Protecting the Environment, One Flight at Time

Protecting the environment, one flight at time.

An n u a l Re p o r t 2006 T h e Lo n g Te r m Co m m i t m e n t . . .

“Perseverance. Tenacity. Doggedness. Resolute. Steadfast. Resilient.”

hese are the words I’ve heard • Following years of work by dedicated in the last year used to describe groups of conservationists, Congress TLightHawk. These words about enacted the Northern California LightHawk and its volunteer pilots Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act illustrate the long-term commitment that now protects 275,000 acres of we make to protect the land, air, and coastal lands and twenty-one miles of water. We have been an effective partner Wild and Scenic Rivers. LightHawk for twenty-seven years in the fight for was involved in this endeavor for more education, conservation, and environ- than three years. mental protection. Many organizations have relied on us year after year, and Despite the success of our efforts in LightHawk has helped achieve many 2006, we know that communities are long-term successes. still rapidly losing the places that inspire Simply put, the battle for conserva- wonder; species are losing critical habitat tion is not for the faint of heart or those needed to survive; cities and towns are with short attention spans. A number of finding it increasingly difficult to protect the long-term efforts with which Light- the air, water and green space they need Hawk was involved came to fruition this to thrive. Working in collaboration with year—something that gives all of us deep its conservation partners, LightHawk is satisfaction. making tremendous progress in facing these conservation challenges throughout • LightHawk worked with the Vermont North and Central America. Wilderness Association over the region We are grateful to our friends, donors, for four years to win federal Wilder- and volunteer pilots whose unwavering ness designation for more than 42,000 support made 2006 a great year for the acres within the Green Mountain environment. We look forward to your National Forest. continued support for more flights, and • In Mexico, 346,000 acres of the State ultimately more successes in the fight for of Quintana Roo were set aside as conservation. Point Lobos, as viewed on a flight to help educate the Bala’an K’aax Flora and Fauna Protected area. LightHawk helped Rick Durden stakeholders about California’s Marine Protected Area work towards this goal for more than Outgoing Executive Director proposal along the Central Coast. a decade. May 30, 2007 Cover: Assessing human impacts and natural disturbances on Belize’s mangrove and reef ecosystems. Ilka C. Feller/LightHawk ecosystems. Ilka and reef mangrove disturbances on Belize’s Assessing human impacts and natural Cover: Erin Kunkel Photography © Erin Kunkel . . . t o m a k e a d i f f e r e n c e .

recently spoke with one of LightHawk’s successful mission involves far more than Arizona-based volunteer pilots. He is a the flight itself. Our program managers re- I physician who quite literally arranges cruit pilots and conservation partners, ar- his own hospital schedule so he can donate range for the right kind of airplane, make several weeks a year to fly LightHawk mis- connections to photographers and the sions. To me, he symbolizes the passion and media, screen requests and plan routes for generosity of our volunteer pilots. maximum effectiveness, and do follow-up Confronted with complex environmen- work long after the flight is over. They live tal issues – from global warming to over- and work in their own regions, and are population – many people feel powerless to the vital ingredient that makes the work effect real change. Yet when I ask our pilots of LightHawk greater than the sum of its what motivates them to donate their time, individual parts. and for the majority of missions, expen- Just as each airplane needs fuel to do its sive fuel and the use of their airplane, it is job, LightHawk’s supporters provide the always their desire to make a difference. “fuel” that allows us to create this powerful Often, these are busy, successful individu- leverage. LightHawk does not charge con- als in their own careers; yet they recognize servation partners for flights; our support- how important it is to give something back ers ultimately make those flights possible. to this earth. Using the tool they know We pledge to do everything in our power best, they do just that. to continue to earn your trust and support. Finding these skilled pilots and matching them with the conservation groups and C. Rudy Engholm issues that could benefit from the aerial per- Incoming Executive Director spective is the job of LightHawk’s staff. A June 1, 2007

“It is transformative to see the landscape from a bird’s eye view. It is one thing to read about the scale and devastation of unsustainable mining – and quite another to see it from the air – to see poisons from tailings ponds right next to schools and homes. Having this perspective gives a sense of place and issues Aerial photo of the Bingham gold mine in Utah taken far better than anything I can read on the ground! Thank you.” to illustrate the likely consequences of a similar mine proposed for Bristol Bay, Alaska. —Sarah Christiansen, Solidago Foundation, quoted after a flight over a New Mexico molybdenum mine 3 Ben Knight/Felt Soul Media Ben Knight/Felt LightHawk At Work

Catalyzing Positive Environmental The Value of “Aha” Moments Changes LightHawk’s ability to get the right decision-mak- LightHawk is an unusual organization. Our mis- ers into the air at the right time and place can often sion is environmental, but our specialty is leveraging have a dramatic effect, providing an “aha” moment aircraft and experienced volunteer pilots to catalyze of deep personal understanding about what we are positive environmental change. We match pilots and doing to our planet. We believe – and history has aircraft with flight requests, assist in project plan- shown – that this experience can alter the outcomes ning, provide education and support in all aspects of of otherwise intractable environmental issues. At flight in environmental campaigns, media and legis- other times, the revelation occurs later when aerial lator flights, aerial documentation, data acquisition, photos and video footage from a flight carry the im- and more. ages to a much wider audience. Rudy Engholm

LightHawk: The Environmental Air Force Every LightHawk flight starts as a collaboration between a conservation partner (i.e., an environmental advocacy organization) and a LightHawk- employed regional program manager. These “PM’s” both respond to flight requests and proactively reach out to environmental, research-based, and scientific organizations to arrange missions where they will have the most impact. If LightHawk is “The Earth’s Environmental Air Force” – as it has sometimes been dubbed – then the PM’s are the on-site command- ers. They screen flight requests for suitability, recruit volunteer pilots, plan effective flight routes, make connections to media contacts, photographers, sat- ellite imagery and GIS specialists, and manage the external aspects of every mission.

Above: A partner working with (l-r) volunteer pilots Luke Irwin, Chuck Schroll, Dan Meyer, and with Sama Blackwell prepping for a mission over Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park.

