2026-03-24T16:49:24-05:00 2025-06-30 410746749 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP 1188 Padre Drive Ste 101 Salinas CA 93901 990 2024-07-01 942823247 Elkhorn Slough Foundation ELKH 8317285939 PO Box 267 Moss Landing CA 95039 Mark Silberstein Executive Director 8317285939 2026-03-19 1 1 Autumn Rossi P01404602 8317596300 2026-03-19 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Mark Silberstein PO Box 267 Moss Landing CA 95039 11322675 0 X http://www.elkhornslough.org/ X 1982 CA To conserve and restore Elkhorn Slough and its watershed, and to engage community members in ways that increase appreciation and motivates the perpetual protection and care of Elkhorn Slough. 12 12 45 125 0 0 8994082 7579449 34533 57138 476581 725923 168985 186810 9674181 8549320 0 8991 0 0 2429941 2662843 0 0 480157 2998601 3181583 5428542 5853417 4245639 2695903 46787248 49727926 603474 775220 46183774 48952706 X The Elkhorn Slough Foundation's mission is to conserve and restore Elkhorn Slough and its watershed, California's largest tidal salt marsh south of San Francisco Bay. Renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity, Elkhorn Slough features a dynamic working landscape intertwined with rich natural habitats. To achieve its mission, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation focuses on the direct acquisition and stewardship of key lands while collaborating with partnerorganizations and agencies. Together, they advance sound scientific research, deliver impactful education programs, and foster meaningful community engagement. As an accredited organization through the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission, the Foundation upholds the highest standards in conservation and land stewardship. 0 0 970779 0 0 The Research and Monitoring (RAM) program on the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR) is the primary vehicle for conducting water quality monitoring, habitat monitoring, and biological monitoring on the Reserve and throughout the Elkhorn Slough Watershed. The research and monitoring team has also been responsible for the publication of a series of peer-reviewed scientific publications, listed on the website: https://elkhornslough.org/reserve/research. This is an ongoing program funded by grants from NOAA and various state and federal agencies supporting restoration science. Elkhorn Slough Foundation administers these funds for the benefit of ESNERR and slough conservation in concert with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. During the FY24-25 fiscal year, the Research team co-authored ten papers in scientific journals, studied metal contamination resulting from the Moss Landing Battery Fire, and continued to conduct marsh and oyster restoration in partnership with a local Tribe. 1500877 0 0 The Tidal Wetland Program (TWP) is a multi-agency effort addressing one of the most critical ecological challenges in the tidal portions of Elkhorn Slough: the dramatic loss of vegetated marshland caused by historic modifications to the slough's hydrology. Collaborating with over 100 scientists, resource managers, local residents, and other stakeholders, TWP has employed an ecosystem-based management approach to halt habitat loss and restore natural functions to the slough system. This effort has resulted in the implementation of more natural tidal flow to the Parson's Slough complex and Whistlestop within the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, protecting over 450 acres of tidal wetlands and keeping public access to the main channel of the slough open.Ongoing work focuses on restoring wetlands through the beneficial reuse of clean sediments to rebuild subsided marshes, while also exploring the potential for carbon sequestration in these restored habitats. One key initiative, the Hester Marsh restoration, is revitalizing 150 acres of formerly diked and degraded marsh. This project involves elevating the subsided marsh plain by adding soil and bringing it to the upper end of the tidal frame to support marsh vegetation. The elevation is designed to accommodate projected sea-level rise well into the next century. Looking ahead, the Tidal Wetland Program plans to integrate infrastructure resilience into its broader ecosystem resilience efforts. 