2024-09-03T09:39:41-04:00 2023-12-31 383133790 ANDREWS HOOPER PAVLIK PLC 5915 EASTMAN AVE STE 100 MIDLAND MI 486406824 990 2023-01-01 381859315 CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER CHIP 9896310830 400 S BADOUR RD MIDLAND MI 48640 JENNIFER BUSH PRESIDENT 9896310830 2024-08-27 true true KELLIE M BOS P00448161 9898357721 2024-08-27 2023 2024-08-08 14:25:15Z JENNIFER BUSH 400 S BADOUR RD MIDLAND MI 48640 8087033 false X WWW.CHIPPEWANATURECENTER.ORG X 1966 MI THE CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO FACILITATE THE ENJOYMENT AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR NATURAL, HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES AS RELEVANT TO THE SAGINAW VALLEY, TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND TO FOSTER RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP. 14 14 80 385 0 2534456 2506552 709986 714358 1250925 1214092 57368 88437 4552735 4523439 0 0 2022543 2033198 0 148696 975546 1004608 2998089 3037806 1554646 1485633 35266621 39484445 123279 115715 35143342 39368730 X THE CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO FACILITATE THE ENJOYMENT AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR NATURAL, HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES AS RELEVANT TO THE SAGINAW VALLEY, TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND TO FOSTER RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP. false false 1560159 714358 DEPARTMENT OF PROGRAMS: THE VISITOR CENTER CONTINUES TO BE AN IMPORTANT HUB FOR CONNECTING PEOPLE TO CNCS PROGRAMS, TRAILS, AND AN AUTHENTIC NATURE EXPERIENCE. IN 2023, WE WELCOMED 28,869 PEOPLE THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE VISITOR CENTER, WHICH IS NEARLY 4,000 MORE PEOPLE THAN IN 2022. ATTENDANCE THIS YEAR WAS ABOUT 400 PEOPLE GREATER THAN OUR PREVIOUS PEAK IN 2019. CNC WELCOMED 6,329 PEOPLE TO 266 PUBLIC PROGRAMS IN 2023. OVER 240 OF THESE PROGRAMS WERE FREE, ENSURING THAT FINANCES WERE NOT A BARRIER TO A PERSONS ABILITY TO CONNECT TO NATURE THROUGH CNCS PROGRAMS. HOMESTEAD SUNDAYS PROVIDED 1,500 PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE HOMESTEAD FARM AND LOG SCHOOLHOUSE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE AND HISTORY OF OUR AREA. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ENJOYED NATURE PLAY, A PLAY- BASED PROGRAM AT THE WOODS NATURE PLAY AREA HOSTED BY VOLUNTEERS. NATURE STORY HOUR, BIRDING HIKES, FULL MOON STROLLS, AND GOLF CART TOURS REMAIN POPULAR AND ARE CORE PUBLIC PROGRAMS PROVIDING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE NATURE IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. WORKSHOP TOPICS FOCUSED ON BEE HOTELS, NATURAL DYES AND PINECONE WREATHS WHILE ADULT FIELD TRIPS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIRDING IN UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS. EACH PROGRAM IS LED OR PLANNED BY A PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER OR EDUCATOR ENSURING CNCS PROGRAMS MEET OUR MISSION AND SERVE OUR VISITORS WELL. MAJOR EVENTS CONTINUE TO BE WELL-ATTENDED AND ARE A GREAT WAY TO CONNECT WITH NEW VISITORS AND LONG-TIME MEMBERS ALIKE. MAPLE SYRUP DAY OFFERED PRE-EVENT AND DAY-OF SALES FOR MEAL AND ADMISSION TICKETS. A DEDICATED TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS SERVED 854 MEALS RESTAURANT-STYLE WHILE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WELCOMED A TOTAL OF 950 PEOPLE TO THE FESTIVAL ON A VERY COLD SATURDAY. COOKING ON THE WOOD STOVE AND A FREE PLAY AREA WERE A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEARS FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL, WHICH WELCOMED 1,053 PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE FARM ON A CHILLY FALL DAY. NATURE AT NIGHT WAS MOVED TO A FRIDAY EVENING AND ATTENDANCE REMAINED STRONG AT 535 PEOPLE. THE NATIVE PLANT SALE AND NATURE ART SHOW & SALE WERE BOTH POPULAR WITH MEMBERS FOR THEIR EARLY SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES AND WELL ATTENDED BY THE PUBLIC. AUTUMN REYES, VISITOR ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR, PUT TOGETHER A WONDERFUL MEMBER APPRECIATION EVENING FOR THE NATURE ART SHOW & SALE MEMBER PRESALE. 