2006 Annual Report Three Valley Conservation Trust

Transcript

2006 ANNUAL MEETING FEBRUARY 3, 2007 MARCUM CONFERENCE CENTER MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO Mission: The Three Valley Conservation Trust (TVCT) works with people and communities to conserve the natural environment and cultural heritage in Southwest Ohio. Vision ● The Three Valley Conservation Trust will set the standard for land conservation and water quality in our region. ● The protection and enhancement of waterways, woodlands, vistas and farmland in our region will be seen as exemplary land conservation. ● The TVCT will be recognized by landowners, developers, and public officials in Southwestern Ohio as an important resource for conservation planning, land protection and land use planning or sustainable development. ● The TVCT will be the holder of choice for land protection agreements and partnerships with willing landowners. ● The TVCT region will be cherished and known for • Protecting land, water, and scenic beauty • Providing open spaces for livable communities • Safeguarding the heritage of productive farms, and cultural landscapes. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Agenda Speakers Annual Summary Committee Reports 2006 Treasurer’s Report Board Election 2006 Accomplishments 2006 Protected Properties Honors Acknowledgements 2006 Annual Meeting Minutes 3 4 5 8 12 15 15 16 24 26 27 2 Three Valley Conservation Trust Annual Meeting Program February 3, 2007 Marcum Conference Center Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 Agenda 6:00pm 6:30 pm 6:30 pm 6:40 pm 6:45 pm Registration- Music donated by the Anachrorhythms Dinner Served by Marcum Center Annual Meeting Begins- Welcome by Liz Woedl, MC Program Begins- Liz Woedl & Larry Frimerman, Three Valley Conservation Trust Elected Officials: Salutations Hon. Shawn Webster Hon. Bill Coley Keynote Speaker: 6:55 pm Sean D. Logan, Director, Ohio Department of Natural Resources ODNR: Where We Are Heading, introduced by Gene Krebs 7:40 pm 7:50 pm 8:00 pm 8:10 pm Kurt Waterstradt, Ohio Private Lands Coordinator, US Fish & Wildlife Service Michael D. Bailey, Executive Director, Office of Farmland Preservation, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, OH David Nolin, Deputy Director, Five Rivers Metroparks Partnership for Land Conservation Easement Donor Remarks Mike Fain Amy Costanzo Merlin Seibel 8:30 pm 8:45 pm 8:55 pm 9:00 pm 2006 Accomplishments & Update for 2007- Liz Woedl, Larry Frimerman Honors and Thanks- Liz Woedl Election of New Board members End of Membership Meeting, Adjourn Annual Meeting 3 SPEAKER BIOSKETCHES SEAN D. LOGAN Sean D. Logan is the new Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), joining the cabinet of incoming Governor Ted Strickland. He is the eleventh person to serve as director of ODNR since the department was formed in 1949. Logan, 40, most recently served as president of the board of commissioners in Columbiana County, where he had been a commissioner since 2001. Until his appointment to ODNR, he had been a member of the Little Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River Advisory Board and held an appointment to the Ohio Solid Waste Advisory Council. From 1990-2000 Logan was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. During his time in the state legislature, Logan served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for six years. He won the Columbiana County Federation of Conservation Clubs Outstanding Service Award. Logan received a bachelor's degree in political science and speech communication from Muskingum College. He earned his law degree from Capital University Law School in 2001. He married Melissa Davis in 1993. The couple has three children. MICHAEL BAILEY Michael Bailey is the Executive Director of the Office of Farmland Preservation at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, where he has served since July 2004. Prior to employment with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Bailey served with the United States Army in Afghanistan, and was a research associate for the C. William Swank Program in Rural-Urban Policy. Bailey holds a B.S. and M.S. in agricultural economics from the Ohio State University. KURT WATERSTRADT Kurt Waterstradt is the State Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program” in Ohio. Born and raised in Hortonville, WI. In 1990, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife biology from the University of Idaho, and then entered active duty for the U.S Army as a Commissioned Officer. After three years of active duty, he returned to Wisconsin to begin work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Kurt started with the Service as a wildlife biologist in Green Bay, WI. moved to Bismarck, North Dakota for two years, and returned to Madison, Wisconsin until 2004. In 2004, he moved to Ohio to take over the State Coordinator’s position for the Partners program. Mr. Waterstradt resides in Utica, Ohio and enjoys the outdoors and the Green Bay Packers. 4 ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY FEB 3, 2007 SUMMARY COMMENTS FRANK HOUSE, CHAIR Happy New Year! We have seen many successes in the past year, especially in this last quarter and I’m happy to announce that we are now at a whopping 6000 acres protected with an additional 2000 acres under contract. At this time of year, it’s good to not only reflect on past accomplishments but to look forward to new plans and future successes. These are some of my own hopes for the coming year: • • • • • • Place additional lands under easements. As long as development continues to march forward, it’s important to place lands under easement to maintain a rural character of farms and wildlife habitat. Raise funds for operations and land trust endowments. This is one of our top priorities. Since we are required to monitor all easements in perpetuity, the trust must become self sufficient through endowments. These endowments can generate future monies to support a modest staff necessary to carry out the Trust’s requirements. We have taken a major step in this direction by recently hiring a development coordinator and beginning a major fund raising campaign. Develop a closer cooperation and working relationship with other organizations that have an interest in farming, habitat, wildlife and farm land preservation. There are many opportunities to combine synergies between organizations to have the greatest impact. Having land in a trust helps slow down urban sprawl, maintains farmland, and provides for habitat that can help stem the loss of species and presents opportunity for increasing game bird populations. Continue government interaction to support conservation trust efforts. By continuing to influence legislation for AEPP and various federal programs, TVCT will be able to help more land owners interested in protecting their lands. We have been very successful in the past and would like to see these programs continued. Educate the public about easements and conservation trusts. I’ve noticed many misconceptions about protecting lands and the benefits of a land trust. Additional education efforts will help people to make an informed decision or at the very least to get people to start thinking about alternatives to urban sprawl. Concentrate on the Trust’s infrastructure. At this new successful stage of the Trust, we now need to ensure our infrastructure is solid by focusing on our membership, volunteers and assuring our procedures and processes are top notch and well organized. This, with a growing membership, will assure overall trust longevity as a key to our future success. • Consolidate the Trust’s investments. We have recently defined a comprehensive investment strategy and consolidated the various endowment funds into investments that will ensure all donations for endowments are working for the best use of donor money. These are some of the key areas that I believe we should focus on to hopefully see another 6000 acres in our near future. At last