Annual Report 2005

EarthCorps’ mission is to build global community through local environmental service

Strong Communities Nothing brings people together like getting dirty. EarthCorps workspeople with schools, businesses and together community organizations to accomplish tangible, ongoing projects that make a difference in neighborhoods and parks like Dearborn Park in South Seattle, in suburban and island communities around Pugetsouth Sound, as Seattle Whitewell as in rapidly changing Center areas like White Center.

Healthy Habitats GreatImproving Blue the air, water Heron and quality of life in western Washington is part of EarthCorps’ daily routine. This work directly benefits nesting grounds of the Pacific NorthwestGreat Blue Heron, spawning salmon channels for several runs of Pacific Northwest salmon, native salamanders, frogs and turtles, as well asBald the homes of BaldEagles Eagles.

Young Leaders Cultivatingplanting the next generation of environmental a seed stewards means planting a seed with elementary, middle and high school stu- dents through fun, hands-on projects that make the natural world real and relevant. More than 50 young adults graduate from the corps program each year. Many of them assume positions of positionsleadership in the environmental of and development leadership fields.

Strong communities, healthy habitats and young leaders are important outcomes of EarthCorps’ mission to build global community through local environmental service. Read on to learn more about EarthCorps’ progress in 2005. In Review www.earthcorps.org

2005 Programs Dear Friends, 2005 Field Accomplishments 2005 was EarthCorps’ strongest year 100,000 hours of service Corps program – EarthCorps’ core pro- ever. We made great progress working gram is an intensive year-round service with youth and young leaders; deepen- 25 miles of trail maintained learning experience for young adults ages ing our connections with our commu- 62,000 plants installed 18-25 from across the United States and nity partners; increasing our impact in around the world. Over 50 young adults restoring local parks and open spaces; 72 acres of invasive plants removed participate in the program annually. advancing international partnerships; 50 acres of restoration sites maintained Crew leaders and community outreach and expanding our network of sup- interns – Selected corps program grad- porters like you. uates qualify for advanced second-year We made enormous progress in our Trainee program; we are told that makes leadership development training. first full year implementing projects us the first and only conservation corps or AmeriCorps program to receive this des- prioritized in our Strategic Plan for Youth programs – Corps members, crew ignation. Our J-1 status will enable us to leaders and interns lead environmental EarthCorps: provide life-changing training opportuni- education and service learning pro- • Civic Engagement: One of our key goals is ties to emerging leaders from around the grams for elementary, middle and high to engage a broad range of constituents, world long into the future. school students. Up to 2,000 youth par- especially youth, in programs that in- • Organizational Sustainability: Along spire long-term community stewardship ticipate in EarthCorps’ environmental with an impressive class of corps mem- through hands-on environmental service. service programs during the school bers, EarthCorps in 2005 welcomed sev- In 2005, EarthCorps created hundreds year and in the summer. eral new key staff and board members to of opportunities for people of all ages to our team. We continue to invest in build- Community programs – Volunteer build a greater commitment to the health ing infrastructure elements required to of our planet through hands-on service. events in local parks and open spaces grow steadily and maintain quality pro- We see the impact of this work as el- engage 10,000 community volun- grams. Securing funding from hundreds ementary school program alumni return teers each year in restoring their local of individuals and organizations enables as volunteers in our teen programs and environment. important investments. Among the sup- as we learn about the important work port we received last year, critical suc- our corps alumni are doing with other International cooperation – EarthCorps cesses include a multi-year grant from organizations here in the Puget Sound, hosts delegations from around the The Russell Family Foundation and a gift across the United States, and around the world, including Afghanistan, Jordan of $50,000 from an anonymous donor—all world. With 10,000 volunteers annually, and Korea, to share best practices in helping to ensure stability, program qual- EarthCorps runs one of the largest vol- youth development and environmental ity, and organizational agility. unteer environmental service programs restoration work. In 2005, alumni orga- in the world. 2005 marked the beginning • Communication: We began the year by un- nized workcamps with international of a plan to rapidly expand our volunteer veiling a new logo and launching a vastly partners, such as a 2-month workcamp base toward our target of 15,000 by 2010. improved website. This effort increased our with the Youth Environmental Net- identity and visibility and created a founda- • Professional Expertise: EarthCorps played work of the Yucatan, Mexico and 30 tion upon which to strengthen community a key role in successfully launching the workcamps with Great Baikal Trail As- support for our work inspiring community Green Seattle Partnership. Even as this stewardship of natural places. sociation in Siberia, including the first effort to restore 2,500 acres of urban forest ex- all-woman trail crew (pictured below). pands, EarthCorps is engaging in other ini- We would not be successful with- tiatives such as the recently launched Puget out your help. Our work reflects the Sound Partnership; we will support hands- contributions of hundreds of donors, on service as part of a larger effort to restore thousands of volunteers, an expanding the health of the Puget Sound by 2020. network of more than 100 community • International Reach: We continue to act partners, the dedication of a talented as a catalyst for environmental steward- staff and corps who work throughout ship internationally. In 2005, EarthCorps the year to restore our forests, wet- alumni implemented projects around the lands, and shorelines through hands- world from Mexico to Russia to Kenya to on service. the Philippines. In addition, delegations of international environmental program Thank you so much for your inter- leaders visited EarthCorps from Afghani- est in, and support of, the work that stan, Jordan, Russia, and South Korea to EarthCorps does. learn from our work here in the north- west. EarthCorps was officially desig- Steve Dubiel, Executive Director nated by the US State Department as a J-1 Marty Chakoian, Board President

2 Financial Report (audited) www.earthcorps.org

Statement of Activities for the year ended December 31, 2005 Unrestricted Temporarily Permanently Total Restricted Restricted REVENUE Individual and Corporate Contributions 139,762 50,000 1,150 190,912 Foundation Grant 85,354 140,000 - 225,354 Other Grants 272,369 - - 272,369 In Kind Contributions 17,500 - - 17,500 Fundraising Events, net of expenses 41,753 - - 41,753 Program Services 1,338,726 - - 1,338,726 Interest and Other Investment Income 9,912 - - 9,912 Revenue Funds Released from Restrictions 33,000 (33,000) - - ■ Program Revenue 67% Total Revenue 1,938,376 157,000 1,150 2,096,526 ■ Grants & Donations 32% EXPENSE ■ Other 1% Program Services 1,682,533 - - 1,682,533 Management and General 137,494 - - 137,494 Fundraising 74,148 - - 74,148

Total Expense 1,894,175 - - 1,894,175

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS 44,201 157,000 1,150 202,351

Net Assets Beginning Of Year 446,278 33,000 1,150 480,428 Net Assets End Of Year 490,479 190,000 2,300 682,779

Statement of Financial Position Expenses at December 31, 2005 ■ Program Services 89% ASSETS ■ Management & General 7% Current Assets ■ Fundraising 4% Cash1 372,949 Pledges Receivable 70,741 Accounts Receivable 241,295 Prepaid Expenses 19,734 Total Current Assets 704,719 Plan Your Legacy

Net Property and Equipment 84,511 As you look back, what Investments - endowment funds 4,524 do you want your legacy TOTAL ASSETS 793,754 to be? You can include EarthCorps in your estate LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS planning by using the fol- Accounts Payable 59,260 Payroll Liabilities 29,406 lowing language: Vacation Pay Payable 19,659 I give and bequeath __% Deferred Revenue 2,650 of the value of my estate Total Current Liabilities 110,975 to EarthCorps, a charitable Net Assets organization incorporated in Unrestricted 490,479 the state of Washington, ID# 91-159-2071, with its principal office cur- Temporarily Restricted 190,000 rently located at 6310 NE 74th Street, Suite 201E, Seattle, WA 98115. Permanently Restricted 2,300 Contact Pipo Bui, Development Director at 206.322.9296 x203 for TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS 793,754 more information. Note 1: Cash includes $100,000 reserve fund.

3 2005 Work Sites www.earthcorps.org

In 2005, EarthCorps worked at: Alpine Lakes Wilderness, USFS Dutch Miller Gap Foss Lakes Auburn Auburn Narrows Park Hatchery Park Porter Levee Bellevue Lakeside / Lochleven Black Diamond Metzler Park Whitney Bridge Bothell Sammamish River Park Burien Eagle Landing Seahurst Park Camano Island English Boom Iverson Spit Carnation Chinook Bend Jubilee Farm Tolt MacDonald Park Duvall Mauk Property Oxbow Farm Enumclaw For an interactive map of work sites, Boise Creek Newaukum Creek see www.earthcorps.org/worksites.php Everett Forgotten Creek King Conservation District Wetland West Duwamish Greenbelt Lisabuela Park Fall City Plant Cooperative Nursery Pt. Robinson Park Treemont Skykomish Lake Desire Farm Tye Farm Roseballen Federal Way Mooring Property Whinghaven Park Birch St. Oxbow Tacoma Whispering Bog Sammamish Commencement Bay Brooklake Hazel Wolf wetland White Center North Fork Hylebos Klahanie Totem Lake Lakewood Park Totem Lake Park Goat Rocks Wilderness King County Salvage Nursery William O. Douglas Wilderness Vashon Island Kirkland San Juan National Historic Park Woodinville Houghton Beach Park Burton Acres Park Seattle Fern Cove Cold Creek / Mary Cash Farm Houghton Park Carkeek Park Sammamish Releaf Kirkwood Fischer Pond Cheasty Greenspace Island Center Marsh Wooden Creek Park Medina Colman Park Woodinville @145th Fairweather Nature Preserve Croft Place Mercer Island Dearborn Park Fauntleroy Park Ellis Pond Frink Park Partners of the Year: City Year and Seattle Works Island Crest Park Golden Gardens Park Mercer Island SE 53nd Open Space Greg Davis Park City Year and Seattle Works are perfect complements to Mercerdale Hillside Park Herring’s House Park North Mercerdale Hillside EarthCorps’ volunteer program – they bring together a di- Hitt’s Hill Pioneer Park Homewood verse group of 10- to 30-year olds who invigorate EarthCorps’ Milton Interlaken Park environmental restoration events. Thank you for contributing West Milton Jackson Park Golf Course Mt. Rainier National Park Jackson Park Natural Area hundreds of person-hours, for your service to the community, Kiwanis Ravine and your enthusiasm for EarthCorps’ mission! Normandy Park Kiwanis Wildlife Corridor Cove Community Center Lake People Park North Bend Lake Ridge Park Sullivan Award Winner Mid Fork, Snoqualmie River Leschi Open Space Middle Fork Salvage Site Licton Springs Park Judy Pickens won the 2005 Sullivan Award for her work with Rattlesnake Mountain Trail Longfellow Creek the Fauntleroy Watershed Council to restore Fauntleroy Creek North Cascades National Park Madrona Ravine Magnuson Park in West Seattle, creating healthier forest and stream habitat for Redmond Maple Creek Ravine Bear Creek Mee-Kwa-Mooks Park spawning salmon, as well as a neighborhood gathering place. Marymoor Park Mt. Baker Park The Sullivan Award, EarthCorps’ highest honor, is named for Riverwalk NE Queen Anne Greenbelt Sammamish @ Peter’s Creek NE Queen Anne Park former King County Councilmember Cynthia Sullivan. It is Shadowbrook North Seattle Community College presented at the annual auction. Upper Peter’s Creek Bridges Welcome Pond Pritchard Beach Willows Creek Salmon Bay Natural Area EarthCorps is grateful to over 100 partner organizations who Renton Schmitz Park fund work projects, recruit volunteers and supply in-kind Black River Riparian Forest Seward Park expertise and support. A full list of current partners may be Cedar River Watershed Thornton Creek Park 1, 2, 6 found at www.earthcorps.org/partners.php 4 Alumni Impact www.earthcorps.org

