2024-07-30T10:17:09-04:00 2023-12-31 043353527 AMY P TRUNNELL CPA 200 OLD KENTS HILL RD READFIELD ME 043554132 990 2023-01-01 010446281 MAINE WILDERNESS WATERSHED TRUST INC MAIN 2078354535 PO BOX 5660 AUGUSTA ME 04332 CAPOFREDDI MATTHEW TREASURER 2078354535 2024-07-18 true true AMY P TRUNNELL P01201030 2076859202 2024-07-18 X 2023 2024-08-08 14:25:15Z PIERCE POND WATERSHED TRUST DOUGHERTY ANNE POB 5660 AUGUSTA ME 04332 707379 false X WWW.PIERCEPONDWATERSHED.ORG X 1989 ME TO PROTECT THE WILD CHARACTER, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND SCENIC BEAUTY OF PIERCE POND WATERSHED AND PRESERVE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE OF THE AREA. 20 18 0 45 0 194303 104300 373 6146 61793 2430 1021 202879 167487 0 0 4000 4000 0 15078 120067 99851 124067 103851 78812 63636 2795938 2953734 90 13 2795848 2953721 X TO PROTECT THE WILD CHARACTER, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND SCENIC BEAUTY OF PIERCE POND WATERSHED AND PRESERVE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE OF THE AREA. false false 6793 LAND PROTECTION MWWT WORKS COOPERATIVELY WITH OTHER WATERSHED LANDOWNERS TO CONSERVE THE WILDLIFE, WATER QUALITY, AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE PIERCE POND WATERSHED. MWWT HAS CONSERVED 10,500 ACRES AND OVER 30 MILES OF SHORELINE, THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND LAND. MWWT HAS ESTABLISHED AGREEMENTS WITH TWO SPORTING CAMPS TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED TRADITIONAL OPERATION OF THESE HISTORIC CAMPS. IN 2023 MWWT CONTINUED ITS EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF ACQUISITION OF THE 6,800 ACRES OF WATERSHED LANDS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER COMMERCIAL TIMBER MANAGEMENT. UPON LEARNING OF PERSONNEL CHANGES AT WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY, MWWT'S LEADERSHIP MET WITH THE NEW STAFF TO REMIND THEM OF WHERE WE STAND AND WHAT OUR GOALS ARE, AND DISCUSS HOW THEY MIGHT BE MET IN THE FUTURE. 16280 STEWARDSHIP DURING 2023 MWWT CONTINUED EFFORTS TO ENFORCE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT THAT HAD BEEN VIOLATED IN 2022. OUR ATTORNEY NEGOTIATED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LANDOWNER, WHICH INCLUDED REIMBURSING MWWT FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR ENFORCEMENT EXPENSES,COMMISSIONING A NEW PROPERTY SURVEY, AND OBTAINING APPROVAL FROM THE MAINE LAND USE PLANNING COMMISSION. BY THE END OF 2023, THE VIOLATION HAD BEEN RECTIFIED AND THE EASEMENT HAD BEEN AMENDED TO THE SATISFACTION OF ALL PARTIES. IN ADDITION, THE TRUST BEGAN WORKING ON A PLAN TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH LANDOWNERS ON OUR EASEMENT LANDS, IN HOPES OF PREVENTING FUTURE EASEMENT VIOLATIONS. IN 2023 MWWT HIRED A SUMMER INTERN FOR THE FIRST TIME, VIA COLLABORATIONS WITH MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST AND SOMERSET WOODS TRUSTEES THAT OFFSET A LARGE PORTION OF THE COSTS. THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THE TRUST OBTAINED ASSISTANCE WITH STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS INCLUDING TRAIL MAINTENANCE, INVASIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT, AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES, AND WAS ABLE TO INTRODUCE A COLLEGE STUDENT TO THE PIERCE POND WATERSHED. MWWT ORGANIZED AN EFFORT AMONG CONTRACTORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND OUR SUMMER INTERN TO ENSURE THAT TRAILS WERE CLEARED OF WINTER BLOWDOWNS BEFORE THE START OF THE 2023 HIKING SEASON. THE TRUST ALSO ENGAGED A CONTRACTOR, ASSISTED BY OUR INTERN, TO INSTALL MUCH-NEEDED BOG BRIDGING ON THE TRAIL TO SPLIT ROCK POND. ON JULY 28, VOLUNTEERS FINISHED THE REMAINDER OF THE ANNUAL TRAIL MAINTENANCE DURING ANNUAL VOLUNTEER