2025-08-07T11:11:11-05:00 2024-09-30 860683059 BEACHFLEISCHMAN PLLC 1985 E RIVER ROAD SUITE 201 TUCSON AZ 85718 990 2023-10-01 860111675 ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM ARIZ 5208831380 2021 NORTH KINNEY ROAD TUCSON AZ 857439719 HOLLIE COLAHAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 5208831380 2025-08-01 1 1 MONICA A VERA CPA P01456278 5203214600 2025-08-01 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z HOLLIE COLAHAN 2021 NORTH KINNEY ROAD TUCSON AZ 857439719 25867377 0 X WWW.DESERTMUSEUM.ORG X 1952 AZ SONORAN DESERT EDUCATION THROUGH ZOOLOGICAL, BOTANICAL, GEOLOGICAL, ART, AND CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS. 17 15 236 582 506858 237335 5173981 5712960 8431062 8095876 -217014 629258 1853883 1811321 15241912 16249415 0 0 0 0 7985314 8627356 0 0 428740 5466685 6018240 13451999 14645596 1789913 1603819 56729954 66126728 1856727 2034323 54873227 64092405 X WE INSPIRE PEOPLE TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE NATURAL WORLD BY FOSTERING LOVE, APPRECIATION, AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE SONORAN DESERT. 0 0 8947467 8091183 THE ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM IS A WORLD-RENOWNED BIOPARK COMPRISED OF MULTIPLE COMPONENTS, INCLUDING REGIONAL ZOO, BOTANICAL GARDEN, AQUARIUM, RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, ART INSTITUTE, AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM SITS ON 98 ACRES OF LEASED PROPERTY, 21 OF WHICH ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, WITH 2 MILES OF WALKING PATHS WHERE GUESTS VIEW EXHIBITS THAT REALISTICALLY RE-CREATE THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE VIBRANT SONORAN DESERT REGION. VISITORS MAY ENCOUNTER MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED ANIMAL SPECIES, CURATED GARDENS WITH OVER ONE THOUSAND VARIETIES OF PLANTS, TWO ART GALLERIES, AND A SIMULATED CAVE WITH A MINERAL GALLERY. THE MUSEUM IS OPEN FOR PUBLIC VISITATION EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. SINCE ITS OPENING IN 1952, OVER 24 MILLION PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAVE VISITED THE MUSEUM. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, ATTENDANCE AT THE MUSEUM WAS 389,082 VISITORS AND THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS.EXHIBITS AND GARDENS: THE MUSEUM HOSTED 389,082 VISITORS IN FY 2024.THE MUSEUM'S LARGEST AND MOST IMPACTFUL PROGRAM IS ITS EXHIBITS AND GARDENS. THE MUSEUM MAINTAINS 21 INTERPRETED ACRES WITH TWO MILES OF WALKING PATHS THROUGH VARIOUS DESERT HABITATS, OVER TWO HUNDRED ANIMAL SPECIES, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PLANT SPECIMENS FROM MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND TAXA, ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL MINERAL COLLECTIONS, AND TWO ART GALLERIES. EXIT SURVEYS REVEAL THE IMPACT OF A DESERT MUSEUM VISIT: VISITORS TELL US THAT THEY LEARN ABOUT NEW SUBJECTS AND ISSUES, THEY FEEL CLOSER TO NATURE, AND THEY HAVE A DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR THE SONORAN DESERT AFTER THEIR VISIT. 1987355 907381 CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND SCIENCE PROGRAMSSINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1952, THE ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM HAS PUT CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND SCIENCE AT THE CORE OF ITS MISSION. FROM HELPING TO ESTABLISH PROTECTED ISLANDS AND COASTAL WETLANDS IN THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA, TO BREEDING AND REINTRODUCTION PROGRAMS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES SUCH AS THE MEXICAN GRAY WOLF, THICK-BILLED PARROT, AND NUMEROUS FISH, AMPHIBIANS, AND REPTILES, TO DOCUMENTING THE BIODIVERSITY THAT HELPED ESTABLISH THE IRONWOOD FOREST NATIONAL MONUMENT, THE MUSEUM'S CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN WIDELY RECOGNIZED FOR MANY DECADES. OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE ARE THE MUSEUM'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS WHICH TOUCH NEARLY A HALF MILLION PEOPLE EACH YEAR, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THESE PROGRAMS HELP TO FOSTER LOVE, APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR DESERT HOME. 680199 210651 ART INSTITUTETHE MISSION OF THE ASDM ART INSTITUTE IS "CONSERVATION THROUGH ART EDUCATION." WE SEEK TO ENGAGE PEOPLE IN NATURE-FOCUSED ART CLASSES AND INSPIRE NEW CONSERVATION ADVOCATES. TO THIS END, WE OFFER ART CLASSES, ART EXHIBITS, AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE MUSEUM'S ART COLLECTION. ART CLASSES: ART PROFESSIONALS TEACH ALL ART CLASSES, AND CLASS CONTENT EMPHASIZES OUR LIVING COLLECTIONS AND SONORAN DESERT SETTING. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, THE ART INSTITUTE SERVED 1,129 STUDENTS ON-SITE. 25 INSTRUCTORS TAUGHT 159 DIFFERENT ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES. FOUR STUDENTS GRADUATED FROM THE NATURE ART CERTIFICATE PROGRAM AND 102 BRAND NEW STUDENTS ENTERED THE PROGRAM. ON OUR WEBSITE, WE OFFER 10 FREE VIDEOS, VIEWED BY OVER 1,200 PEOPLE. WE ALSO PROVIDE A VIDEO CLASS SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE; IT CURRENTLY HAS 148 SUBSCRIBERS AND 240 VIDEOS.TOTAL AUDIENCE SERVED IN 2024: 2,477PERMANENT COLLECTION:VANISHING CIRCLES IS A PERMANENT ART COLLECTION COMPRISING 92 ORIGINAL PAINTINGS DEPICTING DISAPPEARING WILDLIFE, PLANTS, AND HABITATS OF THE SONORAN DESERT. IN ADDITION, THE MUSEUM HAS A SMALL PERMANENT COLLECTION OF 49 ART PIECES NAMED THE SONORAN COLLECTION. WE ALSO HAVE A COLLECTION OF 73 WORKS BY SHERIDAN OMAN, 108 BY MANABU SAITO, AND 68 BY RHONDA SPENCER. IN 2020, WE ACQUIRED A COLLECTION OF 23 ORIGINAL SCRATCHBOARD PIECES BY PRISCILLA BALDWIN DEPICTING ANIMALS FROM THE MUSEUM. THIS COLLECTION IS NOW ON PERMANENT DISPLAY IN THE BALDWIN BUILDING. IN 2024 WE PURCHASED A SCULPTURE FOR THE GROUNDS CALLED "MORE BEES PLEASE" IT SERVES TO CALL AWARENESS TO OUR POLLINATOR GARDENSTOTAL COLLECTION PIECES IN 2024: 432GALLERY EXHIBITS:WE HOST 8 TO 12 UNIQUE ART EXHIBITS ANNUALLY IN THE IRONWOOD GALLERY AND BALDWIN EDUCATION GALLERY. THESE ART EXHIBITS SERVE THE MISSION OF THE DESERT MUSEUM BY MANIFESTING THE BEAUTY OF THE SONORAN HABITAT AND WILDLIFE TO OUR VISITORS THROUGH VISUAL ARTS. IN 2025, WE HAD 48,575 VISITORS IN OUR IRONWOOD GALLERIES AND 4,800 IN OUR BALDWIN GALLERIES. IN TOTAL, WE PRODUCED AND OPENED TEN UNIQUE ART EXHIBITS. THESE LIVE SHOWS ARE AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY ON OUR WEBSITE, MAKING THEM ACCESSIBLE TO AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE.THIRTY-SIX VOLUNTEERS STAFF OUR GALLERIES. THEIR JOB IS TO FACILITATE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN GUESTS AND EXHIBITS; THEY HELP VISITORS DEEPEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN ART, SCIENCE, AND CONSERVATION.IN 2024, WE HOSTED A MUSEUM WIDE GLASS AND STEEL SCULPTURE EXHIBITION. SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE SHOW 2025 ENDED, THE ARTIST PERMANENTLY LOANED US A GLASS AND STEEL SCULPTURE OF MONARCH BUTTERFLIES TO RESIDE IN OUR BUTTERFLY GARDEN. GALLERY ACTIVITY IN 2025: 10 EXHIBITS, 53,375 VISITORS 11615021 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 93 0 1 236 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 17 15 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X X AMANDA PERKINS CFO 5208833012 2021 NORTH KINNEY ROAD TUCSON AZ 857439719 CAROLYN CARSON CFO THROUGH OCT 2023 40.00 X 203366 0 15330 CRAIG IVANYI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X X 183461 0 29542 BRIAN DENHAM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 40.00 X 127199 0 19683 LYNNAE WENKER DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY 40.00 X 123113 0 13077 STEPHANE POULIN DIRECTOR OF COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITS 40.00 X 109155 0 19603 BRENT KAMINSKY INTERIM CFO, OCT-JAN 40.00 X 66330 0 0 ANNA HEYER VICE CHAIR 2.00 X X 980 0 0 CHERYL CHARLES TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTINE FLANAGAN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 RUSKIN HARTLEY TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ABBY HUNGWE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 KELSEY DAYLE JOHN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 HEATHER KANTOR TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 FAITH LISTON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 LEE MCLAUGHLIN TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 BEN MINTEER TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOAQUIN MURRIERTA-SALDIVAR TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT OJEDA TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 BOBBY PRESENT TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARY PRICE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CAITLIN RIGGS TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALEXANDER SCHAUSS TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID SMALLHOUSE TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 R JAY TEJERA TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEPHEN BRIGHAM IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR 2.00 X 0 0 0 LISA HARRIS CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID BAKER TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JANA SUTTON SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 AMANDA PERKINS CFO AS OF JAN 2024 40.00 X 0 0 0 813604 0 97235 5 0 1 0 DARK HORSE MEDIA LLC 4441 E 5TH STREET TUCSON AZ 85711 MEDIA MARKETING 193127 NEXTRIO LLC 4803 E 5TH STREET 103 TUCSON AZ 85711 IT MANAGED SERVICES 182721 SOUTH OF THE BORDER TOURS 7937 E CORONADO ROAD TUCSON AZ 85750 TOUR GUIDE SERVICES 166920 TECHNICAL BUILDING SERVICES 1701 S 4TH AVENUE TUCSON AZ 85713 EQUIPMENT REPAIR 161945 PNC MERCHANT SERVICES ONE PNC PLAZA PITTSBURGH PA 15265 CREDIT CARD MERCHANT FEES 145514 5 157828 127826 1198416 4228890 874027 5712960 ADMISSIONS 712110 5141502 5141502 MEMBERSHIP DUES 712110 1836342 1836342 EDUCATION 712110 907381 907381 ART INSTITUTE 712110 210651 210651 8095876 1291826 1291826 5678 5678 267469 33266 81286 0 186183 33266 219449 33266 186183 7749240 4500 8416308 0 -667068 4500 -662568 -662568 118765 127826 124402 -5637 -5637 4900 0 4900 4900 2572014 995966 1576048 1069190 506858 OTHER MISC. REVENUE 713990 6325 6325 VENDING MACHINES 713990 4558 4558 10883 16249415 9209215 506858 820382 647005 150606 496399 6385305 5420547 754053 210705 136986 108518 21769 6699 848959 718449 114068 16442 609101 499588 92637 16876 20617 17986 2211 420 71650 71650 132444 132444 826017 382303 434849 8865 319127 1838 316701 588 716895 631776 3947 81172 182217 104487 10210 67520 2471 2471 514338 514338 336141 329473 2165 4503 49049 30095 10937 8017 1157552 1135097 20025 2430 276064 270708 4776 580 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR 560072 560072 OTHER EXPENSES 463918 441839 18156 3923 ANIMAL CARE 294830 294830 UBTI EXCISE TAX 94838 94838 14645596 11615021 2601835 428740 742174 1999171 313970 725179 280622 361418 198557 183476 686598 656719 276301 320102 46481026 34110429 11298898 12370597 35633716 40633771 7299118 8876295 56729954 66126728 1068919 962255 779220 1015830 8588 56238 1856727 2034323 X 37755347 43002375 17117880 21090030 54873227 64092405 56729954 66126728 1603819 8001895 -386536 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 7508875 11200316 15416053 4090165 4807681 43023090 4184517 5168795 8987719 10212150 9861676 38414857 110080 112299 96345 85025 102594 506343 11803472 16481410 24500117 14387340 14771951 81944290 2028933 3113311 9222806 588385 18545 14971980 0 2028933 3113311 9222806 588385 18545 14971980 66972310 770320 718792 1245849 1299624 1564973 5599558 198718 235681 188495 622894 770320 718792 1444567 1535305 1753468 6222452 27259 37221 101973 31126 4900 