A publication of The Orianne Society 2018 Orianne Society Annual Report STAFF Christopher Jenkins Chief Executive Officer
Gary Baldaeus Chief Financial Officer Heidi Hall Development Director Houston Chandler Director, Longleaf Savannas Initiative Brannon Knight Stewardship Coordinator 3 Message From Chris Ben Stegenga Research Assistant Mission 4 Jacob Barrett 5 Approach Field Operations Coordinator Kiley Briggs 6 History of Orianne Northeast Turtle Conservation Coordinator William Rodriguez 8 Longleaf Savannas Initiative Communications Coordinator Charli Palmer 14 Great Northern Forests Initiative Program Manager Patty Li 18 Appalachian Highlands Initiative Accountant 22 More to Come BOARD of 24 Who We Are 27 Financials Directors Dr. Bob Beard 28 Thank You Mr. Ross Caphton Mrs. Jane Fraser 30 How You Can Help Dr. Thomas Kaplan Dr. Thomas McKee Mr. William Natbony Dr. Lloyd Newberry Mr. Vance Serchuk Mr. Jack Whalen Dr. Chris Jenkins – CEO Mr. Gary Baldaeus – Treasurer Mrs. Heidi Hall - Secretary
The Orianne Society Annual Report is produced, designed, and edited by the staff of The Orianne Society.
The Orianne Society 11 Old Fruit Stand Lane,@OrianneSociety Tiger, GA 30576 706-224-1359 [email protected] www.OrianneSociety.org @OrianneSociety
Wood Turtle with shell damage from a mower. Photo: Megan Jolly
2 ANNUAL REPORT Message from the CEO As I sit at my desk thinking about writing this letter there better managers I have worked with. Ben runs many of our is so much choose from. Should I write about the ten-year field crews and does a great deal of education outreach. He anniversary, the inspiring story of a young girl who’s desires works long hard days in the field, I have seen many people changed snake conservation forever, or the story of working with the ability to do this but where he excels is that he is one through a difficult, some say almost impossible task, of taking of the most inspiring educators. He has a skill and a passion a family foundation to a functioning public charity. All of those for teaching people about reptiles and amphibians that is have crossed my mind but I keep coming back to the people unmatched. in particular our staff. I am known to be a straight forward Charli Palmer is quiet but she is one of the most dependable, person and one who does not say much about the good job hard-working, and thoughtful people I have worked with. someone has done, instead always trying to get people to work Charli started working as a program manager focused primarily harder on those areas where they need improvement. So let on administration but she has never stopped advancing taking me take a few minutes and tell you about what really makes the on more and more accounting responsibilities. Without her Orianne Society great, our people. working behind the scenes Orianne would be in trouble. She There is no one who has given more to the success of Orianne works hard and always puts a smile on my face. than Heidi Hall. Heidi is educated as a wildlife biologist and Brannon Knight and Jacob Barrett live in South Georgia was working in Idaho when she helped me found the Orianne and form the backbone of our land management efforts in Society. In some ways, she gave up so much and that is not lost the Longleaf Savannas. Brannon is a big strong guy but also on me. She left her job as a biologist to become our Program has a very soft smile. He is currently away serving our country Manager, which is a position that focuses on the operations of in the Middle East. I cannot begin to express the level of the organization. She has generously changed her focus among respect and thanks I have for what Brannon is doing. Without administration, communications, fundraising, programs, him standing on the front lines none of us would have the education… whenever it was needed. She has and continues to opportunity to work on conservation. Jacob Barrett has come be one of the most critical things leading to Orianne’s success; into his own while Brannon has been away. Overnight, he she is a friend and a leader that despite being behind the scenes, needed to step into a difficult situation managing our land drives the organization forward. management efforts. Land management in the South is full Dirk Stevenson no longer works for the Orianne Society of forestry and fire, one wrong move and there can be serious but helped form the organization 11 years ago. I was a snake consequences. Jacob has shown the ability to lead and manage, ecologist that had a strong interest in nonprofit management he has a bright future. but Dirk was the expert in Indigo Snakes and sandhill I have known Kiley Briggs for almost 10 years. He is ecosystems. Dirk added a great deal of comic relief to our days a Vermonter through and through. Growing up in New and was critical in developing and implementing the inventory England as well, Kiley and I always connected around reptiles and monitoring programs we still run today. and amphibians in northern New England. Kiley first came Javan Bauder is perhaps the hardest working person I have to us as a technician tracking rattlesnakes. After a stint in ever met. I first met Javan when he was a freshman at the Texas getting his master’s degree he came back to us…and University of Idaho. It may sound strange but I almost think now being in the field was not his only strength, he learned of him as family, a family member that I have been able to help statistics, GIS, and improved his communications skills. Kiley mentor through his masters, doctorate, and as an employee. is now our Turtle Conservation Coordinator in the northeast. Javan has moved on now and the world is going to be much We have been through a great deal together and I have a ton better for it. He has a bright future and is going to make of confidence in his ability to do this job and respect for his significant contributions to wildlife conservation. passion to conserve reptiles and amphibians in a place most I have known Steve Spear for over 15 years. Steve started with people do not think about. Orianne as a postdoc and later became an employee playing a Over the years I have worked with so many great people but critical role in helping Orianne broaden our scope as we began it is those that I have worked with at the Orianne Society that transitioning to a public charity. The amazing thing is that he I will always remember most. We are a group of people who did all of that with very few resources. We would not have are fighting so hard against the odds to achieve the impossible, Appalachian Highlands or Great Northern Forests Initiatives conserving the animals everyone else has forgotten by building if it was not for Steve. Steve has moved on and is working as a an organization that is on their side. 2018 was a great year, our wildlife ecologist in Ohio, I have a great deal of respect for him ten year anniversary, but it is the people that made it happen and the work he is doing. that are important. Thank you to all of them. Houston Chandler and Ben Stegenga are the odd couple. They function so differently but I could not imagine them functioning apart. I say this jokingly but both are critical to the growth we have experienced in our Longleaf Savannas Initiative. Houston is very organized and a great research scientist. When Dirk left he took over the reins in our Longleaf Savannas Initiative. With almost no experience in management, Dr. Chris Jenkins in a very short amount of time he has become one of the CEO, The Orianne Society Dr. Christopher Jenkins. Photo: Heidi Hall
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 3 The Orianne Society works to conserve MISSION critical ecosystems for imperiled reptiles and amphibians using science, applied conservation and education.