year’s Annual Meeting in 2006, we reported that the amount of protected acres in our stewardship had grown exponentially. This past 2006 year continued that trend. The Trust exceeded our own yearly high totals for most easements and acres protected, as well as miles of stream frontage, dollars brought in, etc. In fact, the Trust’s holdings went from 36 properties covering 3957 acres to 46 properties covering 5460 acres in just one year! Ironing out all of these agreements, submitting new applications, negotiating new deals, and monitoring our existing easements clearly has been exhausting for our staff and for our Board and other volunteers alike. This past year as Chair has 5 been an eventful one in having the organization to continue taking steps to regularize procedures, create the increased level of professionalism in recordkeeping, and in working with the local communities to make broader changes on a voluntary basis at the public policy level. This year's work has brought new challenges and clear goals. This was the year we have embarked on the evaluation, consolidation of programs, and re-evaluation of internal procedures to meet our permanent obligations. That consolidation has also reflected the Trust’s action to reduce our extra commitments, and refocus on what we do best- protecting watersheds through voluntary land protection agreements with landowners and government, and monitoring those easements. Each year, our Board members and energetic director, Larry Frimerman, have accomplished incredible feats in conservation and funding. Our members and donors have been very generous with their gifts of energy and support. I continue to be inspired by our landowners who have joined us in this work, their hopes and dreams realized in their lifetime. We again welcomed new Board members to the Trust and we have learned much from them. Last year, we recognized it was time to raise the bar, and we did! Larry and the Board recognize that we still have a long way to go. We have spent a great deal of time as a Board helping to move the organization toward greater accountability and meeting of new industry standards for documentation of achievements. 2006 was a year of transition and achievement for the Trust. The Trust Board also bids farewell, but not goodbye to Alice Kahn and Tom Klak who have resigned to focus on their other responsibilities, and because he is out of the country, respectively, but will stay active on committee and project work. Thank you all for your support and I look forward to working with you in this new year! SUMMARY COMMENTS LARRY FRIMERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR What a whirlwind 2006! The Trust signed four conservation easements during the last week of 2006, with eleven easements ready to close in early 2007. We are again grateful to our many benefactors, members, supporters, and volunteers for another outstanding year for the Three Valley Conservation Trust. The past several months, we have had several highs and lows to work through. However, the challenge and the adversity will make us a stronger, more focused, and successful organization. Calendar year 2006’s ten conservation easements, covering 1512 acres, equal our best year for easement acreage protected. The lands protected have substantial conservation and agricultural values. The Trust finished the year with 46 properties protected, covering 5460 acres. TVCT also monitored each of our protected properties in 2006, meeting our contractual, legal and organizational obligations. TVCT protects the third largest acreage of Ohio’s land trusts. 2006 also saw the development of our watershed program, and ultimately, the loss of our Watershed Coordinator, Barbara Hamilton because of acceptance of another job ideally suited to her talents. Throughout the year, the Trust attempted to meet its funding shortfall needed to sustain the watershed program, only to recognize that we would not be able to meet the growing shortfall over time without assistance from other organizations. Ms. Hamilton’s departure in October accelerated our thinking, and consulting with the Watershed Advisory Board, decided to wind down the Watershed Coordinator function. We found another entity (ODNR) willing to take it on and to complete the Twin Creek Watershed Action Plan in 2007 thereby finishing the task we started. It has been 60% completed by fall of 2006. Thanks to scientist Lorna Harrell for picking up the ball and running with it. 6 This challenge forced us to recognize that we needed to focus on what we do best- working with landowners and governments on land conservation and water quality enhancement to protect the watersheds. Ultimately, this is the decision we have made. As you read in the Valley Trust News, the change in the Federal income tax law increased the benefit and extended the length of tax deductibility of conservation easements so that many landowners would no longer miss out on the ability to deduct the total amount of their conservation easement donation before the narrow window of time expired. You know about various State and Federal pass-through grants for bargain sales of conservation easements by landowners to TVCT. In 2006, we were extremely successful in what we sought and received. In addition to the three Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program grant awards out of 35 applications (less than 25 funded statewide), the Trust and/or our partners applied for twelve land acquisition grants (ten for conservation easements) from various grant programs, and all of them were funded. The total of these projects will mean some form of permanent protection for over 2500 additional acres just from these grant programs, and will protect another 8-10 miles of stream corridor. Between the tax law change, additional grant funds awards, recent changes in national and state politics and increased public familiarity/acceptability of conservation easements, the Trust has more than enough to handle with completing conservation easements and monitoring those easements. Before 2008, we will hold or co-hold over 60 easements covering 8000 acres of farmland and habitat in perpetuity. This is a huge responsibility and time commitment. Our partnerships with the USFWS Private Lands Coordinator and Partners for Fish and Wildlife, local Pheasants Forever habitat work, Five Rivers and Butler Metroparks, and Natural Resources Conservation Service (even two developers are helping TVCT add easements) will help landowners add riparian and habitat restoration to the landscape. Through your contacts with friends, neighbors and family, we can renew our old acquaintances, and recruit our 1000 member goal! We will continue to set up meetings with wildlife conservation and sporting groups to build a strong member and volunteer bridge to relevant constituencies. We welcome our new members from Audubon Miami Valley, Farm Bureau, Izaak Walton League, and Pheasants Forever, since our mission of preserving natural areas and cultural heritage preserves and enhances the habitats these important organizations desire. This year, we also worked with the Miami Conservancy District and two developers to assist in the creation of conservation developments that are also low impact developments. This means that the imprint of the development on the land is a light one. We hope the example of the participation among the Kern family, Gridiron Development, JFNew, and Three Valley Conservation Trust will become the template for future developments in close proximity to metropolitan areas. While we will incorporate opportunities to help landowners and governments find resources and advice to assist them in improving the conservation of our area, we choose to focus our efforts on land conservation that targets watershed protection. The outstanding work by the Auction For Acres committee, the hiring of Lawrence Leahy as our first-ever Development Director, the generosity of our benefactors and volunteers, and new endeavors for organizational and monitoring endowments will help to support that effort to better serve our community. We hope you like the change, and as always, we cannot thank you enough! 