2024-09-06T12:27:39-05:00 2023-12-31 390758449 WIPFLI LLP 3615 DELGANY ST SUITE 500 DENVER CO 80216 990 2023-01-01 860534380 NATIVE AMERICAN FISH & WILDLIFE SOCIETY NATI 3034661725 10465 MELODY DRIVE 307 NORTHGLENN CO 80234 JULIE THORSTENSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 3034661725 2024-09-05 1 1 LEANNA VELOTTA EA P01775411 3037590089 2024-09-05 2023 2024-08-08 14:25:15Z JULIE THORSTENSON 10465 MELODY DRIVE 307 NORTHGLENN CO 80234 4160141 0 X WWW.NAFWS.ORG X 1989 CO TO ASSIST NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALASKA NATIVE TRIBES WITH THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF THEIR FISH, WILDLIFE, HABITAT AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. 15 15 26 14 0 0 2146139 3937400 84066 200180 120 9485 4938 13076 2235263 4160141 16500 18000 0 0 825383 1386521 0 0 7524 1334166 1799264 2176049 3203785 59214 956356 4245665 6234863 3015980 4005233 1229685 2229630 X TO ASSIST NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALASKA NATIVE TRIBES WITH THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF THEIR FISH, WILDLIFE, HABITAT AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. 0 0 1856265 0 200180 FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS, THE NATIVE AMERICAN FISH & WILDLIFE SOCIETY (NAFWS), AN INTERTRIBAL NON-PROFIT 501(C)3, HAS STRIVED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ITS MEMBERS AND MEMBER TRIBES; DIRECTLY, THROUGH CONFERENCES, TRAINING, YOUTH EDUCATION, AND INDIRECTLY; THROUGH ONGOING SUPPORT OF, AND PROVIDING VENUES FOR GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS, DISCUSSIONS, AND BY PARTICIPATING WITH INNOVATIVE PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES IN INDIAN COUNTRY. THESE INCLUDED THE 40TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY THE ALASKA REGION AND HOSTED BY THE CHUGACH REGIONAL RESOURCES COMMISSION IN ANCHORAGE, AK APRIL 24-27, 2023. IN ATTENDANCE WERE 352 PEOPLE REPRESENTING 77 TRIBES FROM ALL 7 NAFWS REGIONS. WE ALSO HOSTED 6 REGIONAL CONFERENCES WITH A TOTAL OF 576 PARTICIPANTS FROM 95 TRIBAL NATIONS.MEMBERSHIPIN 2023, NAFWS SAW AN INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP. THERE WERE 110 ACTIVE MEMBER TRIBE MEMBERSHIPS AND 866 ACTIVE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH MEMBERSHIPS RENEWED ON A ROLLING BASIS. CONFERENCES IN ALL SEVEN REGIONS AND A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE CONTRIBUTED TO MEMBERSHIP GROWTH. 656754 0 0 TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCEWE OFFERED OVER 70 TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS & WEBINARS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON TOPICS SUCH AS CLIMATE RESILIENCE, ELECTROFISHING, NEPA, WILDLIFE CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, GRANT WRITING AND WILDLIFE DISEASE SAMPLING. IN TOTAL, WE HAD OVER 1,700 ATTENDEES. TRIBAL CONSERVATION LAW ENFORCEMENT: THROUGHOUT 2023, NAFWS PROVIDED TRIBAL CONSERVATION LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (CLEOS) TRAININGS TO SUPPLEMENT AND/OR ACHIEVE ANNUAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS OR TO PROVIDE OFFICERS WITH ADVANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING TO SAFELY AND SUCCESSFULLY CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES AS SWORN PEACE OFFICERS. TRAININGS TOPICS INCLUDED WATERFOWL IDENTIFICATION, HUNT SAFE, HUMAN/WILDLIFE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, TACTICAL MEDICAL TRAINING, DEFENSE TACTICS, LEGAL UPDATES, AND FIREARM TRAINING.HABITAT CONNECTIVITY: THE GOAL OF THE HABITAT CONNECTIVITY INITIATIVE IS TO ASSIST WILDLIFE MOVEMENT BETWEEN HABITATS WHILE MINIMIZING MORTALITY RISK AND HUMAN ENCOUNTERS. AT TIMES, IT IS NECESSARY FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES TO COLLABORATE WITH FEDERAL, STATE, OR OTHER TRIBAL ENTITIES, TO ADDRESS CORRIDOR CONCERNS ON TRIBAL LANDS. NAFWS HOSTED HABITAT CONNECTIVITY WORKSHOPS IN THE SOUTHWEST AND PACIFIC REGIONS AND HELD MEETINGS FOR A TRIBAL-ONLY WORKING GROUP. THE WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY COORDINATOR PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 47 TRIBES ACROSS 17 STATES ON WILDLIFE MIGRATION ISSUES. INVASIVE SPECIES: LED BY MITZI REED, INVASIVE SPECIES COORDINATOR, NAFWS HIRED THREE INVASIVE SPECIES