4 Rudy Engholm/LightHawk Left: Rocky Mountain National Park The Day of the Mission On the day of the mission, the volunteer pilot meets the passengers at a designated airport, and is ultimately responsible for the safe conduct of the flight. Most flights will include at least one person from a partner organization who knows the issues and the area, and can function as a “subject mat- ter” expert. What makes LightHawk unique is our ability to connect the pilot, the plane, the issue, the conservation partner and the people who make or influence the on-the-ground outcomes. We do not just donate free flights to partners; we invest in re- solving issues

The Power of Leverage Our lean staff leverages a much larger network of dedicated pilots who volunteer their passion, their time, their expertise, and the operating cost of their airplanes and fuel to provide flights at no charge to our conservation partners. Each year, we donate between 700 to 1,000 flights to our partners in environmental hot spots within the United States, portions of Canada, Mexico and seven Central American countries. The cost or value of each flight can range between several hundred and several thou- sand dollars. Archive photo. David Smith/LightHawk Who Are These LightHawk Pilots? Aerial view of Sierpe Wetlands in Costa Rica, the largest mangrove forest in Central America and an LightHawk volunteer pilots must have a mini- international wetland of concern, on a flight to detect impacts from agriculture, pollution, logging and mum of 1,000 hours of experience, and are further qualified by an application process that includes illegal ditching and draining. an interview and reference checks. Pilots who join this elite corps cross the political spectrum and South of the Border come from all walks of life – physicians, lawyers, The Latin American countries where we have pilots because distance and challenging logistics small business owners, engineers, homemakers, ex- worked for more than two decades are vitally im- often make it difficult for volunteers to bring their military and airline backgrounds. They volunteer portant for biodiversity, including bird, butterfly own aircraft. Our Latin American program keeps because they feel compelled to share what they have and whale migrations into our own hemisphere. For this workhorse aircraft heavily scheduled for much seen for themselves. example, 2.5 percent of the unique species in the of the year (except rainy seasons) rotating between Many pilots have flown for LightHawk for a decade world are estimated to reside only in Costa Rica’s Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, or more, enabling partners to fly with the same vol- Osa Peninsula – a land area just 40 percent the size Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras. For many local unteer through the course of a campaign or research of Rhode Island. conservation partners in these countries, the annual project. The pilots become experts on the needs of In Latin America, we generally use a LightHawk- flights provided by LightHawk are the only flights the partner, the issue, and the geographic area. owned Cessna 206 flown by U.S.-based volunteer available to them. 5 2006 Accomplishments

Latin America Protecting Costa Rica’s Pacific Coastline Countries Have Borders; Species Don’t LightHawk collaborated with The Fund for Costa Rica to combat illegal and destructive development ightHawk’s work in this region focuses tected lands, and the rural and inaccessible practices near Manuel Antonio National Park. With on Mesoamerica, which stretches from nature of these lands, access to a tool like overflights, illegal cleared areas were identified and L southern Mexico to Panama and con- aerial surveillance is a necessary and integral documented. Result: Development was halted pend- tains seven percent of the world’s biodiver- part of Mesoamerican conservation initiatives. ing an investigation by Costa Rica’s Environmental sity within its tiny land base. Mesoamerica For nearly a quarter-century, more than 250 Court. provides vital habitat for migrating (and of- organizations have worked with LightHawk ten threatened) species such as the jaguar, to protect wildlife corridors, document illegal leatherback turtle, manatee, Monarch but- logging and poaching in protected areas, and terfly, and many species of bird—three of the educate stakeholders and community mem- Western Hemisphere’s four flyways converge bers about conservation-related issues. in this region. Dozens of species found here Our volunteer pilots from the U.S. provide are found nowhere else on earth. flights to protect places like Costa Rica’s Osa Some of the highest deforestation rates Peninsula, which contains more distinct tropi- in the world, however, also are found in Me- cal ecosystems than any comparable place

soamerica; approximately 80 percent of the on earth. We also work to protect the Maya Roberto Ramos/LightHawk region’s original forest has been cleared or Mountain Marine Corridor that links mountain Tracking illegal development along Costa Rica’s significantly altered. Most of the region’s pro- forests to the Mesoamerican Reef System, Pacific coast. tected areas are under significant threat as the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemi- well, as the resources to defend them often do sphere. And our multi-year effort to protect not exist. Adding to the pressure, indigenous key elements of the Mesoamerican and Sian tribes’ traditional land rights often conflict with Ka’an Calakmul Biological Corridors with “Providing visual documenta- national protective designations. Amigos de Sian Ka’an in Mexico culminated LightHawk’s ability to provide flights is criti- this year in the establishment of the Bala’an tion with aerial photographs is cal to on-going efforts to protect the biodiver- K’aax Flora and Fauna Protection Area in the an effective management and Yucatan Peninsula—a 346,000 acre reserve sity in this region. Given the complexity of communication tool. Light- land ownership, weak enforcement for pro- of forests and inland wetlands. Hawk flights are becoming an integral part of BAS’s management techniques. To conduct and rapidly assess the status of large areas is a necessity for us.” Large-scale deforestation in Michoacan, Mexico — Roberto Pott, Belize Audubon Society 6 Lee Pagni/LightHawk Defending Manatees in Honduras “We do not need to speak the same language in order to share a LightHawk conducted the first detailed manatee common interest in the conservation of our natural resources. If our survey since 1958 along the northern coast with ministry had a plane and pilots of this caliber, our work would be Loma Linda University to identify the presence of existing manatee populations. The data gathered is easier and we could reduce environmental infractions. Thank you a key component of a long-term protection strategy for such a valuable support to the natural resources of our country”. for the species. —Wilberth Quesada Valverde, MINAE

Supporting Under-Funded Fostering Scientific Research on Protected Areas Belize’s Coastal Mangroves LightHawk continued its long-standing collabora- LightHawk aided Smithsonian Institution scientists tion with Costa Rica’s Ministry of the Environment to gather data on the effects of human activities and (MINAE) this year, undertaking a project that en- natural disturbances on coastal mangrove ecosys- ables representatives of government agencies and tems. The aerial research has been an integral part non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) to survey of the nearly 20-year study to understand how the 10 of the country’s 11 designated conservation areas Daniel Gonzales/LightHawk disturbances to the mangroves are affecting adjacent included in the System of National Conservation Searching for Antillean manatees along vast sea grass beds and coral reefs. Areas (SINAC). By working with multiple organi- stretches of the Honduras coast. zations in one day over a single conservation area, LightHawk is able to strengthen relationships and Protecting Harpy Eagle Habitat in Belize further the exchange of information and ideas be- The Belize Zoo and The Peregrine Fund are reintro- tween NGO’s, community groups, government ducing the magnificent Harpy Eagle. With Light- agencies, and the media. Hawk’s aerial assistance over the past four years, In Guatemala, LightHawk continued its long- those groups identified suitable release sites and standing partnership with Wildlife Conservation successfully located released eagles (helping to gauge Society and CONAP (Consejo Nacional de Areas release success) in the forests of central Belize and Protegidas) staff to protect Laguna del Tigre Nation- along the Belize/Mexico border. al Park, monitoring activities and assess land conditions within the park. Ilka C. Feller/LightHawk Above: Monitoring the clearing and filling of mangrove islands off the Belize coast.

Right: Passengers representing MINAE and local NGOs gathered for a flight to observe and photograph several of Costa Rica’s conservation areas, detecting sites vulnerable to forest fires, detecting illegal activities affecting wetlands, Steven Brewer and determining the present state of forest cover.

Released Harpy Eagle Jorge Gamboa/MINAE 7 Eastern

2006 Accomplishments

2006 marks a strategic expansion of flight issues and geographic empha- sis in LightHawk’s eastern region. While continuing our commitment to preserve coastal, rural and urban open spaces in the face of development pressures, LightHawk flights also helped identify pollution sources, inform land-use per- mitting processes, and helped provide critical easement monitoring information for Acadia National Park. Dick Andrews/Forest Watch/LightHawk Andrews/Forest Watch/LightHawk Dick Newly protected wilderness in Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest (in background) adjacent to rapidly growing ski resort-related development.