7 WATERSHED PROJECT COMMENTS Many of you may be aware of changes that have occurred on the waterfront lately. In October, the Trust lost a terrific Watershed Coordinator, Barbara Hamilton, to a position as Environmental Educator for the Hefner Museum of Natural History at Miami University. We all wish Barbara the very best! This change provided the Trust the opportunity to re-evaluate its commitment to being the Watershed Coordinator. Ultimately, the Board came to the decision that it financially could not afford to continue to make up the growing shortfall in State grant funding to continue to retain the program. In addition, the Trust recognizes that the organization must focus on what we do best: help people and communities conserve land and the watersheds through conservation easements and other programs. The Trust is following through on its commitment to complete the Twin Creek Watershed Action Plan, more than 60% complete, so that a consensus approach to watershed protection could be implemented by all the parties involved. Instead, the Trust has received approval of an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Watershed Planning Grant to complete the Twin Creek Watershed Action Plan. To complete the Watershed Action Plan, TVCT has contracted with Lorna Harrell to help finish the Watershed Action Plan. Lorna has been in the environmental field in Southwest Ohio for more than 20 years, including long stints at Butler Soil & Water and OKI, and has completed two watershed action plans. The goal here is to not only finish the planning phase, but to ensure implementation efforts are started and get off the ground. In addition, the TVCT continues to leverage the watershed grants by utilizing the funding for conservation technical assistance and planning for the Twin Creek watershed from The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter. Dave Gosse, the TVCT’s Conservation Scientist funded by this grant, assists the Watershed Coordinator in developing the Watershed Action Plan while developing a conservation area plan to promote the enhancement of habitats in the Twin Creek area. CONSERVATION SCIENTIST COMMENTS DAVE GOSSE Mr. Gosse has continued to develop the Conservation Area Plan for The Nature Conservancy and coordinate its goal-oriented results with the Watershed Action Plan. Mr. Gosse continues to provide TNC-based resource priority training and technical expertise to the Watershed Coordination efforts. The TNC plan is based on system health and diversity, and seeks to recognize and involve partner organization strengths towards achievable, measurable goals. Currently, Mr. Gosse’s stress/sources of stress/solutions sections from the Conservation Area Plan are being used as a basis for determining issues and solutions in the Watershed Action Plan. TVCT is one of the prime partners in that plan, as it continues acquiring and managing easements. Mr. Gosse has been working closely with the Land Protection Committee Chairs to standardize baseline assessment and monitoring procedures to an objective, easy-to-use format that would be optimally useful to TVCT as well as their partners. Mr. Gosse continues to enjoy contributing to the protection of the natural areas and cultural heritage of the Twin Creek watershed and the Trust’s area of interest. COMMITTEE REPORTS LAND PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE- ANN GEDDES, ERIC HOLLINS, CO-CHAIRS This has been a tremendous year for the Trust. Whether in land protection, stewardship, improved efficiency and capability, collaboration with other entities, monitoring watershed health, planning influence or being increasingly recognized as an important resource for local governments, organizations and public this was a year filled with successes. 8 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS 2006 showed a sustained pace of easements protected by the Trust with 10 easements signed (13 actually recorded) this past year encompassing 1515 acres, making the total numbers of protected properties 45 and 5460 acres. See the list of these and prior easements elsewhere in this report. Committee members are Ann Geddes, and Eric Hollins (co-chairs), Mark Boardman, Jon Costanzo, Sam Fitton, Jenny Gelber, Tom Klak, Larry Frimerman (ex officio), Orie Loucks, Gregory Peck, Don Streit, Tom Wissing, Charlie Stevens, Frank House, Stephen Dana, Mary Moore, and Carl Jantzen. In addition to these coordinating members, the Trust is honored to have several dozen volunteers who participate in the baseline and annual monitoring procedures for every easement the Trust holds. We give heartfelt thanks to all those who put in tireless hours of work in the field upholding the conditions as listed in the individual easements. Being entrusted with so many valuable properties brings with it the responsibility of monitoring the easements to assure that they are managed for their intended use. Each easement must be monitored on at least an annual basis in perpetuity. To coordinate the monitoring, the Trust has had terrific volunteer interns from Miami University to contact landowners to arrange monitoring visits, coordinate field volunteers to visit every easement, type reports, produce maps and all the ancillary efforts required to accomplish monitoring commitments. A special thanks to Scott Ulrich and Kate Waller as monitoring and mapping interns, and to Ryan Cook as our GIS and mapping intern for 2006. For 2007, Lois Nelson has generously volunteered to take the reins as monitoring coordinator, and currently Nicole Cooke will be preparing the monitoring maps. With the changeover of volunteers, the Land Protection committee is undertaking a major review of our processes and procedures. With the number of easements currently in place and a vision for ever more successes in the coming years, we need to maximize the efficiency and accuracy of our field monitoring and continue to update reporting procedures to match the expectations of our landowners and State and Federal agencies. As an example of the challenges ahead, with the increases in acreage under protection expected in the future, we may at some point require aerial monitoring in addition to a field visit as is often done with large parks and preserves. We want to plan now with flexible procedures to meet the challenges ahead. We expect these reviews of procedures to occur at periodic intervals so that our commitments are always safeguarded. Our monitoring endowment is growing thanks to several generous donations, including easement recipients, easement donors and general donors. Annual monitoring reports were filed with the Ohio Department of Agriculture in November. And with monitoring goes stewardship, that is, participating with landowners and other entities to help maximize the conservation or agricultural values of the properties whose easements the Trust hold. We relish our special role to serve as an information conduit to landowners who aspire to enhance their properties beyond the current condition whether it is for agricultural innovation, or establishment of wetlands or of native prairie. In partnership with state and federal entities and landowners, we delight in the opportunity to pass on to our future generations these protected properties that will be paradigms of healthy land, habitat and family farms. These varied sources of easements also provide the Trust with an opportunity to collaborate with a wide spectrum of people and organizations demonstrating the organization’s capabilities and value to the larger community through landscape protection and conservation. Just as important, this variety of land uses, dispersed over our area of interest, helps protect and conserve habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and plant species, helps to protect a variety of land uses dependent on natural resources, and helps protect watersheds and community water sources. 9 PUBLIC POLICY The Three Valley Conservation Trust participated in discussions as part of the stakeholder group processes for the Oxford Thoroughfare Plan effort. We are pleased that the City of Oxford, the Township, and the citizenry have taken such an active part in preserving the rural character and village nature of the Oxford area. PROTECTED LANDS PICNIC/TOUR AND CELEBRATION OF 5000 ACRES The Three Valley Conservation Trust's Third Annual Fall Protected Lands Picnic and Tour October 1 was a success by any measure. The event held at the Beck Farm and the Sugar Valley Farm was a thank you and community welcome to two very special privately-owned and easement-protected places on a beautiful fall day during peak fall colors. The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievement of 5000 acres preserved with friends, partners, and community members. Following the free luncheon, entertainment and casual hikes and strolls on the 148-acre home of Trust, more than 150 individuals and families embarked on a short stop at the magnificent 180-acre Sugar Valley Farm for a hike and hay ride to see a beautiful upland beech-maple forest, 75’ limestone bluffs overlooking picturesque Paint Creek, native prairie, and wildflower wetland. Friends, supporters, board members and guests loved the accompaniment of the soothing music of southwest Ohio’s incomparable John Kogge, and Don Schwab’s gourds and pumpkins as well as the camaraderie and inspiring hikes and hayrides. This year, the Trust also had booths set up at the Study and Tincher farms about to be placed under agricultural easement with TVCT as part of the Butler County Farm City Tour hosted by Butler Soil and Water Conservation District and Butler County OSU Extension office with some 1800 visitors. The Trust is grateful to these fine organizations and families for their support. NEWSLETTER Recently, Michele Simmons has taken the reins in the editing of the Valley Trust News. Office Manager Mary Glasmeier is working with Michele to publish the newsletter in a new format. We hope you’ll like the change! LAND PROTECTION 101 WORKSHOP Interested participants found out everything they ever wanted to know about protecting their land from development or encroachment, and the potential benefit for doing so on October 7 graciously hosted by David and Janice Dohn at their 65-acre easement-protected property in Gratis Twp. Additional workshops will be scheduled throughout 2007. HISTORIC PRESERVATION WORKSHOP The Trust teamed with local and statewide partners to present a how-to workshop to assist the community in completing the Ohio Historic Inventory, and planning for a National Register District submittal on October 26 in Reily. The workshop was co-funded by the W.E. Smith Family Charitable Trust, the Smith Library of Regional History, the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, the Twin Valley Heritage Association and the William Holmes McGuffey Museum. ADOPT A HIGHWAY The Trust has adopted a two-mile stretch of highway 127, where Butler County meets Preble County. The signs are in place. Volunteers from the Trust have agreed to keep this stretch of highway free of litter during the next two years. We will send out an announcement for the next cleanup day along the road. We hope you'll join us to help keep one beautiful stretch of highway in our region litter free. PUBLIC INFORMATION 10 TVCT & PARTNERS HOSTED PUBLIC “BIRD, PRAIRIE, CREEK WALKS BIRD WALK Some twenty attendees joined expert birder, Sam Fitton, as they searched the hills and valleys for wood thrush, indigo bunting, pileated woodpecker and warblers at Ann Geddes’ 88 acre Indian Creek Protective Preserve easement at the TVCT Bird Walk June 17. Fitton is a bird researcher extraordinaire and a wildlife biologist with the Bureau of Land Management, the Conservation Chair of Audubon Ohio and the past chair of the Land Protection chair of the Three Valley Conservation Trust. CREEK WALK More than twenty participants at a July 16 creek walk along Indian Creek learned how to identify the critters large and small that inhabit our local creeks, about how streams work and why they are so vital to human and animal welfare. This hands-on stream walk was led by David Gosse, Conservation Scientist at the Three Valley Conservation Trust. PRAIRIE WALK Nearly fifty attendees experienced the magnificence of native grasses and wildflowers at their seasonal best and discovered how to create and manage prairie habitat on their own properties. Cosponsored by TVCT, Miami Valley Pheasants Forever, and Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW), this informational “prairie walk” was held at the picturesque farm of Alan and Mary Bruns on September 10, 2006. After touring the farm's lush grasslands, attendees learned how prairie habitat benefits wildlife and safeguards soil and water quality from ODW’s Private Lands Biologist, Heidi Devine. Techniques of prairie establishment and management, and various incentive programs supporting prairie restoration on private lands, were also covered by program speakers. One of the program’s highlights was when TVCT Board member, Tom Klak, demonstrated a novel method for creating smallscale prairie plots that attract butterflies and birds to rural and suburban homes. TVCT GETS NEW WEB PAGE The Trust’s completely new web site will debut very soon. Developed by volunteer, Juanita Constible and TVCT Board member Jon Costanzo, the new site features easy navigation and concise, informative content. The new site includes a rolling calendar listing immediate past and future Trust events, a description of volunteer and giving opportunities, and a host of Internet links to important conservation resources. Also included is a catalogue of all the easement-protected properties, including descriptions and pictures, within each watershed served by the Trust. DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AUCTION SUCCESS: TRUST RAISES $36,000 ON COMMUNITY AUCTION, AUCTION FOR ACRES One hundred-sixty happy attendees savored luscious food and wines, enjoyed terrific jazz and standards, and experienced the spirit of community with the ever-festive auctioning of donated items and services to benefit the Three Valley Conservation Trust as part of the Three Valley Conservation Trust’s 4th “Auction for Acres” 2006 on November 11 at the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center, Miami University Hamilton Campus. By all accounts, the 2006 auction was again a success! The wine tasting, and the Ruthven print, brought new interest and energy to this year’s extravaganza. This year, there was also a Community Auction held September 24, 2006. Once again the gala event and the generosity of the many donors, volunteers and buyers contributed to helping the Trust raise a net of some $33,000 to fund the nonprofit land trust’s operations. The combined numbers are as follows: • 2006 Gross— $47,000 • 2006 Net— $36,000. 