Nature Collective

What it reported doing in 2024

Science education & outreach: at nature collective, children can gain science skills and connect with nature from fieldwork to preparatory and post-trip lessons. Science becomes relevant and more interesting to students as they discuss ecology and explore the land. Our programs focus on observation skills, a crucial component to any science-focused education and career. As the students experience our local lands, our educators encourage them to ask questions, listen to one another, pose evidence-supported arguments, disagree respectfully, and utilize the scientific language of uncertainty.our k-12 education program connects, educates, and engages the community to act to ensure the health and wellbeing of the escondido watershed. Our partner school districts include escondido, vista, and del mar. We support the school districts by offering next generation science standards, aligned science education curriculum-based field trips and virtual experiences. Our goals are to increase the number of students who participate in outdoor nature experiences in escondido; to connect students to nature through watershed literacy and relevancy lessons and programs; and to instill a life-long conservation ethic among students and their families in partnering escondido schools. From virtual engagement, to in-person tours and events, we offer an array of activities to enjoy with a community as well as 8 miles of trails where one can go solo and enjoy the peace. Volunteer ambassadors welcome visitors of all ages when they experience annie's canyon trail + swami's beach + seaside state beach and provide information that highlights unique flora and fauna plus guidance on how to enjoy our natural world in a sustainable way. Habitat restoration volunteers help to remove invasive species, water many growing plants, monitor flora and fauna, and assist in our plant nursery. They are rehabilitating habitats and making a lasting difference! Locations vary across san elijo lagoon, and beyond. You also get a behind-the-scenes look at how nature thrives when we dedicate collective expertise to make the outdoors healthy. The sage internship helps young leaders build their resume with an ecology-focused internship! At nature collective, youth of today can develop expertise in conservation fields that truly make a difference, today and into the future. They dive into the space where san diego nature is at a critical juncture, right where the ocean meets our receding coastline.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 92.7%; rating input score 93
• Program expense ratio: 84.1%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $16.3 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -9.9%; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.22; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 66; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.4%; rating input score 40; 40th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.1% per year; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.7% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings