Natural Resources Trust of Easton

What it reported doing in 2024

The natural resources trust of easton owns and maintains several properties in and around easton, Massachusetts for the purposes of land and resources conservation and for the benefit of the local community. Since 1967, the nrt has focused on supporting the community in its efforts to conserve land and resources as well as educate individuals about the importance of environmental sustainability and health. The nrt has focused its efforts in conservation of natural resources, preservation of land and local culture, and implementation of exceptional environmental education programs for thousands of children and adults each year. The nrt's sheep pasture property is located on main street in easton. This location is the signature conservation area of the organization and is the primary location for community access. The sheep pasture is very well known and much loved by individuals of all ages, and the property provides access to many different forms of interaction. Passive recreational opportunties abound on the property in all seasons, and individuals from not only easton, but all over the area, come to sheep pasture to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Each year thousands of people also bring their leashed pets to enjoy walking and running the trail system together. Some trails on the property are handicapped-accessible for those individuals who may require assistance to enjoy their nature experience, and the property is frequently utilized by organizations providing services to individuals with disabilities, including the elderly and veterans. Beginning with the easton schools in 1973, thousands of students have come through sheeps pasture's professional environmental education programs in the past 40 years. These programs have not only taught generations of children about local geology, local flora and fauna, mapping, life sciences, and more, but have inspired future conservationists, ecologists, biologists, and engineers. Over 5,500 students from easton, boston, quincy, rehoboth, raynham, bridgewater, brockton, sharon, stoughton, attleboro, north attleboro, and other surrounding towns and cities participate in these high quality programs each year. Led by award-winning professional teacher/naturalists, each class is designed to encourage, educate, and enlighten students with hands-on activities specifically designed to enrich their understanding of the natural world. The nrt also offers special events and programs to support and connect with the community. For decades the nrt has managed the community garden on the sheep pasture property, where individuals, families, and even local community groups from easton and beyond create wonderful vegetable and flowers gardens. Each fall brings the harvest fair, nrt's largest fundraiser, inviting thousands of visitors from all over new england to the grounds for entertainment, local artisans' crafts, and as a celebration of community. Spring brings a focus on traditional agriculture and animal- related topics at the nrt's spring family festival in may. Active even in the winter, the nrt's sheep pasture property opens each day, encouraging people to leave the comfort of their homes and become engaged in fun and healthy outdoor recreation activities. The natural resources trust of easton is truly a leading organization in connecting the community to the environment and is proud of the support it has received from its members and the local community. The organization continually seeks to improve its programs, upgrade its properties, and offer everyone a welcoming outdoor space to interact with the natural world. The nrt of easton continues to provide sound environmental stewardship for the benefit of the community, and the nrt looks forward to sustaining its long tradition of environmental education and excellence in the coming years.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 77%; rating input score 77
• Program expense ratio: 71.4%; rating input score 71
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• 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: 6 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 86
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -5.4%; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.09; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.5% per year; rating input score 100; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.2% per year; rating input score 100; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.1% per year; rating input score 100; 26th percentile among comparable filings