Designating New Wilderness in Vermont Implementing Wild Atlantic Salmon In December, President Bush signed the New Survival in Maine England Wilderness Act of 2006, designating more LightHawk flights with the Penobscot River Res- than 42,000 acres of additional wilderness within toration Trust helped educate potential donors in an

Rudy Engholm/LightHawk the Green Mountain National Forest. This followed effort to raise $60 million for implementation of the The view of Mount Desert Island in Acadia a multi-year flight campaign with Forest Watch and Penobscot River Restoration Agreement, vital to the National Park on a conservation easement other members of the Vermont Wilderness Associa- recovery of endangered Atlantic salmon. The fund- tion that informed Congressional staff (including ing is needed to remove dams and improve fish pas- survey flight with Maine Coast Heritage Trust. the staffer that drafted the legislation) and newspa- sages that will enable salmon to migrate upstream to per editorial staff, and helped provide data on recre- spawn unimpeded. ational use needed to inform meetings with the U.S. 8 Forest Service. Protecting Wildlife Corridors in New York Supporting Small Community-Based Land Protecting Endangered Species LightHawk enabled The Nature Conservancy’s Trusts in New Hampshire in Vermont Central & Western New York Office and the New The Monadnock Conservancy is the only land LightHawk aided Vermont Natural Resources York State Department of Transportation to assess trust in southwestern New Hampshire, yet each year Council in their effort to photo-document evidence land use, human travel corridors, and the potential it must monitor and enforce the protection of forest of existing habitat for the endangered western cho- for creating or maintaining wildlife connectivity and farmland it helps to conserve in the 35 towns rus frog on a large agricultural parcel slated for de- between the Tug Hill Plateau and the Adirondack in which it works. The properties observed through velopment by Wal-Mart. The site, adjacent to an Mountains. Several wide-ranging mammals, includ- flight are 150 acres or larger, making it difficult, if operating organic farm, is historic habitat for the ing bear, lynx, moose, cougar, and wolves found in not impossible, to monitor them on foot. Light- species. VNRC is litigating against the company in this region are impacted by fragmented home rang- Hawk flights enable Conservancy staff to monitor environmental court, on behalf of Northwest Citi- es. Viable populations will thrive only if the impact and photo-document large easement properties to zen’s for Responsible Growth to limit the size and of roads and other human travel corridors is mini- ensure the land uses are in accordance with the terms impacts of the store and to convince the corporation mized. This mission launched the assessment phase of the easements. to relocate to a site that would help revitalize the of the public-private partnership. downtown economy.

“The hearings…went very well “The service that LightHawk provides is and the Commission is taking the invaluable to a non-profit organization habitat issues seriously. There is like Blue Hill Heritage Trust working no way we could have presented with limited resources.” evidence on wildlife habitat with- — Erika Rowland, Blue Hill Heritage Trust out the flyover. Thanks again for your help.” — Jamey Fidel, VNRC Erika Rowland/BHHT/LightHawk Monitoring conservation easements in coastal Maine with Blue Hill Heritage Trust. Jamey Fidel/VNRC/LightHawk Drainage ditches (far left) indicate the presence of endangered western chorus frog habitat. 9 Rockies

ightHawk continues to provide the 2006 Accomplishments powerful tool of aviation to preserve L and protect our natural heritage Revealing Oil & Gas Development “…The view from the sky answered in the Rocky Mountain West. With our Impacts in Wyoming the question for me about coalbed partners, we work to advance watershed The Red Desert is a harsh yet thriving landscape, protection efforts, address the impacts of providing habitat to more than 350 species of wild- methane and gas development. The rampant energy development, safeguard life including pronghorn antelope, elk, and many area of wells was staggering. There is wildlife and their habitat, and monitor native birds. It is also slated for oil and gas development, with plans in place for at least 255 wells little room for any kind of wildlife to recreational vehicle use. The permanent in the Jack Morrow Hills region alone. LightHawk protection of New Mexico’s spectacular exist... The Eastern Shoshone tribe conducted flights for community leaders, reporters, Valle Vidal region in 2006 symbolizes our and tribal leaders involved in CBM development is involved in a project with CBM efforts and long-standing commitment to plans to contrast developed land in the Jonah Field [but]…the future of the tribe does conservation in the region. with the environmentally-sensitive lands adjacent to the drilling area. It also gave our conservation part- not include land that may be trashed ners Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Wyoming and destroyed.” Outdoor Council, and Friends of the Red Desert the opportunity to advocate for permanent protection — Kassel Weeks, Eastern Shoshone Business Council of the area. Bob Peterson/LighHawk

Helping to safeguard bison in Yellowstone Na-

tional Park with Buffalo Field Campaign Sonoran Institute/LightHawk Flights over the Red Desert provided passengers the opportunity to view large-scale oil and gas 10 development in neighboring Jonah Field. er Santa Cruz River. Restoration projects have been Protecting Sensitive Wilderness Areas in Idaho ongoing for the last six years. Using LightHawk for We help the Selkirk Conservation Alliance, Great Burn aerial monitoring helped determine the success of Study Group, and Friends of the Clearwater address the the plantings at the restoration site and how restora- growing problem of illegal snowmobile use in existing and tion efforts and the flooding affect wildlife. proposed wilderness areas — areas specifically set aside for “quiet use” and wildlife protection. Agencies charged Winning Wildlands Protections with protecting these areas are frequently unable to enforce in New Mexico restrictions in remote areas. Our partners share GPS and In the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, photographic data gathered through LightHawk to the the Valle Vidal is prized for the wildlife habitat it pro- agencies for planning and enforcement purposes. vides and for its outstanding scenic and recreational opportunities. The U.S. Forest Service, however, at- “The purpose of this flight was to tempted to open the area to coalbed methane drill- monitor for illegal snowmobile activ- ing, which would have forever changed its pristine character. The Valle Vidal Protection Act was signed ity in the Great Burn, Meadow Creek- into law this year, following three years of Light- Upper Northfork and Sheepmountain Hawk’s collaborative efforts with the Coalition for J.T. Thomas/LightHawk J.T. the Valle Vidal, permanently protecting more than Roadless Areas in Montana and Idaho. The West Elk Complex in the Clear Fork Road- 100,000 acres of the region from mineral extraction. What could have easily taken less Area under threat by oil and gas lease sales. LightHawk volunteer pilots provided guided educa- tional flights to help achieve this goal, carrying staff 16 full days of work on the ground Inspiring Roadless Protections from the Governor’s office and U.S. Congressional in Colorado, Montana and Idaho offices, local and national media representatives, and we were able to get done in two hours LightHawk flights were used successfully again local elected officials. These flights helped passengers with the help of LightHawk.” this year illustrating the beauty of and threats to our to understand the value of preserving the Valle Vidal last remaining Roadless Areas such as Clear Fork in and comprehend the potential impacts of coalbed — Dave Harmon, Field Studies Coordinator, Great Burn Colorado, Great Burn in Montana, and Boulder- methane development. Study Group White Clouds in Idaho. We provided elected officials, scientists, funders, activists, tribal members and media representatives the opportunity to view first-hand and document these pristine areas. Seeing the interconnectedness of the land and waterways provided the forum our partners needed to persuade decision-makers to leave these roadless areas wild and roadless and led to a greater understanding of the issues.

