2025-11-12T12:01:29-08:00 2024-12-31 810390489 Boyle Deveny & Meyer PC 305 South 4th East Suite 200 Missoula MT 59801 990 2024-01-01 311595967 BITTER ROOT LAND TRUST BITT 4063750956 PO BOX 1806 HAMILTON MT 59840 Lauren Rennaker Executive Dir. 2025-11-12 true true Jaime Ward CPA P00441760 4067213555 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Lauren Rennaker 1396515 false X WWW.BITTERROOTLANDTRUST.ORG X 1997 MT BRLT PARTNERS WITH LANDOWNERS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO CONSERVE the WATER, WILDLIFE, AND WORKING FARMS AND RANCHES IN MONTANA'S BITTERROOT VALLEY FOR all GENERATIONS, utilizing conservation easements, fee purchases, and proactive land stewardship. 13 13 11 120 0 1238946 1350904 0 34306 25483 17536 12677 1290788 1389064 0 0 746419 856617 0 107177 392038 361553 1138457 1218170 152331 170894 3331407 3688772 515716 511485 2815691 3177287 BRLT PARTNERS WITH LANDOWNERS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO CONSERVE the WATER, WILDLIFE, AND WORKING FARMS AND RANCHES IN MONTANA'S BITTERROOT VALLEY FOR all GENERATIONS, utilizing conservation easements, fee purchases, and proactive land stewardship. false false 957170 In 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust advanced its mission of building a lasting conservation legacy in the Bitterroot Valley by partnering with local families and the broader community to conserve working farms and ranches, wildlife and fisheries habitat, scenic open lands, and public recreational opportunities. Together, these efforts protected more than 520 acres from Stevensville to Victor, preserving prime agricultural soils and habitat for elk, mule deer, and other wildlife. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. 957170 true true false false false false true true false true true false false false false false true false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 14 0 true 11 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 13 13 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true false true true true false X X BITTER ROOT LAND TRUST 4063750956 170 S SECOND ST STE B HAMILTON MT 59840 GAVIN RICKLEFS Executive Dir. 40.00 0.00 X 110017 0 0 LAUREN RENNAKER Executive Dir. 40.00 0.00 X 99267 0 0 JEAN STEELE Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MEGHAN HANSON Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL BRADT Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN ORMISTON Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MORGAN WEBER Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TORI NOBLES Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 HEATHER MENNING Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KATHIE MESSER Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BRET YOUNG Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LYNN THURBER Treasurer 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW MASSIE President 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TONIA BLOOM Secretary 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ROGER GANTZ Vice President 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 209284 1 false false false 0 152415 1198489 180195 1350904 0 25483 25483 0 0 0 0 20128 7451 12677 12677 0 0 0 1389064 38160 0 0 0 0 209284 159284 30000 20000 0 517420 405089 73885 38446 13533 10826 1489 1218 61095 48876 6720 5499 55285 44228 6081 4976 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6812 6812 36203 24984 7480 3739 0 0 40166 32132 4275 3759 0 0 0 22108 22108 0 3742 100 3642 8299 3300 4999 PROJECT & STEWARDSHIP EXP 116846 116846 PROFESSIONAL FEES 36249 24062 1675 10512 TRAVEL, MEALS & ENTERTAINMENT 27841 22273 4176 1392 DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE 22776 11388 7516 3872 40511 31674 1885 6952 1218170 957170 153823 107177 911924 538085 530480 43968 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 641021 17748 625976 623273 1149899 2389236 0 0 0 113128 94210 3331407 3688772 32674 52372 471565 459113 11477 515716 511485 X 2782018 3073614 33673 103673 2815691 3177287 3331407 3688772 170894 190702 X X false true X true false X 1109235 1305488 1341434 1238946 1350904 6346007 0 0 1109235 1305488 1341434 1238946 1350904 6346007 620927 5725080 15316 14853 16498 34306 25483 106456 0 0 6452463 0.88730 0.88970 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X 57 13 1 true 20 92569 false 84440 false 373966 92260 27417 3597 490046 148055 212334 18015 4438 373966 80195 2571 65580 291 148055 35970 42279 1946 80195 12461 23058 451 35970 1.00000 false false false 615000 615000 26021 17748 8273 623273 1578064 190702 190702 1387362 1702 1702 1389064 1216468 1216468 1702 1702 1218170 Part II, Line 9: Organization Reporting of conservation easements. THE BITTER ROOT LAND TRUST EXPENSES IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ANY COSTS OF ACQUISITION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS REPRESENT RIGHTS TO RESTRICT THE USE OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES. BY ACCEPTING AN EASEMENT CONTRIBUTION, THE BITTER ROOT LAND TRUST COMMITS TO PROTECTING THE EASEMENT RESTRICTIONS IN PERPETUITY. THE EASEMENTS HAVE NO MARKET VALUE AS THEY TECHNICALLY CANNOT BE SOLD BUT REMAIN ATTACHED AS A DEEDED RESTRICTION TO THE PROPERTY AND ACCORDINGLY ARE NOT INCLUDED AS ASSETS OF THE ORGANIZATION SINCE THE UNDERLYING PROPERTY TO WHICH THE EASEMENT IS ATTACHED IS NOT OWNED BY THE ORGANIZATION. Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. THE PURPOSE OF THE ENDOWMENT FUND IS TO SUSTAIN THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK INTO THE FUTURE ONCE THE FUND IS CAPITALIZED. X X X X X X X false MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS - SEE SCHED. O 20128 20128 7451 20128 20128 7451 7451 12677 X 5 180195 false false false Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE PROVIDED A COPY OF THE 990 PRIOR TO SUBMISSION Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c THE ORGANIZATION HAS A WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE PROCEDURE FOR ADDRESSING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IS PROVIDED IN THE POLICY AND ADHERED TO BY THE BOARD. INSIDERS SIGN THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY IS DETERMINED ANNUALLY BY THE FULL BOARD USING STATE AND REGIONAL COMPARISON DATA AND RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS 990, 1023, GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD TO PERFORM THE OVERSIGHT FUNCTION FOR THE SELECTION AND THE WORK PERFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. PART III, Line 4a Program Service Area 1: Conservation ProjectsBitter Root Land Trust partnered with local families and the community to conserve 520 acres in Stevensville and Victor in 2024. This included two new conservation easements that safeguarded a diverse range of community and natural benefits.Program Service Area 2: Conservation Easement Monitoring, Stewardship, and Land Management/EnhancementThe Stewardship program monitored all 57 of our conservation easements and fee land holdings in 2024.Program Service Area 3: Conservation EducationIn 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust advanced its mission of building a lasting conservation legacy in the Bitterroot Valley by partnering with local families and the broader community to conserve working farms and ranches, wildlife and fisheries habitat, scenic open lands, and public recreational opportunities. Together, these efforts protected more than 520 acres from Stevensville to Victor, preserving prime agricultural soils and habitat for elk, mule deer, and other wildlife. BRLT staff secured and spent $1,669,000 from public sources to purchase conservation easements on these properties. These funds were paid directly to landowners at closing and, accordingly, are not reflected as revenue or expenses of BRLT in this 990. BRLT also continued its partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to implement a $4.9 million grant designed to diversify agricultural conservation, support beginning farmers and ranchers, and accelerate the pace of conservation in the Bitterroot Valley. Through this program, BRLT completed one project in 2024, partnering with Danny Roy to permanently conserve 176 acres. As in past years, staff also monitored all 57 existing conservation easements, along with BRLTs fee title property. In addition to land conservation, Bitter Root Land Trust once again invested in conservation education programs to raise community awareness among both adults and students about the importance of the Bitterroot Valleys water, wildlife, and working agricultural lands. BRLT hosted IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild concert, held at the Sunset Bench Conservation Easement in Stevensville, which brought community members together to experience music on conserved land. BRLT staff partnered with other organizations and governmental entities, as well as participated in community events to expand conservation education opportunities for all ages.Program Service Area 1: Conservation Project Work Fishing and Recreational Access Projects:In 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust continued its partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Bitterroot National Forest to enhance recreation infrastructure at the C. Ben White Memorial Fishing Access Site and Trailhead near Conner, MT. Through this partnership, planning continued for the installation of a pit toilet to better serve visitors enjoying the area. Completed Conservation Projects: I.In January 2024, Danny Roy partnered with the Bitter Root Land Trust to conserve his 176-acre family ranch near Victor, MT. The propertys diverse landscape of timber, wetlands, and open meadows provide exceptional habitat for wildlife, including