program to improve agricultural efficiency and reduce environmental impact through precise feed management on farms in the NYC Watershed.
-
-
Annual Financial and Activity Reporting 1 activity
- Public Transparency and ReportingMaintains public access to Form 990, audited financial statements, annual reports, board meeting minutes, agendas, and organizational policies to ensure transparency for donors, funders, and supporters.
-
-
Local Food Systems Development 1 activity
- Pure Catskills Buy Local CampaignOperates the Pure Catskills branding initiative to support local farm, food, and wood-product businesses in the Catskills region, with 326 participating members and support for 300 producers.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$17.18M
Contributions & grants$17.10M100%
Program service revenue$20K0%
Investment income$25K0%
Other revenue$37K
expenses
Total expenses$17.10M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$6.73M
Grants paid out$608K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$24.34M
Cash$22.87M
Investments$32K
Liabilities$21.91M
Net assets$2.43M
Liquid reserves16.1 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -0.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 22
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RYAN NAATZ | EXECUTIVE DI | 35 | $201K |
| AMY FAULKNER | DIRECTOR OF | 35 | $165K |
| CAROL BISHOP | FINANCE DIRE | 35 | $162K |
| ANDREW CHEUNG | ENGINEER | 35 | $143K |
| CONNOR YOUNG | AG PROGRAM M | 35 | $141K |
| THOMAS PAVLESICH | FORESTRY PRO | 35 | $128K |
| ELAINE POULIN | RESIGNED MAY | 35 | $122K |
| JOHN JACKSON | DATABASE ADM | 35 | $113K |
| BARBARA HANSELMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | $54K |
| KARL GOCKEL JR | TREASURER | 6 | $24K |
| JAMES DARLING | DIRECTOR | 2 | $19K |
| WAYLAND GLADSTONE | BOARD CHAIR | 6 | $8K |
| FRED HUNEKE | DIRECTOR | 4 | $7K |
| STEVEN L REED | DIRECTOR | 2 | $4K |
| MARILYN WYMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | $4K |
| JASON HELMBOLD | DIRECTOR | 2 | $4K |
| R THOMAS HUTSON | VICE CHAIR | 2 | $3K |
| JOHN VERHOVEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | $3K |
| PAUL GALLAY | DIRECTOR | 2 | $3K |
| DWIGHT BRUNO | DIRECTOR | 2 | $3K |
| JENNIFER GROSSMAN | SECRETARY | 2 | $3K |
| JEFF WILSON | RESIGNED DEC | 2 | $675 |
board members · 3
- JOHN VICKERS — RESIGNED JUL
- KYLE CLARK — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL VANDER WERFF — DIRECTOR
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Amy Faulkner Partner — Staff contact for inquiries about policies, agendas, and minutes.
- Chelsea Ingram Partner — Staff member at the Watershed Program Office coordinating bid packages for funded projects
- Dominick Siniscalchi Partner — Farm in Sidney Center, NY receiving funding for agricultural infrastructure improvements
- Eklund Farm Machinery Inc Partner — Farm in Stamford, NY receiving funding for agricultural infrastructure improvements
- Environmental Protection Agency Government — Agency that granted filtration avoidance determination and set regulatory requirements for watershed management.
- Gary Young Partner — Farm in Gilboa, NY receiving funding for agricultural infrastructure improvements
- Michael Noonan Partner — Farm in Bovina Center, NY receiving funding for agricultural infrastructure improvements
- NYC Watershed Government — Works with farm and forest landowners in the NYC Watershed to support conservation.
- NYC Watershed Government — Works within the NYC Watershed to support agricultural and environmental sustainability.
- New York City Government — Collaborates with New York City to protect the city's water supply through agricultural stewardship in the watershed.
- New York City Government — Collaborates with New York City to protect the municipal drinking water supply through watershed conservation programs.
- New York City Government — Works within the New York City Watershed region to protect surface water quality through land conservation and forestry programs.
- New York City Department of Environmental Protection Government — Partner agency that funds watershed agricultural programs and collaborates on regulations and conservation initiatives.
- United States Department of Agriculture Government — Partner in adopting standards and implementing conservation practices in the watershed.
strategies · 3
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 Public-Private Partnership Modelmethodology: collaborationBy advancing conservation through collaborative public-private partnerships and local leadership, the organization achieves broader stakeholder buy-in and program sustainability, because shared responsibility across government, landowners, and communities strengthens implementation and long-term outcomes.
- Incentive-Based Conservation with Voluntary Partnershipsmethodology: incentive-based conservationBy offering financial incentives and technical support through voluntary partnerships with farmers and forest landowners, the organization promotes adoption of conservation practices that protect water quality while maintaining economic viability, because landowners are more likely to engage in stewardship when it aligns with their operational and financial interests.
- Science-Based Best Management Practices Integrationmethodology: science-based_solutionsBy implementing science-based solutions and proven best management practices on working agricultural and forested lands, the organization protects water quality and conserves landscapes, because these practices are empirically validated to reduce environmental impacts without compromising land productivity.