11 WINE TASTING, SENSATIONAL FOOD, MUSIC COUPLED WITH WILDLIFE ARTISTS BOOST AUCTION PROFILE Four wine distributors and two wineries generously donated high quality wines for guests to taste, enjoy, and make future wine purchasing decisions. Five generous wine collectors who are members of the Hamilton and Oxford wine tasting groups donated premium vintages from their personal wine cellars for premium pours. Christopher Hensey helped coordinate the wine tasting with Cal Conrad and the Auction Committee. Wine tasting donations were made by Bowling Green Distributors, Burnett Ridge Winery, Jerry & Pam Collins, H. Dennert Distributors, Thomas Family Winery, Tramonte & Sons Wines, and Vintage Wines, Inc., while premium pour wine donations were made by Bernie Bubnis and Robin Parker, Cal Conrad, Jack Cornett, Norm & Carol Dingeldein, and Susan Maxfield. Guest Pourers included Rob Cottrell, Hardy Eshbaugh, Chris Hensey, Gene Krebs, Kate Walker, Nelly Bly Cogan, and Holly Wissing. Internationally recognized chef Mary Jo McMillin prepared outstanding locally raised free range and healthy foods to make the evening memorable. The locally-grown global harvest was elegantly prepared by McMillin and sous chefs Marcia House, Josette Stanley and Ann Geddes. Music was performed by Miami University Music Students: Jono Gasparro – Flugelhorn/Trumpet, Ron Hautau – Piano/Tenor Sax, Jake D’Anieri – Guitar/Piano, James Wenstrup – Bass, followed by pianist Dr. Jerome Stanley. Rare, valuable items, services, original works from John Ruthven and Christopher Walden were supplemented by limited edition Giclee’ prints from both artists. The Trust sold out of the first 50 of the 100 print limited edition series of the John Ruthven specially created painting, Great Blue Heron Over Three Valleys. AUCTION COMMITTEE Margarette Beckwith, co-chair; Anne Geddes, co-chair; Catherine Hollins, Mary Tharp, Mary Jo McMillin, Betty Rogers, Sam Fitton, Don Streit, Jerry & Josette Stanley, Frank & Marcia House, Mary Moore, Gregory Peck, Mary Glasmeier, Cal Conrad, Christopher Hensey, Jon Costanzo, and so many others. Meetings are on-going to reflect on our current and future fundraising initiatives, whether or not to do another auction this year, studying the entire scenario of responsibilities, time lines, number of volunteers required and skills needed to continue such fundraising success. All input is both welcome and eagerly sought! COUNTRY COMMUNITY AUCTION BENEFIT NETS THREE VALLEY CONSERVATION TRUST $3500, NEW FRIENDS Linda and Jim Easton Auctioneers teamed with local businesses and community supporters to help the Three Valley Conservation Trust raise over $3500 at the organization’s old-fashioned country Community Auction held September 24 at the Talawanda Middle School in Oxford. All proceeds benefited the Three Valley Conservation Trust. Doug Ross provided additional publicity, energy and assistance as a guest auctioneer. A good time was had by all as a result of the terrific food, wonderful and bargain items, and entertaining auctioneering donated by the Eastons and Mr. Ross. Delicious chicken, barbecue, and burgers were donated by Pierre Foods and Kroger, homemade desserts were provided by our community at an event that was for everyone. More than fifty auction attendees found that special item, and/or simply couldn’t resist the bargain gems at the TVCT Community Auction. Event organizer Mary Moore and her team provided a high quality product with scores of beautiful items and services. The food and auction raffle of lottery tickets provided both a source of entertainment and a venue for fundraising. A special thanks to Talawanda Middle School Principal Sharon Lytle, and Assistant Principal Chris Rhoton for their kind assistance and generosity! 12 2006 TREASURER’S REPORT- LIZ WOEDL END-OF-YEAR REPORT JANUARY 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2006 BANKING & INVESTMENT SUMMARY Operating Fund: LCNB Checking LCNB Checking/Ag Easement LCNB Savings First Fin Certificates of Deposit Total Operating Fund: Operations Endowment: Hamilton Com. Foundation LPL Total Operations Endowment Stewardship Endowment: American Century Bank One Savings Total Stewardship Endowment: Pledges Receivable Other Receivables Accrued Interest Income TOTAL CURRENT ASSESTS 35,796.13 70,380.19 $ $ $ $ $ 106,176.32 52,600.00 1,000.00 158.75 544,031.70 110,902.60 84,113.22 $ 195,015.82 30,010.75 99,832.92 29,237.14 30,000.00 $ 189,080.81 Continued on Page 14 13 TREASURER’S REPORT CONTINUED INCOME/EXPENSE SUMMARY INCOME Indiv./business contributions Nonprofit organization grants Fundraising agencies revenue Agency (government) grants Grants Non-cash donations Uncatagorized income Earned revenues (including memberships) Program service fees Membership dues Interest-saving/short term investment Realized gain on sale of investment Unrealized gain (loss) of investment Dividends and interest securities Misc. revenue Special events TOTAL INCOME $ 95,917.30 53,100.00 727.05 8,000.00 100.00 28,443.97 (246.00) 26,551.44 135.00 29,598.25 2,621.78 185.01 4,079.15 8,888.28 2,912.03 49,440.10 310,453.36 EXPENSE Payroll expenses Salaries & related expenses Other personnel expenses Non-personnel expenses Occupancy expenses Travel & meeting expenses Depreciation and amortization expenses Misc. expenses Business expenses Special events expenses TOTAL EXPENSE TOTAL NET INCOME $ 1,080.76 207,217.82 5,530.39 12,481.78 3,971.46 4,292.66 1,683.95 10,923.43 347.69 15,972.56 $ 263,502.50 46,950.86 14 TVCT BOARD ELECTION The slate of nominees is as follows: FOR CONTINUING BOARD POSITIONS • Jerry Stanley • Michele Simmons • Gregory Peck • Mary Moore FOR OPEN BOARD POSITIONS • Hank Dupps of Germantown, OH CEO, Dupps Company, Germantown, OH. Ardent preservationist and conservationist. President, Twin Valley Heritage Association • Ben Jones of Darrtown, OH Financial Manager, Butler County Metropolitan Housing Authority, Hamilton, OH. President, Oxford Museum Association. Passionate about land conservation. • Ron Stewart of Dixon Twp, Preble County Continues the family tradition of raising registered black angus cattle. He recently retired from the Eaton National Bank and is currently the Assistant Vice President of the Farmers State Bank in New Madison, Ohio. RETIRING BOARD MEMBERS • Thomas Klak • Alice Kahn 2006 ACCOMPLISHMENTS BUDGET • Raised $310,000, spent $263,000 (carry-over for Development Grant) • Raised $95,000 from largest 4 contributors, or a little more than anticipated • Raised $36,000 net from the auction • Raised $136,000 from grants, of which: o $111,000 was received in 2006 (TNC Conservation Scientist funding, W.H. Smith Family Charitable Trust, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation), o $67,000 committed for 2007 ($20K- State of Ohio, $47K- TNC,) • Raised $45,000 from memberships (Exceeded Goal- Thanks!) DEVELOPMENT: • Hired development director. • Tremendous Auction for Acres and Community Auction events grossed over $47K, netted $36,000. Our core members and friends bought us a positive result! It was exhausting, but it worked again. Good ideas for next year’s fundraisers. • Renewed application for Earth Share of Ohio. MEMBERSHIP • 30 new memberships 15 LAND PROTECTION: Ten Easements Signed, (Thirteen Recorded) by TVCT ROSTER OF RECORDED EASEMENTS, THROUGH 2006 Name Watershed Region* Inception Acres Protected Values Township County 1 Bixler 2 Bowen 3 Costanzo 4 Fain 5 Fergus 6 Filbrun 7 Hesselbrock* 8 Hoke 9 Leedy 10 Roark* 11 Roark* 12 Ulrich Twin Twin Seven Mile Four Mile Twin Twin Whitewater Seven Mile Twin Twin Twin Twin 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 154 99.0 62.0 20.0 112.0 142 31 14 465 135 81 93 295.2 Agr. Agr. Nat. Agr. Nat. Agr. Agr. Agr. Agr. Agr. Agr. Agr/Nat Agr./Nat. Clay Twin Somers Oxford Twin Clay Morgan Milford Twin Jackson Jackson Jackson Twin Mont. Preble Preble Butler Preble Mont. Butler Butler Preble Mont. Mont. Mont. Preble 13 Voge, F. Twin 2006 * Signed in 2005, recorded in 2006 PRIOR YEARS’ EASEMENTS 14 Clevenger 15 Clevenger 16 Geddes 17 Gerber 18 Hesselbrock 19 Lake, K. 20 Leedy/Call 21 Millar 22 Puff 23 Robbins 24 Seibel 25 Voge, R. 26 Yost 27 Dohn 28 Filbrun Twin Twin Indian Elk Whitewater Twin Twin Four Mile Four Mile Twin Twin Twin Twin Elk Twin 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2004 106 102 88 395.4 103 53.6 21.6 9 0.5 35 159 81 12 65 363 Agr./Nat. Agr./Nat. Nat. Agr. Agr. Agr. Agr. Nat. Nat. Nat. Agr./Nat. Agr. Agr. Agr. Agr. Twin Twin Reily Gratis Morgan German Washington Oxford Oxford Twin Harrison Twin Lanier Gratis Harrison Preble Preble Butler Preble Butler Mont. Preble Butler Butler Preble Preble Preble Preble Preble Preble 16 29 Gilbert 30 Klak/Hey 31 Beck 32 Dull 33 Gerber 34 Howard 35 Lake, K 36 Lake, R. 37 Smith/Glaser 38 Taylor 39 House 40 Kahn 41 Hollenbaugh 42 Pontius/Gitz 43 Reid 44 Ruder/TVCT 45 Blocher/Silvoor 36 Ristaneo 11 Felty Twin Indian Four Mile Elk Four Mile Twin Twin Seven Mile Four Mile Four Mile Indian Four Mile Twin Four Mile Four Mile Four Mile Twin Twin 2004 2004 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2002 2002 2001 2000 2000 1996 1994 2007 2007 170.0 16 148 149.0 762 233 158.5 98 7.7 77 180 5.5 5 91.3 3.3 13.5 1 528.0 47.0 Agr. Nat. Agr./Nat. Agr. Agr. Agr./Nat. Agr. Agr. Nat. Agr./Nat. Nat. Nat. Nat. Agr./Nat. Nat. Nat. Nat. Agr./Nat. Agr/Nat German Reily Oxford Washington Wayne Dixon German German Somers Oxford Somers Reily Oxford Twin Milford Oxford Oxford Lan/Grat/Jacks Washington Mont. Butler Butler Darke Butler Preble Mont. Mont. Preble Butler Preble Butler Butler Preble Butler Butler Butler Preb/Mont Preble *Major Regions: Whitewater, Indian, Four Mile, Seven Mile, Elk, Twin, Eastern Tribs • • • • Easements: 10 signed, covering 1515 acres, bringing these totals to 45 easements, 5460 acres, respectively. All properties monitored this year. Met with or spoke with over 150 landowners about their particular farms and interests in protecting their lands. More commitments in place, or in the works. Applied for 42 landowner easement grants, 11 accepted for funding. 