TECHNICIANS TO HELP BUILD TRIBAL CAPACITY TO MANAGE INVASIVE SPECIES AND IMPLEMENT EARLY DETECTION AND RAPID RESPONSE (EDRR) AND MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES. THE INVASIVE SPECIES TEAM HOSTED FOUR INVASIVE SPECIES WEBINARS ATTENDED BY 101 PARTICIPANTS AND PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR GRANT PROPOSAL REVIEWS, LETTERS OF SUPPORT, INQUIRIES ON FUNDING ACTIVITIES AND SPECIES IDENTIFICATIONFISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS: BIOLOGISTS PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING TO NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALASKA NATIVE TRIBES TO IDENTIFY INVASIVE SPECIES, MONITOR WILDLIFE DISEASE CHANGES, SUPPORT ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAMMING, DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS, AND DEVELOP A RESOURCE BANK TO ASSIST TRIBES IN PROTECTION OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND POPULATIONS. SOME EXAMPLES OF OUR FISH & WILDLIFE WORKSHOPS INCLUDE: FUNDAMENTALS OF R PROGRAMMING ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT PACIFIC NORTHWEST BAT WORKSHOP TRIBAL WILDLIFE CROSSING WORKSHOP CLIMATE CHANGE.HUNTSAFE PROGRAM: THE NAFWS HUNTSAFE PROGRAM WAS OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL HUNTER'S EDUCATION ASSOCIATION IN NOVEMBER 2022. THIS YEAR, THE HUNT SAFE INSTRUCTOR COURSE TRAINING PLAN WAS IMPLEMENTED, AND COURSES WERE CONDUCTED IN SIX OF THE SEVEN REGIONS WITH 94 ATTENDEES REPRESENTING 41 TRIBES COMPLETING THE INSTRUCTOR COURSES. ALASKA TRIBAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE: THE ALASKA TRIBAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE LIAISON (TCRL) TEAM WAS COMPLETED WITH THE ADDITION OF A SENIOR TCRL AND TWO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT TCRLS. WE ALSO HOSTED AN ALASKA NATIVE INTERN FOCUSED ON CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN AK. AT THE 2023 NAFWS ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ANCHORAGE, AK, THE TRCLS HELD A CLIMATE ADAPTATION WORKSHOP. A SECOND WORKSHOP FOR THE STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE TODAY (SRT) PROJECT WAS HELD IN FAIRBANKS ATTENDED BY 23 PARTICIPANTS FROM SIX ALASKA NATIVE VILLAGES. ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS TO LEARN ABOUT AND DEVELOP CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES ARE PLANNED FOR 2024. RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE: THE NAFWS RESEARCH AND PUBLICATION COMMITTEE (RPC) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2021 DUE TO CONCERNS REGARDING RESEARCH ON AND ABOUT TRIBAL LANDS, RESOURCES, AND PEOPLE. THE PURPOSE OF THE RPC IS TO AID TRIBAL FISH AND WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS TO NAVIGATE, PURSUE, AND APPLY THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH-RELATED ISSUES INCLUDING RESEARCH GUIDANCE, DATA SOVEREIGNTY, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, FUNDING, PUBLICATIONS, AND ACADEMIA INVOLVEMENT. GRANTS TEAM: IN 2023, NAFWS ESTABLISHED A GRANTS TEAM, WITH ONE GRANTS COORDINATOR (FUNDED BY DORIS DUKE CONSERVATION FUND) AND TWO AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGE FIELD LIAISONS (FUNDED BY NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FUND) HIRED TO SUPPORT TRIBAL GRANT APPLICATIONS AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO ACCESS FUNDING. THE TEAM PROVIDES DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAN HELP SEEK OUT AND APPLY FOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, AIMING TO GET MORE DOLLARS DIRECTED TOWARDS TRIBAL FISH AND WILDLIFE PROGRAMIN 2023, NAFWS STAFF PROVIDED DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (INCLUDES ONE ON ONE COMMUNICATION, TRAININGS, WEBINARS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES AND EVENTS) TO 260 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES, 21 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, 28 TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, 35 ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS (INCLUDING 4 TRIBAL COLLEGES), 64 NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND SEVEN PRIVATE COMPANIES. ASSISTANCE VARIED GREATLY BUT THE MAJORITY OF DIRECT REQUESTS WERE ASSISTANCE IDENTIFYING AND ACCESSING FUNDING, HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE DEVELOPMENT, PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION, TRAININGS REQUESTS, AND RESEARCH METHODS. 