202479 3317867 998791 802685 5119343 12601051 17237423 29364524 16952562 17333004 93488564 0.71640 0.70290 0.06660 0.06430 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X X X 1 26740108 1769817 4930245 1721049 103729 31615392 23336201 2072916 2334977 943278 60708 26740108 23331734 4006085 -4091116 -178176 88678 23336201 12889577 3812346 1821511 -4878495 70195 23331734 9070274 2823381 629673 -403039 36790 12889577 0.86750 0.13250 0.00000 0 0 226500 226500 40439851 30213431 10226420 4223757 3871947 351810 1590918 25051 1565867 12370597 ASSETS HELD IN CHARITABLE TRUSTS 8666865 BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN PERPETUAL TRUST 153192 OPERATING LEASE ASSET 56238 8876295 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 56238 56238 X 24720823 8001895 490847 8492742 16228081 132444 -111110 21334 16249415 15115109 490847 111110 601957 14513152 132444 132444 14645596 PART III, LINE 1A: THE COLLECTIONS, WHICH WERE ACQUIRED THROUGH PURCHASES AND CONTRIBUTIONS SINCE THE MUSEUM'S INCEPTION, ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AS ASSETS ON THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION. PURCHASES OF COLLECTION ITEMS ARE RECORDED AS DECREASES IN NET ASSETS WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS IN THE YEAR IN WHICH THE ITEMS ARE ACQUIRED, OR AS DECREASES IN NET ASSETS WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS IF THE ASSETS USED TO PURCHASE THE ITEMS ARE RESTRICTED BY DONORS. CONTRIBUTED COLLECTION ITEMS ARE NOT REFLECTED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. PROCEEDS FROM DE-ACCESSIONS OR INSURANCE RECOVERIES ARE REFLECTED AS INCREASES IN THE APPROPRIATE NET ASSET CLASSES. PART III, LINE 4: THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTIONS CONSIST SUBSTANTIALLY OF LIVING AND NONLIVING NATURAL HISTORY OBJECTS RELATED TO THE MUSEUM'S INTERPRETIVE REGION (THE SONORAN DESERT AND ADJACENT HABITATS). COLLECTIONS ARE HELD FOR EDUCATIONAL, RESEARCH, SCIENTIFIC AND CURATORIAL PURPOSES. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CERTAIN FREE-LIVING ORGANISMS, COLLECTIONS ARE CATALOGUED, PRESERVED, AND CARED FOR, AND ACTIVITIES VERIFYING THEIR EXISTENCE AND ASSESSING THEIR CONDITION ARE PERFORMED CONTINUOUSLY. OBJECTS ARE DEACCESSIONED ACCORDING TO THEIR VALUE AND REPLACEABILITY. LIVING PLANTS AND ANIMALS FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FORESEEABLE FUTURE NEED ARE DONATED TO OTHER ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS. NO SIGNIFICANT COLLECTION ITEMS WERE DEACCESSIONED DURING THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023. PART V, LINE 4: THE MUSEUM'S BOARD DESIGNATED RESERVES AND ENDOWMENTS CONSIST OF INDIVIDUAL FUNDS ESTABLISHED FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES. THE ENDOWMENTS INCLUDE BOTH DONOR-RESTRICTED FUNDS, AND AS REQUIRED BY GAAP, NET ASSETS ASSOCIATED WITH ENDOWMENT FUNDS ARE CLASSIFIED AND REPORTED BASED ON THE EXISTENCE OR ABSENCE OF DONOR-IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS. PART X, LINE 2: ASC 740 FOOTNOTE FROM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: THE MUSEUM IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER BOTH FEDERAL (INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 501(C)(3)) AND ARIZONA INCOME TAX LAWS, AND IS CLASSIFIED AS OTHER THAN A PRIVATE FOUNDATION UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 509(A)(2). INCOME FROM CERTAIN ACTIVITIES NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE MUSEUM'S TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE, HOWEVER, MAY BE SUBJECT TO TAXATION AS UNRELATED BUSINESS TAXABLE INCOME (UBTI). THE MUSEUM IS REQUIRED TO FILE INFORMATIONAL RETURNS FOR FEDERAL AND STATE PURPOSES AND, IF IT HAS UBTI, FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX RETURNS. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: RENTAL EXPENSES -81,285. SPECIAL EVENT EXPENSES -17,604. PLANT PURCHASES -12,221. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: RENTAL EXPENSES 81,285. SPECIAL EVENT EXPENSES 17,604. PLANT PURCHASES 12,221. PART III, LINE 5: IN ADDITION TO ITEMS DONATED FOR ITS COLLECTIONS, THE MUSEUM RECEIVES DONATIONS OF ART AND SIMILAR ASSETS TO BE AUCTIONED AT ITS ANNUAL GALA. NORTH AMERICA - CANADA AND MEXICO, BUT NOT THE UNITED STATES 0 0 PROGRAM SERVICES EDUCATIONAL TRIPS TO DIFFERENT REGIONS IN MEXICO 238393 EUROPE - SPAIN 0 0 PROGRAM SERVICES EDUCATIONAL TRIPS TO DIFFERENT REGIONS IN SPAIN 44567 0 0 0 0 0 0 282960 0 282960 0 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 3: ACCRUAL METHOD GALA 201461 127826 73635 44863 23389 2874 35672 WINE DOWN 45130 45130 8770 1150 7684 246591 127826 118765 44863 32159 4024 43356 124402 -5637 X 1 1 X X X 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CAROLYN CARSON CFO THROUGH OCT 2023 120866 0 0 0 82500 0 8155 0 7175 0 218696 0 0 0 CRAIG IVANYI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 183461 0 0 0 0 0 4839 0 24703 0 213003 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 1A GIFT CARDS WERE GROSSED UP FOR PAYROLL TAXES AND ADDED TO WAGES. PART I, LINE 4A CAROLYN CARSON RECEIVED A SEVERANCE PAYMENT OF $82,500 DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2023. RACHEL IVANYI FAMILY MEMBER OF OFFICER 18909 ORGANIZATAION PAID INDIVIDUAL FOR ARTWORK AND ART INSTRUCTION. 0 X 2 34708 NYSE X 10 20081 ESTIMATES X HVAC EQUIPMENT 1 651606 ESTIMATES X WATER 1 102594 MUNICIPAL WATER RATE X AUCTION ITEMS 134 44228 ESTIMATES X OTHER 160 20810 ESTIMATES 0 1 1 PART I, COLUMN (B): PART I, COLUMN (B) REPORTS THE NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS RATHER THAN THE NUMBER OF ITEMS RECEIVED. PART I, LINE 32B: ORGANIZATION USES A THIRD PARTY TO ACCEPT AND PROCESS DONATED VEHICLES. FORM 990, PART I, LINE 6 THE ORGANIZATION UTILIZED 593 VOLUNTEERS, WHICH INCLUDE 19 BOARD MEMBERS, 8 BOARD COUNCIL ADVISORS, 162 DOCENTS, AND 404 OTHER VOLUNTEERS. OUR DOCENTS AND VOLUNTEERS ASSIST GUESTS WITH WAYFINDING AND EDUCATION ABOUT OUR MISSION, COLLECTIONS, AND SONORAN DESERT SETTING. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B CONSERVATION AND SCIENCE PROGRAMS SAVING AQUATIC SPECIES: SPRINGS, STREAMS, AND RIVERS IN THE SONORAN DESERT HAVE ALL BEEN DECLINING IN RECENT YEARS DUE TO A DECADE-LONG DROUGHT AND DIVERSION OF WATER FOR HUMAN NEEDS. MANY SPECIES THAT LIVE IN OR AROUND THIS WATER ARE THREATENED OR ENDANGERED DUE TO LOSS OF HABITAT. THE MUSEUM WORKS WITH ITS PARTNERS, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES, TO HOLD, BREED AND SUPPLEMENT THE POPULATIONS OF THESE SPECIES IN THE WILD. IN 2024, ASDM CONTRIBUTED TO THE CONSERVATION OF RANID FROGS, THE MEXICAN GARTER SNAKE, THE SONOYTA MUD TURTLE, AND SEVERAL REGIONAL NATIVE FISH SPECIES. PROMOTING POLLINATORS: BEES ARE AMONG THE MOST ABUNDANT AND DIVERSE ANIMAL GROUPS IN THE SONORAN DESERT. AS PRIMARY POLLINATORS OF MANY DESERT PLANTS, BEES ARE ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF THESE HABITATS. ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM SCIENTISTS ARE WORKING TO DOCUMENT, DESCRIBE AND UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF BEE DIVERSITY IN OUR REGION AND HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AND HABITAT DISTURBANCE MAY ALTER THIS DISTRIBUTION IN THE FUTURE. THE MUSEUM CO-LEADS THE TUCSON BEE COLLABORATIVE (TUCSONBEECOLLABORATIVE.ORG) WHICH WORKS WITH HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO STUDY NATIVE BEES AND PROMOTE THEIR CONSERVATION. TO DATE, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED OVER 25,000 BEES TO GENUS AND ARE WORKING THROUGH THE IDENTIFICATION OF ALL SPECIMENS TO SPECIES. OUR MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS HAVE BECOME IDENTIFICATION EXPERTS AND ARE EXPANDING IDENTIFICATION KEYS. THEIR IDENTIFICATION HAS FOCUSED ON THE GENUS DIADASIA, OR CACTUS BEES, BECAUSE THEY ARE VITAL TO DESERT PLANT POLLINATION. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA INSECT COLLECTION TO BUILD THE MOST COMPLETE COLLECTION OF SONORAN DESERT BEES IN THE WORLD, WITH EACH SPECIES REPRESENTED BY A PHYSICAL SPECIMEN, ITS DNA BARCODE, PUBLISHED IN THE BARCODE OF LIFE DATABASE (BOLD), AND A HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGE. ASDM HAS SENT 709 BEE SPECIMENS FOR DNA BARCODING, RESULTING IN 106 UNIQUE GENERA AND/OR SPECIES, REPRESENTING 142 UNIQUE TAXA. FOODS FROM THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE: ASDM HAS A LONG HISTORY OF TEACHING PEOPLE ABOUT THE "SONORAN SUPERMARKET" - THE BOUNTY OF THE DESERT THAT HAS SUSTAINED PEOPLE IN THIS REGION FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. CURRENT PROGRAMS FOCUS ON THE SAGUARO, PRICKLY PEAR, CHOLLA, MESQUITE AND AGAVE. ASDM IS A MAJOR PARTNER IN TUCSON'S MISSION GARDENS AND AGAVE HERITAGE FESTIVAL, AS WELL AS A COLLABORATIVE CLIMATE-SMART FOODS PROJECT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, TUCSON CITY OF GASTRONOMY, LOCAL FIRST AZ AND LOCAL FARMERS. PRIMARY RESEARCH OBJECTIVES ARE CONSERVING THE WILD RELATIVES OF IMPORTANT CROPS AND EXPANDING THE ROLE OF DESERT-ADAPTED FOODS IN REGIONAL DIETS AS A PATH TOWARD FOOD SECURITY IN A HOTTER, DRIER CLIMATE. CURRENTLY WE ARE WORKING WITH FARMERS TO IDENTIFY CROPS AND VARIETIES BETTER ADAPTED TO DESERT CONDITIONS AND TO TEST CONSERVATION PRACTICES LIKE ALLEY CROPPING AND LOW-TILL. SAVING OUR SAGUAROS: TODAY, THE SURVIVAL OF THE SAGUARO, THE ICON OF THE SONORAN DESERT, IS THREATENED BY THE INVASIVE BUFFELGRASS. THE DESERT MUSEUM COORDINATES THE EFFORTS OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS, PRIVATE CITIZENS, BUSINESSES, AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO FIGHT THIS THREAT. THE MUSEUM IS ALSO MONITORING THE IMPACTS OF BUFFELGRASS FIRES ON SAGUAROS, RESEARCHING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS TREATMENT METHODS, LEADING CITIZEN CONSERVATION GROUPS IN BUFFELGRASS PULLS, AND PROVIDING EXTENSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. OUR FOCUS HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EMERGING INVASIVE SPECIES FUELING FIRE IN THE DESERT. AMONG THESE SPECIES, STINKNET IS CURRENTLY THE GREATEST THREAT. WINTER RAINS RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION OF STINKNET IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA LAST SPRING, OVERWHELMING THE LIMITED LOCAL INVASIVE SPECIES RESPONSE CAPACITY. THE DESERT MUSEUM SCIENCE STAFF STEPPED UP, REALLOCATING RESOURCES FROM PLANNED ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN MAPPING AND REMOVING AS MUCH STINKNET AS POSSIBLE BEFORE IT STARTED TO SET SEED IN MAY. MUSEUM STAFF LED 13 VOLUNTEER STINKNET PULLS, CREATED OUTREACH MATERIALS, AND TOOK PART IN A MULTI-AGENCY STINKNET WORKING GROUP WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION AMONG CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS AND AGENCIES IN THE GREATER TUCSON BASIN AREA. THESE EFFORTS CULMINATED WITH A DAY-LONG STINKNET WORKSHOP IN JUNE 2024 TO ASSESS LESSONS LEARNED AND DEVELOP AN IMPROVED STRATEGY FOR 2025. YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS: YOUTH FIELD TRIPS: TEACHERS AND YOUTH GROUP LEADERS CAN LEVERAGE THE DESERT MUSEUM AS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE FOR ENHANCING LESSONS ON ADAPTATIONS, STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION, ECOLOGY, ECOSYSTEMS, AND CONSERVATION ISSUES. IN ADDITION TO THE CORE CURRICULUM, THE MUSEUM ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY THROUGH ACTIVITIES LIKE ART, PHOTOGRAPHY, POETRY, AND NATURE JOURNALING, OFFERING DIVERSE WAYS TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN OUTDOOR LEARNING. EDUCATORS CAN ALSO ACCESS FREE DOWNLOADABLE FIELD GUIDES AND BENEFIT FROM PRE- AND POST-FIELD TRIP ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO EXTEND THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE. TO