Evaluating River Restoration Success Dick Walker/LightHawk

in Arizona John Schroeder/LightHawk LightHawk worked with the Tucson Audubon So- The aerial view of valuable wildlife habitat and Detecting illegal snowmobile use in restricted ciety and the U.S. Geological Survey to photo docu- abundant recreational opportunities in New mountain woodland caribou recovery areas with ment damage from flooding to a portion of the low- Mexico’s Valle Vidal. Selkirk Conservation Alliance 11 pacific

ightHawk continues our long-standing 2006 Accomplishments commitment to wildlands and wildlife L protection throughout U.S. Pacific Protecting Species and Habitat coast states and coastal British Columbia in Washington – conserving habitat, protecting national LightHawk collaborated with the Washington forests, and promoting sustainable for- Forest Law Center, Seattle Audubon, and others to highlight a 50 percent decline in spotted owl popu- D. Eric Harlow/LightHawk estry practices. In 2006, we also worked Islands of northern spotted owl habitat surround- diligently with our partners to address lation in the last decade. Media flights and docu- mentary film footage gathered through LightHawk ed by clearcuts become undeniable when viewed growing threats to water quality from provided images only comprehendible from the air from the air. increased development activities, further- that illustrated just mere islands of owl habitat ex- ing efforts to protect California’s coastline, ist surrounded by vast clearcuts. These images clari- to discharge waste from a mine directly into a lake— address factory farm pollution, and reduce fied the need for stronger habitat protections and a a lake connected to Berners Bay in Tongass National polluted run-off and the use of mixing species recovery plan—to which the U.S. Fish and Forest. The bay is a rich estuary and an Aquatic Re- zones along urban waterways. Wildlife Service subsequently agreed. source of National Importance that provides spawn- ing habitat for wild Alaskan salmon. It also attracts Defending Public Lands in California humpback whales, the threatened Steller sea lion, Working with the California Wilderness Coali- and the second largest congregation of bald eagles tion, LightHawk provided a guided flight for a Los in North America. LightHawk flights documented Angeles Times reporter over land in northern Cali- changes occurring at the mine site, which is being fornia slated for sale in President Bush’s 2007 fed- used in a pending legal suit. This evidence led to an eral budget. The full proposal included more than injunction halting “all construction-related activi- 85,000 acres in California and 800,000 acres of ties furthering the implementation of Coeur Alaska’s public land nationwide. From the air, it was obvious plan of disposing tailings into [the] Lake.” these parcels were contiguous to existing forestland, some of which composed crucial wildlife and river corridors, and were not “marginal” or “isolated” federal lands, as touted by the Administration. Televi- sion coverage of the issue made use of photographic images provided by LightHawk as well.

Safeguarding Marine and Coastal Habitat

Margaret Puckette in Alaska A gathering of LightHawk’s Pacific volunteer pilots and LightHawk is protecting a pristine watershed from friends in Anacortes, Wash. toxic gold mine waste in conjunction with Southeast Alaska Conservation Council and Earthjustice. For the first time in history, the U.S. Army Corps of En- 12 gineers authorized a mining company, Coeur Alaska, SEACC/LightHawk LightHawk pilots worked tirelessly to support the establishment of California’s Central Exposing Water Quality Threats Coast Marine Protected Areas. in California In a campaign to address water pollution attribut- able to confined animal feeding operations in central California, LightHawk aided in investigating factory farms identified as the worst polluters. Many of the sites are not accessible from public roads, but through LightHawk, local Baykeeper and Sierra Club chapters gathered data and photographs critical to their outreach and education efforts. “Seeing the proximity of dairies and farms to impaired waterways and to neighborhoods helped me understand why it is so important to address our concerns about pollution. Neither the detailed information, photos, nor regional perspective could have been gained by any means other than a flight.”

— Carrie McNeil, DVM, Director, Deltakeeper Chapter of Baykeeper Ed Steinman/LightHawk

As a reporter who covers environmental issues, I came away with a clearer picture and understanding of a beautiful region… that I often write about, but don’t get to see from above. I think all environmental journalists could benefit from seeing the geographic regions they cover from a LightHawk flight.”

— Terry Chea, Reporter, The Associated Press

Documenting illegal clearing construction Luke Cole/LightHawk activities at Coeur Alaska’s Kensington Mine, Gathering evidence of unpermitted “clear SEACC/LightHawk connected to Berner’s Bay construction” dairy farms. 13 Peripheral and Emerging Regions

n LightHawk’s “peripheral” regions, flight 2006 Accomplishments requests are accepted and managed as Ithey are in our core regions, but in these Exposing Water Quality Violations in Protecting Flamingo Populations in the areas volunteer pilot recruitment and strate- Michigan Caribbean gic outreach to conservation partners is not Working with Environmentally Concerned Citi- LightHawk provided a week of flights to survey actively conducted at this time. Our work in zens of South Central Michigan and the Sierra Club, and document populations of Caribbean flamingos the Midwest, southeast, and Caribbean, con- LightHawk helped to photo- and video-document in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. tinues to grow each year, however, through unpermitted and illegally-sited manure lagoons on a The flights provided the Wildlife Conservation So- networking and the willingness of many of our number of confined animal feeding operations. Im- ciety, the Bahamas National Trust, and The Nature volunteer pilots to travel far from home to fur- ages of overflowing lagoons and other water quality Conservancy with the first accurate assessment of violations that pollute local streams and rivers and size and dispersal of this important breeding popu- ther LightHawk’s mission. threaten groundwater successfully captured the at- lation. These studies will allow WCS to determine tention of government agencies such as the U.S. how much habitat the population needs to flourish EPA, the Michigan Department of Environmental – which is critical in light of significant development Quality, and the state legislature, who are now be- planned in the region. ginning to take steps to address these issues.

“We submitted…pictures with explana- tions to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) shortly after the pictures were taken. Less than Judd Klement Volunteer pilot Ed Steinman (on wing) regularly flies two weeks after the flight the MDEQ far from home to conduct LightHawk missions. cited 3 facilities with over 20 violations. I believe many of the violations were is- sued due to the photos we provided.”

— John Klein, Environmentally Concerned Citizens of

14 South Central Michigan ECCSM/Sierra Club/ LightHawk “The flight allowed us to conduct the first ever direct count of flamingos on their nesting grounds in the Bahamas. The data [gathered] will be used by the Bahamas National Trust in managing this population and will also contribute to a regional effort to coordinate population monitoring of this species throughout the Caribbean. LightHawk and our pilot, Kelly [Gottlieb], were excellent; we absolutely could not have done this without them.”