318942 18000 0 EDUCATIONNATIONAL SUMMER YOUTH PRACTICUM: SIXTEEN STUDENTS REPRESENTING 13 TRIBES FROM ALL SEVEN NAFWS REGIONS ATTENDED THE 2023 NATIONAL SYP WHICH TOOK PLACE AT BOTH THE COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAIN CAMPUS AND MAIN CAMPUS. STUDENTS HEARD FROM 20 GUEST LECTURERS AND PARTICIPATED IN TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES. STUDENTS UTILIZED THE KNOWLEDGE GAINED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK FOR A WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE AND STAFF SELECTED A STUDENT GROUP TO ATTEND THE 2024 NAFWS NATIONAL CONFERENCE TO PRESENT THEIR PLAN. ALASKA SUMMER YOUTH PRACTICUM: NINE ALASKA NATIVE YOUTH FROM SEVEN TRIBES AND SIX DIFFERENT SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THE INAUGURAL ALASKA SYP. THE SIX-DAY PROGRAM TOOK PLACE IN ANCHORAGE, AK ON THE ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. PARTICIPANTS SPENT TIME IN LECTURES, IN THE FIELD, DOING HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES, GROUP WORK, AND TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES. THE CHICKALOON VILLAGE TRADITIONAL COUNCIL, HOSTED THE SYP FOR A DAY IN THE FIELD OBSERVING THEIR STREAM AND SALMON RESTORATION PROJECT. INTERNSHIPS: NAFWS WELCOMED ASHLEY MILES, A CITIZEN OF HOPI AND PUEBLO OF SANTA ANA AND A STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER, AS A SUMMER INTERN. ASHLEY ASSISTED WITH THE NATIONAL SYP AND ATTENDED THE TRIBAL WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY WORKSHOP.SCHOLARSHIPS: NAFWS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO 11 NATIVE SCHOLARS. THE GREAT LAKES REGION AWARDED TWO SCHOLARSHIPS, GREAT PLAINS REGION AWARDED ONE, AND THE SOUTHWEST REGION AWARDED TWO SCHOLARSHIPS. SIX NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED. IN AN EFFORT TO INCREASE STUDENT ATTENDANCE AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE, NAFWS AWARDED FIVE COLLEGE STUDENTS' TRAVEL EXPENSES TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE. ADDITIONALLY, WE AWARDED TRAVEL SUPPORT TO FOUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR CHAPERONES AS PART OF THE 2023 NATIONAL SYP WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE. NATIVE EMERGING PROFESSIONALS: NAFWS HOSTED THE THIRD NATIONAL TRIBAL POSTER SESSION AND PROFESSIONAL MIXER DURING THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN APRIL. EIGHTEEN POSTER PRESENTERS INCLUDING NINE STUDENTS PRESENTED AT THE "TOP OF THE WORLD" IN THE HILTON ANCHORAGE. FIRST PLACE WAS AWARDED TO COLIN GLASS WHO PRESENTED ON USING DRAGONFLY LARVAE AS BIOINDICATORS OF METHYLMERCURY FOR THE RED LAKES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA. 2831961 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 0 26 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 15 15 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 CO MT NM SD WA AR AZ AK WI AL OR NV PA ID MS MI X JULIE THORSTENSON 3034661725 10465 MELODY DRIVE 307 NORTHGLENN CO 80234 DONALD REITER PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL LAVOIE VICE PRESIDENT 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DARREN TALAYUMPTEWA SECRETARY/TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 ORVILLE HUNTINGTON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFF KELLY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 THEODORE LAME BULL JR DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TERRY METOXEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA NEZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 HOPE ROBERTS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BEN SIMPSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHARLES WILKINSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MATT GAMBLE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KAI-T BLUE SKY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JASON MITCHELL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JULIE THORSTENSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 130869 0 8928 130869 0 8928 1 0 0 0 HILTON HOTEL 500 W 3RD AVE ANCHORAGE AK 99501 HOTEL AND CATERING FOR NATIONAL CONFEREN 220467 1 46370 2385695 