Stowe Land Trust

What it reported doing in 2024

Stewardship programin fy25, slt advanced major trail accessibility improvements at the mill trail, completing design, permitting, and key bridge and trail upgrades as part of phase 1 of a new universally accessible trail system. Slt also finished adaptive bike enhancements at kirchner woods and began planning a new connector trail at the adams camp connector property to link the stowe recreation path with the adams camp network.to support growing stewardship needs, slt engaged an americorps lands and trails steward and continued annual property monitoring, landowner engagement, and trail and habitat management. The stewardship program worked with 98 volunteers who collectively donated over 454 hours of their time to taking care of slt protected lands, completing monitoring, trail work, and invasive species management.slt also hosted a stewardship summer series which engaged 135 participants in 315 hours of educational programming focused on habitat, invasive species, and forest stewardship.land protection programslt completed the permanent protection of the 85-acre adams camp connector, strengthening wildlife habitat, riparian health, and regional trail connectivity. Slt also advanced three major conservation projectsmuddy moose, north hill forest, and stagecoach meadowstotaling 339 acres and scheduled to close next year.slt has been working hard to advance innovative conservation and housing initiatives in partnership with downstreet housing & community development. The muddy moose and stagecoach meadows projects have both conservation and housing components and if successful, will conserve land while also creating future affordable housing.slt is also updating its strategic conservation plan, supported by grant funding and an in-depth gis analysis across an expanded service area. The plan focuses on farms and forests, wildlife and biodiversity, recreation, and flood resilience. Following community outreach, the plan is on track for completion next year. Education & outreach programslt revitalized the learning landscapes program with stowe elementary school, providing hands-on outdoor education to 191 students and families. Slt hosted its largest community eventparty in the meadowwith 315 attendees, and participated in partner events reaching an estimated 250300 community members.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 65%; rating input score 65
• Program expense ratio: 71.1%; rating input score 71
• Fundraising efficiency: $8.12 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: 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: 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: 15.3%; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.91; rating input score 84; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 10.2%; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -9.4% per year; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 0.2% per year; rating input score 100; 15th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.1% per year; rating input score 100; 59th percentile among comparable filings