— Nancy Clum, Ornithologist, Wildlife Conservation Society 15 Archive photo. David Kunkel/Pronatura/LightHawk David photo. Archive Partners in Conservation

Latin America Nicaragua Belize Environmental Committee of Guácimo and Pococi Terra Peninsula S.A. Fund for Costa Rica Centro Humboldt Aquacaliente Management Team Alison Jones/LightHawk Belize Audubon Society Fundacion Ecologica del Cornelio de Acosta Fundacion del Rio The Belize Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources (FUNDECOA) Ministerio del Ambiente (MARENA) Fundación de Protección y Vigilancia de los Recursos and the Environment (GOB) Northeast Belize Foundation for Research and Naturales (FUPROVIRENA) Environmental Education Grupo Plinia (Puriscaleños Liderando Nuevas Ideas Ahora) Blue Hill Heritage Trust Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center Ministerio del Ambiente y Energia (MINAE) Bunting Family Foundation Bladen Management Consortium Municipalidad de San Jose Columbia Land Conservancy Community Baboon Sanctuary Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) Downeast Lakes Land Trust Filmmaker Richard Foster Selva Tica Forest Watch Forest and Marine Reserve Association of Caye Caulker Sistema de Areas de Conservacion Nacional (SINAC) Foundation for Deep Ecology Friends of Nature Smithsonian Institution Maine Coast Heritage Trust Green Reef Universidad de Costa Rica Medomak Valley Land Trust Monadnock Conservancy Oceanic Society Guatemala The Peregrine Fund Penobscot River Restoration Trust Asociación Balam, Piscataquog Watershed Association Programme for Belize Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CONAP) Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests Defensores de la Naturaleza The Nature Conservancy, Central and Western New York Chapter (SATIIM) Madre Selva Siwa-Ban Foundation The Nature Conservancy, Maine Chapter Ministerio Defensa Nacional Vermont Natural Resources Council Smithsonian Institution Nightfire Films University of Belize Parque Nacional Tikal University of Calgary Reuters News Service Wildlife Care Center Centro de Monitoreo y Evaluación (CEMEC) Wildlife Conservation Society The Nature Conservancy Wildlife Trust Tropico Verde Costa Rica Unidos Para La Conservacion ASEPALECO Wildlife Conservation Society Asociación de Amigos de la Naturaleza del Pacífico Honduras Central y Sur (ASANA) Loma Linda University Asociacion Comunidades Ecologistas Usarias del Golfo USAID de Nicoya (CEUS) Asociación para la Conservación y Desarrollo de los Cerros Mexico de Escazú (CODECE) Greenpeace Mexico Asociación para la Preservación de la Flora y Fauna Silvestre National Aeronautics and Space (APREFLOFAS) Administration Asociación Pro Conservación de los Recursos Naturales, Platte River Whooping Crane Trust (ASOPROCOSARENA) Pronatura Chiapas

Asociación Proyecto Campanario Sweetbriar College Skeele/American Wildlands Tom 16 Canal 15 Era Verde World Wildlife Fund Eco-Life Foundation Pre-flight briefing for American Wildlands Laurie Martin Rudy Engholm¡

Rockies

American Wildlands Prendergast/LightHawk Tony Amigos Bravos Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Alliance Buffalo Field Campaign Alaska Transportation Priorities Project Bunting Family Foundation Animal Planet Center for Biological Diversity California Wilderness Coalition Coldstream Creative Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment Colorado Environmental Coalition Clover Valley Foundation Crowsnest Conservation Society Deltakeeper Chapter of Baykeeper Dolores River Coalition Earthjustice Fine Cut Productions Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch Friends of the Bitterroot Ecological Farming Association Friends of the Clearwater Forest Ethics Friends of the Red Desert Environment Now Friends of the Santa Cruz River Friends of Clayoquot Sound Grand Canyon Wildlands Council Louis Hohenstein Great Burn Study Group Monterey Bay Aquarium Greater Yellowstone Coalition Olympic Coast Alliance High Country Citizens Alliance Oregon Natural Resources Council Idaho Conservation League Seattle Audubon Joe Riis Photography Sierra Club - California Nevada Hawaii Regional Office Metamorph Films Soda Mountain Wilderness Council Montana Wilderness Association Southeast Alaska Conservation Council San Juan Citizens Alliance Surfrider Foundation Santa Fe Garden Club Conservation Committee Tahoe-Baikal Institute Selkirk Conservation Alliance The Ocean Conservancy Sierra Club, Rocky Mountain Chapter The Otter Project

Jorge Gamboa/SINAC Southwest Environmental Center Washington Forest Law Center The Nature Conservancy Willamette Riverkeeper Costa Rican System of Protected Areas (SINCA) staff preparing The Wilderness Society, Four Corners office World Temperate Rainforest Network for a flight to monitor activities and land conditions in one of the The Wilderness Workshop Tucson Audubon Society 10 Conservation Areas they work to protect with LightHawk. Peripheral and Emerging Regions Upper Green River Valley Coalition Western Environmental Law Center Wildlife Conservation Society Western Slope Environmental Resource Center Environmentally Concerned Citizens Wildsight of South Central Michigan World Resources Institute Joe Riis Photography World Wildlife Fund Platte River Whooping Crane Trust Wyoming Outdoor Council Sierra Club, Mackinac Chapter 17 Volunteer pilots

Gabrielle Adelman, California Eric Fogelin, Washington Dan Meyer, Arizona Ryan Scott, Washington Dick Andrews Dick Robert Andrews, Maine Steven Garman, Idaho Andrew Moffat, Colorado James Seith, Virginia Volunteer pilot Ev Cassagneres and Dick Richard Arnold, Colorado Bob Gill, Washington Douglas J. Monger, Montana Michael Sharp, Alaska Andrews of Forest Watch ready to fly on James Moore, California a cold winters day. Richard Axelrod, Vermont Reginald Goodwin, Montana Mark Shelley, California Richard Barr, New Mexico* Kelly Gottlieb, Florida David Murphy, New Hampshire Allan Silverstein, New York Greg Bedinger, Washington James Grady, Colorado Larry Musarra, Alaska** Frederick J. Slyfield II, Utah Milton Bennett, Oregon William Green, Alaska Joris Naiman, Massachusetts David Smith, Costa Rica Grant Besley, New Mexico Stephen Greenway, Colorado Lewis Nash, Oregon Gene Steffen, Arizona Anissa Berry-Frick, Alaska Jeff Hamilton, Washington Jane Nicolai, Washington Edward Steinman, Michigan Stan Bialek, Colorado James Barry Harper, Texas Steve Nicoll, Montana David Stern, New York Richard Bicknell, Florida Pat Healy, Maryland James Noyes, Idaho Michael Sullivan, New Mexico Jon Galt Bowman, Washington Charles Heywood, Colorado Malcom Ohl, California Michael Sutton, California Christopher Boyer, Montana Kemp Hiatt, Washington Robert Ovanin, California Larry Swanson, Utah