Our programs are designed using a customized, science-based approach. Specifically, we work on multiple conservation targets within a series of landscapes. We first examine the threats to each conservation target and then determine the research and applied programs required to achieve conservation for each.
There are many themes that are often used across our work. Our primary theme is that we conduct science that informs conservation and we use science to inform on-the-ground conservation actions. However, to maintain our scientific credibility, we do not engage in advocacy or policy, though our work may be used by other organizations to influence policy.
4 ANNUAL REPORT Spotted Salamander. Photo: Pete Oxford APPROACH
Our efforts are divided into three initiatives that focus on declining landscapes and species.
Longleaf Savannas Altamaha River Corridor Sandhill Snakes Freshwater Turtles
Great Northern Forests Northeast Kingdom Freshwater Turtles Vernal Pools
Appalachian Highlands Greater Smoky Mountains Hellbenders Timber Rattlesnakes
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 5 Appalachian Highlands. Photo: Chris Jenkins History of Orianne
The Orianne Society started as a request from a breeding center in Florida called the Orianne Center young girl to her father ten years ago. Dr. Thomas for Indigo Conservation. The facility is still run today Kaplan and his daughter, Orianne, were visiting a as a partnership between The Orianne Society and zoo, where Orianne had the opportunity to hold an Central Florida Zoo and is producing Indigo Snakes Eastern Indigo Snake. She asked her father if she that are being reintroduced in Alabama and Florida. could have one as a pet but he had to tell her that it Finally, Project Orianne launched range-wide research, was not possible because it was an endangered species. inventory, and monitoring efforts that increased Upon hearing that she made a very selfless request: she their knowledge of Indigo Snake ecology and status asked her father if he could save the Indigo Snake. Dr. significantly. Kaplan contacted Dr. Chris Jenkins, then with Wildlife Conservation Society, and together they decided to At the request of Dr. Kaplan, Project Orianne began start an effort to conserve Indigo Snakes. Soon after the transition from a private operating foundation to a that decision, a broad group of partners were brought public charity and became The Orianne Society. This together to develop a strategy and Project Orianne was was a significant move for a nonprofit, moving from founded with Dr. Jenkins as Chief Executive Officer receiving the majority of its funding from one donor to and Dr. Kaplan as Chairman of the Board. receiving its funding more broadly from the “public”. As part of the transition, the now named Orianne Project Orianne developed a comprehensive Society expanded its board from approximately 3 strategy for conserving Eastern Indigo Snakes. First, a to 10 people and launched a membership program. series of properties were purchased in South Georgia But perhaps the most significant changes came from in a stronghold for the species. These properties focusing the Indigo Snake programs to specific projects became the Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve and still and creating new programs on additional species and stand today as a stronghold for rare Longleaf Pine in additional areas. The Orianne Society was moving species. Second, Project Orianne built a state-of-the-art from a single species conservation organization to a
6 ANNUAL REPORT Claxton Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival. Photo: Houston Chandler
rare reptile and amphibian conservation organization. focused on the region where the boreal forests of While Orianne staff remained active in multiple areas, the north and the hardwood forests of the south this transition focused Orianne’s Indigo Snake efforts come together. In this region there is an interesting to land conservation, management, and monitoring group of reptiles and amphibians adapted to living populations across South Georgia. in cold climates. Orianne’s initial efforts focused on assessing the status of Wood Turtle populations in the As part of the transition, Orianne expanded its work Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont. Additional on Indigo Snakes into a broader Longleaf Savannas efforts included development of a private landowner Initiative and launched new efforts, an Appalachian network and riparian habitat restoration work. Orianne Highlands Initiative and a portfolio of international is currently exploring possibilities for future work Conservation Projects. The expanded Longleaf with conservation of vernal pools and pond breeding Savannas Initiative included conservation projects amphibians. focused on other rare snakes, a large Gopher Tortoise conservation effort, and projects to conserve freshwater Many of the projects and programs The Orianne turtles. The Appalachian Highlands Initiative focused Society started are still in place today and will continue on Timber Rattlesnake conservation in the Southern into the future. Transitioning from a private operating Appalachians but also included projects to determine foundation to a public charity is a task some said would the status of and restore habitats for Hellbenders and be almost impossible, but Orianne is now approaching Bog Turtles. Orianne staff also founded the Viper the end of the transition. With increased and continued Specialist Group and worked on efforts for setting support from the public (donations, additional people global viper conservation priorities and conducting interested in serving on the board, corporate sponsors, species status assessments. Orianne also has worked on and an increasing membership), The Orianne Society a series of small on-the-ground international projects will complete the transition in the next few years and in places like Costa Rica, Panama, and Bangladesh. the story of Orianne over the years will continue, building a much longer history of conserving rare As part of The Orianne Society’s transition to a reptiles, amphibians, and the ecosystems they depend public charity, Orianne launched an initiative for the on. conservation of Great Northern Forests. This initiative
Landowner event at the Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve. Photo: Houston Chandler ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 7
Annual Report Eastern Indigo Snake. Photo: Houston Chandler Longleaf Savannas Initiative Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) regular fires maintain vegetation forests were once the dominant structure and promote many of the ecosystem across much of the plant species that are characteristic southeastern United States, of a Longleaf Pine savanna. stretching from southern Virginia to Deforestation and fire suppression the Florida peninsula and west into have combined to make the Longleaf eastern Texas. However, a history of Pine ecosystem one of the most deforestation and land conversion imperiled in the country, with less across the southeast has led to a than 3% of the historic coverage
precipitous decline in land area remaining and much of the extant
covered by Longleaf Pine forests. forests experiencing varying degrees