1055668 0 0 The Land Stewardship Program oversees the restoration, maintenance, and management of more than 5,900 acres within the Elkhorn Slough watershed. Over the past year, the Stewardship team collaborated with dozens of community volunteers and the California Conservation Corps to carry out a diverse range of conservation efforts. These activities included removing tons of trash and debris, controlling invasive weed species, monitoring key lands and wildlife, mapping natural resources, and propagating native plants. Through this work, the program has successfully transformed hundreds of acres of degraded landscapes, such as eroded sandhills, former eucalyptus groves, and abandoned farmland, into thriving, healthy habitats. Simultaneously, the program preserves the intact natural areas of the slough, ensuring their ecological vitality for the future. In the last fiscal year, the team achieved major milestones, including producing and out-planting millions of native seeds, highlighted by an 8-acre seeding project in the Hester grassland, and removing over 30 acres of fire-prone, invasive eucalyptus trees to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk and protect native plants and animals. 153358 0 0 Since 1982, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) has led efforts to conserve and restore Elkhorn Slough and its watershed. Through the Land Acquisition program, ESF has protected over four thousand acres of key lands through an active program of acquiring fee and easement interests in properties in the watershed. Public interest conservation values secured by these acquisitions include open space, wildlife and rare species habitat, viewshed protection, groundwater recharge, and water quality improvement. By working in close collaboration with other agencies and organizations, ESF has been able to expand funding and support for Elkhorn Slough protection and conservation management. In the 2024-'25 fiscal year our accomplishments include: 1) renewed our accreditation with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, 2) added a new strategic objective to protect wildlife connectivity to the upper watershed, 3) mapped and analyzed five properties totaling about 900 acres in the new connectivity area for potential acquisition, and 4) made steady progress on several transactions in the watershed totaling about 1,500 acres to protect wetlands, grasslands, oak woodland and sustainable farmland. 535723 6491 61853 ESF's Education and Public Relations Program (EPR) includes a vibrant social media presence and various public talks, walks, and programs designed for school and community groups. Each year, we support more than 20 outside organizations by providing volunteer opportunities for groups such as Scouting America, church groups, school groups, corporate volunteer programs, and more. Our outdoor education program engages over 150 local students by helping them build meaningful relationships with their peers and the natural environment. For example, students from Hall Elementary School have the opportunity to regularly experience open spaces through ~15 half-day visits per school year. In 2025, we doubled the number of local university students involved in our community programs from 23 to 46. These students, from California State University Monterey Bay, are completing Community Engagement Capstone Projects by helping us deliver programming to elementary school students and families in the community. Among other things, these students are learning how to develop culturally relevant programs that are consciously co-designed with participants, connecting families to the land and water in their communities through projects that remove barriers to access.We also continue to strengthen partnerships with like-minded organizations to conserve and restore Elkhorn Slough and educate the community about its ecological significance. This includes active participation in Juntxs En La Naturaleza, a collaborative group that includes the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Bird School Project, Latino Outdoors, Puentes Nature, Milpa, Regeneracion, and others. Together, we provide access to nature for 300+ historically underserved families in our community. Additionally, we support education and volunteer programs at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, which served 2,750 students and 21,000 visitors in 2025. 193762 2500 0 The Training and Engagement Program (TE) is an ongoing ESNERR program, funded primarily by NOAA, that partners with other organizations to bring together diverse participants, including farmers, ranchers, private and public land managers, conservationists, regulatory and agency personnel, and scientists, to discuss and explore solutions to key natural resource management issues within the Central Coast region. TE also offers a suite of highly sought-after trainings on the biology and management of threatened and endangered wildlife species, such as California tiger salamanders, foothill yellow-legged frog, and western burrowing owls. In FY2024-2025, TE hosted or co-hosted seven training workshops that brought together approximately 380 environmental professionals and community members. TE builds collaborative networks that develop expertise and leadership to better conserve natural and working lands throughout the Elkhorn Slough watershed, the Central Coast region, and statewide. 