LandPaths

What it reported doing in 2024

LandPaths is an environmental education and conservation leader with the mission to foster a love of the land in Sonoma County. Everyone should have access to the awe and inspiration of nature.Annually, LandPaths engages thousands of participants in joyful, caring, and transformative relationships with the land. This is done mainly through creative outings led in both English and Spanish, environmental education, nature camps, and people-powered land stewardship of local open spaces.With a commitment to equity in the outdoors and building reciprocal relationships, LandPaths programs are offered free or sliding scale, or with robust scholarships, led by diverse participants. Three Core Initiatives Rooting Youth in Nature: We reduce the barriers and expand opportunities to get outside so that youth can experience wonder, joy, awe, belonging, and a sense of stewardship in nature.Branching Out Conservation for Everyone: With a dedication to equity and inclusion, we reduce the barriers to increase access for people historically excluded from positive connection with nature and the outdoors. Growing Community With Nature: Facing the challenges like catastrophic fire and drought dramatically increased by climate change, LandPaths more than ever believes in forging care and connection between people and the land. From stewardship days for all ages to conservation workforce training, we address community care with curiosity, determination, and creativity.LandPaths programs are as follows: Rooting Youth in NatureIn 2025, LandPaths offered a full season of nature-based youth programs across Sonoma County. A total of 17 camp weeks were held across seven unique programs, providing opportunities for hundreds of young people to explore, connect, and grow in the outdoors at: Rancho Mark West, Bohemia Ecological Preserve, Preston Farm & Winery and the Russian River. These programs reflect our commitment to connection, access, and belonging in the outdoors. Across all programs, LandPaths continues to expand equitable access through financial assistance, transportation support, and partnerships with schools and community organizations, ensuring youth from diverse backgrounds can experience the joy and belonging in nature. LandPaths Owl Camp is a nature-based summer immersion program for kids from 6 to 13 years old. Owl Camp offers a rich place for children to explore the natural world, test out new ideas and experience the freedom of child-directed, open-ended learning through nature exploration and play guided in small groups by expert educators. Camp Trillium is a newer nature camp program for youth between the ages of 9 13 focused on creating a sense of belonging in nature for LGBTQI+ youth and allies. LandPaths also offers RiverTrek camps. Consistent with LandPaths youth programs, these camps immerse youth in nature and develop outdoor skills, such as paddling, camp cooking, fire starting, filtering water all the way down to caring for your feet and hands (and blisters). These experiences and skill development, build participant sense of belonging (with nature and with peers) and confidence in continuing outdoor activities and exploration for a lifetime. In Fiscal Year, 2024 2025 we offered 2 weeks of Teen River Treks with 23 total campers served. 14 campers received scholarships and 3 received transportation support. 10 of those were first-time campers. Camps Program By the Numbers 7 camp programs: Owl Camp, SRCS Owl Camp, Camp Trillium, Teen River Treks, Spring Break Camp, Winter Camp, and Inspired Forward Teen Trek 17 total camp weeks across all sites 565 total camper spots filled, representing 458 individual youth 317 campers (56%) received scholarships 219 campers received transportation support Owl Camp had the largest number of campers (305 over 7 weeks) Smaller, focused programs like Camp Trillium (19 campers) and Inspired Forward Teen Trek (11 campers) offered deeper connection and leadership opportunities In Our Own BackYard is a n

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 42.2%; rating input score 42
• Program expense ratio: 78.8%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $32.31 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• 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: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 53.1%; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 7.96; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.07; rating input score 64; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 12.1%; rating input score 24; 24th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.4% per year; rating input score 100; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 10.8% per year; rating input score 100; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 13% per year; rating input score 100; 69th percentile among comparable filings