695475 LAND AND FACILITIES: WILDFLOWER WALKWAY UPGRADES THE WILDFLOWER WALKWAY WAS REPLANTED WITH NATIVE WILDFLOWERS, AND A SHADE CLOTH WAS ADDED OVER PATIO TABLES TO CREATE A WELCOMING OUTDOOR SPACE FOR VISITORS. MAPLE SYRUP SEASON STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PRODUCED A TOTAL OF 42 GALLONS OF MAPLE SYRUP DURING A 30-DAY COLLECTING SEASON. INVASIVE EXOTICS AFTER THE 2023 SEASON, APPROXIMATELY 906 ACRES (60% OF CNC LAND) WERE CONSIDERED RELATIVELY INVASIVE EXOTIC FREE. THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 560 ACRES SINCE 2015 WHEN ONLY 346 ACRES WERE FREE OF INVASIVE PLANTS. IN 2023, 55.36 ACRES OF NEW AREAS WERE RECLAIMED THANKS TO THE SUMMER CREW OF BELINDA WILSON AND COLLIN HADDAD ALONG WITH LOGAN YONKUS CONTROLLING INVASIVE PLANTS. ARBORETUM THREE NEW SPECIES WERE ADDED TO THE ARBORETUM THIS YEAR: BEARBERRY, LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY AND LEAD PLANT. TWO ADDITIONAL JACK PINE WERE ADDED AS SPECIMEN TREES AS THE OLD ONES ARE DYING OUT. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES REPRESENTED TO 116 AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIMEN TREES/SHRUBS TO 454. MOST OF THE SPECIMEN TREES AND SHRUBS HAD WOODCHIPS ADDED TO THEIR BASE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 2020 FLOOD. DEER HARVEST A TOTAL OF 51 DEER WERE HARVESTED AT CNC DURING THE 2023 SEASON, AND THE VENISON WAS DONATED TO THE MIDLAND COUNTY FOOD ASSISTANCE NETWORK. STAFF CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO LOWER DEER NUMBERS, AS THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE HEAVY BROWSE ON CNCS VEGETATION. DNR HABITAT GRANT CNC COMPLETED THE WORK FOR A 2-YEAR, 46,000 MDNR HABITAT GRANT. DURING THAT TIME, 3,000 TREES AND SHRUBS WERE PLANTED AND CAGED, 39 ACRES WERE FORESTRY MOWED IN OVER 25 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND FOLLOW UP TREATMENTS WERE COMPLETED, AND 29 ACRES WERE PLANTED TO NATIVE WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES IN 32 ACRES. AREAS THAT LOOKED MULCHED FROM FORESTRY MOWING DURING THE SPRING OF 2022 WERE LOOKING GREAT BY THE FALL OF 2023 ADDITIONAL HABITAT WORK A TOTAL OF 289 NATIVE TREES WERE PLANTED AND CAGED AT CNC AND 100 SMALL MAPLES IN THE SUGARBUSH HAD SOLAR TUBES PLACED OVER THEM TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE DEER AND VISITORS USING THE AREA. NEW FORESTRY MOWER AND TRAILER PACKAGE CNC WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A NEW SKID STEER FORESTRY MOWER AND TRAILER TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN FLOODPLAINS, FORESTED WETLANDS AND OPEN GRASSLANDS AT CNC AND WITHIN THE SAGINAW BAY WATERSHED. FUNDING WAS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DOW CHEMICAL AND GENERAL MOTORS SETTLEMENT FUNDS. ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS ADULT CHANGING TABLES WERE ADDED TO THE RESOURCE BUILDING RESTROOMS, AND AED MACHINES WERE PURCHASED FOR THE RESOURCE AND NATURE PRESCHOOL BUILDINGS. NATURE EDUCATION CENTER PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY LOCAL CONTRACTOR WOLGAST WAS CHOSEN FOR THE NEW EDUCATION CENTER BUILD, TO DEVELOP PLANS AND TO COMPLETE SOIL BORINGS. SITE WORK WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY AND CONSTRUCTION MARCH 2024. TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS THE RIVER POINT BOARDWALK WAS REPLACED, AND ADA-ACCESSIBLE GRAVEL TRAILS WERE CONSTRUCTED AT THE SUGARHOUSE AND HOMESTEAD CABIN AREAS. 