Carl Johnson Edgar Boyles, Colorado Gerald Hoogerwerf, New Mexico David Palmer, Alaska Art Thompson, Arizona Volunteer pilot Michael McBride with Gregory Burnett, Minnesota Hugh Horning, Delaware Alan Parnass, Colorado G. Val Tollefson, Washington National Geographic reporter David Jeremiah Burns, Massachusetts Bruce Huester, Florida Stephen Paul, Colorado Tom Tuxill, Florida Braun at the 8th World Wilderness Jim Cameron, Alberta, Canada Arthur Hussey III, Alaska Woodward Payne, California Nick Ulman, California Congress in Anchorage. James Carlson, Wyoming Luther Irwin, Arizona Chester Peterson, Jr., California Matt Verdieck, Oregon Saul Chaikin, California A.C. Jayne, Michigan Robert Peterson, Wyoming Richard Walker, Idaho Ed Coffman, North Carolina Kirk Johnson, Alaska Benjamin C. Pierce, Montana Terri Watson, California F. Jordan Colby, Florida Robert Keller, Jr., New York William Pinkus, California Pritchard White, Idaho Peter Coltman, Texas John W. Keys III, Utah Geoff Pope, California R. Shelton “Doc” White, California Duane Cornell, California Richard Kimball, New York Ric Quisenberry, Colorado Brian Williams, New Jersey Dean Cully, Hawaii Alan Kinback, Florida C. Noell Rather, Texas Stephen Williams, Maine James M. Cunningham, Colorado Paul Kinzelman, New Mexico Rick Ray, California John Wilson, Vermont Frank Davis, New Mexico Timothy Lapage, Utah Fred Reimers, Wyoming Brent Witters, California Robert Dismukes, California Jim Leachman, California George Ritter, Nevada Helen Woods, Maryland J. Selkowitz Tom Dittmar, California John Michael Lee, California Kevin Roache, California Will Worthington, Arizona Pre-flight check. David Downey, Montana Raymond Lee, Wyoming Lisa Robertson, Wyoming Ken Wyrick, Colorado Timothy Drager, Pennsylvania Richard Lippner, Florida Steve Robertson, Wyoming Andy Young, Colorado Rick Durden, Michigan Allen Low, California Ted Robinson, Massachusetts Bradley Zeve, California C. Rudy Engholm, Maine Ruthmary Lovitt, Montana* James A. Rollins, Maine Gary Engler, Minnesota Tom Maurer, Washington Jane Rosevelt, Oregon Names in italics conducted Daniel Evans, Colorado Michael McBride, Alaska Pauline Ross, Colorado LightHawk missions in 2006 John Feagin, Colorado David McConnell, California Elmer Schettler, Colorado * Retired in 2006 ** deceased Joseph Fischetti, New York Bruce McLean, California Merry Schroeder, New Mexico Charles Fligel, Montana Mike McNamara, New Jersey Chuck Schroll, Arizona Laurie Martin Volunteer pilot Chuck Schroll prepping LightHawk’s Cessna 206 for flight. Lighthawk finances Federal EIN No: 84-0852104 Revenue Sources Programmatic Efficiency Other ightHawk’s net assets grew by more than $500,000 in 2006 due Investment Contributions General and Income 6% Fundraising and to successful fundraising efforts, that resulted in a 48 percent 1% Membership 12% Administrative increase in revenues, and a 10 percent drop in operating expens- 12% L Donated Services es. The expense decrease stemmed from staffing changes and the chal- and Materials 18% lenge of finding qualified staff. Our patience and persistence paid off. We Individual Program Contributions Donated ended the year with two excellent new program staff and nearly $300,000 Foundation 46% 44% Contributions Program 32% in an operating reserve. LightHawk’s goal in 2007 is to continue to build 29% that reserve to enable us to respond to program needs in the future.

Statement of Financial Position Balance Sheet Years Ended December 31, 2005-2006 Years Ended December 31, 2005-2006 2006 2005 2006 2005 Support and Revenue Assets Individual contributions 581,244 202,844 Cash and cash equivalents 382,439 258,534 Foundation contributions 369,714 285,464 Unconditional promises to give 364,781 28,896 Donated services and materials 233,679 262,869 Prepaid expenses 8,035 15,611 Other contributions 8,478 83,663 Investments 719,628 593,191 Other revenue, interest and dividends 24,366 14,585 Property and equipment 28,118 29,738 Realized and unrealized gains on investments 55,410 10,683 Total Assets 1,503,001 925,970 Total Support and Revenue 1,272,891 860,108 Liabilities Expenses Accounts payable 44,479 10,601 Program 557,798 654,669 Current maturities of long-term debt 25,000 25,000 Support Long-term debt, less current maturities 75,000 7 5 , 0 0 0 Development 86,137 71,787 Total Liabilities 144,479 110,601 Administration 85,803 88,944 Total Expense 729,738 815,400 net Assets Unrestricted 417,864 88,609 Change in net assets 543,153 (7,189) Temporarily restricted 202,378 42,808 Permanently restricted 738,280 683,952 Net assets (deficit), beginning of year 815,369 770,661 Total Net Assets 1,358,522 815,369 Net assets (deficit), end of year $1,358,522 $815,369 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $1,503,001 $925,970

Audited Financial Statement and IRS form 990 may be obtained by writing LightHawk, PO Box 653, Lander, WY 82520 or [email protected] 19 With Sincere appreciation

LightHawk is tremendously grateful to you, our supporters. Without the continued commitment of the many individuals, foundations, corporations, Ethan D. Alyea, Jr. Philip Garofalo and organizations listed below, our work would not be possible. Victor and Janice Anderson Lydia Garvey Constance Andrews Peter Geiler We hope you will take pride in all that we have accomplished together in 2006. Jim Astin Joseph Gerberg John W. Bacon Martin Gerrard Patrons ($10,000+) Jesse Collins and Joan L. Bavaria James and Constance Baker Mark M. Giese

Anonymous Jitze and Nancy Couperus Linda M. Baker Tim Gieseler Alison Jones Rudy Engholm Christopher and Bonnie Covington Scott Allen Barber Richard Glick Suzanne Parish William Cowles George and Anita Berlacher Alyce Gligor David and Gale Kunkel Robert Dismukes and Barbara Burian Lee James Best Jr. Elaine Goldman Theo Gund Francis C. Farwell III Ronald and Jean Bourque Patrick Donovan Goldsworthy Steven Knaebel Abigail Faulkner Richard Bowen Nydia Goode Gil and Marge Ordway Richard and Marilyn Fay Joseph Bower Fay C. Graning Steve and Lisa Robertson Lee S. Gerstein and Joy Covey Elliot and Arlene Brandwein P. Hawk Greenberg Aaron Singer Bill and Lynda Hutton Hugh Brundage Peter and Joanne Griesinger Al and Nancy Jubitz August and Jane Buenz David C. Grimwood, M.D. Contributors ($1,000-9,999) Bill and Jean Lane Jeremiah Burns Thomas Hall Mary Ellen Bates Robert K. Keller, Jr. and Carol Keller Thomas and Inger Burns Robert and Sharon Handelsman Dr. Brent Blue Valerie Langer Thomas R. Broker and Louise T. Chow David and Vivien Hanson Robert M. Williams and Margaret R. Philip A. Lathrap and Roberta A. Davis Bill Coghill James Hartrich Caldwell Robert E. Matthews William and Barbara Coleman Jerry Herst and Julie Dorfman Frank and Gina Day Bruce and Annie McTavish Robert and Barbara Conyers Judith Herzfeld Richard Durden Judith W. Miskell Lou Anna Denison Bill and Gail Hlavacek David I. Katzman Lavonne M. Painter Louise W. Devine Milton and Louise Hollander Steve and Sheryl Koonce Will and Julie Parish Ann W. Dittmar Kirsten R. Holmquist Gregory and Somjit Kunkel George F. Ritter Mark Drake Mary B. Holt Gurnee Munn, III William and Deborah Roach Stan and Carol Eilers Todd Hoover Benjamin C. Pierce William and Alice Russell-Shapiro A.R. Elliott Richard Horvitz

LightHawk John and Merry Schroeder Georgie Stanley II Gail Factor Ted Huston and Rosemary Rader Patricia C. Stein Charles S. Faulkner, II Kenneth E. Hutton Sustaining Members ($250-999) Celia P. Taylor John Feagin Robert and Tina Hyduke Allan and Marilyn Brown Fund G. Val and Mary Ann Tollefson Robert and Helen Feldman L. Christine Judson Page Allen and Nathaniel Owings Butch Weaver Barbara Fey Alan and Jean Kahn Catherine Anderson Henry and Susan Flint John and Sherold Barr Kaib Anonymous Supporters (up to $249) Alan Frank Paula R. Katz Keith Baldwin Anonymous W. Phelps Freeborn John and Dell Keys Greg Bedinger and Jan Mulder Mercedes Agogino Mary Ann Frye Amos Kidder Matthew Berman Edwin Ahrens Ben and Peggy Fujita Patricia M. Kincaid Anissa Berry-Frick Martin P. Albert, M.D. James Gamble Ralph and Carolyn Kraetsch Lyman B. Brainerd Ethan and Alice Allen Bill and Mary Gardner Dr. H. Robert Krear 20 Barbara L. Brown Dennis H. Allgaier Daniel J. Gare Ronald Labrecque Vickie Laughlin Alan Rogers and Jamie Gagan George Waddell Roy A. Hunt Foundation Thomas Ledig J. Speed and Beth Rogers Emily V. Wade Wiancko Charitable Foundation Robert Lenox and Sharon Smith-Lenox Dale Rogerson and Sarah Stanley Mark Wahl William B. Wiener, Jr. Foundation Don and Pam Lichty Janet Rollin Donald and Jean Wall Jason A. Lillegraven Ray and Elsa Rose Steven Wallace Conservation Partner Donations Bob Linck and Leanne Klyza Linck Jared Rossman Lee Walling Eagle County Community Development Harold and Eleanor Lipton Willis C. Royall, Jr. Mary E. Walsh Earthjustice Harrison Longshaw Helen Rudie James Wang Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch Thomas Lovejoy Ann Runyan-Worley R. Thomas and Donna Miller Ward Friends of Fawnskin Kary and Lyle Lucas Howard C. Russell Nancy E. Warner, M.D. Friends of the Santa Cruz River Theodore Lyman Jean Salmon Ric Watkins Great Burn Study Group Anne Mack G.L. Scarborough, Jr. Terri Watson Loma Linda University Lucy Macleitch Leon and Beulah Schiller Edward and Victoria Welch North Fork Preservation Association Bernice C. Maertz Pierre F. Schlemel Richard and Kathleen Westcott Santa Fe Garden Club Joseph T. Maier and Patricia Ann Fox Mark Schoen Winston Wheeler Sierra Club Southwestern Regional Office Philip Margolis Chuck Schroll Larry and Mary White Southern Environmental Law Center Nancy B. Marsh Joanne Schuler Claudia Whitnah Tahoe-Baikal Institute Robert Martin and Katherine Gould- G. Edward and Joyce Shissler Jeannette Widom Western Environmental Law Center Martin Daniel and Joanne Shively David Wild Willamette Riverkeeper Joelle R. Mauthe Helen Shoup Barbara J. Wilhite World Resources Institute David B. McConnell Randall Siebert Randy and Fran Williams Wyoming Outdoor Council Dan Meyer Larry Slessler Elinor Willis Jerome P. Miller Farwell Smith and Linda McMullen Jeffrey K. Winslow Corporate Donations and William and Terry Moore Jeffrey A. Soots John and Jill Winter Workplace Giving Joris Naiman and Lesya Struz Henry and Elsie Sorgenfrei Robert C. Winton Microsoft Matching Gifts Program James M. Noyes and Louise Wilson Noyes Jennifer Speers Donald and Eleanor Wolf Combined Federal Campaign Mose and Maren Orion Oppenheimer Lee Spiegel and Dianne Hendricks James Wood Continental Airlines Devonia Oster Georgie W. Stanley II John Wylde Geri Oster Tyrone and Deidra Steen Cyrus and Lucia Young Lee Pagni Gene Steffen Bradley Zeve Penny L. Blubaugh Bob and Carol Stevens Robert Persurance Timothy Strand Foundation and Grant Support Robert and Anita Peterson Larry Sullivan Abe Gottlieb Family Philanthropic Fund JustGive Damon R. Phillips Bergen and Helene Suydam Allan Silverstein Family Foundation Network for Good Alice R. Pierson Marilyn H. Tam Appleby Foundation Margaret Puckette Georgiana Taylor Bunting Management Group Honor Gifts Gifts were made to George and Nancy Purvis Beatrice E. Thompson Christensen Family Foundation LightHawk in honor of: Edward J. Pushich Tracy C. Thompson Cinnabar Foundation V. Sidney Raines Walter W. Tingle Elinor Patterson Baker Trust Fletcher Anderson Sheldon C. Ramsay Anne Towne Eugene & Emily Grant Family Foundation Gregory Gund David Rich Trillium Natural Foods Island Foundation Patricia Kay Afton Richards Margot B. Unkel Myers-Ball Foundation, Inc. Dan Meyer George F. Ritter John and Estelle Ursu Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation Bill Nicolai Betty J. Rockwell Glenn Vargas Patagonia, Inc. Pauline Ross Howard and Debbie Rodgers William C. and Lucille Vinyard Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust B 21 Allison Coordes/LightHawk O u r Mi s s i o n E. Fogelin/LightHawk Aerial photo taken on a mission to help LightHawk’s mission is to champion environmental protection detect illegal snowmobile use in Mt. through the unique perspective of flight. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

O u r Va l u e s

A healthy planet Collaboration We value the earth and the living things that depend upon it. We value the organizations and individuals that strive in responsible ways to protect the earth, including its natural places, Rudy Engholm/LightHawk Solution-oriented action its flora and its fauna. We value collaborative problem solving Assessing fire damage in the Golden We value action. We are compelled to protect the health of our approaches that engage partners in achieving individual and Stream Biological Corridor in Belize. water, air, and land, and to sustain the diverse ecosystems that shared conservation goals. comprise the earth. Making a difference The aerial perspective We value our ability to make a difference in a conservation We value the unique view of the earth provided by flight. The debate. This requires that we maintain an effective, flexible, information and images gathered from above help inform and and sustainable organization able to benefit from the contribu- educate. They also serve as checks and balances to monitor tions of our volunteers while remaining focused on our mission those who safeguard our natural resources. and goals.

