Whidbey Watershed Stewards

What it reported doing in 2024

Education: working closely with the south whidbey school district, several natural science educational programs were developed. In the spring, various public and private schools attended grade appropriate k to 6th grade classes in their schools and at whidbey watershed stewards' outdoor classroom. These classes centered around "habitats and creatures", where students broken up into small groups explored the forest and stream ecosystems and the plants and creatures who live in them. Approx. 751 students from 8 different schools. In the fall, grades 1st through 5th and 8th students participated in classroom programs and field trips to the outdoor classroom that explored our fascinating "digging deeper into the forest". This program invites students on a journey into the heart of our forest ecosystem. Each lesson offers a hands-on exploration of life beneath the forest canopy, from tiny soil-dwelling organisms to fascinating fungi. Students rotated through various hands-on learning activities appropriate for their grade level. Approx. 465 students across 5 schools. During july and august two different summer camp programs, in partnership with the south whidbey parks and recreation, were developed. The "feathered friends" for ages 6 through 8 explored was conducted at the outdoor classroom. The salish sea jr. Scientists", for ages 9 through 12, was conducted at the environmental education center and langley marina. 27 students. Salmon in the classroom program: instructed 3rd and 5th grade students about the life cycle of salmon. Salmon eggs were provided to the school and reared in the school aquariums in conjunction with salmon life cycle lessons. When the fish hatched and reached fry stage, they were released in march by groups of students with their teachers and families into maxwelton creek at the outdoor classroom. Approx. 50 students. Community education was provided to the public through various family- oriented events held on whidbey island, and also in newsletters, website, and social media.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 62.1%; rating input score 62
• Program expense ratio: 66.2%; rating input score 66
• Fundraising efficiency: $149.61 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 93; 93rd 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; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 4 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 57
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 6.2%; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 6.86; rating input score 55; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 16.2% per year; rating input score 100; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 14.4% per year; rating input score 100; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 13.7% per year; rating input score 100; 85th percentile among comparable filings