17 LAND PROTECTION POLICY ISSUES (UPDATE) • Fine-tuning Monitoring Protocols and Procedures, held successful monitoring training. • Participated in working group sessions for planning statewide and local land conservation efforts, including Coalition of Ohio Land Trusts steering committee, etc. • Worked w/ 2 developers on Conservation Development/Low Impact Development projects. • The staff has pursued mitigation opportunities for funding easements, conservation improvements along our creeks. We continue to locate these opportunities. • Provided opportunities for landowners pursuing easements to enhance their property’s habitat through the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Private Lands Coordinator. Enhanced or established native prairies, removed invasive species, enhanced vernal pools and old growth forest savannas, etc. PUBLIC INFORMATION: (UPDATE) • 40+ news releases sent regarding various meetings & events, with great coverage. • Successful Protected Lands Tour held October 1, (150 visits total) • Successful AEPP, farmland meetings held in 4 counties in 2006. (over 100 attendees total) • Successful AEPP training workshops (2) held at TVCT in 2006. (28 attendees total) • Successful Adopt a Highway efforts held multiple times (thanks, Tom Klak) (12-15 participants) • Historic Preservation Training held (focused on Reily AEPP area) (24 attendees) • Excellent land protection workshops by Ann Geddes, Tom Klak, David & Janice Dohn. • More than 25 speeches, presentations, some for classes recruiting volunteers, members. 18 2006 EASEMENT SIGNINGS ESTHER BIXLER BIXLER FARM CLAY TOWNSHIP, MONTGOMERY COUNTY This easement protects agricultural values on 154 acres in western Montgomery County. This beautiful farm is situated in a highly productive agricultural area and is adjacent to the Filbrun Easement. The easement is co-held by the Trust and the Ohio Department of Agriculture as a result of a matching grant received from the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP), administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. BRENT AND JACKIE BOWEN BOWEN FARM TWIN TOWNSHIP, PREBLE COUNTY This easement protects agricultural values on nearly 100 acres in scenic Twin Township. This farm, bisected by Hwy 503, features fertile soils and over one-half mile of riparian corridor along both Price’s and Twin Creeks. Bowen Farm is protected as result of a matching grant received from the Ohio Public Works Commission under the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program. This farm is part of a cluster of 1214 acres of contiguous property along these two streams that will all be under conservation easement by 2007. 19 JON AND AMY COSTANZO COSTANZO FARM SOMERS TOWNSHIP, PREBLE COUNTY This unique 61.6-acre farm features an abundance and diversity of wildlife and their habitats, including streams, springs, wetlands, mature forest and nearly 30 acres of native prairie. The owners intensively manage this Tree Farm property to enhance both wildlife and timber values. MICHAEL AND LAURA FAIN FAIN FARM OXFORD TOWNSHIP, BUTLER COUNTY This easement protects open space and agricultural values on 20 acres in northern Butler County. The property is a horse farm with lovely vistas of the surrounding countryside and woodland borders. It provides open space buffers and habitat for the adjacent large woodland. 20 JOE AND JUDITH FERGUS TWIN TOWNSHIP, PREBLE COUNTY This easement protects open space and agricultural values on a 112-acre property in Twin Township, Preble County. The farm is home to many wildlife species, has panoramic views of the valley, and includes a beautiful woodland and riparian area along Price’s Creek. GLEN AND KAREN FILBRUN FILBRUN PREBLE COUNTY LINE FARM CLAY TOWNSHIP, MONTGOMERY COUNTY This easement protects predominantly agricultural values on 142 acres in western Montgomery County. The easement is coheld by the Trust and the Ohio Department of Agriculture as a result of a matching grant received from the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP), administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The Filbrun Farm is part of a cluster of more than a thousand acres of agricultural conservation easements within three miles of one another. 21 JASON AND JENNIFER HOKE HOKE FARM MILFORD TOWNSHIP, BUTLER COUNTY This easement protects open space and agricultural values on this 14-acre parcel in Butler County. The property provides riparian habitat for a rich diversity of plant and animal life. It also provides an important buffer for a major headwater and tributary to Seven Mile Creek. JAMES AND AMY LEEDY LEEDY FARM TWIN TOWNSHIP, PREBLE COUNTY This easement protects open space and agricultural values on 465 acres in scenic Twin Township, Preble County. This highly-productive livestock and grain farm is managed under a Whole Farm Conservation Plan prepared by the NRCS. The easement is co-held by the Trust and the Ohio Department of Agriculture as a result of a matching grant received from the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP), administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. 22 TOM AND DEBORAH ULRICH ULRICH FARM JACKSON TOWNSHIP, MONTGOMERY COUNTY This conservation easement permanently protects natural and agricultural values on a 93-acre farm in western Montgomery County and is co-held by the Trust and Five Rivers MetroParks. The farm features native grass plantings that buffer a portion of Tom’s Run, an important tributary to Twin Creek. Several historic barns are found on the property. Protected as result of matching grants received from the Ohio Public Works Commission under the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program and Five Rivers MetroParks. FRED AND SUSAN VOGE VOGE FARM TWIN TOWNSHIP, PREBLE COUNTY This conservation easement preserves open space and agricultural values on their 295.2-acre Preble County livestock and grain farm. The land contains a stretches of riparian corridor that protect over one mile of Twin Creek and nearly two miles of Markey Run, a tributary of Twin Creek. This farm features a 35-acre woodland and three historic homes, including the Markey Mansion, a grand brick structure built in 1864. Protected as result of a matching grant received from the Ohio Public Works Commission under the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program. 