Cypress Chapter Izaak Walton League of America

What it reported doing in 2024

The organization advanced restoration of the Greater Everglades ecosystem and regional water-quality improvement through coordinated planning, public engagement, and implementation of science-based conservation practices in partnership with state and federal agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, landowners, and community stakeholders. Program staff actively participated in public meetings, technical working groups, and interagency forums to inform restoration priorities, provide field-based expertise, and support collaborative solutions that improve ecosystem function, hydrology, and long-term natural resource management across the watershed. Activities focused on developing and demonstrating innovative approaches to reduce nutrient loading, improve water storage and flow, and restore wildlife habitat across agricultural and conservation landscapes. Efforts included piloting nutrient recycling and soil amendment techniques, promoting best management practices to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen runoff, enhancing wetlands and native habitats, and implementing land stewardship practices that increase water retention, soil health, and biodiversity. These initiatives contribute to measurable improvements in downstream water quality and strengthen the ecological resilience of the Greater Everglades ecosystem. The program also supports landscape-scale conservation and habitat connectivity within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. By restoring working lands and protecting natural systems, the organization enhances wildlife movement between public and private conservation areas, sustains large, connected habitats, and benefits wide-ranging and imperiled species dependent on the Florida Wildlife Corridor. In addition, the organization conducted extensive educational outreach through workshops, field tours, site demonstrations, and presentations for agency personnel, conservation professionals, landowners, students, and members of the public. Programming emphasized practical conservation tools, water stewardship, habitat restoration techniques, and responsible land and wildlife management practices that can be replicated throughout the region. Through these combined restoration, connectivity, and education efforts, the program strengthened partnerships, informed public decision-making, and advanced sustainable solutions that protect water resources, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, support the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and promote long-term conservation outcomes across the Greater Everglades ecosystem for the benefit of the public.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 65.4%; rating input score 65
• Program expense ratio: 76.8%; rating input score 77
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90%; rating input score 90; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 4 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 14.8%; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.37; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 55.1%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: 192.9% per year; rating input score 100; 100th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 57.6% per year; rating input score 100; 97th percentile among comparable filings