Poor management, particularly a of degradation from lack of fire. lack of regular wildfire, has further exacerbated the decline of Longleaf This dramatic decline of Longleaf
Pine by significantly degrading many Pine forests and their associated of the remaining stands. These ecosystems is particularly troubling ecosystems are fire-adapted, and because of the incredible biodiversity
8 ANNUAL REPORT Seed collected for understory vegetation restoration. Photo: Houston Chandler that they support. Plants, reptiles, and populations of at least 46 species of and restoring native groundcover. amphibians are particularly biodiverse reptiles and 29 species of amphibians Importantly, we focus on ecosystem in the southeastern U.S. compared to and contains a matrix of wetlands level restoration and management, other parts of the country, and there and upland Longleaf Pine forests. and this work benefits far more are many endemic, rare, and declining The OISP borders the Ocmulgee species than just the species that we species. Thus, the Orianne Society’s River upstream of its confluence with focus on. Longleaf Savannas Initiative (LSI) the Oconee River, which forms the focuses on conserving and restoring Altamaha River. The property serves Last year was another successful Longleaf Pine ecosystems and the as our home base for restoration year for the LSI. We completed high biodiversity that they support. and research projects that span the several research and monitoring Our conservation efforts are entire length of the Altamaha River projects and continued to expand centered in southern Georgia, where basin. Our efforts in the ARC require our land management activities. over 100,000 acres of land have been working with a diverse group of We worked on projects with a set aside for conservation. Much of partners, including state and federal variety of species, including Eastern this land falls within the Altamaha agencies, other NGOs, and private Indigo Snakes, Spotted Turtles River watershed, which is the largest citizens. Partnerships benefit our (Clemmys guttata), Gopher Tortoises, free-flowing river on the east coast conservation goals by allowing us to and Suwannee Alligator Snapping of the United States. This region is increase our footprint on the ground, Turtles (Macrochelys suwanniensis). We highly regarded for its unique fauna facilitating both land management set prescribed fires on properties and overall biodiversity - 120 rare or and research projects. For example, up and down the ARC and worked endangered plant and animal species we focus on restoring habitats and with a large group of private call this watershed home. Therefore, conducting surveys for several upland landowners to accomplish our goals. we chose the Altamaha River snake species, including the federally These research projects and land Corridor (ARC) as a focal landscape threatened Eastern Indigo Snake management activities combine to for our restoration and conservation (Drymarchon couperi). This often means provide the information that we need efforts. restoring and promoting Gopher to make on the ground conservation Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) habitat decisions that benefit species and The Orianne Indigo Snake through prescribed fire, thinning restore Longleaf Pine forests across Preserve (OISP) supports planted Longleaf Pine stands, southern Georgia.
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 9 Collecting data on Spotted Turtles. Photo: Patrick Moldowan
10 ANNUAL REPORT Juvenile Spotted Turle. Photo: Jackie Litzgus Conducting prescribed fire. Photo: Houson Chandler To Date Major to restore natural fire return Accomplishments intervals to these fire- dependent systems. Inventory/Monitoring/ - Participated in Eastern Research Indigo Snake reintroductions - Conducted research projects at sites in Alabama and and population monitoring Florida, restoring this species on Eastern Indigo Snakes to parts of its range where for over 10 years, ensuring populations have been that this species persists extirpated. throughout its current range. Education/Outreach Conservation - Published over 15 peer- - Purchased, restored, and reviewed manuscripts from managed approximately 2,500 research projects on imperiled acres of Eastern Indigo Snake reptiles and amphibians and Gopher Tortoise habitat inhabiting Longleaf Pine on the Orianne Indigo Snake forests. Sharing our work Preserve. allows other scientists and managers to use the results - Burned over 29,000 acres to further promote the of Longleaf Pine forests in conservation of these species. southern Georgia, helping
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake at burrow. Photo: Houston Chandler
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 11 Juvenile Spotted Turle. Photo: Jackie Litzgus 2018 of this rare and cryptic turtle once lost. Harvesting seed Accomplishments are already protected in both from intact habitats to plant states. in areas without these species is a crucial aspect of restoring - Surveyed for Suwannee Longleaf Pine forests. Inventory/Monitoring/ Alligator Snapping Turtles at Research five riverine sites in Georgia. - Planted approximately 14 - Surveyed 19 sites for This species was recently split acres of Longleaf Pine trees Eastern Indigo Snakes and from other alligator snapping on the Orianne Indigo Snake Eastern Diamond-backed turtle species, and its status and Preserve. Rattlesnakes as part of state- range in Georgia are poorly understood. - Assisted partners with a wide population monitoring Basic Wildland Fire Academy, in Georgia. Monitoring - Finished two-year study training approximately 30 these populations allows on Snake Fungal Disease students in basic prescribed fire us to identify how they are prevalence in the snake fauna techniques. responding to on the ground of southern Georgia. This management and identify disease has been implicated in Education/Outreach potential issues that could population declines of multiple - Attended 5 wildlife festivals, warrant further management species, and this research is the action. hosted 2 amphibian and reptile first step to identifying how it conservation events, gave 5 - Completed 5th and 4th year is impacting Georgia’s native presentations on reptile and of mark-recapture population snake fauna. amphibian conservation to monitoring for Spotted Turtles Conservation the public, and presented the at two sites in Georgia. Long- results of our Snake Fungal term monitoring of Spotted - Applied prescribed fire to Disease research at the annual Turtles in Georgia will allow us over 4,600 acres of Longleaf Southeastern PARC meeting. to assess population viability Pine forests and associated Sharing our work and getting and learn more about these habitats on a combination people involved promotes poorly studied southern of private and public lands. our conservation mission populations. Prescribed fires are necessary and encourages people to be to restore natural burn intervals stakeholders in restoring native - Monitored reproduction in to ecosystems that are adapted ecosystems. two populations of Spotted to regular fires. Turtles by measuring clutch Future Goals sizes and locating turtle nests, - Harvested over 180 pounds a crucial aspect determining of native grass seed and Inventory/Monitoring/ persistence in turtle planted 15 acres on the Research populations. Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve - Continue long-term and a nearby private property. monitoring surveys for Eastern - Conducted inventory Much of the plant diversity in Indigo Snakes and Eastern surveys for Spotted Turtles Longleaf Pine forests occurs in Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes, in both Florida and Georgia, the understory, and these native ensuring that populations of identifying where populations grasses are difficult to restore both species are stable through
