St Simons Land Trust Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

In september 2012, the land trust acquired a 608-acre tract of land on the north-end of st. Simons island featuring mature maritime forest, six miles of marsh shore line including deep water frontage, and unique and environmentally important habitat for native plants, wildlife, and migratory birds. Cannon's point preserve is now a model of coastal ecology, scientific research, and a platform for public education. In 2016, the land trust began working on infrastructure improvements to cannon's point, including added features for visitors such as restrooms, an education pavilion, and a coastal ecology lab. The vision of the land trust is to protect and conserve land on st. Simons island that is most vulnerable to high-density development and to preserve that land in perpetuity.in august 2015, the trust reached an agreement to purchase three parcels of land consisting of approximately 260 acres that was part of the former musgrove plantation (now known as guale preserve). The plan included purchasing the parcels in three phases over three years with funding coming from a combination of individual donors, private and public foundations, and government grants. On may 17, 2016, the trust completed the purchase of guale preserve phase i, consisting of 58.4 acres. On february 14, 2017, the trust completed the purchase of phase ii consisting of 90.225 acres. Phase iii closed in 2018 consisting of 109.2 acres. Guale preserve is now an important protected property that is open to the public for various activities and low-impact recreational use including hiking, running, biking, birding. The preserve includes a mile-and-a-half loop known as polly's trail on phase ii and a quarter-mile hiking path known as janet's trail on phase i. Phase i also includes a family picnic and educational building and a boat ramp that is available for kayakers, canoeists, and fishers using motorized boats no longer than 20 feet in length. Reservations are required for launching of motorized boats. A third hiking trail is planned for phase iii.in 2018, the trust began an initiative called the canopy campaign, which was envisioned to include two to four phases. It is an overarching strategy to preserve st. Simons from north to south through the acquisition and conservation of properties with greatest environmental and cultural values and that are most vulnerable to development.in 2020, the trust purchased 3.059 acres of green space on kings way on st simons island. The trust also sold a 20.85 acre parcel at frederica north marsh on st simons island to the national parks service.in 2021, the trust purchased a 38.5 acre tract know as the sinclair tract. In addition, the trust purchased a third oatland property with 40.7 acres.in 2023, the trust opened a dog freindly nature trail on the oatland property purchased in 2021. The trust purchased a 10 acre tract know as the gateway property which had an existing public walking trial. The ancient dune trail, the third hiking trail, on the guale preserve phase iii was completed.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 45.3%; rating input score 45
• Program expense ratio: 57.5%; rating input score 57
• Fundraising efficiency: $8.18 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • 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: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • 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: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 45.4%; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 58.17; rating input score 99; 99th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 25%; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.6% per year; rating input score 100; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -9.7% per year; rating input score 0; 2nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.2% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings