Nonprofit · EIN 75-2935050
BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST
Tax-exempt · KOUNTZE, TX 77625
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $134,278 | $13,845 | $120,433 | $1,034,163 | $4,500 | $1,029,663 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 (amended) | $52,966 | $31,012 | $21,954 | $897,096 | $0 | $897,096 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $19,295 | $16,005 | $3,290 | $846,775 | $0 | $846,775 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $127,059
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $7,169
- Other revenue
- $50
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $0
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $0
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $1,000
- Program services (functional)
- $10,953
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,892
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $897,096
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,034,163
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $4,500
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,029,663
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $635,918
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $293,737
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $735,926
- Gross receipts
- $134,278
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 150
- Year formed
- 2001
- State of legal domicile
- TX
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 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellen Buchanan | President Trustee or director, Officer | 15 | $0 |
| David Lewis | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Mary Catherine Johnston | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 15 | $0 |
| Josie Gunter | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Sharon Odegar | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Maxine Johnston | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Lane Harrison | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Sheila Gunter | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellen Buchanan | President Trustee or director, Officer | 15 | $0 |
| David Lewis | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Mary Catherine Johnston | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 15 | $0 |
| Josie Gunter | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Sharon Odegar | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Maxine Johnston | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Lane Harrison | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Sheila Gunter | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellen Buchanan | President Trustee or director, Officer | 15 | $0 |
| Pete Gunter | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Sharon Odegar | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Mary Catherine Johnston | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 15 | $0 |
| Thomas Maddux | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Maxine Johnston | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Lane Harrison | Director Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| David Lewis | Director Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Josie Gunter | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| Brent Arsement | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 1049, KOUNTZE, TX 77625-1049
- In care of
- % ELLEN BUCHANAN
- Mailing address (990-N for 2024)
- P O Box 1049, Kountze TX 77625
- Principal officer (990-N for 2024)
- Ellen Buchanan, P O Box 1049, Kountze TX 77625
- Signed the 990
- Ellen Buchanan, President
- Phone
- (757) 288-0190
- Website
- https://bigthickettrust.org
- Return prepared by
- Wathen DeShong & Juncker LLP
Mission
We acquire properties to be donated to the National Park Service and state entities and advocate for protection of Big Thicket natural resources.
Program accomplishments
- LAND CONSERVATION - The Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust (BTNHT) protects Big Thicket ecosystems in the following ways: acquisition of conservation lands at fair market value, acquisition of conservation lands through a bargain sale arrangement, receipt of donated conservation lands to BTNHT, donation of conservation easements to BTNHT, and purchase of development rights on conservation lands in southeast Texas. Conservation lands are held in permanent trust and are maintained for the benefit of wildlife and ecosystems. LAND STEWARDSHIP - BTNHT monitors its conservation easement lands annually to ensure that the goals and objectives of the easement are followed and that the land retains its conservation values. BTNHT establishes baseline data on all its easements so it can track changes over time through regular monitoring protocols. PUBLIC OUTREACH - BTNHT works with various governmental entities to track and monitor public policy issues that may affect Big Thicket ecosystems, including major thoroughfare and road plans, flood control initiatives, and solar farms. BTNHT partners with the Big Thicket National Preserve on restoration efforts and educational programs and activities on public lands.Expenses $10,953 · revenue $50
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.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990-N on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 75-2935050
- 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
- 2001
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C34)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,034,163
- Income (IRS master file)
- $134,278
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $134,278 | $13,845 | $1,034,163 | XML |
| 990-N for 2024 Officer: Ellen Buchanan | December 31, 2024 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990 | December 2024 | $52,966 | $31,012 | $897,096 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $19,295 | $16,005 | $846,775 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $54,799 | $274,178 | $843,485 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2015 Officer: Ellen Buchanan | December 31, 2015 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
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 75-2935050).
Questions about BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST
- What is the EIN of BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST is 75-2935050.
- Is BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2001.
- Are donations to BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST 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 BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST?
- The 990-N for 2024 names Ellen Buchanan.
- Who are the officers and directors of BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 8 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does BIG THICKET NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $134,278, expenses of $13,845 and total assets of $1,034,163 at year end.
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