882843 8991 61853 4410167 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 33 0 1 45 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 12 12 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 CA X X Julia Kovtoun 8317285939 1698 ELKHORN RD Royal Oaks CA 95076 Mark Silberstein Executive Director 40.00 X 173727 0 24953 Robert Hartmann Trustee (Until 01/08/25) 2.00 X 0 0 0 Monique Fountain Tidal Wetlands Program Director 40.00 X 122437 0 26901 Taylor Honrath Deputy Director 40.00 X 115448 0 16739 Kerstin Wasson Research Coordinator 40.00 X 100048 0 5002 Susan Matcham President 5.00 X X 0 0 0 Tara Trautsch Vice President 4.50 X X 0 0 0 Becky Suarez Secretary 4.50 X X 0 0 0 David Warner Treasurer 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Gary Bloom Trustee 1.00 X 0 0 0 Judith Connor Trustee 1.00 X 0 0 0 Terry Eckhardt Trustee 1.00 X 0 0 0 Emmett Linder Trustee 1.00 X 0 0 0 Mia Ra Parker Trustee 2.00 X 0 0 0 Anne Secker Trustee 4.50 X 0 0 0 Bruce Welden Trustee 2.00 X 0 0 0 Laura Solorio Trustee 1.00 X 0 0 0 Sandy Hale Trustee (Until 01/08/25) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kent Marshall Trustee (Until 01/08/25) 1.00 X 0 0 0 511660 0 73595 4 0 1 0 Ventana Forestry PO Box 96 Carmel Valley CA 93924 Forestry and tree removal services 307000 Your Part-Time Controller LLC 1600 Market Street Suite 3425 Philadelphia PA 19103 Accounting services 115100 CliftonLarsenAllen LLC 220 S 6th St Suite 300 Minneapolis MN 55402 Audit and tax preparation services 105866 3 3505757 4073692 85627 7579449 Class and Activity Fees 541700 57138 57138 57138 505444 505444 168853 0 168853 168853 168853 2885113 102013 2664634 102013 220479 0 220479 220479 11423 6708 4715 4715 Other income 541900 11758 11758 Mitigation Fees 541900 1484 1484 13242 8549320 61853 0 908018 X 6491 6491 2500 2500 196301 92674 44737 58890 1999810 1503535 283181 213094 77169 57215 13509 6445 224351 163222 39884 21245 165212 121204 24084 19924 4345 4345 228716 228716 25000 25000 61038 61038 1992553 1900172 56165 36216 130497 65177 688 64632 143325 88721 28354 26250 12143 12143 32805 27347 5450 8 33715 19918 13442 355 182241 160161 22080 129908 68138 61140 630 Repairs and Maintenance 112046 83030 29016 Property Appraisals 22460 22460 Subscriptions 16248 6537 9711 Bank charges 4681 164 546 3971 49862 9358 12007 28497 5853417 4410167 963093 480157 619669 1024563 1883343 679186 6820 918 64272 94455 32408663 1683333 30753849 30725330 11932392 15904467 1107073 837152 419830 461855 46787248 49727926 527214 528348 76260 246872 603474 775220 X 29132063 29714449 17051711 19238257 46183774 48952706 46787248 49727926 X 2695903 550715 -477686 X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 5546633 3424824 4605603 8994082 7579449 30150591 5546633 3424824 4605603 8994082 7579449 30150591 3053740 27096851 346829 337216 423939 509758 674297 2292039 136118 275452 5887 10751 428208 46572 141039 193255 38086 13242 432194 33303032 68561 0.81360 0.81150 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10, Explanation of Other Income: Other Income - 2020 Amount: $ 14,884. 2021 Amount: $ 58,666. 2022 Amount: $ 133,103. 2023 Amount: $ 3,553. 2024 Amount: $ 13,242. Gross Receipts from Related Activities - 2020 Amount: $ 31,688. 2021 Amount: $ 82,373. 2022 Amount: $ 60,152. 2023 Amount: $ 34,533. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 25000 25000 0 Part II-B, Line 1: ESF contributed $25,000 to the California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT) Action Fund in support of California Proposition 4 (Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024) ahead of the November 2024 election. X X 13 294.00 1 1 550.00 30360 8162803 165606 905571 405681 53354 8774945 7490124 12500 728106 18334 49593 8162803 7589113 260481 564784 879813 44441 7490124 8884375 -126299 -846304 271115 51544 7589113 7784415 5100 1685781 541716 49205 8884375 0.66777 0.29175 0.04048 1 0 28689635 28689635 2326535 763313 1563222 580567 402348 178219 811926 517672 294254 30725330 X 9038997 550715 550715 8488282 61038 61038 8549320 6270065 477686 477686 5792379 61038 61038 5853417 Part II, Line 5: X-LTA Standards Part II, Line 9: Since the benefit of easements accrue to the public upon acquisition, the fair market value of easements acquired is shown in the year of acquisition as an addition to net assets if acquired by donor gift and unless conveyed to a public agency for consideration, shown as a reduction in net assets to record the value of the public's benefit and to recognize that these easements have no