SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

PO BOX 273, SOUTH ORANGE, NJ 07079-0273

In care of

% DENNIS PERCHER BOARD CHAIR

Mailing address (990-N for 2019)

PO Box 273, South Orange NJ 07079

Principal officer (990-N for 2019)

Dennis Percher, PO Box 273, South Orange NJ 07079

Signed the 990-EZ

Dennis Percher, Chairperson, Board of Trustees

Phone

(844) 766-6266

Website

www.somocon.org

Mission

The South Mountain Conservancy is a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation founded in March 2000 dedicated to the stewardship and advocacy for, and public engagement with, the 2,110-acre South Mountain Reservation, a county park in Essex County, New Jersey. Through extensive volunteer activities and public programs, many in partnership with the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, the Conservancy strives to preserve, protect, and enhance the ecology, infrastructure and natural beauty of the reservation. It also seeks to foster public appreciation, involvement and support for this beloved, forested regional park situated in densely populated suburbs 15 miles west of lower Manhattan.

Program accomplishments

• *Forest Regeneration & Preserve Landscape Improvement and Forest Stewardship* -- The goals of these ecology-focused programs are to: 1.) Monitor, maintain and improve the ecology and infrastructure of the 14-acre Wildflower and Forest Preserve and, to a lesser extent, the 41 smaller regeneration sites throughout the Reservation, and to address select problems in areas adjoining these sites. 2.) Establish a implement a long-term invasive plant monitoring and management plan for the entire reservation with a particular focus on emerging invasive plant species and overall forest health. 1.Started in 2008, this long-term Forest Regeneration program seeks to provide native seed sources for the Reservation at large from these regeneration sites in order to restore a balanced forest ecology. This is necessary as the forest's natural regeneration has been impaired by an expanding set of invasive plants and insects and the over-browsing of native plants by an overpopulation of white-tailed deer. The program enlists the efforts of some two dozen volunteers who meet multiple times throughout the year, supplemented by community groups and two paid college summer interns (the program's most significant expense). The Conservancy also spends thousands of dollars each year on plants for the Preserve and materials to repair (as needed) the eight-foot regeneration site fencing that ensure deer are kept out. Besides its ecological importance, the Wildflower and Forest Preserve serves as a destination to educate and engage people of all ages. The Preserve offers: a mile of easily traversed trails; informational signage regarding the woodland, vernal pond, and meadow ecosystems; and artwork that is part of the adjoining Wildflower Sculpture Park. In 2024 we had two interns for the summer; removed or eradicated several thousand invasive plants in the Preserve and in or near regeneration sites using basal bark herbicide application, pellet injection and hand removal; planted native species in the spring; and repaired fencing at five forest regeneration sites that were damaged by fallen trees; and maintained the Preserve trails. 2.) Starting in 2024, the Conservancy began a more expansive Forest Stewardship Program to address broad challenges to the reservation's forest ecology especially the monitoring and management of emerging invasive plant species and the long-term implications of various plant diseases such as Beech Leaf Disease. To that end, the Conservancy contracted with FoHVOS/ NJ Invasive Species Strike Team to survey the forest health and develop a 10-year plan.
  Expenses $19,581
• *SMR Family Campout* -- For a decade, this award-winning, overnight, nature-intensive overnight program with activities tailored to families with children ages 4-11. These programs are co-sponsored with the Essex County Parks Department. In 2023, the fall campout was cancelled due to rain on both the original and rain dates. To compensate, in 2024, programs were held in May and October that served over 90 families.
  Expenses $7,585
• *Citizen Science* -- This program combines public involvement with monitoring and stewardship of the Reservation's flora and fauna and creation of a pollinator meadow. For the past several years, interested members of the public have been trained in programs affiliated with Frogwatch USA and eBird to help monitor these populations. It has also overseen the installation and maintenance of bird nest boxes throughout the Reservation. In 2023, this program expanded its work by preparing an acre-sized (44,000 sq. ft.) meadow in the reservation to increase pollinators of all varieties. In 2024, the pollinator meadow ended its preparatory stages by removing clear plastic that had been used to solarize (kill off) existing seeds and sowed seeds to plant the meadow with a specially developed mix of native plants.
  Expenses $5,928
• Other programs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Wildflower Sculpture Park (WSP)* -- Started in 2012, this program offers the public the opportunity to see innovative art pieces in a naturalistic setting. Located on a broad strip of land outside the 14-acre Wildflower and Forest Preserve along Bear Lane and within the Preserve, the WSP provides artists a chance to present their work to the public and expand on ideas in a much larger format. It augments its set of 16 permanent pieces each year with three to four new works on short-term loan. In addition, the WSP curator, artists and volunteers occasionally provide classes for community groups to better understand the art and the creative process. The WSP is supported by grants and infrastructure improvements by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs. In 2024, we had three new exhibits, two of which were installed in the adjoining Preserve. ----------------------------------------------------------------------*Fairy Trail* -- Nationally publicized (NY Times, Reader's Digest), this enormously popular half-mile path at the start of the Rahway Trail near the Locust Grove picnic area in Millburn features dozens of "fairy houses" consisting of weathered wood and natural materials built and maintained by SMC volunteers. Originally created and maintained independently by local resident Therese Ojibway, the South Mountain Conservancy joined with Therese several years ago to enhance the experience of visitors of all ages to improve the trail by putting down woodchips, installing railings, improving drainage, etc. Our aim is to make it sustainable in light of its enormous popularity. In 2022, when Therese left the area, the SMC recruited, trained, and provided resources for two new program coordinators to maintain and construct new houses, some in coordination with the local schools and community groups. In 2024, dozens of new houses were constructed in part through a competition that awarded prizes. These were installed just before our second "Fairy Tales at the Fairy Trail" program in May, which attracted hundreds of children and their families. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*Map and Wayfinding Systems* -- The Conservancy has spent significant resources publishing an updated SMR every few years since 2007 and expanding its wayfinding system to improve access to and the safety within the reservation. Ten large-sized kiosk displays are maintained at major access points to the reservation, along with 40 small, 12"x12" localized "mini-maps" at trail intersections. (The smaller maps have generally been installed as part of Eagle Scout projects we oversee.) In 2024, we continued to offer a smartphone app on the Avenza platform along with our printed 2023 SMR map. In addition, an updated map was used to update all 10 of the information kiosks through an Eagle Scout Project. These efforts are all in service to our mission to encourage safe exploration of the park. ----------------------------------------------- *Trail Maintenance and Construction* -- This stewardship program area involves an enormous volunteer effort throughout the year through four coordinated Conservancy programs. Though collectively these generally require far fewer financial resources than our Forest Regeneration program, it has a more direct impact on the thousands of people who visit the Reservation each month. These programs are: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Trailkeepers* Forty volunteers who independently monitor, brush back vegetation, clean water bars, culverts and swales, and blaze our 50-plus miles of trails and woods roads---------------------------------*Chainsaw Gang* A dozen volunteers who remove fallen trees that block trails throughout the year. In 2024, they removed 193 trees from the trails. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------*Trail Work Crew* This group of volunteers (supplemented at times with community groups) has constructed or overseen contractors that built over six miles of new, sustainable hiking trails since its creation in 2007. It also works to improve drainage on wider woods roads and builds raised bog bridges and other infrastructure, often with the assistance of Scouts BSA and other community groups. In 2024, these groups concentrated on rerouting steep, eroded sections of the Lenape Trail south of Ball's Bluff and improving the swales on the Ball's Bluff Trail. Work was also done to improve drainage on the Fairy Trail section of the Rahway Trail. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*Trash Tacklers/Ploggers *Both groups and independent volunteers have been engaged with removing trash from trails and picnic areas through coordinated programs (even contests) several times during the year. Use of the park has increased since the pandemic, and littering has increased as well. In 2024, dozens of volunteers, in groups and individually, spent over 750 person-hours and collected 221 bags of trash from the trails and picnic areas.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*Hiking* -- Our hiking program probably engages the largest number of participants each year. Open to the public and free of charge, these guided hikes led by SMC volunteers offer programs year-round for people with a wide range of abilities, including special children's hikes. We also led special hikes for private groups. In 2024, we offered 64 hikes serving 460 participants and several large, private hikes that had a total of 300 participants. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Mayapple Trail Run* -- Offering challenging trail runs of 5 to 50 miles, this event has been held annually since 2008 except for 2012 and 2020. The event highlights the exceptional trail system in the South Mountain Reservation and serves as a fund-raising opportunity for the Conservancy. In 2024, 176 runners participated in the spring race. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*Community Outreach* -- We are continually updating our social media platforms and distributing our monthly electronic bulletin to provide information about and encourage individuals to join our public programs, such as hiking and campouts, and our many volunteer programs. We have also expanded our website to provide links to data on flora and fauna in the reservation, health tips regarding "tick safety checks," dealing with coyotes, and other information to make visits to the Reservation interesting and safe..-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Expenses $22,025 · grants $2,000

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

56-2410919

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

2004

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Recreation and sports (N32)

Assets (IRS master file)

$157,605

Income (IRS master file)

$91,747

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 56-2410919).

Questions about SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC

What is the EIN of SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC?

The employer identification number (EIN) of SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC is 56-2410919.

Is SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.

Are donations to SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2024.

Who is the principal officer of SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC?

The 990-N for 2019 names Dennis Percher.

Who are the officers and directors of SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC?

The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 10 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.

How much revenue does SOUTH MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY INC have?

On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $90,063, expenses of $75,040 and total assets of $157,605 at year end.

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