23 HONORS AND OUR SINCERE THANKS! GRANTORS US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Ohio Department of Agriculture, Office of Farmland Preservation Ohio Public Works Commission Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Ohio Department of Natural Resources The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Foundation Butler County Dept. of Environmental Services Oxford Community Foundation Miami Conservancy District W. H. Smith Family Charitable Trust Duke Energy Foundation Five Rivers Metroparks INDIVIDUAL CONSERVATIONISTS Bailey & Associates Michael & Noreen Beck Ernst Bever Esther Bixler Brent & Jackie Bowen Hardy & Barb Eshbaugh James & Susan Fitton Linda Fitzgerald Fosdick’s Interiors Larry Frimerman & Patty Stone-Frimerman Ann Geddes Frank & Marcia House Tom Klak Tom Lachemann James & Amy Leedy Orie & Elinor Loucks Mary & Robert Moore Richard and Mary Oertel Betty Rogers Ernst M. and Helen S. Ruder Family James Taylor Thomas & Deborah Ulrich Fred & Susan Voge Roger & Rebecca Voge Voge Farms Bob Wagner COMMITTEE CHAIRS AUCTION FOR ACRES COMMUNITY AUCTION LAND PROTECTION DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION MEMBERSHIP EXECUTIVE FINANCE Margarette Beckwith & Ann Geddes, Co-Chairs Mary L. Moore Ann Geddes, Eric Hollins, Co-Chairs Margarette Beckwith, Catherine Hollins, Co-Chairs Tom Klak, Michele Simmons Catherine Hollins Frank House (Committee Members: Frank House, Sam Fitton, Catherine Hollins, Liz Woedl, Tom Wissing, Jon Costanzo) Rob Cottrell, succeeded by Liz Woedl THREE VALLEY CONSERVATION TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2006 Frank House, Chair Sam Fitton, Vice-chair Catherine Hollins, Vice-chair Liz Woedl, Treasurer Tom Wissing, Secretary Margarette Beckwith Jon Costanzo Alice Kahn Tom Klak Mary L. Moore Gregory Peck Michele Simmons Jerry Stanley Don Streit STAFF Larry Frimerman, Executive Director Lawrence Leahy, Development Director Mary Glasmeier, Office Manager Dave Gosse, Conservation Scientist 24 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS Roger Millar, Oxford Community Foundation Dupps Co. Charitable Foundation Audubon Miami Valley Charlie Shoemaker, Dave Nolin, Mary Klunk, Doug Horvath, Five Rivers Metroparks Miami Valley Pheasants Forever Butler County Pheasants Forever Steve Bartels, OSU Extension, Butler County Clare & Roland Johnson, Hamilton Co. Land Conservancy Land Trust Alliance Midwest and National Offices Michael Juengling, Dir., Butler Co. Dept. of Development Kevin Fall, Butler County SWCD Kelda Bittinger & Bob Ashworth, Preble County SWCD Dan Jackson, Montgomery County SWCD Sarah Hippensteel, Angela Manusak, Janet Bly, & Dusty Hall, Miami Conservancy District Ray Zehler, Izaak Walton League Linda Paul & Paul Bingle, Earthshare of Ohio Preble County Commissioners Butler County Commissioners Montgomery County Commissioners Joe Litvin, Montgomery County Engineer Steve Simmons, Preble County Engineer Gregory Wilkens, Butler County Engineer John Williams, Dennis Bunger,& Steve Boeder, District Conservationists, USDA/ NRCS Larry Whitaker, Miami RC&D Livable Landscapes Project, Miami RC&D ODNR Division of Wildlife Fred L. Dailey, Director, Ohio Dept. of Agriculture Howard F. Wise, Ohio Department of Agriculture Michael Bailey, Kelly Carneal, ODA Office of Farmland Preservation Ohio EPA Southwest District staff Brian Williams, American Farmland Trust Preble County Park District Watershed Area wide Assistance Team Mike Muska, Director, Butler County MetroParks Hal Yoder, Preble County Auditor Bill Spahr, Preble County Recorder Danny Crank, Butler County Recorder Kay Rogers, Butler County Auditor Preble County Farm Bureau Butler County Farm Bureau Eaton-Preble County Chamber of Commerce Morgan Township Trustees Oxford City Council Oxford Chamber of Commerce Oxford Convention & Visitors Bureau Butler County Township Association Jane Howington, Oxford City Manager Oxford Township Trustees Ross Township Trustees Wayne Township Trustees First Financial Bank Trust Dept. Bob Jurick, BW Greenway Community Land Trust Holly Utrata-Holcomb, Cincinnati Wet Weather Initiative Bonnie Norris, OSU Extension, Preble County Charlie Stevens, American Studies, Miami University Ann Antenen, Citizens for Historic and Preservation Services (CHAPS) Gene Krebs, Greater Ohio Eric Russo, Hillside Trust Livable Landscapes, Miami Valley RC&D OKI Regional Council of Governments Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission Peg Shear, Cooperative Solutions Inc. James Michael, Michele Gressel, Steve Wolterman, Attorneys, Millikin & Fitton Whitewater Valley Land Trust Eric Partee, Little Miami, Inc. Marti Bresher, Preble County Dir. Building and Zoning Oxford Community Art Center Press: Oxford Press; Journal News; Dayton Daily News; Register Herald; Cincinnati Enquirer; Brookville Star; Germantown Press; Palladium-Item; Twin Valley Press; WMUB. James Turner, Executive VP, & Tim Abbott, Duke Energy Krista Magaw, Tecumseh Land Trust John Armentano, Julia Zehner, USDA’s NRCS’ Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program LCNB; Chase Bank (Bank One) Dave & Katy Kerns Gridiron Development JFNew Mark Schraffenberger, Dixon Builders 25 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS Miami U. English Dept: W. Michele Simmons MU Office of Continuing Education- Catherine Hollins Musicians: John Kogge, Astrid Otey and Anachrorythms, Warren & Judy Waldron, Jerry Stanley, Miami University Music Students: Jono Gasparro, Ron Hautau, Jake D’Anieri, James Wenstrup. Auction Committee members: Margarette Beckwith, Co-Chair, Ann Geddes, Co-Chair, Jerry & Pam Collins, Cal Conrad, Jon Costanzo, Jack Cornett, Steve Dana, Linda & Jim Easton, Jenny Gelber, Christopher Hensey, Catherine & Eric Hollins, Frank & Marcia House, Tom Klak, Barbara Kleefeld, Mary Jo McMillin, Mary Moore, Elizabeth Rogers, Doug Ross, Jerry & Josette Stanley, Don & Monica Streit, Mary Tharp, Liz Woedl, Greg Peck. Special Gratitude to Doug Ross, Auctioneer, John & Judy Ruthven, Selma Brittingham, Christopher & Mary Walden, Mica Glaser, Ace Hardware, Margarette Beckwith, Brett Couch, Director, Wilks Conference Center, Downing Fruit Farms, Ann Geddes, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Tom Hogabeck and Village West Framing, Marcia House and Sugar Valley Farm, Mary Jo McMillin, MOON Food Cooperative, Office Graphics, Hamilton, Dave Shellhouse, Paust Printing, Mary Tharp, Linda & Houston Wiseman. Auction Volunteers included Doug Ross, Auctioneer, Jim and Linda Easton, Auctioneers, Peter & Kathleen Carels, Nelly Bly Cogan, Juanita Constible, Rick Cottrell, Rob Cottrell, Marilyn Edwards, Betsy Esber, Hardy Eshbaugh, Sam & Terri Fitton, Hope Fitton, Michele Gressel, Barbara Hamilton, Jackson Hey, Jeanne Hey, Donna Hoffman, Eric Hollins, Jason House, Laura House, Ben Jones, Cynthia Kelley, Elinor & Orie Loucks, M.U. Computer Science Staff:, Eric Bachmann, Janet Burge, Kate Schulte, Trent Luckey, Pawan Poudel, Michele Simmons, Patty Stone-Frimerman, Nicole Strickler, Cristy Trammell, Tessa Ralinovsky, and Tom & Holly Wissing. Wilks Leadership Scholars: Whittney Barth, Eva D’Intino, Courtney Elsen, Heather Hillenbrand, Michael Humenansky, Teresa Kim, John Obrycki, Jessica Reading, Marisa Rendina, Amy Weber Trust benefactors recognized in the program included Butler County Dept. of Environmental Services, Duke Energy Foundation, Five Rivers MetroParks, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Foundation, Miami Conservancy District, Oxford Community Foundation, Smith Family Charitable Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Michael & Noreen Beck, Ernst Bever, Esther Bixler, Brent & Jackie Bowen, Hardy & Barb Eshbaugh, James & Susan Fitton, Linda Fitzgerald, Larry Frimerman & Patty Stone-Frimerman, Ann Geddes, Marlene Hoffman, Frank & Marcia House, James & Amy Leedy, Orie & Elinor Loucks, Mary & Robert Moore, Richard and Mary Oertel, Betty Rogers, Ernst M. and Helen S. Ruder Family, and Bever Family, Thomas & Deborah Ulrich, Fred & Susan Voge, Roger & Rebecca Voge. Auction benefactors noted included Bailey & Associates, Michael & Noreen Beck, Fosdick’s Interiors, Larry Frimerman & Patty Stone-Frimerman, Tom Klak, Tom Lachemann, Mary & Robert Moore, Elizabeth Rogers, James Taylor, Voge Farms, Bob Wagner. 