TRAIL-WORK DAY. IN 2023, MWWT TOOK STEPS TO ENSURE THAT FOX ISLAND, WHICH IS A POPULAR CAMPING ISLAND THAT HAD BEEN DEVASTATED BY A MICROBURST STORM, COULD BE SAFELY USED AGAIN, BY HIRING A FORESTER AND AN ARBORIST TO TAKE DOWN / CLEAR AWAY UNSAFE TREES. MWWT ALSO CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF THE ISLAND PRIVIES AND IDENTIFIED PRIVY LOCATIONS THAT WOULD PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND POND WATER QUALITY. MEMBERS OF MWWT'S STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF WATERSHED LANDOWNER WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY DURING 2023 TO PROMOTE CONTINUED OPEN DIALOGUE ABOUT STEWARDING THE WATERSHED. THEY DISCUSSED ROAD ACCESS, CAMPSITES, AND REMOTE-POND PROTECTION MEASURES. IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE BEGAN DEVELOPING A PLAN TO INCREASE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT AQUATIC INVASIVES. IN 2023 THE MWWT BOARD VOTED TO CREATE A FISHERIES AND WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE TO DO THE FOLLOWING: BEGIN A WATER-QUALITY MONITORING (WQM) PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INITIATE AN ANGLERS SURVEY TO RECORD CATCHES AND METHODS AND TRACK WHAT FISH ARE EATING COMMISSION A TELEMETRY STUDY WITH THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE FISH MOVEMENTS AND SPAWNING LOCATIONS. ANGLERS SURVEYS WERE DISTRIBUTED AND COLLECTED, AND THE WQM AND TELEMETRY EFFORTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN 2024. IN 2023 THE TRUST CONTINUED TO OFFER UPDATED WATERSHED MAPS FOR SALE TO MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH ITS WEBSITE, IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION TO PRESERVE THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE OF THE AREA. THE PRINTED MAPS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED IN 2022 WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A GIS DATA TECHNICIAN, AND INCLUDE INSETS DETAILING HIKING TRAILS. 24137 373 EDUCATION BUILDING ON THE TRUST'S 2022 EFFORTS AT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, IN 2023 THE TRUST CONDUCTED A BIRDING TOUR IN LATE JUNE AND AN OUTDOOR RECREATION DAY IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, WHICH INCLUDED A FLY-FISHING CLINIC AND A MUSHROOM-IDENTIFICATION HIKE. THE INCOME GENERATED AND THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED WAS SMALL. HOWEVER, THE PROGRAMS MOVED THE TRUST CLOSER TO ACHIEVING ITS GOALS. FIRST, THE BIRDING PROGRAM ATTRACTED A FIRST TIME VISITOR TO THE WATERSHED, WHICH ADDRESSES THE GOAL OF ENGAGING NEW PEOPLE. SECOND, THE EDUCATION COORDINATOR COLLABORATED WITH HARRISON'S CAMPS, COBB'S CAMPS, THE MAINE MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM, AND MAINE AUDUBON, CREATING AND FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS FOR POTENTIAL FUTURE PARTNERSHIPS. THIRD, THE PROGRAMS GENERATED DATA, FEEDBACK, AND LEARNING THAT CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE FUTURE PROGRAMMING SHOULD THE TRUST DECIDE TO CONTINUE WITH ITS EDUCATION GOALS. DURING 2023, MWWT PARTNERED WITH MAINE AUDUBON ON THE PIERCE POND LOON COUNT, ENABLING US TO INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THE ANNUAL COUNT TO INCLUDE ALL THREE PONDS (LOWER, MIDDLE, AND UPPER). THIS IMPORTANT CITIZEN-SCIENCE PROJECT -HELD EVERY YEAR ON THE THIRD SATURDAY IN JULY- HELPS TRACK AND UNDERSTAND POPULATIONS OF THIS ICONIC SPECIES. MWWT'S ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING, BANQUET, AND AUCTION WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 1, 2023, AND AFTER TWO YEARS OF VIRTUAL EVENTS DURING COVID, THERE WAS MUCH ANTICIPATION ABOUT RETURNING TO AN IN-PERSON EVENT. HOWEVER, THE EVENT WAS POSTPONED BY THE VENUE FOR THREE WEEKS UNTIL APRIL 22, CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF INCONVENIENCE AND DISRUPTION FOR ATTENDEES AND ORGANIZERS ALIKE. NEVERTHELESS, ATTENDANCE AT THE RESCHEDULED EVENT WAS ROBUST AT 100 GUESTS, AND THE RAFFLE AND SILENT AUCTION TOGETHER RAISED 6,670 TO SUPPORT MWWT'S WORK IN THE PIERCE POND WATERSHED. THE FELLOWSHIP GENERATED BY A RETURN TO AN IN-PERSON EVENT WAS PALPABLE, BUILDING A WELL OF SUPPORT FOR WATERSHED PROTECTION THAT WILL CARRY FORWARD. THE 2023 MWWT NEWSLETTER, WHICH IS MAILED TO ALL MEMBERS AND ALSO PUBLISHED ONLINE, CAME OUT IN OCTOBER, WITH THE FEATURE ARTICLE EDUCATING MEMBERS ABOUT THE NEW FISHERIES RESEARCH AND WATER QUALITY INITIATIVES. RESULTS OF THE LOON COUNT WERE SHARED AND EXPLAINED AND GUIDELINES INCLUDED ABOUT LOON-FRIENDLY PRACTICES WHILE ON OR NEAR THE WATER. AN ARTICLE SUMMARIZING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TRUST'S SUMMER INTERN SHARED HIS IMPRESSIONS OF THE WATERSHED AND, IMPORTANTLY, THE RESULTS OF AN INVASIVE PLANTS SURVEY HE HAD CONDUCTED. THE INTERN CONCLUDED THAT HE WAS "AMAZED AT THE BIODIVERSITY AND LACK OF INVASIVES" IN THE WATERSHED. 47210 true true false false false false true false false true true false true false 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 false false false true 9 0 true 0 false false false false false false false false X 20 18 true false false false true true true true true false false false true true true false false false false false X X KYLE MCCASKILL 2078354535 PO BOX 5660 AUGUSTA ME 04332 BURNHAM CHARLES DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 CAPOFREDDI MATTHEW TREASURER 1.50 X X 0 0 0 COBB JAYSEN DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 DOUGHERTY ANNE PRESIDENT 1.50 X X 0 0 0 DRUMMOND KATE DIRECTOR 0.50 X 4000 0 0 EKSTROM ELIZABETH DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 GIBSON JOHN DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 GILL CHAS DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JACKSON CHRISTINA DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 CHRIS LEO DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 MCKENNA GENE DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 MESSINGER ANNIE VICE PRESIDE 1.50 X X 0 0 0 NORRIS JIM DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 PELUSO MIKE DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 PEPPARD DAVID DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 PEPPARD ISAIAH DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 PIERCE DEREK DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 PODKAMINER JANE DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 SOULE DAVID CLERK/SECRET 1.50 X X 0 0 0 WALLACE DAVID DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 4000 false false false 73474 6670 24156 104300 PROGRAMS 110000 373 373 373 54188 54188 547497 539892 7605 7605 7605 6670 MAP MERCHANDISE 110000 1021 1021 1021 167487 1394 61793 X 4000 4000 58762 29638 20434 8690 2598 2598 9322 9322 13247 13247 5200 1870 1204 2126 3219 287 132 2800 1439 1185 254 6262 536 5726 FUNDRAISING EXP PROGRAM 1755 1755 BANKING/CC EXPENSES 1188 1188 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 1100 1100 BOARD EXPENSES 322 322 -4563 -5223 640 20 103851 47210 41563 15078 50282 57323 991765 1018358 741198 9469 731729 731729 1022162 1146324 2795938 2953734 90 13 90 13 X 2795848 2953721 2795848 2953721 2795938 2953734 63636 94237 X false false X 303088 225447 339448 194303 104300 1166586 303088 225447 339448 194303 104300 1166586 1166586 11089 6702 5823 20041 54188 97843 17229 14831 2430 7691 42181 1306610 3824 0.89280 0.94980 X PART II, LINE 10 FUNDRAISING EVENT - ANNUAL MTG 37,498 SALE OF ITEMS 4,683 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X 7 1152.00 1 1 true 4000 684456 14088 698544 689252 1 4797 684456 479469 220879 7 11103 689252 393413 104500 19 18463 479469 229203 181569 13 17372 393413 0.03370 0.96630 false false 382724 382724 8760 -8760 9469 709 8760 349005 349005 731729 HM PAYSON 1146324 F 1146324 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 1, PART II, LINE 5 MWWT HAS A WRITTEN MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT POLICY. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 1, PART II, LINE 9 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TWO EASEMENTS, THE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ARE NOT TREATED AS ASSETS IN THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE NO VALUE. NO NEW EASEMENTS IN THE CURRENT YEAR. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XIII PART II, LINE 3 - MODIFICATION OF EASEMENT - THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT AMENDMENT REDUCED THE SIZE OF THE AREA WHERE BUILDING IS ALLOWED, ADJUSTING ITS BOUNDARIES, AND THE AMOUNT OF DEVELOPMENT PERMITTED. THE AMENDMENT ALSO PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL TIMBER HARVESTING AND SET A FIRM LIMIT FOR THE NUMBER OF SPORTING CAMP GUESTS PERMITTED ON THE PROPERTY. KATE DRUMMOND DIRECTOR 4000 EDUCATION PROG COORD false FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A LAND PROTECTION MWWT WORKS COOPERATIVELY WITH OTHER WATERSHED LANDOWNERS TO CONSERVE THE WILDLIFE, WATER QUALITY, AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE PIERCE POND WATERSHED. MWWT HAS CONSERVED 10,500 ACRES AND OVER 30 MILES OF SHORELINE, THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND LAND. MWWT HAS ESTABLISHED AGREEMENTS WITH TWO SPORTING CAMPS TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED TRADITIONAL OPERATION OF THESE HISTORIC CAMPS. IN 2023 MWWT CONTINUED ITS EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF ACQUISITION OF THE 6,800 ACRES OF WATERSHED LANDS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER COMMERCIAL TIMBER MANAGEMENT. UPON LEARNING OF PERSONNEL CHANGES AT WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY, MWWT'S LEADERSHIP MET WITH THE NEW STAFF TO REMIND THEM OF WHERE WE STAND AND WHAT OUR GOALS ARE, AND DISCUSS HOW THEY MIGHT BE MET IN THE FUTURE. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B STEWARDSHIP DURING 2023 MWWT CONTINUED EFFORTS TO ENFORCE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT THAT HAD BEEN VIOLATED IN 2022. OUR ATTORNEY NEGOTIATED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LANDOWNER, WHICH INCLUDED REIMBURSING MWWT FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR ENFORCEMENT EXPENSES,COMMISSIONING A NEW PROPERTY SURVEY, AND OBTAINING APPROVAL FROM THE MAINE LAND USE PLANNING COMMISSION. BY THE END OF 2023, THE VIOLATION HAD BEEN RECTIFIED AND THE EASEMENT HAD BEEN AMENDED TO THE SATISFACTION OF ALL PARTIES. IN ADDITION, THE TRUST BEGAN WORKING ON A PLAN TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH LANDOWNERS ON OUR EASEMENT LANDS, IN HOPES OF PREVENTING FUTURE EASEMENT VIOLATIONS. IN 2023 MWWT HIRED A SUMMER INTERN FOR THE FIRST TIME, VIA COLLABORATIONS WITH MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST AND SOMERSET WOODS TRUSTEES THAT OFFSET A LARGE PORTION OF THE COSTS. THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THE TRUST OBTAINED ASSISTANCE WITH STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS INCLUDING TRAIL MAINTENANCE, INVASIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT, AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES, AND WAS ABLE TO INTRODUCE A COLLEGE STUDENT TO THE PIERCE POND WATERSHED. MWWT ORGANIZED AN EFFORT AMONG CONTRACTORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND OUR SUMMER INTERN TO ENSURE THAT TRAILS WERE CLEARED OF WINTER BLOWDOWNS BEFORE