ENSURE A SMOOTH AND SUCCESSFUL VISIT, THE MUSEUM PROVIDES BILINGUAL ORIENTATION VIDEOS, WHICH HELP STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND CHAPERONES PREPARE FOR THE TRIP BY HIGHLIGHTING KEY EXHIBITS, LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION. FOR A DEEPER INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE, THE MUSEUM OFFERS HIGH-QUALITY ACTIVITY BOOKLETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR SCHOOL GROUPS. NUMBER SERVED IN 2024: 21,623 DESERT DISCOVERY OUTREACH: THE DESERT DISCOVERY PROGRAM BRINGS THE WONDERS OF THE DESERT MUSEUM DIRECTLY INTO SCHOOLS! THESE ENGAGING PROGRAMS FEATURE LIVE ANIMALS, MUSEUM ARTIFACTS, AND INTERACTIVE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT CAPTIVATE STUDENTS' ATTENTION WHILE EXPLORING NATURAL HISTORY TOPICS RELATED TO THE SONORAN DESERT. EACH PROGRAM LASTS 45-50 MINUTES AND IS ALIGNED WITH ARIZONA'S ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN SCIENCE. WITH 14 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AVAILABLE, ALL OFFERED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, THE MUSEUM SERVES A WIDE RANGE OF AUDIENCES ACROSS SOUTHERN ARIZONAFROM PHOENIX TO NOGALES, AND FROM PRESCHOOLS TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES. THESE PROGRAMS CAN BE TAILORED FOR CLASSROOMS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, COLLEGE CLASSES, AND BEYOND. CUSTOM PROGRAMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. NUMBER SERVED IN 2024: 10,726 SUMMER AND SCHOOL BREAK CAMPS: DESERT MUSEUM CAMPERS CONNECT WITH NATURE AT THE DESERT MUSEUM! CAMPERS EXPLORE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE SONORAN DESERT THROUGH SCIENCE, CRAFTS, PLAY, AND LIVE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS. CAMPERS LEAVE WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR ROLE IN THE DESERT AND WAYS TO EXPLORE, CELEBRATE, AND CONSERVE NATURE IN THEIR OWN LIVES. CAMPS ARE FOR GRADES 1ST-6TH. NUMBER SERVED IN 2024: 174 YOUNG NATURALISTS PROGRAM: YOUNG NATURALISTS IS A PROGRAM FOR 6TH-8TH GRADERS INTERESTED IN FORMING A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH THE SONORAN DESERT. STUDENTS CAN BECOME A CERTIFIED YOUNG NATURALIST AT THE ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM IN ADDITION TO GAINING CONFIDENCE, FORMING CONNECTIONS, AND EXPLORING CAREERS IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES. STUDENTS BUILD SKILLS IN PLANT, ANIMAL, AND MINERAL IDENTIFICATION, NATURE CONSERVATION, AND OUTDOOR SAFETY AND DISCOVER ECOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH NATURE JOURNALING. NUMBER SERVED IN 2024: 16 COATI KIDS CLUB: THE COATI KIDS CLUB IS A UNIQUE FAMILY MEMBERSHIP WITH PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 6-12 AND THEIR FAVORITE ADULTS. CHILDREN GET TO EXPLORE THE DESERT MUSEUM ALL YEAR LONG AND RECEIVE YEAR-ROUND FREE ADMISSION, 8 SPECIAL EVENTS FOR CLUB MEMBERS, A STAINLESS-STEEL REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE, AND A GUIDEBOOK FOR FAMILIES TO LEARN HOW TO EXPLORE THE DESERT. NUMBER SERVED IN 2024: 34 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES: THE MUSEUM OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF LIFE SCIENCE PROGRAMMING THROUGH LIVE-ANIMAL DEMONSTRATIONS, ARTS AND SCIENCE ACTIVITIES, AND STORY AND MOVEMENT-BASED CLASSES. EACH PROGRAM INCLUDES ANIMALS, BIO-ARTIFACTS, EXTRA ONLINE RESOURCES AND DOWNLOADS, AND EXCLUSIVE TIME FOR YOUR GROUP TO HAVE QUESTIONS ANSWERED FROM AN EXPERT. EACH PROGRAM LASTS 45-50 MINUTES AND IS ALIGNED WITH ARIZONA'S ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN SCIENCE. WITH 14 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AVAILABLE, ALL OFFERED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, THE MUSEUM REACHES PEOPLE GLOBALLY. NUMBER SERVED IN 2024: 3596 ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS PUBLIC CLASSES, TRIPS AND