148 acre Michael and Noreen Beck farm easement is the home of the Three Valley Conservation Trust VOLUNTEERS Miami U. Institute of Miami Environmental Sciences (IES): Mark Boardman, Sandra Woy– Hazelton, Adolph Greenberg, John Obrycki, Elinor Loucks, Miami U. Geography Dept.: Bill Renwick, Tom Klak, Kim Medley, Jim Rubenstein, Ryan Cook Monitoring Interns: Denise Howard, Chad Peters, Scott Ulrich, Kate Waller, Luke Barber Event Volunteers: Farmland Preservation Workshops, Donald Mayer, Attorney, Auction Committee & Volunteers, Leisa Douglas, Bank One Law Assistance: Jake Earley, Jill Hittle, Earley & Earley, Law Offices, Michelle Gressel, Jim Michael, Steve Small, Steve Wolterman, Dan Huss, Keith Hall, Jeff Stewart, Thompson Hine Website Design: Juanita Constible, Ashley Richmond Computer Assistance: Sherry House, Nick Hartman 26 THREE VALLEY CONSERVATION TRUST 2005 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2006 MARCUM CONFERENCE CENTER MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD The 2005 Annual Meeting again began with excellent music by Warren and Judy Waldron, followed by a buffet dinner catered by the Marcum Conference Center. The Three Valley Conservation Trust unfolded its new mission emphasizing service to people and communities on land conservation, water quality protection, and cultural heritage to 125 supporters and dignitaries at its February 4 Annual Meeting at Miami University’s Marcum Conference Center in Oxford. In turn, local and State officials emphasized the role the land trust plays in providing land use guidance to decision makers. The Trust unveiled new plans that include its newly released Kroger Rewards card program, grass-roots style community fundraising auction, and smaller-scale gatherings to expose a broader cross-section of the public to its highly regarded work. In celebration of its year 2005 accomplishments, the Three Valley Conservation Trust presented its new course charted by its stellar Board of Trustees and brought in keynote speakers that highlighted different parts of the Trust’s mission. Gene Krebs, Executive Director of Greater Ohio, a statewide land use and heritage group, set the tone for the evening by urging the update of Ohio’s planning laws, adoption of Main Street Programs as part of its package of incentives for urban revitalization and rural preservation and for Ohioans to get involved and make their voices heard, including at the voting polls. Howard Wise, assistant director of Ohio’s Department of Agriculture, spoke about the success the Three Valley Conservation Trust has had with the Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program, numbering nine properties protected, covering 2,000+ acres, through the State’s farmland preservation program alone. Wise presented TVCT and easement donors Jerry and Cleo Gerber with Ohio Preserved Farmland signs for each Ohio Agricultural Easement Program donor. Butler County Commissioner Mike Fox spoke highly of the Trust’s work. “Clearly, they are making a difference,” he observed. “We have to find a way of supporting the organization more directly from the County and from the grassroots. Hopefully, we can do a better job with land conservation and planning than the County did in the eastern part of the county.” Representative Shawn Webster was pleased to be a part of the group and pledged his support and a continuing open door to the land trust and its supporters. Easement donors Ann Geddes and David Roark gave inspiring remarks about why they signed easements to protect their precious properties. Geddes spoke of wanting to preserve her stretch of Indian Creek and how the Trust and Butler Metroparks are playing a role in the voluntary conservation of the beautiful Indian Creek Corridor. She shared that the Trust offers expertise in wording conservation agreements in ways that achieve the landowner’s wishes while avoiding loopholes that could otherwise jeopardize the sanctity of an easement. Dave Roark spoke of the Trust’s assistance in achieving his family’s goal of protecting their lovely 216acre working farms on Tom’s Run, in western Montgomery County. The Trust also recognized all the other easement donors, past staffers, interns, Treasurer Liz Woedl, committee chairs and members, advisors, grantors and benefactors, and partners such as Butler County Extension Agent Steve Bartels. 27 Business Meeting Executive Director Larry Frimerman briefly highlighted the Trust’s successes in 2005, including 16 new properties protected, covering 1,400+ acres and nine miles of stream, monitoring the other properties − now totaling 35 under protection, and an astounding 3,957 acres. He briefly mentioned securing nine land protection grants to be closed in 2006 for new properties covering 1,600+ acres, initiation of the new statutory Watershed Protection Program that places the Trust in a contractually responsible role to enhance watershed quality throughout its stream areas. Finally, Frimerman mentioned the Trust’s work in assisting citizens on land use issues. Frimerman introduced Watershed Coordinator Barbara Hamilton, Conservation Scientist Dave Gosse, and Office Manager Ryn Dornhuber. “Hamilton and Gosse are grant-funded and are working only on watershed protection programs,” he added. Continuing Board Chair Frank House laid out the group’s game plan for 2006. “We just finished a strategic planning process and clarified our focus for the coming year. This year we will be finishing these land protection grants, working through existing program grant commitments, closing easements in the pipeline, and working through other priority easements. In addition, the Trust will be monitoring each of our privately owned 35 easement-protected properties with mailed monitoring reports; will work with people and communities through Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program and other land protection grant applications. The Trust will finish the Twin Creek Watershed Action Plan, work through Four Mile Creek Watershed Action Plan, and continue to provide excellent service on land use planning. The Board has committed to hire a Development Coordinator who will help us to implement Endowment and Planned Giving Campaigns.” House also pointed out the new Mission & Vision and its significance. “The Trust has been working to find ways to make it easier for the broader community to support our efforts. Our mission change, our change in fundraising and membership activities reflect that perspective,” he added. Mr. House thanked the organizers of the Annual Meeting – Ryn Dornhuber, Catherine Hollins, Jane Gaitskill & Ginny Thiell of the Marcum Center, and Larry Frimerman in making it all happen. Frimerman also thanked the Judy Waldrons for again donating the music and thanked the “amazing Trust Board members for their impressive efforts.” House urged members to meet the matching challenge grant of $4,000 from an anonymous donor to help the group garner the last funds needed to hire a development coordinator − a position needed to raise funds for our endowment and begin our planned giving program to help sustain the Trust over the long haul. This grant matches the Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s generous $25,000 grant for the hiring of the development coordinator. In closing, Frimerman and House also stressed that the Trust taken your suggestions about how to reach out to the community and ways to increase involvement and awareness. The election of Board members was then held, concluding the Membership meeting. Trust Board members elected for 2006 included returnees Frank House (currently Chair); Don Streit (currently member of Land Protection Committee); Catherine Hollins (Vice Chair, Membership Chair); Thomas Klak, (Land Protection, Public Information); Alice Kahn, (Nominating Committee Chair); and new Board Member Dr. W. Michele Simmons. A fond farewell was given to departing board members Carl Jantzen and Michele Gressel, for their hard work and dedication! Special thanks were also extended to major donors Ernst Bever, Linda Fitzgerald, Hardy and Barbara Eshbaugh, Jim and Susan Fitton and to the Board for their extraordinary work and Leadership. The Board unanimously re-elected slate of officers included Board Chair Frank House, Vice Chairs Sam Fitton and Catherine Hollins, Secretary, Tom Wissing, and Treasurer Liz Woedl. The Board took office, and Chair House then accepted a request to adjourn the meeting at 8:45pm. 28