marketable value once severed from the land and held by Elkhorn Slough Foundation. The purchases of easements are also shown as a reduction in net assets. Part V, Line 4: Stewardship, scholarship and general operations. Part X, Line 2: As a tax-exempt not-for-profit organization, the Foundation is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and from state franchise tax under California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701(d), but is subject to taxes on unrelated business income when earned. The Foundation believes that it has appropriate support for any tax positions taken and as such, does not have any uncertain tax positions that are material to the financial statements. The Foundation's returns are subject to examination by federal and state taxing authorities, generally for three years and four years, respectively, after they are filed. Part XII, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Loss on uncollectible pledge 477,686. X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mark Silberstein Executive Director 173727 0 0 0 0 0 8750 0 16203 0 198680 0 0 0 X 6 85627 Stock value 0 0 1 0 Part I, Column (b): The amount reported in Part I, column(b), is the number of separate contributions, not the number of units received. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 1a The Executive Committee consists of the officers of the Corporation, the Board President, the Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary. It may include the Chief Executive of the Corporation as a non-voting member. Upon appointment, the Executive Committee may designate one additional position (members-at-large) on the committee and fill this position from members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise the powers conferred on the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board of Directors, provided the actions by the Executive Committee are ratified by the Board of Directors at the next meeting. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 4 The bylaws were amended during the year to reduce the minimum number of board members from 12 to 10. In addition, the board may now empower the president or chief executive to appoint or remove other officers as business fo the Corporation may require. There are also now defined procedures relating to the audit committee. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b ESF's Audit Committee is the first line of review, followed by the Executive Committee and the full board. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c The Elkhorn Slough Foundation Board discusses and approves all real estate and other significant transactions and includes a review of conflicts of interest. Any links of board members or key employees to financial transactions are discussed at both the committee level and by the full board. If a real conflict of interest is identified, that board or staff member would identify their interest and recuse themselves from any decision-making process. As noted, officers and board members are required annually, to disclose any interests that could give rise to conflicts. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15a The compensation committee secures and reviews current salary and compensation data for the non-profit sector from at least two sources. The committee then recommends a compensation level to the board for approval. Compensation for the Executive Director is set by the Board of Directors. The process begins with an evaluation of the Executive Director by the Executive Committee of the Board. This is presented to the full board for approval. Once approved, the Executive Committee assigns a compensation committee of independent directors from the board. The compensation committee secures and reviews current salary and compensation data for the non-profit sector from at least two sources. The committee then recommends a compensation level to the board for approval. The process described here was last completed in 2019. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The Elkhorn Slough Foundation makes required public documents available for review and inspection at the Foundation offices located at the Elkhorn Reserve Public Facility. These include the organization's IRS Form 990 for the past three years, the IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status, audited financial statements (as required by law), as well as the Foundation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Form 990, Part IX, line 11g Professional Services: Program service expenses 1,900,172. Management and general expenses 56,165. Fundraising expenses 36,216. Total expenses 1,992,553. Form 990, Part XI, line 9: Loss on uncollectible pledge -477,686.