Mass Audubon Annual Report 2020
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2020 Annual Report Contents Cover Photo: Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer 01 Letter from the President & Board Chair 02 Fiscal Year 2020 Highlights 03 A Pivotal Pandemic 04 Successes Across the State 08 Land Conservation Summary Fiscal Year 2020 11 Supporters 17 Mass Audubon Board of Directors 2020 18 Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries, Nature Centers, & Museums Mass Audubon protects more than 38,000 acres of land throughout Massachusetts, saving birds and other wildlife, and making nature accessible to all. As Massachusetts’ largest nature conservation nonprofit, we welcome more than a half million visitors a year to our wildlife sanctuaries and 20 nature centers. From inspiring hilltop views to breathtaking coastal landscapes, serene woods, and working farms, we believe in protecting our state’s natural treasures for wildlife and for all people—a vision shared in 1896 by our founders, two extraordinary Boston women. Today, Mass Audubon is a nationally recognized environmental education leader, offering thousands of camp, school, and adult programs that get over 225,000 kids and adults outdoors every year. With more than 135,000 members and supporters, we advocate on Beacon Hill and beyond, and conduct conservation research to preserve the natural heritage of our beautiful state for today’s and future generations. We welcome you to explore a nearby sanctuary, find inspiration, and get involved. Learn how at massaudubon.org. Stony Brook Wildife Sanctuary The value and beauty of nature was on full display in 2020. As the global pandemic closed doors, more people than ever sought refuge outdoors, witnessing firsthand nature’s healing powers. Mass Audubon responded to this extraordinary time with passion, creativity, adaptability, and a singular focus on delivering on our mission, which has never been more important. When you read this year’s Annual Report you will see the results of the hard work of our staff, our 14,000 volunteers, our Council and Board of Directors, and our supporters. All of you helped us to navigate these tricky waters, providing extraordinary gifts of wealth and wisdom and supporting our day-to-day work. Sadly, we had to make difficult decisions, but we did so with compassion and a clear- eyed focus on being stronger in the future. As I head into my first full year as president, I am convinced that Letter from the together we can accomplish anything. It is with this conviction that I am intent on driving more conservation impact, more equitable access, President and more meaningful engagement with nature through an exciting new Action Agenda. I am deeply honored to lead this wonderful organization and I look forward to working with you to protect the nature of Massachusetts for wildlife and all people. Sincerely, David J. O’Neill President This year has underscored for me that Mass Audubon is as resilient as the nature that we work together to protect. We confronted very hard decisions, we innovated, we drew on our financial strength and careful stewardship of our assets, and we were lifted by our members, partners, and volunteers who sustain and support us. And, we have witnessed a renewed engagement with nature, which has restored and sustained us all. A highlight of the year was welcoming David O’Neill as our president. Under his visionary leadership—and as we reach our 125th anniversary—we can look to the future with the confidence that we will take on the challenges and respond to the opportunities ahead. Thank you for being part of this journey. Sincerely, Letter from Beth Kressley Goldstein the Chair Chair, Board of Directors 1 Fiscal Year 2020 FY 2020 Income Highlights Member & Donor Support Program & Other Income Gifts, Grants & Government Program & Other Contracts 27.9% Mass Audubon remains a strong and financially stable Income 36.4% organization despite a number of economic challenges brought on by the pandemic. Like many nonprofits, we were forced to make some dramatic changes to our operating model, which resulted in significant revenue losses due to program closures and cancellations. Within this reality, we had to make many difficult financial decisions including the painful need to lay Membership Dues 12.9% off staff. We also drew on reserves and endowment resources to make onetime investments that helped bridge the gap to the future. Investment Income 22.8% The loyalty and generosity of our members and supporters profoundly bolstered our work and helped FY 2020 Expenses maintain the financial stability of our operating budget, and an additional $4.6 million was raised Administrative Services 9.7% Program Services for capital projects, land acquisitions, and special Development projects across the state. Investment income was at Administrative Development 7.2% Services an all-time high, due to diligent management of our endowment funds and a positive stock market. As a Member result, Mass Audubon realized a smaller operating Services 9.1% deficit in FY 2020 than anticipated. Mass Audubon continues to face significant financial Science & impacts of the pandemic in 2021. However, we will Advocacy 5.3% respond with innovation, flexibility, and continued determination, and we will count on the enthusiastic support from our members, donors, and program partners as we navigate this year and beyond. Environmental Education & Wildlife Sanctuaries 68.6% OPERATING RESULTS FY 2020 FY 2019 FY 2018 Gifts, Grants & Government Contracts $7,460,004 $6,613,308 $6,122,184 Budgeted Unrestricted Bequests 250,000 250,000 250,000 Membership Dues 3,570,195 3,811,200 3,783,370 Program Income 9,403,177 11,633,035 10,744,337 Investment Income 6,285,760 5,944,864 5,775,072 Other Income † 631,498 244,582 163,543 Total Operating Income $27,600,634 $28,496,989 $26,838,506 Environmental Education & Wildlife Sanctuaries 19,653,337 $19,165,806 $18,697,778 Science & Advocacy 1,531,528 1,871,187 1,460,440 Member Services 2,616,257 2,920,283 2,432,502 Administrative Services 2,777,774 2,530,922 2,295,039 Development 2,075,756 2,007,335 1,952,267 Total Operating Expenses $28,654,652 $28,495,533 $26,838,026 Operating Surplus ($1,054,018) $1,456 $480 An additional $865,903 was received in unrestricted bequests in FY 2020. These critical funds † Income previously received as restricted operating funds, being transferred to the current are added to a board reserve fund, which is available for special investments such as land fiscal year. purchases, energy conservation, all-person accessibility, and major building repairs. 2 A Pivotal Pandemic Like many organizations, the global coronavirus pandemic hit Mass Audubon hard. In an effort to keep both staff and the public safe, we temporarily closed our wildlife sanctuaries and halted in-person programs. But that didn’t stop our dedicated staff from coming up with innovative ways to connect with people across the state. We quickly launched Explore Nature at Home, which included videos, activity sheets, and virtual programs. We reimagined Bird-a-thon, our annual fundraising and 300,000+ birding competition, to become Bird-at-home-a-thon, VISITORS which raised a record-breaking $350,000. to our wildlife With schools still in session, our educators provided online sanctuaries this year lessons for K-12 students in classrooms across the state, and our licensed preschools continued meeting remotely. As the statewide restrictions lifted, we reopened our trails, welcoming back people of all ages and abilities to connect with nature. Once summer arrived, 3,725 campers safely attended 11 day camps, much to the delight of parents and the kids. “Camp was the best week we’ve had since COVID closed schools in March, no exaggeration!” said one camp family. And for those families not ready to return in person, our Nature Inside Out Virtual Camp beamed into campers’ homes each week, virtual campouts and all. All the while our educators ran small, in-person programs for adults and families, our visitor services staff welcomed visitors to our sanctuaries (many for the first time), our property managers kept our trails and sanctuaries in pristine shape, and staff worked tirelessly from home and work offices ensuring that all operations continued to run without a hitch. Of course, even with all of this work, the economic impacts of COVID ran deep. Budget shortfalls led to a reduction of staff that was painful yet necessary. With the continued support of our members and partners, we can take the lessons learned from COVID and emerge as a stronger, more resilient organization. 3 Successes Across the State Thanks to our members, supporters, partners, and dedicated staff, we were able to accomplish a tremendous amount during Fiscal Year 2020. Here are just a few highlights of this work. Statewide The Mass Audubon Youth Climate Leadership Program hosted six Youth Climate Summits across the state, which brought together more than 400 young people. This youth- led, action-oriented climate immersion program offers Youth Climate Summit students the opportunity to learn about climate change, network with experts, and implement youth-led climate action solutions throughout their schools and communities. 400 The Conservation Science and Advocacy team worked YOUNG PEOPLE together to publish Losing Ground: Nature’s Value in a Changing brought together through Climate. The sixth edition of this report analyzes land use six Youth Climate Summits patterns in Massachusetts, highlighting the value of forests, across the state farmlands, and wetlands for climate resilience. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation awarded Mass Audubon a contract worth a minimum of $450,000 over three years to develop and promote climate-smart forestry programs through forest stewardship planning on private lands and carbon sequestration on municipal lands. This project will also ensure that forest management practices are appropriate for changing climate conditions to safeguard water, wildlife habitat, and forest carbon stocks.