named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Acquisition Fund
Program to purchase high-priority conservation lands and critical easements to expand protected areas
Green Team
Volunteer field crew conducting trail maintenance, invasive species removal, restoration planting, and preserve improvements across nature preserves
Preserve Maintenance Fund
Funds physical upkeep of nature preserves including signage, bridges, and access improvements
Stewardship Fund
Supports ongoing management and legal defense of conservation easements and preserves in perpetuity
activities · 3 groups
What they do
-
Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 3 activities
- Acquisition of conservation lands and easementsUses the Acquisition Fund (also referred to as Acquisitions Fund) to purchase high-priority conservation lands and critical conservation easements, ensuring permanent protection of ecologically significant areas in the Genesee Valley region.
- Land conservation in the Genesee Valley regionProtects habitat, open space, and farmland through conservation easements and land acquisitions, with a focus on ecologically significant and interconnected landscapes that support wildlife connectivity and local food production. To date, has protected 41,495 acres and completed 187 conservation projects in the Genesee River watershed.
- Long-term enforceability of conservation agreementsEnsures the legal integrity and enforceability of conservation easements and preserves through the Legal Defense Fund, which supports legal oversight and defense of conservation commitments.
-
-
Donor-Advised Fund Grantmaking 1 activity
- Securing future conservation funding through planned givingReceives future funding for conservation work through planned giving mechanisms, including designation as beneficiary in life insurance policies, retirement or investment accounts, and charitable gifts from Required Minimum Distributions. Also accepts donated life insurance policies for immediate liquidation or future payout.
-
-
Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Stewardship and maintenance of conserved landsConducts annual stewardship activities, including trail maintenance, invasive species removal, restoration planting, and infrastructure improvements on conserved lands. Maintains over 7 miles of public trails and supports long-term management through dedicated stewardship and preserve maintenance funds.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.36M
Contributions & grants$8.19M98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$170K2%
Other revenue$-4K
expenses
Total expenses$8.09M
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead2%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$421K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.54M
Cash$1.44M
Investments$5.00M
Liabilities$1.84M
Net assets$5.69M
Liquid reserves9.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +18.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Gajewski | Executive Director | 40 | $105K |
board members · 24
- Austin Judkins — Director
- Becky Glass — Director (Through 5/2024)
- Celia Lewis — Vice-President
- Chuck Nesbitt — Director
- Clara Mulligan — Director
- Colleen Garrity — Director
- Davies Nagel — Director
- Dick Young — Director
- Gary Moore — Director
- Jenny Apple — President
- Jerry Alonzo — Director
- Jim Kernan — Director (Through 5/2024)
- Jim Memmott — Director
- Johannes Koomen — Treasurer
- Joyce Wechsler — Director
- Kate Kingsley — Corresponding Secretary
- Kelly Burns — Director
- Martin Miskell — Director
- Mary Kay Yanik — Recording Secretary
- Mike Seager — Director
- Myrtle Merritt — Director
- Nat Kinsey — President (Through 5/2024)
- Randy Kozlowski — Director (Through 5/2024)
- Sarah Batzing — Director
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Genesee River watershed Government — Primary geographic focus area for conservation efforts.
- Green Team Partner — Volunteer group engaged in field work including trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and restoration planting.
- New York State Attorney General Government — Regulatory body with which the organization files financial reports.
- New York State Attorney General Government — Source for financial reports and charitable organization information
- New York State Attorney General Government — Source of charitable registration and financial reporting compliance
- New York State Attorney General Government — Source of public financial and charitable registration information for the organization.
- New York State Attorney General Government — Source of public financial and regulatory information on the organization.
- farmers Partner — Collaborates with farmers to protect farmland from development.
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.
- Community-Engaged Land Conservationmethodology: community-engaged conservationBy involving volunteers and local stakeholders as essential partners in conservation efforts, the organization strengthens community ownership and long-term stewardship of protected lands, enhancing both ecological outcomes and public engagement.
- Landscape and Habitat Connectivitymethodology: landscape_connectivityBy protecting interconnected networks of land across property boundaries, the organization supports wildlife movement, ecological resilience, and long-term biodiversity, because connected habitats are more adaptable to fragmentation and environmental change.
- Proactive Land Protection via Acquisition and Stewardshipmethodology: land-acquisition-for-conservationBy using dedicated funding to acquire conservation easements and land, and applying long-term stewardship, the organization ensures permanent protection of ecologically significant areas because legal and active management safeguards are necessary for enduring conservation outcomes.
- Tax-Efficient and Planned Giving for Conservation Fundingmethodology: tax-advantaged givingBy promoting tax-advantaged and planned giving mechanisms—such as beneficiary designations, life insurance policies, and stock donations—the organization secures flexible, long-term funding because these instruments maximize donor incentives and asset efficiency for future conservation needs.
- Working Landscapes and Farmland Conservationmethodology: working_landscapesBy partnering with farmers to conserve productive farmland through easements and long-term agreements, the organization preserves local food systems and soil health because maintaining working landscapes sustains both ecological and economic resilience.