1505335 3937400 CONFERENCES 611710 200180 200180 200180 9485 9485 13076 13076 13076 4160141 200180 0 22561 18000 18000 139797 139797 1038719 1030523 8196 31800 31760 40 79566 79466 100 96639 96639 25768 2623 23145 102887 3500 99387 214017 150599 63418 18545 3430 15115 52599 14417 38182 776648 680242 88907 7499 260151 259844 307 1954 1954 3637 3637 PROGRAM SERVICES 243798 243798 SUPPLIES 86120 73562 12558 LICENSES & FEES 8799 3761 5013 25 DONATIONS AND GIFTS 4341 4341 3203785 2831961 364300 7524 385690 408946 3223424 4385166 145021 657111 81985 73891 0 8094 443255 737969 48275 37577 4245665 6234863 130561 159792 2840429 3816561 44990 28880 3015980 4005233 X 1100617 1358914 129068 870716 1229685 2229630 4245665 6234863 956356 43590 0 X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 558019 1327956 1032151 2146139 3937399 9001664 558019 1327956 1032151 2146139 3937399 9001664 9001664 786 540 358 120 9485 11289 9012953 491126 0.99870 0.99960 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 81985 73891 8094 8094 CAPITAL LEASE LIABILITY 28880 28880 X 4203731 43590 43590 4160141 0 4160141 3203785 0 3203785 0 3203785 PART X, LINE 2: NATIVE AMERICAN FISH & WILDLIFE SOCIETY IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IT IS ALSO EXEMPT FROM COLORADO FRANCHISE OR INCOME TAX. NAFWS IS REQUIRED TO ASSESS WHETHER IT IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT THAT A TAX POSITION WILL BE SUSTAINED UPON EXAMINATION ON THE TECHNICAL MERITS OF THE POSITION ASSUMING THE TAXING AUTHORITY HAS FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ALL INFORMATION. IF THE TAX POSITION DOES NOT MEET THE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT RECOGNITION THRESHOLD, THE BENEFIT OF THAT POSITION IS NOT RECOGNIZED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. NAFWS HAS DETERMINED THERE ARE NO AMOUNTS TO RECORD AS ASSETS OR LIABILITIES RELATED TO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. 1 SCHOLARSHIPS 11 18000 PART I, LINE 2: IN 2023, WE AWARDED A TOTAL OF $18,000 IN NAFWS SCHOLARSHIPS TO NINE NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKA NATIVE COLLEGE STUDENTS PURSING NATURAL RESOURCE DEGREES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 TRIBAL MEMBERSHIPS, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A EACH REGION VOTES FOR THEIR 2 DIRECTORS AND THEN ALL MEMBERS MAY VOTE AT BUSINESS MEETINGS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE TAX RETURN IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C NO CONTRACT OR OTHER TRANSACTION BETWEEN THE SOCIETY AND ONE OR MORE OF ITS MEMBERS OR ANY OTHER CORPORATION, FIRM, ASSOCIATION OR ENTITY IN WHICH ONE OR MORE OF ITS MEMBERS ARE DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS OR ARE FINANCIALLY INTERESTED SHALL BE EITHER VOID OR VOIDABLE SOLELY BECAUSE OF SUCH RELATIONSHIP OR INTEREST OR SOLELY BECAUSE SUCH MEMBERS ARE PRESENT AT A MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OR A COMMITTEE THEREOF WHICH AUTHORIZES, APPROVES OR RATIFIES SUCH CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION OR SOLELY BECAUSE THEIR VOTES ARE COUNTED FOR SUCH PURPOSE IF: (I) THE FACT OF SUCH RELATIONSHIP OR INTEREST IS DISCLOSED OR KNOWN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OR COMMITTEE WHICH AUTHORIZES, APPROVES, OR RATIFIES THE CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION BY A VOTE OR CONSENT SUFFICIENT FOR THE PURPOSE WITHOUT COUNTING THE VOTES OR CONSENT OF SUCH INTERESTED MEMBERS; OR (II) THE FACT OF SUCH RELATIONSHIP OR INTEREST IS DISCLOSED OR KNOWN TO THE MEMBERS ENTITLED TO VOTE AND THEY AUTHORIZE, APPROVE, OR RATIFY SUCH CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION BY VOTE OR WRITTEN CONSENT; OR (III) THE CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION IS FAIR AND REASONABLE TO THE SOCIETY. COMMON OR INTERESTED MEMBERS MAY BE COUNTED IN DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM AT A MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OR A COMMITTEE THEREOF WHICH AUTHORIZES, APPROVES, OR RATIFIES SUCH CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A EACH YEAR IN DECEMBER, JULIE THORSTENSON'S COMPENSATION AND PERFORMANCE IS REVIEWED, DETERMINED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 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.