THE START OF THE 2023 HIKING SEASON. THE TRUST ALSO ENGAGED A CONTRACTOR, ASSISTED BY OUR INTERN, TO INSTALL MUCH-NEEDED BOG BRIDGING ON THE TRAIL TO SPLIT ROCK POND. ON JULY 28, VOLUNTEERS FINISHED THE REMAINDER OF THE ANNUAL TRAIL MAINTENANCE DURING ANNUAL VOLUNTEER TRAIL-WORK DAY. IN 2023, MWWT TOOK STEPS TO ENSURE THAT FOX ISLAND, WHICH IS A POPULAR CAMPING ISLAND THAT HAD BEEN DEVASTATED BY A MICROBURST STORM, COULD BE SAFELY USED AGAIN, BY HIRING A FORESTER AND AN ARBORIST TO TAKE DOWN / CLEAR AWAY UNSAFE TREES. MWWT ALSO CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF THE ISLAND PRIVIES AND IDENTIFIED PRIVY LOCATIONS THAT WOULD PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND POND WATER QUALITY. MEMBERS OF MWWT'S STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF WATERSHED LANDOWNER WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY DURING 2023 TO PROMOTE CONTINUED OPEN DIALOGUE ABOUT STEWARDING THE WATERSHED. THEY DISCUSSED ROAD ACCESS, CAMPSITES, AND REMOTE-POND PROTECTION MEASURES. IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE BEGAN DEVELOPING A PLAN TO INCREASE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT AQUATIC INVASIVES. IN 2023 THE MWWT BOARD VOTED TO CREATE A FISHERIES AND WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE TO DO THE FOLLOWING: BEGIN A WATER-QUALITY MONITORING (WQM) PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INITIATE AN ANGLERS SURVEY TO RECORD CATCHES AND METHODS AND TRACK WHAT FISH ARE EATING COMMISSION A TELEMETRY STUDY WITH THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE FISH MOVEMENTS AND SPAWNING LOCATIONS. ANGLERS SURVEYS WERE DISTRIBUTED AND COLLECTED, AND THE WQM AND TELEMETRY EFFORTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN 2024. IN 2023 THE TRUST CONTINUED TO OFFER UPDATED WATERSHED MAPS FOR SALE TO MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH ITS WEBSITE, IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION TO PRESERVE THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE OF THE AREA. THE PRINTED MAPS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED IN 2022 WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A GIS DATA TECHNICIAN, AND INCLUDE INSETS DETAILING HIKING TRAILS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C EDUCATION BUILDING ON THE TRUST'S 2022 EFFORTS AT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, IN 2023 THE TRUST CONDUCTED A BIRDING TOUR IN LATE JUNE AND AN OUTDOOR RECREATION DAY IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, WHICH INCLUDED A FLY-FISHING CLINIC AND A MUSHROOM-IDENTIFICATION HIKE. THE INCOME GENERATED AND THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED WAS SMALL. HOWEVER, THE PROGRAMS MOVED THE TRUST CLOSER TO ACHIEVING ITS GOALS. FIRST, THE BIRDING PROGRAM ATTRACTED A FIRST TIME VISITOR TO THE WATERSHED, WHICH ADDRESSES THE GOAL OF ENGAGING NEW PEOPLE. SECOND, THE EDUCATION COORDINATOR COLLABORATED WITH HARRISON'S CAMPS, COBB'S CAMPS, THE MAINE MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM, AND MAINE AUDUBON, CREATING AND FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS FOR POTENTIAL FUTURE PARTNERSHIPS. THIRD, THE PROGRAMS GENERATED DATA, FEEDBACK, AND LEARNING THAT CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE FUTURE PROGRAMMING SHOULD THE TRUST DECIDE TO CONTINUE WITH ITS EDUCATION GOALS. DURING 2023, MWWT PARTNERED WITH MAINE AUDUBON ON THE PIERCE POND LOON COUNT, ENABLING US TO INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THE ANNUAL COUNT TO INCLUDE ALL THREE PONDS (LOWER, MIDDLE, AND UPPER). THIS IMPORTANT CITIZEN-SCIENCE PROJECT -HELD EVERY YEAR ON THE THIRD SATURDAY IN JULY- HELPS TRACK AND UNDERSTAND POPULATIONS OF THIS ICONIC SPECIES. MWWT'S ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING, BANQUET, AND AUCTION WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 1, 2023, AND AFTER TWO YEARS OF VIRTUAL EVENTS DURING COVID, THERE WAS MUCH ANTICIPATION ABOUT RETURNING TO AN IN-PERSON EVENT. HOWEVER, THE EVENT WAS POSTPONED BY THE VENUE FOR THREE WEEKS UNTIL APRIL 22, CAUSING A GREAT DEAL OF INCONVENIENCE AND DISRUPTION FOR ATTENDEES AND ORGANIZERS ALIKE. NEVERTHELESS, ATTENDANCE AT THE RESCHEDULED EVENT WAS ROBUST AT 100 GUESTS, AND THE RAFFLE AND SILENT AUCTION TOGETHER RAISED 6,670 TO SUPPORT MWWT'S WORK IN THE PIERCE POND WATERSHED. THE FELLOWSHIP GENERATED BY A RETURN TO AN IN-PERSON EVENT WAS PALPABLE, BUILDING A WELL OF SUPPORT FOR WATERSHED PROTECTION THAT WILL CARRY FORWARD. THE 2023 MWWT NEWSLETTER, WHICH IS MAILED TO ALL MEMBERS AND ALSO PUBLISHED ONLINE, CAME OUT IN OCTOBER, WITH THE FEATURE ARTICLE EDUCATING MEMBERS ABOUT THE NEW FISHERIES RESEARCH AND WATER QUALITY INITIATIVES. RESULTS OF THE LOON COUNT WERE SHARED AND EXPLAINED AND GUIDELINES INCLUDED ABOUT LOON-FRIENDLY PRACTICES WHILE ON OR NEAR THE WATER. AN ARTICLE SUMMARIZING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TRUST'S SUMMER INTERN SHARED HIS IMPRESSIONS OF THE WATERSHED AND, IMPORTANTLY, THE RESULTS OF AN INVASIVE PLANTS SURVEY HE HAD CONDUCTED. THE INTERN CONCLUDED THAT HE WAS "AMAZED AT THE BIODIVERSITY AND LACK OF INVASIVES" IN THE WATERSHED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2 DAVID PEPPARD ISAIAH PEPPARD DIRECTOR DIRECTOR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP CHARLES BURNHAM BETH EKSTROM DIRECTOR DIRECTOR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 6 ONE CLASS OF MEMBERSHIP OPEN TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING AN INDIVIDUAL, TRUST, ESTATE, PARTNERSHIP, ASSOCIATION, MUNICIPALITY, COMPANY OR CORPORATION, THAT MAKES A CONTRIBUTION IN CASH OR IN KIND WHICH IS IN KEEPING WITH THE POLICIES OF THE CORPORATION SHALL BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CORPORATION. MEMBERSHIP OF ANY MEMBER SHALL TERMINATE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD FOR WHICH SAID MEMBER HAS MADE AN APPROPRIATE CONTRIBUTION. THE BY-LAWS "PROHIBITION AGAINST PRIVATE GAIN", STATES NO OFFICER, DIRECTOR, OR MEMBER SHALL RECEIVE ANY PAY, COMPENSATION, OR BENEFIT FROM MWWT FOR THEIR DUTIES OR MEMBERSHIP. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 7A FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING, EACH MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING IS ENTITLED TO ONE VOTE, AT MEETINGS CALLED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING DIRECTORS AND TRANSACTING OTHER BUSINESS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 7B THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL BE ELECTED FROM THE MEMBERSHIP AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION BY THE MEMBERS. THE BOARD MANAGES THE PROPERTY, AFFAIRS, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CORPORATION. MEMBERS MAY ALSO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS EXPRESSLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF REMOVAL OF THE ENTIRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR ANY INDIVIDUAL DIRECTOR MAY BE REMOVED, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE, BY VOTE OF A 2/3 MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS PRESENT AND VOTING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B REVIEWED AND SIGNED BY THE TREASURER. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C ONGOING DISCUSSIONS AT BOARD MEETINGS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 NO OTHER DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CARETAKER/MONITORING SERVICE 8,000 0 0 STEWARDSHIP 1,250 0 0 OTHER CONTRACT SERVICES 3,997 0 0 TOTAL 13,247 0 0