67702 VOLUNTEERS AND OUTREACH: A DAY AT CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER MAY CONSIST OF OXBOW ARCHAEOLOGISTS WORKING STEADILY TO UNEARTH HISTORY WHILE EVAPORATORS AND HOMESTEAD VOLUNTEERS DEMONSTRATE THE MAPLE SYRUP-MAKING PROCESS. YOU MAY FIND LAND & FACILITIES VOLUNTEERS CLEANING AND CARING FOR OUR PROPERTY WHILE BOARD MEMBERS HELP GUIDE CNC INTO A STRONG AND SUCCESSFUL FUTURE. NATURE DAY CAMP VOLUNTEERS MAY BE OUT ON THE PROPERTY LEADING THE NEXT GENERATION TO CHAMPION NATURE WHILE OUR HOMESTEAD GARDENERS MAY BE OUT PULLING WEEDS. THERE IS SO MUCH THAT WE RELY ON OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR, AND WE COULD NOT CONNECT ALL PEOPLE TO NATURE WITHOUT THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE VOLUNTEERING AT THE NATURE CENTER. THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 400 VOLUNTEERS GAVE OVER 8,000 HOURS OF THEIR TIME. THAT IS OVER 260,000 WORTH OF ECONOMIC IMPACT WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS WHO SHARED THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE WITH CNC IN 2023. WE TRULY APPRECIATE THEIR VOLUNTEER SUPPORT 2323336 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 2 0 80 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 14 14 false false false false true true false true true false false false true true true false true true false false MI X LORI PLANTE 9896310830 400 S BADOUR ROAD MIDLAND MI 48640 DENNIS PILASKE EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 122159 0 12216 JENNIFER BUSH PRESIDENT 0.50 X X 0 0 0 JAMIE ROSS MD VICE PRESIDE 0.50 X X 0 0 0 JORDAN SUMMERS TREASURER 0.50 X X 0 0 0 SHARON CALDWELL SECRETARY 0.50 X X 0 0 0 BARBARA ALLEN DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JOHN BLAHA DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 MELISSA HASWELL PHD DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 BRIAN HOLMES DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 TYLER LEMIEUX DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 KRISTY LEVASSEUR DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 MARIANNE MCKELVY DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER RISHKO DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 BARTLEY TERRILL DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 CAROL VAN WERT DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 122159 12216 1 false false false 67677 2438875 76117 2506552 YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 611600 677129 677129 ADULT INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS 812900 37229 37229 714358 980763 980763 6503 6503 6503 6503 3772823 2500 3538320 3674 234503 -1174 233329 233329 38736 21600 17136 17136 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 64798 64798 64798 4523439 714358 1302529 122159 12216 85511 24432 1533590 1191755 253172 88663 111960 78372 26870 6718 132725 92907 31855 7963 132764 92935 31863 7966 17698 17698 21977 21977 35036 24063 1348 9625 17516 13495 3929 92 64747 48560 12950 3237 82855 75558 7297 14305 13590 715 16574 14088 2486 463284 454018 9266 32784 29506 3278 ADULT INTERPRETIVE 97955 97955 YOUTH EDUCATIONAL 68515 68515 MEMBERSHIPS 65585 10026 55559 VOLUNTEERS/CIVIC PARTICIP 5777 5777 3037806 2323336 565774 148696 174196 1835020 2185130 2080712 1110000 1145800 108805 253240 15569 17426 25280 25676 13075808 9321878 4036054 3753930 27611587 30372641 35266621 39484445 117297 110190 5982 5525 123279 115715 X 5184938 7274362 29958404 32094368 35143342 39368730 35266621 39484445 1485633 2739755 X false true X true false X 400860 745613 806425 534456 2506552 4993906 400860 745613 806425 534456 2506552 4993906 1611516 3382390 551069 401213 1214082 1051595 987266 4205225 2076 8354 32777 48891 64798 156896 9356027 3129390 0.36150 0.30960 X SUPPORTING SCHEDULE GRANT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW NATURE STUDY BLDG - 12/19/22 2,000,000 PART II, LINE 10 OTHER INCOME 156,896 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 57422 X X false 29796717 2450175 3955021 3726583 21977 32453353 34913565 2477966 -5083980 2487999 22835 29796717 33264195 730675 2686736 1744355 23686 34913565 30048091 745613 4560981 2071765 18725 33264195 24788930 392610 5042276 151711 24014 30048091 0.29770 0.11850 0.58380 false false 2280555 2280555 7551983 6557320 994663 732756 470870 261886 2510514 2293688 216826 3753930 7241217 2739755 2739755 4501462 21977 21977 4523439 3015829 3015829 21977 21977 3037806 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4 COLLECTIONS ARE OWNED AND DISPLAYED TO HELP EDUCATE THE PUBLIC. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART V, LINE 4 ENDOWMENT ASSETS INCLUDE THOSE ASSETS OF DONOR-RESTRICTED FUNDS THAT THE CENTER MUST HOLD IN PERPETUITY OR FOR A DONOR-SPECIFIED PERIOD AND BOARD- DESIGNATED FUNDS. ENDOWMENT ASSETS ARE COMBINED WITH ALL INVESTMENTS OF THE CENTER. AS APPROVED BY THE CENTERS INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, THE INVESTMENTS ARE INVESTED IN A MANNER THAT IS INTENDED TO INCREASE THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE CENTERS ASSETS AFTER INFLATION, WHILE ALSO GENERATING RETURNS TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL SPENDING TO MAINTAIN THE FACILITY. THE CENTERS SPENDING POLICY REGARDING INVESTMENTS IS TO LIMIT THE SPENDABLE AMOUNT EACH YEAR TO AN AMOUNT NO GREATER THAN 5 PERCENT OF THE SEVEN YEAR AVERAGE MARKET VALUE AS OF DECEMBER 31ST OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. HOWEVER, THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY SPENT MAY NOT REDUCE THE PORTFOLIOS MARKET VALUE BELOW THE PRIOR YEARS INFLATION-ADJUSTED ORIGINAL GIFT VALUE. X 1 76117 false false false SCHEDULE M, PAGE 2, PART II PART I, COLUMN (B) REFLECTS THE NUMBER OF STOCK CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR. FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THE CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO FACILITATE THE ENJOYMENT AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR NATURAL, HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES AS RELEVANT TO THE SAGINAW VALLEY, TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND TO FOSTER RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A DEPARTMENT OF PROGRAMS: THE VISITOR CENTER CONTINUES TO BE AN IMPORTANT HUB FOR CONNECTING PEOPLE TO CNCS PROGRAMS, TRAILS, AND AN AUTHENTIC NATURE EXPERIENCE. IN 2023, WE WELCOMED 28,869 PEOPLE THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE VISITOR CENTER, WHICH IS NEARLY 4,000 MORE PEOPLE THAN IN 2022. ATTENDANCE THIS YEAR WAS ABOUT 400 PEOPLE GREATER THAN OUR PREVIOUS PEAK IN 2019. CNC WELCOMED 6,329 PEOPLE TO 266 PUBLIC PROGRAMS IN 2023. OVER 240 OF THESE PROGRAMS WERE FREE, ENSURING THAT FINANCES WERE NOT A BARRIER TO A PERSONS ABILITY TO CONNECT TO NATURE THROUGH CNCS PROGRAMS. HOMESTEAD SUNDAYS PROVIDED 1,500 PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE HOMESTEAD FARM AND LOG SCHOOLHOUSE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE AND HISTORY OF OUR AREA. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ENJOYED NATURE PLAY, A PLAY- BASED PROGRAM AT THE WOODS NATURE PLAY AREA HOSTED BY VOLUNTEERS. NATURE STORY HOUR, BIRDING HIKES, FULL MOON STROLLS, AND GOLF CART TOURS REMAIN POPULAR AND ARE CORE PUBLIC PROGRAMS PROVIDING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE NATURE IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. WORKSHOP TOPICS FOCUSED ON BEE HOTELS, NATURAL DYES AND PINECONE WREATHS WHILE ADULT FIELD TRIPS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIRDING IN UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS. EACH PROGRAM IS LED OR PLANNED BY A PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER OR EDUCATOR ENSURING CNCS PROGRAMS MEET OUR MISSION AND SERVE OUR VISITORS WELL. MAJOR EVENTS CONTINUE TO BE WELL-ATTENDED AND ARE A GREAT WAY TO CONNECT WITH NEW VISITORS AND LONG-TIME MEMBERS ALIKE. MAPLE SYRUP DAY OFFERED PRE-EVENT AND DAY-OF SALES FOR MEAL AND ADMISSION TICKETS. A DEDICATED TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS SERVED 854 MEALS RESTAURANT-STYLE WHILE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WELCOMED A TOTAL OF 950 PEOPLE TO THE FESTIVAL ON A