See Meghan’s slide show of a Day in the Life of a corps member at www.earthcorps.org/ day_in_the_life.php

Excerpts from A Day in the Life...

7:35 am: There’s no better way to start off the day than the good meditation and stretching that our sunrise salu- tations provide. From EarthCorps the Cascade Mountains can be seen, and always put our work in perspective.

3:30 pm: If we finish work early, we are able to learn more about our sites. Today our site included the largest natural log jam in the Pacific Northwest.

9:00 pm: I’m halfway through the program and each day I go to bed with a fulfillment and thankfulness only EarthCorps could provide me with at this point in my life.

Where will this van take them? Corps members pose with Van #10.

EarthCorps graduates go on to do amazing things! See more alumni profiles at www.earthcorps.org/alumni.php Locally Nationally Internationally Photo: RAJY Joanna Nelson ’98, Green Seattle Part- Peter Dieser ’04, continued in another Maria Jose Espinoza Romero ’03 (at nership Project manager, Cascade Land AmeriCorps program. In 2005, he vol- right), Executive Director of the Youth Conservancy, guides the implemen­ unteered to help with the clean-up in Environmental Network of the Yucatan tation of what is believed to be the largest New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. (RAJY) organized a two-month work- urban reforestation program in US his- For his role in that work, he was in- camp that included restoring coastal tory. Restoring 2,500 acres of forested vited to address the US Congress. This mangrove forest, constructing board- parklands in Seattle by 2025 is a big summer he’s headed to Italy to help walk and trail, and training local youth project, and one in which EarthCorps excavate another, much older natural as docents. Several EarthCorps alumni plays a key role. She is excited to disaster at an archeological site on Mt. attended the workcamp. Jose Maria continue working with EarthCorps on Vesuvius near Pompeii. “Chema” Fernandez Garcia ’04 rejoined forest restoration projects in Seattle. RAJY in December 2005 after serving as an outreach intern at EarthCorps.

More information about international workcamps is online at www.earthcorps.org/international.php

5 Summer Challenge

www.earthcorps.org

When I first came into this program, I was the farthest thing from an I didenvironment not loving person.like I did thenot like theoutdoors outdoors. Working here really did make me a stronger person. It’s shown me that if I put my mind to something that I could accomplish my goals. I’m especially proud that I actually hiked up Sauk Mountain. I was surprised how much fun it was. I’m really glad that I joined EarthCorps. This has definitely been onebest of the best summers summers I’ve ever hadI’ve. ever had – Nicole, 14 (Epilogue: Nicole signed up with EarthCorps again in summer 2006! Her younger brother is joining too.)

Every summer, EarthCorps teams up with the National Park Service, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and Seattle Depart- ment of Parks and Recreation to offer fun and fulfilling service learningdiverse experiences to hundreds of teenagersdiverse teenagers. Matching challenge grants from the National Forest Foundation and support from people like you help keep these high quality programs available free of charge so that everyone can enjoy freeaccess to a meaningfulof interactioncharge with nature and caring young adult guides. Open eyes…change lives… Give to the Summer Youth Challenge! summerYour gift in summer 2006 helps 2006 EarthCorps take advantage of a $30,000 match challenge from the National Forest Founda- tion. Help us make the match by donating before August 31, 2006. Thank you! Call$30,000 Keith Cousins at 206.322.9296 match x101 for more challenge information, or visit www.earthcorps.org

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