Judd Klement Balanced approaches Safety Prepping planes for LightHawk program flights We value problem-solving approaches that consider the needs We value safety in the air and on the ground. of human society and the natural world.

O u r Go a l LightHawk’s goal is to mobilize enough volunteer pilots, aircraft and resources to help tip the balance toward sustainability for every major environmental issue within our targeted areas of focus. Rudy Engholm Volunteer pilot Rick Durden ensuring passengers are safely loaded into the plane during the safety briefing. Board of Directors Staff

Dr. Brent Blue (Jackson, WY) Jane Nicolai (Vancouver, WA) C. Rudy Engholm, Executive Director – See listing left. practices medicine in Jackson Hole, worked in the ski/tourism industry in founded an aviation medical supply Colorado and Alaska, and served as a Emilie Ryan, Chief Financial Officer (Loveland, CO) company, and is a recognized public graphic designer for several years. She is has spent most of her 20+ year career in financial management at the speaker and expert in aviation medicine. also a triathlete with a wide variety of civic National Outdoor Leadership School. She oversees all aspects of the interests. organization’s finances, budgeting, and human resource needs. Tuck Colby, Treasurer (Sarasota, FL) is a trustee of private charitable Ben Pierce (Belgrade, MT) has Laurie Martin, Director of Development & foundations following his retirement from been involved in professional land Communications (Castleton, VT) oversees LightHawk’s a banking career in Africa, Scandinavia, conservation for over 20 years with work with foundations, donors, and publications. She has a strong New York, and Paris. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and environmental public policy background. currently co-directs the Montana Chapter. Rick Durden (Grand Rapids, MI) is an Pierce worked in banking and investment Michele Gangaware, Director of Latin America aviation attorney, author, and pilot. He has management prior to joining TNC. Programs & Operations (Glenwood Springs, CO and San Jose, been involved in LightHawk since 1990, Costa Rica) joined LightHawk in 1997. She manages LightHawk’s and served as LightHawk’s Executive Merry Schroeder (Santa Fe, NM) work and travels regularly throughout the Latin American region, and is Director during 2005-2007. Durden brings the experience of many different licensed pilot. currently writes and consults with various worlds – including nursing, professional aviation-related businesses. art sales, and flight instruction. She Sama Blackwell, Director of U.S. and Canada remains active as one of LightHawk’s Programs (Boulder, CO) originally joined LightHawk as program C. Rudy Engholm, Executive longest-serving volunteer pilots. manager for the Rocky Mountains after working for The Wilderness Director (Portland, ME) was Society. She is a licensed private pilot. the founder of Northern Wings, an Michael Sutton (Monterey, CA) environmental flying organization that is Vice-President of the Monterey Bay Kelley Tucker, Eastern Region Program Manager merged into LightHawk in 2003. His Aquarium and the head of the Center (Long Island, NY) came to LightHawk via the International Crane background is in law, computers, and for the Future of the Oceans. Sutton Foundation, the American Bird Conservancy, and the University of software company management. previously worked at the Packard Chicago. Foundation, has served as a senior advisor Steve Knaebel, Board Vice- on ocean issues to the Departments of Judd Klement, Pacific Region Program Manager (Palo President (Mexico City, Mexico) Commerce and State, and is a member Alto, CA) founded BirdPAC, a political action committee for birds retired in 2005 from Cummins, Inc. as of the California Fish and Game and the environment. He worked for the Audubon Society and has Vice President – Mexico Operations Commission. experience in sea turtle conservation programs in the Caribbean, Central and Distribution Latin America and America and the east coast. as President of Cummins’ Mexican Terri Watson (Palm Springs, CA) subsidiary. Previously he was USAID previously served as LightHawk’s Keri Foster, U.S. & Canada Programs Associate mission director in Costa Rica. Executive Director (2001-2003) and (Lander, WY) runs the Lander office. Her prior experience was Flight Services Director after joining as a with Green Mountain Club in Vermont, and working on primate David Kunkel, Board President volunteer pilot in 1997. Watson is a EMS rehabilitation projects in Nigeria. (Meeker, CO) has a successful background helicopter pilot, and has flown fixed and as an entrepreneur – founding both a civil rotary wing aircraft throughout the world engineering firm in Eagle, Colorado and a in military and civilian applications. software and services company producing municipal government software. Note: Each of the directors is an accomplished pilot with deep environmental convictions and experience. 23 Invest in our Environment

Li g h t Ha w k is well-positioned Give stock. Remember that you are not limited to to make lasting contributions to the restoration cash gifts. Make a bottom-line difference in both and protection of our natural resources. Your your taxes and conservation through the donation charitable gift contribution helps us meet our cur- of stock or other securities. You will avoid paying rent goals and secure a healthy financial future. capital gains on the increased value of your stock Through our multiple giving options, we may help from the time you purchase it — up to 20 percent you achieve that same outcome, too. of your adjusted gross income. Also, you will receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value Your gift Tell a friend about LightHawk. Are you already of the stock on the date that the gift was made. makes a difference. a member? Tell a friend about LightHawk by sharing this annual report. Make a bequest. Make a long-term commitment to LightHawk. Ask us how you may receive tax Donate your piloting skills. Join our volunteer benefits that do not impact your cash flow today pilot corps; the minimum requirement is 1000+ by designating LightHawk in your will or partici- hours as pilot-in-command. pating in other planned giving options.

Honor a friend or family member. Donate to Join now! Become a LightHawk member at the ba- LightHawk in honor of an avid pilot and/or conser- sic level for $35 a year. Your donation is tax-de- vationist. We will send them a special card and ductible and as a member you receive our quar- honor them with a mention of the gift in our next terly newsletter and WayPoint – Success Stories quarterly newsletter. from Above, our new monthly e-newsletter.

Make a cash gift. Your support can be immedi- ately put to use in protecting the environment We appreciate and through aviation. welcome your support.

Make your gift grow. Your LightHawk contribution For more information on how your gift can make can go even further if you employer matches your a difference on behalf of the environment, visit contribution, whether you choose to give through our website at: www.lighthawk.org or contact our Li g h t Ha w k .o r g a payroll deduction plan or make an annual dona- headquarters at (307) 332-3242. LightHawk, P.O. tion. Just ask your employer for matching gift Box 653, Lander, WY 82520

P.O. Box 653 Lander, WY 82520 Phone (307) 332-3242 • Fax (307) 332-1641 • www.lighthawk.org • [email protected]