VERY COLD SATURDAY. COOKING ON THE WOOD STOVE AND A FREE PLAY AREA WERE A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEARS FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL, WHICH WELCOMED 1,053 PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE FARM ON A CHILLY FALL DAY. NATURE AT NIGHT WAS MOVED TO A FRIDAY EVENING AND ATTENDANCE REMAINED STRONG AT 535 PEOPLE. THE NATIVE PLANT SALE AND NATURE ART SHOW & SALE WERE BOTH POPULAR WITH MEMBERS FOR THEIR EARLY SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES AND WELL ATTENDED BY THE PUBLIC. AUTUMN REYES, VISITOR ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR, PUT TOGETHER A WONDERFUL MEMBER APPRECIATION EVENING FOR THE NATURE ART SHOW & SALE MEMBER PRESALE. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B LAND AND FACILITIES: WILDFLOWER WALKWAY UPGRADES THE WILDFLOWER WALKWAY WAS REPLANTED WITH NATIVE WILDFLOWERS, AND A SHADE CLOTH WAS ADDED OVER PATIO TABLES TO CREATE A WELCOMING OUTDOOR SPACE FOR VISITORS. MAPLE SYRUP SEASON STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PRODUCED A TOTAL OF 42 GALLONS OF MAPLE SYRUP DURING A 30-DAY COLLECTING SEASON. INVASIVE EXOTICS AFTER THE 2023 SEASON, APPROXIMATELY 906 ACRES (60% OF CNC LAND) WERE CONSIDERED RELATIVELY INVASIVE EXOTIC FREE. THIS IS AN INCREASE OF 560 ACRES SINCE 2015 WHEN ONLY 346 ACRES WERE FREE OF INVASIVE PLANTS. IN 2023, 55.36 ACRES OF NEW AREAS WERE RECLAIMED THANKS TO THE SUMMER CREW OF BELINDA WILSON AND COLLIN HADDAD ALONG WITH LOGAN YONKUS CONTROLLING INVASIVE PLANTS. ARBORETUM THREE NEW SPECIES WERE ADDED TO THE ARBORETUM THIS YEAR: BEARBERRY, LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY AND LEAD PLANT. TWO ADDITIONAL JACK PINE WERE ADDED AS SPECIMEN TREES AS THE OLD ONES ARE DYING OUT. THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES REPRESENTED TO 116 AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIMEN TREES/SHRUBS TO 454. MOST OF THE SPECIMEN TREES AND SHRUBS HAD WOODCHIPS ADDED TO THEIR BASE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 2020 FLOOD. DEER HARVEST A TOTAL OF 51 DEER WERE HARVESTED AT CNC DURING THE 2023 SEASON, AND THE VENISON WAS DONATED TO THE MIDLAND COUNTY FOOD ASSISTANCE NETWORK. STAFF CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO LOWER DEER NUMBERS, AS THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE HEAVY BROWSE ON CNCS VEGETATION. DNR HABITAT GRANT CNC COMPLETED THE WORK FOR A 2-YEAR, 46,000 MDNR HABITAT GRANT. DURING THAT TIME, 3,000 TREES AND SHRUBS WERE PLANTED AND CAGED, 39 ACRES WERE FORESTRY MOWED IN OVER 25 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND FOLLOW UP TREATMENTS WERE COMPLETED, AND 29 ACRES WERE PLANTED TO NATIVE WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES IN 32 ACRES. AREAS THAT LOOKED MULCHED FROM FORESTRY MOWING DURING THE SPRING OF 2022 WERE LOOKING GREAT BY THE FALL OF 2023 ADDITIONAL HABITAT WORK A TOTAL OF 289 NATIVE TREES WERE PLANTED AND CAGED AT CNC AND 100 SMALL MAPLES IN THE SUGARBUSH HAD SOLAR TUBES PLACED OVER THEM TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE DEER AND VISITORS USING THE AREA. NEW FORESTRY MOWER AND TRAILER PACKAGE CNC WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE A NEW SKID STEER FORESTRY MOWER AND TRAILER TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN FLOODPLAINS, FORESTED WETLANDS AND OPEN GRASSLANDS AT CNC AND WITHIN THE SAGINAW BAY WATERSHED. FUNDING WAS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DOW CHEMICAL AND GENERAL MOTORS SETTLEMENT FUNDS. ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS ADULT CHANGING TABLES WERE ADDED TO THE RESOURCE BUILDING RESTROOMS, AND AED MACHINES WERE PURCHASED FOR THE RESOURCE AND NATURE PRESCHOOL BUILDINGS. NATURE EDUCATION CENTER PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY LOCAL CONTRACTOR WOLGAST WAS CHOSEN FOR THE NEW EDUCATION CENTER BUILD, TO DEVELOP PLANS AND TO COMPLETE SOIL BORINGS. SITE WORK WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY AND CONSTRUCTION MARCH 2024. TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS THE RIVER POINT BOARDWALK WAS REPLACED, AND ADA-ACCESSIBLE GRAVEL TRAILS WERE CONSTRUCTED AT THE SUGARHOUSE AND HOMESTEAD CABIN AREAS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C VOLUNTEERS AND OUTREACH: A DAY AT CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER MAY CONSIST OF OXBOW ARCHAEOLOGISTS WORKING STEADILY TO UNEARTH HISTORY WHILE EVAPORATORS AND HOMESTEAD VOLUNTEERS DEMONSTRATE THE MAPLE SYRUP-MAKING PROCESS. YOU MAY FIND LAND & FACILITIES VOLUNTEERS CLEANING AND CARING FOR OUR PROPERTY WHILE BOARD MEMBERS HELP GUIDE CNC INTO A STRONG AND SUCCESSFUL FUTURE. NATURE DAY CAMP VOLUNTEERS MAY BE OUT ON THE PROPERTY LEADING THE NEXT GENERATION TO CHAMPION NATURE WHILE OUR HOMESTEAD GARDENERS MAY BE OUT PULLING WEEDS. THERE IS SO MUCH THAT WE RELY ON OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR, AND WE COULD NOT CONNECT ALL PEOPLE TO NATURE WITHOUT THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE VOLUNTEERING AT THE NATURE CENTER. THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 400 VOLUNTEERS GAVE OVER 8,000 HOURS OF THEIR TIME. THAT IS OVER 260,000 WORTH OF ECONOMIC IMPACT WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS WHO SHARED THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE WITH CNC IN 2023. WE TRULY APPRECIATE THEIR VOLUNTEER SUPPORT FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 6 THE ORGANIZATION HAS MEMBERS OF VARIOUS LEVELS, DEPENDING ON CONTRIBUTION. ALL MEMBERS HAVE RIGHTS TO VOTE ON BOARD MEMBERS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 7A BOARD MEMBERS ARE ELECTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING BY VOTES FROM CNC MEMBERS. NOMINATIONS ARE NAMED BY NOVEMBER OF THE PRECEDING YEAR BY THE BOARD NOMINATING COMMITTEE. THE ELECTION IS HELD AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF NO NOMINATIONS ARE MADE OTHER THAN THE SLATE ANNOUNCED BY THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE, THEN THOSE NOMINATED ARE ELECTED WITH ONE BALLOT FROM THE BOARD SECRETARY - ALSO AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 WAS REVIEWED BY SENIOR MANAGEMENT OF CNC PRIOR TO ITS APPROVAL FOR FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY COVERS MEMBERS OF THE CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER (CNC) BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES, AND STAFF MEMBERS. COVERED PERSONS SHALL READILY DISCLOSE TO CNC ANY PERSONAL INTEREST WHICH HE OR SHE MAY HAVE IN ANY MATTER PENDING BEFORE CNC AND SHALL REFRAIN FROM PARTICIPATION IN ANY DECISION ON SUCH MATTER. ANY MEMBER OF THE CNC BOARD OR STAFF, WHO IS AN OFFICER, BOARD MEMBER, OR EMPLOYEE OF AN AGENCY OR OTHER ENTITY DOING BUSINESS WITH CNC, SHALL IDENTIFY HIS OR HER AFFILIATION WITH SUCH AGENCY OR ENTITY. COVERED PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY POLICY COMMITTEE OR BOARD ACTION SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TO THAT AGENCY OR ENTITY, SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE DECISION AFFECTING THAT AGENCY OR ENTITY, AND THE DECISION MUST BE MADE AND/OR RATIFIED BY THE FULL BOARD WITHOUT THE VOTE OF THE AFFECTED MEMBER. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DEVELOPS A BUDGET CONTAINING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY WHICH IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. COMPETITIVE SALARY LEVELS ARE COMPARED AT LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS FOR COMPENSATION FOR SIMILARLY QUALIFIED PERSONS IN FUNCTIONALLY COMPARABLE POSITIONS AT SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS. THE APPROVAL IS DOCUMENTED IN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 ANY REQUESTS FOR THIS INFORMATION ARE DIRECTED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WHO PROVIDES THE DOCUMENTS AS REQUESTED IF LEGALLY MANDATED OR CONSTRUCTIVELY APPROPRIATE.