elk, white-tailed deer, sandhill crane, moose, and turkeys. Located near several completed and in-progress conservation easements, this working ranch provides a corridor for wildlife to travel safely from the cover of the Bitterroot National Forest to neighboring ranchlands below. Funding for the Roy easement was provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program.II. In October 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust completed the 344-acre Ellison conservation easement with siblings Dan, Mike, Sarah, Cathy, and Rebecca in Stevensville, MT. Situated northeast of downtown Stevensville, the ranch is an expansion of the more than 7,000 acres of contiguous private conservation easements completed by local landowners in partnership with Bitter Root Land Trust and other organizations in the Burnt Fork neighborhood. Bisected by North Burnt Fork Creek, the ranch will continue to be critical habitat for wildlife including white-tailed and mule deer, turkeys, great blue heron, a variety of waterfowl, great-horned owls, sandhill cranes, and many raptor species. Funding for the Ellison easement came from the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program and Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE).In addition to completing critical conservation projects, Bitter Root Land Trust staff worked with local and federal partners to advance agricultural conservation programs in the Bitterroot Valley that promote farmland protection, agricultural diversification, and generational succession. Interest from landowners continued to grow, with staff meeting dozens of families exploring conservation options. These conversations led to new projects slated to move forward in 2024 and beyond. Through partnerships with local landowners, the NRCS, and the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program, many families are choosing to conserve their lands for future generations. Program Service Area 2: Conservation Easement Monitoring, Stewardship, and Land Management/Enhancement I.Conservation Easement Monitoring and Enforcement: Bitter Root Land Trust remained committed to upholding Land Trust Commission Accreditation Standards in 2024. Bitter Root Land Trust staff monitored all 57 of our existing conservation easements and our fee land holdings in 2024, ensuring that terms have not been violated and that conservation objectives remain intact. We invested further time in developing and maintaining relationships with existing easement holders to ensure that the conservation objectives agreed to by landowners and the land trust are being upheld. II.Land Management/Enhancement: Bitter Root Land Trust staff have continued to look for other opportunities for value-added land management grants to continue providing ongoing support to Bitter Root Land Trusts conservation easement donors and their neighbors.Program Service Area 3: Conservation Education In 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust expanded meaningful, on-the-ground conservation education. In place of the Annual Barn Dance, the Land Trust hosted the IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild concert, where 400+ community members enjoyed a classical music performance set outdoors on conserved lands in Stevensvilles Sunset Bench. To celebrate the conservation success made possible by volunteers, donors, and our community, BRLT hosted a Conservation Party in the Park for families at Skalkaho Bend Park, a riverside public access project that BRLT created for our community. Staff also regularly engaged with the community by participating in the Hamilton Farmers Market, two local youth conservation events, and other events across the Bitterroot Valley to provide conservation education. As an added opportunity for outreach, the Land Trust partnered with the Hamilton Downtown Association to advertise with banners throughout Main Street of downtown Hamilton, raising awareness of efforts to preserve the Bitterroot Valleys water, wildlife, and working lands.Bitter Root Land Trust staff focused on print and electronic media as a means of educating and connecting the community to conservation throughout 2024. Newsletters, postcards, and earned media provided opportunities to educate the community about the importance of water, wildlife, working lands, and community recreation. Similarly, staff increased the frequency of electronic communications, including social media and regular informational electronic news posts. Part X, Line 10(a) Of the $680,155 total in fixed assets, $615,000 consists of 160 Acres of land in ten parcels purchased by BRLT in 2022 for the Eastside Project. This land, which hosts a wide variety of wildlife and is prominently visible from the mid-valley, was likely to be converted to other uses prior to BRLT's acquisition. This asset is held directly for BRLT's programmatic conservation purposes.