TOURS: THESE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO CREATE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR SONORAN DESERT AND TO TEACH TECHNIQUES AND TIPS FOR DESERT LIVING. CLASSES AND TRIPS ARE OFFERED ON TOPICS SUCH AS NATURAL HISTORY, GARDENING, WATER HARVESTING, AND COOKING WITH NATIVE FOODS. NUMBER SERVED IN 2024: 480 DOCENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: DOCENTS INTERPRET THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SONORAN DESERT REGION TO MUSEUM VISITORS AND TO GROUPS WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. IN DOING SO, THEY HELP THE MUSEUM FULFILL ITS CONSERVATION EDUCATION MISSION. IN 2024 THERE WERE 188 DOCENTS VOLUNTEERING ONE DAY PER WEEK OR MORE. DOCENT HOURS CONTRIBUTED IN 2024: 30,245 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THERE IS ONE CLASS OF MEMBERS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE THE SAME VOTING RIGHTS, WHICH ARE TO ELECT NEW TRUSTEES BY BALLOT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A MEMBERS ELECT TRUSTEES BY BALLOT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B A DRAFT COPY OF FORM 990 WITH SCHEDULE B DONOR NAMES AND ADDRESSES REDACTED IS GIVEN TO THE MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COUNCIL. THE MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COUNCIL, ALONG WITH THE CEO AND CFO, REVIEW ALL SCHEDULES AND NARRATIVES FOR ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS. AFTER REVIEW OF THE DRAFT BY THE FINANCE COUNCIL, A COPY OF FORM 990 WITH SCHEDULE B DONOR NAMES AND ADDRESSES REDACTED IS FORWARDED TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO FILING THE RETURN. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND NEW EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW A COPY OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND ACKNOWLEDGE IN WRITING THAT S/HE HAS DONE SO. ANNUALLY, EACH BOARD MEMBER COMPLETES A DISCLOSURE FORM IDENTIFYING ANY RELATIONSHIP, POSITIONS, OR CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH S/HE IS INVOLVED THAT COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARISING. PRIOR TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES OR COMMITTEE ACTION ON A CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION INVOLVING A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, A DIRECTOR OR COMMITTEE MEMBER HAVING A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND WHO IS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE MEETING SHALL DISCLOSE ALL FACTS MATERIAL TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE OR HEAR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OR COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSION OF THE MATTER EXCEPT TO DISCLOSE THE MATERIAL FACTS AND TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS. AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DISCLOSES TO HIS/HER SUPERVISOR ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT SUCH EMPLOYEE HAS WITH RESPECT TO A CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED BY THE MANAGEMENT EVALUATION COUNCIL, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD, THE VICE-CHAIR, AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE FINANCE COUNCIL AND SUCH OTHER TRUSTEES AS MAY BE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS USING BOTH LOCAL ANNUAL COMPENSATION SURVEY DATA AS WELL AS THE COMPENSATION SURVEY DATA PROVIDED BY VARIOUS APPLICABLE SALARY SURVEYS. THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER'S COMPENSATION IS CALCULATED USING SALARY GRADES THAT REPRESENT A SIMILAR POSITION ALIKE IN RESPONSIBILITY AND SCOPE AND ARE BASED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING AVERAGE MARKET PAY, THE MUSEUM'S ABILITY TO PAY, AND INTERNAL EQUITY. SALARY GRADES ARE ESTABLISHED BASED ON THE COMPETITIVE MARKET USING VARIOUS APPLICABLE SALARY SURVEYS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.