12 ANNUAL REPORT time. ground to do the work and a for our conservation mission. second burn team would allow Partners and volunteers allow - Identify the effects of Snake us to double our footprint in us to expand our work by Fungal Disease infections southern Georgia. offering access to private lands, on Eastern Indigo Snake assisting with research projects populations. Partnerships and events, and promoting - Continue monitoring Spotted - Continue to build a network conservation of herpetofauna. Turtles in Georgia at focal sites of partners and volunteers that and identify other populations provide on the ground support on protected lands, allowing for X-ray of gravid Spotted Turtle. Photo: Georgia Sea Turtle Center more informed conservation decisions for this species. - Promote Gopher Tortoise conservation through the Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative with the goal of precluding the need to list tortoises in the eastern portion of their range and simultaneously promoting habitat for hundreds of other species that utilizing tortoise burrows. Conservation - Continue to initiate prescribed fire on private and public lands, while growing our network of participating land owners. The majority of land in Georgia is private property, and it would not be possible to accomplish our mission without the participation of private landowners. - Establish a second burn team to increase our land management capabilities. One of the main barriers to restoring Longleaf Pine forests is having enough boots on the
Gopher Tortoise in a burrow. Photo: Houston Chandler ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 13 Annual Report Wood Turtle at nesting habitat. Photo: Kiley Briggs
Great Northern Forests Initiative
The Great Northern Forests develop critical wildlife habitat. Many Initiative (GNFI) is an effort to of the reptiles and amphibians found conserve habitat for rare reptiles there are in decline and in urgent need and amphibians in the northeastern of conservation, including several United States and southeastern species of freshwater turtle. Canada, with an initial emphasis Our main focus in the GNFI is on Northern New England. The to conserve critical habitat for rare region sits right at the edge of a freshwater turtles, especially the Wood major transitional zone between the Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), a species hardwood forests of the south and that takes over a decade to mature, the boreal forests to the north, and can live upwards of 90 years, and as such is home to many species that for which the survival and longevity do not overlap anywhere else. Much of adults is absolutely critical to of this land is vast wilderness, but the survival of their populations. the river valleys are dominated by Unfortunately, as the forests and agriculture and fragmented by roads, river valleys Wood Turtles depend on and there is increasing pressure to are under increasing pressure from
14 ANNUAL REPORT Wood Turtle workshop for teens. Photo: Lauren Traister development and agriculture, fewer interest and awareness for the need So far our Wood Turtle program and fewer of these turtles survive to to protect this charismatic species. As has focused on a region of Vermont old age and their populations are in a result of our outreach there are now known as the Northeast Kingdom, but rapid decline. To address this, Orianne many groups thinking about Wood looking ahead to 2019 we will expand launched a Wood Turtle monitoring Turtles as a priority whereas before those efforts. We are also undertaking and conservation program aimed there were very few. Through those a project to lead the implementation at identifying critical Wood Turtle efforts we have initiated conservation of the Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea habitat and working with landowners actions on several properties in key blandingii) Conservation Plan, putting to implement conservation strategies areas, helped landowners enroll in over a decade of monitoring and protecting the species. Farm Bill conservation programs, conservation planning by seven states Restoring Wood Turtle habitat and are working with federal partners and dozens of partners into action. depends on partnerships and we to develop a management plan for have put great effort into building over 1000 acres of critical Wood relationships with other conservation Turtle habitat on public lands. organizations in the GNFI to raise
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 15 Major Program Development important to Wood Turtles. Accomplishments to - Secured contract to lead Conservation Date implementation of Blanding’s Turtle Conservation Plan - Helped three private Inventory/Monitoring/ in 5 northeast states, greatly landowners conserve Wood Research expanding the scope and Turtle habitat on their - Identified two areas critical impact of our Great Northern lands through conservation to Wood Turtle conservation Forests Initiative. easements, the establishment in northeast VT where future of a riparian buffer, and a landowner outreach and stream bank stabilization conservation efforts will be 2018 project. All three projects not targeted. Accomplishments only improve habitat quality for Wood Turtles, but also reduce Partnerships Inventory/Monitoring/ erosion and nutrient runoff, - Built and strengthened Research improving water quality in the relationships with over 15 process. - Assessed the status and federal, state, municipal, and Education/Outreach non-government conservation distribution of Wood Turtles partners, who are now doing in Vermont’s Northeast - Led 8 public reptile and a better job identifying and Kingdom, which helps us amphibian workshops, raising managing Wood Turtle habitat. target conservation efforts to public interest and awareness the places with the greatest of the species in their own Conservation need. back yards. - Worked with federal partners - Observed 84 Wood Turtles - Gave 11 presentation about to begin the development of a total of 108 times, giving us Wood Turtle conservation and Wood Turtle management good preliminary insights into other reptile and amphibian plan for 1000 acres of critical population demographics at topics, increasing public habitat on public land. high priority locations. awareness of The Orianne Through this partnership we Partnerships Society and the need to expect to stabilize or reverse conserve reptile and amphibian the decline of a significant - Led Wood Turtle habitat habitat among the public. Wood Turtle population. management workshops with conservation partners, rallying Education/Outreach Future Goals - Produced and premiered support and interest in Wood the Great Northern Turtle Turtle conservation in the Inventory/Monitoring/ documentary and held four process. Research screenings before releasing - Helped refine Wood Turtle - Continue to survey new the video online, increasing conservation efforts through locations in Vermont’s public support for Wood Turtle the Natural Resources Northeast Kingdom conservation and increasing Conservation Service so that and expand surveys to our capacity to raise funds. federal conservation funding northwestern New Hampshire can be better prioritized to sites
16 ANNUAL REPORT in search of previously unknown robust populations of Wood Turtles. - Begin using radio telemetry to locate nests and critical upland habitat in one focal area for Wood Turtle conservation, allowing us to make site- specific management plan for a 1000-acre property and surrounding parcels. Partnerships - We will continue to build on existing partnerships and reach out to new potential partners, expanding our capacity to locate Wood Turtle habitat, interface with landowners, and make management recommendations. Estimating turtle age: Photo: Kiley Briggs - As we begin implementing win” scenarios for the turtles ‘Outdoor Radio’, introducing the Blanding’s Turtle and landowners. Wood Turtle conservation and Conservation Plan, we will The Orianne Society to a state- - Begin working with state, wide audience in Vermont. reach out to a variety of federal, and non-governmental previously uncontacted land partners to implement the Program Development trusts and other conservation Blanding’s Turtle Conservation organizations in 5 states to rally Plan in the northeastern US. - Grow the Great Northern support for conserving land in Forests Initiative through 10 high priority locations for Education/Outreach leading the implementation the species. of the Blanding’s Turtle - Give presentations and lead Conservation Plan, which will Conservation workshops focused on reptile be an entirely new component and amphibian conservation to - We will identify high to the GNFI in 2019 and bring the public and attend at least Orianne to several states in priority parcels for Wood three festivals to raise interest Turtle conservation and which we have never worked and awareness for conserving before. work with landowners to find Wood Turtles and other conservation strategies that species. balance landowner needs with Wood Turtle habitat - Lead an expedition for a management, creating “win- public radio program called
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 17 Annual Report Appalachian Highlands. Photo: Chris Jenkins Appalachian Highlands Initiative
The Appalachian Highlands Initiative AHI. The Appalachian Mountain (AHI) works to protect the species ecosystem is the predominant and landscapes of one of the most ecosystem in this region which diverse regions of North America, includes areas throughout eastern the Appalachians. Much of the Tennessee, western North Carolina high mountain area is protected as and north Georgia. Within this region national park or national forests and are some of the highest mountains in are places where many people hike, the eastern United States, extensive camp, fish, and hunt. In the valleys, forests broken up by high mountain human development is increasing, balds and river valleys that have which not only changes the habitat traditionally supported farming. for many species, but also divides and People have lived in this landscape fragments the high mountain areas so for the past 12,000 years. Because that species become isolated. of this, the Appalachian Mountain ecosystem serves as a reminder of The Greater Smoky Mountains the importance of maintaining the
are the featured landscape of the balance between nature and people.
18 ANNUAL REPORT Timber Rattlesnake surveys. Photo: Sara Rogers
In order to achieve this balance, there important habitat for other species this goal, we will continue to develop must be an effort to both protect the that live at higher elevations, and apply techniques to monitor remaining forests while also working including our focal species, the Hellbender populations, to increase with community members to make Eastern Hellbender. Our goal is to Hellbender reproduction with stream private land more hospitable for reverse the decline of Hellbenders habitat management, and to restore wildlife. in the southern Appalachian stream reaches to increase Hellbender Mountain ecosystem and ensure that habitat. This region is a global hotspot for populations will be stable for the salamander species and provides foreseeable future. To accomplish
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 19 To Date Major Education/Outreach of the greatest threats to Accomplishments rattlesnakes and education is one - Hosted three Places You Have of the greatest tools to lower Never Herped citizen science persecution. events in North Carolina and Inventory/Monitoring/ Tennessee. Research -Presented over thirty Future Goals - Developed what has become a presentations on the Timber standard technique for inventory Rattlesnake biology and Inventory/Monitoring/ and monitoring Hellbender snake safety to school groups, Research populations. agencies, and the general public. - Continue long-term - Completed a statewide monitoring surveys for Timber inventory of Hellbenders in 2018 Rattlesnakes and grow the North Carolina. Accomplishments Rattlesnake Stewards Network to ensure more populations are - Conducted monitoring of being monitored. twenty five Timber Rattlesnake Inventory/Monitoring/ sites between Georgia and Research Conservation North Carolina. - Used environmental DNA - Increase our efforts in Land - Conducted bog turtle techniques to inventory for the Protection and Restoration inventory work in Georgia. presence of Hellbenders in especially in riparian areas. seventy streams in NC which Conservation will allow us and our partners to Education/Outreach focus riparian restoration efforts. - Tested the use of Hellbender - Continue to give Timber Huts for providing habitat in - Installed and monitored twenty Rattlesnake education programs. degraded streams. Hellbender Huts in two North Carolina streams to test if they - Teach a course on snake - Completed restoration projects are an effective method for ecology at the Highlands on multiple mountain bogs and surveying streams with small Biological Station. streams in Georgia and North populations. Carolina. Program Development - Completed our 6th year of Partnerships - Hire a full time Director of the monitoring Timber Rattlesnakes. Appalachian Highlands Initiative - Members found in a wide Final results allow us to and use the increased capacity to range of partnerships for determine if populations are grow our work for Hellbender conserving Hellbenders. declining or increasing. and Bog Turtle Conservation. - Formed a Timber Rattlesnake Education/Outreach Stewards Group in North - Conducted 6 Timber Carolina. Rattlesnake presentations to over two hundred people. Direct persecution is one
20 ANNUAL REPORT Timber Rattlesnake. Photo: Chris Jenkins Eastern Hellbender. Photo: Pete Oxford
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 21 22 ANNUAL REPORT More to come It is with deep gratitude and respect that I convey to our sustainable overnight, and instead he had a plan to transition members that Dr. Thomas Kaplan is stepping down as the slowly from a family funded organization to a public charity. Chairman of the Orianne, but not without leaving us with a Dr. Kaplan’s leadership and dedication resulted in the plan plan to prepare our board for the future. Dr. Kaplan and I have being achieved. We now have a diverse donor base as we are known each other over ten years now. Our story started eleven completing our 5 year waiting period with the IRS and our years ago, I was hiking and studying wildlife in the high deserts final paperwork for public charity status is being submitted of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. I got a call one day in July 2019. from a colleague at Wildlife Conservation Society. He told me that there was a man that wanted to start a snake conservation The Orianne Society could have never have achieved program. I was intrigued but still skeptical because there were so the conservation successes of the last ten years, if it was few people who truly cared about snakes. But before I knew it I not for the guidance and investment Dr. Kaplan and his was in New York City, sitting across the table from Dr. Kaplan. family made. With his support we created the Orianne He started the conversation by telling me a story. On a family Indigo Snake Preserve in Georgia to be a place protected in trip his daughter had the chance to hold an Eastern Indigo perpetuity and restored and managed for Indigo Snakes and Snake. She was so taken by the animal that she told her father Gopher Tortoises. We created the Orianne Center for Indigo she wanted one, but Dr. Kaplan explained to her that they were Conservation, a facility in Florida that now serves as the endangered with extinction and she could not have one as a captive breeding hub for one of the greatest reintroduction pet. At this point in his story Dr. Kaplan looked me in the eye efforts for snakes ever. Dr. Kaplan also helped by providing with a serious look and told me that she turned to him with much of the funding needed to run the organization to determination and asked if he would save the species much like operate these facilities and to be a leader in inventory, he was doing with big cats (www.panthera.org). So there we sat, monitoring, and research. His funding and guidance was a business man and a conservationist, each with a new mission critical as we developed other sources of revenue. Without in our lives. A mission to meet the expectations of a young girl the initial and continued dedication and commitment of Dr. and save a species - a snake no less. We knew immediately that Kaplan the Orianne Society would not exist. the organization had to be named after his daughter and so the Orianne Society was born. While Tom is stepping down from the board after 11 years, he will continue to be involved and is helping to ease Dr. Kaplan and I had a vision for an organization that would the transition by promoting the addition of other board lead the greatest conservation effort in history for a snake; an members. In summer 2019, Merritt Paulson, owner of the effort that was partnership driven and was comprehensive in Portland Timbers Major League Soccer team joined the scope. We worked together to bring partners to the table and he Orianne Society board to help guide us into the future. invested the capital needed to build a series of comprehensive Merritt and his family have been long time supports of the programs all focused on Indigo Snakes. In 11 years as Chairman Orianne Society and dedicated to reptile and amphibian of the Orianne Society Dr. Kaplan and his family invested over conservation. With Merritt on the board we are working 17 million dollars into the Orianne Society and Eastern Indigo with a group of dedicated supporters to increase our board Snake conservation. His dedication and passion have always of 9 people to approximately 20 people by 2021. Tom will been contagious. Every time we met, no matter what business be missed, but his generosity and passion have left Merritt matter he was dealing with, I always had the feeling that talking and the remaining board with a great base to build from. about snakes was going to be the best part of his day. The future of Orianne is one of growing programs that meets the increasing number of conservation needs for Dr. Kaplan had the foresight to realize the scale of this effort reptiles. We encourage you to become one of our partners, and that if we were going to be successful, the organization so that together, we can help shape the future of the Orianne had to be much larger than just the two of us. With a strategic Society and the rare species that depend on us. approach Tom led us as we broadened the mission beyond Indigo Snakes to include all rare reptiles and helped us expand the board, our donor network, and our membership program. He had the vision to transition Orianne to a public charity that was financially sustainable and would work to conserve reptiles Dr. Chris Jenkins indefinitely. His approach to this transition was deliberate, he CEO, The Orianne Society did not expect an organization like the Orianne Society to be
Eastern Indigo Snake. Photo: Houston Chandler ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 23 Who We Are
Gary Baldaeus k a w o Chief Financial Officer i N m m Ta to: Pho
s s ro G y Chris Jenkins, PhD m A to: Pho Chief Executive Officer
m ol b H Jaco Photo: Heidi Hall Director of Development
Charli Palmer Program Manager
n ow kn Un Photo: William Rodriguez
Communication n so p m ho Coordinator e T : Jo Photo
24 ANNUAL REPORT Houston Chandler Director of Longleaf Savannas Initiative
ay M da : Lin Photo s in k n e J is hr Ben Stegenga : C oto Research Assistant Ph
Kiley Briggs l al H idi He Northeast Turtle Photo: Conservation Coordinator
Jacob Barrett Field Operations Coordinator
rd o xf O te Pe to: Pho Brannon Knight Stewardship Coordinator
tt re ar r B ylo : Ta Photo
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 25 26 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Financials
Our goal is conservation and we are fully dedicated to maximizing our financial resources to achieve our mission. We work diligently to attract and employ a professional staff with diverse skill sets while keeping our overhead costs low. Continuing and identifying new funding sources to fulfill our conservation goals, pay our dedicated staff, and grow the organization and our reach remains a priority within our long-term financial planning. Support from foundations, grants, state and federal agencies, partners, and our generous donors, and members allows us to keep moving forward, to strengthen our initiatives, and, ultimately, conserve reptiles, amphibians, and the landscapes they need to persist.
Over the last few years, Orianne has had a relatively high ratio of fundraising and administration relative to program expenses. This is attributed to our transition from a private operating foundation to a public charity and our corresponding efforts to build our development program. In 2017 fundraising accounted for 18% of our overall budget, in 2018 it is 15%. In 2017, administration accounted for 15% of the overall budget and in 2018 it is 14%. Our strategic plan is designed to continue to lower this ratio over the next three years to our desired 10% to 15%.
Appalachian Stream. Photo: Chris Jenkins ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 27 THANK YOU!
Teresa Adams Paul & Sandal Cate Fidelity Charitable Larry Hodges Brett Albanese William Cathcart Fink Family Foundation William Hodges Christopher Alberts Gregory Caudill Kevin FitzPatrick Valentijn Hoff Milissa Alexander Bailey Chandler Curtis Flather Natalie Hogan Don Alford Houston Chandler Dylan Flather Joshua Holbrook Matthew Allender Michelle Chandler Eli Fordham Allison Holdorf Gail Allinson Ray Chandler Patrick Forscher Mike Holdsworth Cameron Alvis Cynthia Chaplin Adrienne Fortune Cody Hopkins Zachary Ambrose Mark & Susan Chenven Stacy Foster Noreen Hopkins Bob Anderson City Of Little Rock Meg Francoeur Christopher Horacek Gabriel Andrle Julie Civitts Jane Fraser Houston Trust Company Tiffany Angelico Heyward Clamp John Frederick Vince Howard James Angley Cathleen Clark Steven & Judith Friedman Andrea Howlett Charles Arcudi Cathleen Clark Andrea Fuchs Mike Howlett Marshall Ashcraft Charles Clarke Austin Fuchs Charlotte Hubler Jared Bailey George Cline Curt Fuhrmann Steven Hudson Gary Baldaeus David Clive Brad Fuller Michael Huggins Stephen Barten Conn Cole Connie Fuller Ryne Huggins Mary Bartles Jenna Cole Olivia Fuller Kelly Hunt Molly Bassett Rob and Olga Cole Emily Fyfe Nyssa Hunt Florence Bauder Trudy Cole Jennifer Gaines Austin Hulbert James Beach Andrew Coleman Elizabeth Garrison Eliza Huskey Teri and Bob Beard Kortnie Coles Ian Garrison Bruce Hutcheson Marc Behrendt Byrne Conner Noah Garwood Kevin Hutcheson Angilyn Bell John Connock Donnell Gasbarrini Margaret Hylton Patricia Bell Jonathan Cooley Julia Geer & Richard Dreissigacker Curt Jamison John Beller Ellen Corrie Georgia Department of Natural Resources Kate Jedele Richard Berling Zacheriah Cota-Weaver Linda Gette Felton Jenkins Craig Biegler Elizabeth Cottingham Melissa Gillmer Clifford Johnson Brian Bielema Samuel Convington Laine Giovanetto Dudley Johnson Patricia Biggio Christopher Coppola Brent Glamann Mandy Johnson Robert Bishop Michael Corn Danielle Glover Jolly Foundation James Blodgett Melanie Cox Kristen Gold Alan Jones Richard Bodziner Jairo Cuevas Joe Goldufsky Amber Jones Scott Bolick Joel Curzon Mark Gompels Kelly Jones Rick Bolling John Darvie Hans Gonzembach James Jordan Christopher Bortz Chris Daughtry Joseph Gordon Jeremy Jowers Anthony Brais Suzanne Degrassee Goddard Graves Victoria Joyce Robert Bradbury Robert Delaney Scott Gravette Thomas Kaplan Jeff Bradstreet Florian Denis Michael Gray Robert Keiser Garth Bray & Karen Baxter William Dickinson Arthur Greenberg Paul Kepp Kiley Briggs Rob Dibenedetto Jim Greenway Joshua Kight Bobbie Bristol Anne Dillon Melanie Gregory Doug Kimball Emily Brodsky Michael Donahoe Josh Groppe Aaron Kincaid Chris Brookshire Dot and Lam Hardman Family Foundation Miranda Gulsby Simon King Bernard Brown Sidney Drawdy Daniel Gutierrez John Kirinovic Donald Brown Amanda Duffus Ian Hahus Kevin Kirkham Grover Brown Kaitlyn Dunagan Heather Hall Amelia Klein Michael Brown Eric Duncan Richard Hall Knobloch Family Foundation David Buege Jan Durham Vickie Hall Megan Kramer Pamela Burlingame Brian Durkin John Halsey Abe Kruger Tim Bushey John Duttenhaver Constance Hamilton Lisa Kruse Illa Caira Kim Dutton Eleanor Hand Zen Kurokawa Alan Cameron Andrew Edelman Hanover High School Thomas LaDuke Andrew Cannon Kaveh Ehsanipoor Dresden School District Stan Lake Canaday Family Charitable Trust David Eliassen Graham Hanson Vanessa Lane Ross Caphton J. Wiley Ellis Chad Harrison Lindsay Larson Alexander Carratala Paula Elsey Josh Hawkins William Laws Geoffrey Carson Robert Emerson Douglas Hay Alice Lee Anna Carter Roy Engeldorf Michael Hayes Jaime Lee Kimberly Carter Tucker Ennis Courtney Heath Justin Lee Michael Carter Michael Evans Valerie Hepburn Marc Lemaitre Erin Cashion Jacqueline Eversole Lynne Higbie A Leonard Lewis Cassidy Stephen Falick Thomas Hinton Brandon Levesque Alyssa Castelluccio Chance Feimster Melanie Hitchcock Drew Leviton Carla Cate Penny Felski Nicholas Hodge Olivia Leviton
28 ANNUAL REPORT Louise Leviton Megan Parker Jesslyn Shields Marc Walch Helen Linda Patagonia Burlington Richard Shields Monica Walker William Lintilhac Benjamin Perkins Daphna Shimon Skyler Walker Catherine Lisi Michael Perry Whitney Shore Christopher Walls Michelle Little Sean Perry Robert Simcoe George Ward Richard Lockwood Charles Peterson Jesse Skok Taw Warren Isabella Loescher Charles Pfeifer Angel Slack John Warthen Reid Loescher Kim Pilarski-Hall Daniel Slegowski Andrew Watson Richard Loescher Mike Pingleton Barry Smith Heather Waye mary ann lueckel Ann Pisani Christina Smith Nathan Weiss Doug Lundin Cailtin Plooy Ethan Smith William Weng Tyler Macmillan Chad Plumly Isaac Smith Paul West Charlotte Magruder Michael Poole Kathy Smith Thomas West Jeannot Mahaa Kenneth Pott Luke Smith John Whalen Kathleen Mahoney Christopher Powell Michael Smith Steve Whiting Malcolm Fraser Foundation Pamela Powell Nigel Smith Linda Whitefeather Steve Marks William Pound Dawn Snow Rebecca Wier Eugene Martin Laura Predny Gary Solanick Scott Wietecha Robert Maslow Caitlin Pregi Elizabeth Solomon Wildlife Management Institute Susan Mazo Paul Pressly Southern Company James Williams Kerri McCabe Kitty Pupedis Southeastern Wildlife Exposition Paul Williams Raymond McConnell David Quick Timothy Songer Gary Williamson John McCormack Michael Quinlan Mary Spence Dale Wilson Caitlin McDargh Samuel Radcliffe Cindy Sprague Susan Wilson Thomas McKee Red-Clay Brewing Company State Of Vermont Fish & Wildlife Ronald Willson Misty McKanna RedSky Productions Michael Starkey Samantha Windham James McLaughlin Renna Redd Avery Steele Charles Wohlers William McLeish Sarah Redpath William Steele David Wojnowski Paul McLemore Thomas Reed Catherine Stevens Keri Wolfe Helen Meadors Curtis Reynolds James Stewart Loti Woods Lucas Meers William Rhodes Karen Stohlgren Anderson Wrangle Marc Merlin Bronc Rice Mark Stone Phil Wrangle Rosy Metcalfe Connie Rice Johannes Stratmann Megan Yanney Rick Meyer Brian Richardson Casey Struecker Sharon Yomtob Matthew Middleton Robert Richie Andrew Sullivan Christopher York Hannah Miller Peter Richter Bryan Summerford Nanette Young Steve Miller Chris Rittmeyer Triniti Sumner David Zabriskie Eddi Minche Brooke Roberts Trent Swanson Stephan Zacharias Jeffrey Moorbeck Pamela Roberts Nicholas Talucci Deedee Moore Paul Roberts Juan Taquechel Marylou Moore Alice Rogers Charles Tarver Michael Moore John Romfh The Benevity Community Impact Fund Rosemary Mosco Brian Romm The Bobolink Foundation Jennifer Mothershed Mary Rose North Georgia Community Foundation Dennis Mountain Tasman Rosenfeld The Longleaf Alliance Kim Mross Maya Ruettger-Cruciana The University of Georgia Matt Murphy Kelly Russell James Theus Margaret Nall Michael Saldarriaga Frank Thompson Jennifer Myers Herbert Sanders Susan Thompson Elizabeth Neace John & Carol Schickel Melissa Thorpe Allison Neal Samantha Schmidt Natalia Thrash Carolyn Neely Lawrence Schmitz Jo Tilley Matt Neff Jim Schwalen Russell Tillman Kerry Nelson Allison Scott Eugene Trescott Mark Nelson Eric Schwartz Jane Smith Turner Network for Good James Schweithelm Jane Smith Turner Foundation New Generations Trust Jeffrey Schyberg Turner Foundation Lloyd Newberry Stephen Scott Rhett Turner Ryan Niccoli Max Seldes Steve Ussrey Matt Nicholson Sheri Seldes University of Vermont and State Agricul- Janet Northing Wayne Sentman tural College Peter Nunes Vance Serchuk US Fish and Wildlife Service Ben O’Connor Charles Seyle Tiffany VanWyck Justin Oguni James Seymour Vermont Community Foundation Douglas Olson Bayberry Shah Vermont Trailwear Orange Southwest School District Matthew Shawyer Max Van Houten Dylan Orlando Robert Shelley Tiffany VanWyck Lance Paden Anna Sheinaus Dan Vickers Keith Pahlke Robert Shelley Bethany Wakefield Thomas Pardue Lilian Shen Daniel Wakefield
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 29 TAKE action
BECOME A DONOR From pledging a reoccurring donation, to becoming a member, to making a one 9 time donation, our supporters are the backbone of the organization. Donations can be made through our secure website or by contacting us directly at 706-224-1359 SPREAD THE WORD m We don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth when it comes to letting people know about our work and the ways they can contribute! Please consider sharing this magazine with others who have an interest in conservation, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. PLAN YOUR GIVING Don’t just plan for your future—plan for the future of reptiles, amphibians and the great { places they inhabit. Whether you prefer to set up an annual donation or a deferred gift, we can work with you to determine what you want your gift to support and how it will benefit these amazing animals and landscapes. Please contact us at [email protected] or 706-224-1359 for more information about our planned giving opportunities.
30 ANNUAL REPORT Become a Corporate Sponsor The Orianne Society’s corporate sponsorship program allows business entities to assist in furthering conservation efforts for reptiles, amphibians, and critically important landscapes. We invite potential sponsors to learn more about our work and how your organization can get involved through one of our three annual sponsor- ship levels. Please note that not all gifts must be monetary. The Orianne Society is often in need of in-kind donations, such as assistance in specific skill sets, maintenance, field vehicles, etc. To learn more, contact Heidi Hall at [email protected].
• Acknowledgement in Social Media Fresh • Logo on Orianne Website • Listed in Annual Report Water • Electronic Version of Magazines/Annual Report Partner ($1,000)
• Acknowledgement in Social Media Healthy • Logo on Orianne Website • Logo in Annual Report Forest • Electronic Version of Magazines/Annual Report • Hardcopies of Magazines/Annual Report Partner • ¼ Page Ad in Magazines ($5,000) • One Employee Volunteer Day
• Acknowledgement in Social Media Endangered • Logo on Orianne Website • Logo in Annual Report species • Electronic Version of Magazines/Annual Report • Hardcopies of Magazines/Annual Report Partner • ½ Page Ad in Magazines • Two Employee Volunteer Days ($10,000) • Company Logo at Events • Press Release on Partnership
ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG ANNUAL REPORT 31 The Orianne Society is a proud, nonprofit partner of 1% for the Planet and EarthShare Georgia Spotted Turtle. Photo: Pete Oxford Pete Photo: Turtle. Spotted 32 ANNUAL REPORT