Overview
What is Yaak Valley Forest Council?
The Yaak Valley Forest Council (YVFC) is a nonprofit organization based in Troy, Montana, with a team of ten dedicated individuals. Their mission, simply put, is to preserve and protect the wildness of the Yaak Valley. They achieve this through various initiatives, including inviting scientists, artists, and climate advocates to experience the Yaak firsthand, as demonstrated by Mississippi Poet Laureate Beth Ann Fennelly's visit in May 2022. YVFC has made significant strides in documenting the Yaak's mature forests, using NASA-assisted geospatial mapping, and gathering key climate data within the region to designate the northwest Yaak as the nation's first climate refuge. They have also been working on a framework for climate refuges that can be used to protect key ecosystems nationwide. Their work extends to partnerships with tribal members of the Montana Band of the Kootenai and organizations like Headwaters Restoration Partnership, University of Montana's Monitoring Montana's Waters program, and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Through these collaborations, they have conducted water quality tests, identified concerns, and secured funding for additional testing. YVFC's efforts also focus on restoring the quality of the Yaak River watershed for native species. They have completed numerous restoration projects and surveyed the headwaters of the Yaak River, documenting potential sources of sediment, nonpoint source pollution, and anthropogenic barriers to fish migration. In addition, YVFC has confirmed that the Yaak River watershed remains free of aquatic invasive species. A notable success was a riverbank restoration project on the Vital Ground Foundation's Brodie Habitat Preserve, where they restored 90 feet of highly degraded riverbank, planting native vegetation to create fish habitats and remove obstructions for wildlife corridors. Overall, the Yaak Valley Forest Council is committed to preserving the Yaak Valley's unique ecosystem through science, education, and bold action.
Official website here: www.yaakvalley.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 83% (Three-Star out of Four Stars)
The Yaak Valley Forest Council has earned an overall rating of 83%, which reflects strong performance in accountability and finance. The organization benefits from a fully independent board, with all board members meeting the criteria for independence, and there are no reported issues regarding the diversion of assets. The charity demonstrates a solid program expense ratio, allocating over 75% of its resources towards its programs, indicating effective use of funds towards its mission.
However, the council does face some limitations, particularly in governance policies. It lacks a whistleblower policy and a document retention and destruction policy, which are important for ensuring transparency and accountability in operations. While the organization’s minutes for board meetings are documented, the absence of these policies could impact stakeholder confidence.
Overall, while the Yaak Valley Forest Council shows a commendable commitment to responsible financial practices, addressing its governance gaps could further enhance its accountability and strengthen public trust in the organization.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is Yaak Valley Forest Council legitimate?
Yaak Valley Forest Council is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Yaak Valley Forest Council submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $0
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $140,952
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.yaakvalley.org
What is the mission statement of Yaak Valley Forest Council?
The Yaak Valley Forest Council works towards preserving the wilderness of the Yaak region, utilizing science, education, and bold action. Their mission is focused on protecting the Yaak's mature forests and diverse ecosystems, using data collection and analysis for climate studies, habitat identification, and predictive modeling. They collaborate with various groups to develop a framework for climate refuges and engage with local communities to prioritize restoration and protection projects. The Council also conducts surveys and testing to monitor water quality, sediment sources, and non-point source pollution, and partners with organizations to address invasive species threats in the Yaak River watershed. Their efforts aim to enhance the quality of the watershed for native species and protect key habitats resistant to rising temperatures.
Official website here: www.yaakvalley.org
Who is the CEO of Yaak Valley Forest Council?
Rick Bass is the Executive Di of Yaak Valley Forest Council.
Official website here: www.yaakvalley.org
What is the revenue of Yaak Valley Forest Council?
Yaak Valley Forest Council's revenue in 2022 was $402,108.
Official website here: www.yaakvalley.org
Who are the executives of Yaak Valley Forest Council and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Yaak Valley Forest Council during 2022 was $14,095. There are 10 employees and 20 volunteers at Yaak Valley Forest Council.
Here are 5 key members and their salaries:
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Official website here: www.yaakvalley.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Yaak Valley Forest Council?
Yaak Valley Forest Council's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.yaakvalley.org
Learn more at the official website: www.yaakvalley.org
Mission Statement of Yaak Valley Forest Council
The Yaak Valley Forest Council, a dedicated organization, is committed to preserving the wilderness of the Yaak region through scientific research, education, and bold action. Their mission is centered around protecting the Yaak's mature forests and ensuring the survival of its threatened species, particularly focusing on the Northwest Yaak as a potential climate refuge.
Throughout their work, the Council invites scientists, artists, and climate advocates to explore the Yaak Valley firsthand. They aim to raise awareness and inspire action by hosting events such as nature walks for local school children, community poetry events, and publishing poems about the ancient forest in publications like Orion Magazine. The Council also collaborates with experts like Dr. Dominick Dellasala, Chief Scientist for Wild Heritage, to document the Yaak's mature forests using NASA-assisted geospatial mapping.
In addition to research and documentation, the Yaak Valley Forest Council actively engages in conservation efforts. They work with diverse groups across the country to develop a framework for climate refuges that can be used to protect key ecosystems throughout the United States. The Council has also partnered with the Headwaters Restoration Partnership, the University of Montana's Monitoring Montana's Waters program, and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to test water quality in the Kootenai River watershed. Their goal is to identify and prioritize restoration projects to protect watersheds that are resistant to rising temperatures.
Moreover, the Council has made significant strides in restoring the quality of the Yaak River watershed for native species. They have conducted surveys to document sediment sources, nonpoint source pollution, and anthropogenic barriers to native fish migration. This information has been shared with the Forest Service to aid in prioritizing restoration projects for 2023. They have also expanded their Headwaters program to include a partnership with the Montana Invasive Species Council, ensuring that the Yaak River watershed remains free of aquatic invasive species.
The Yaak Valley Forest Council's dedication to preserving the Yaak's mature forests is evident in their various initiatives, from conducting research and documentation to actively engaging in conservation efforts and restoration projects. Their work is crucial in ensuring the survival of the Yaak's threatened species and protecting key ecosystems.
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Impact
June, 2024
The Yaak Valley Forest Council is making a significant impact in the preservation and restoration of the wild Yaak region through various initiatives. They have successfully engaged scientists, artists, and climate advocates to experience the Yaak firsthand, leading to increased awareness and support for the preservation of its ancient forests. By hosting renowned figures like Mississippi Poet Laureate Beth Ann Fennelly and Dr. Dominick DellaSala, the Council has highlighted the ecological importance of the Yaak Valley and garnered attention from both local communities and the media.
Furthermore, the Council has made strides towards designating the Northwest Yaak as the nation's first climate refuge by gathering key climate data and creating predictive models to prioritize the protection of critical habitats. Their collaboration with tribal members and conservation organizations demonstrates a commitment to inclusive and comprehensive conservation efforts.
Through partnerships and funding, the Yaak Valley Forest Council has been able to conduct restoration projects in the Yaak River watershed, enhancing water quality and habitat for native species. Their monitoring programs and invasive species prevention efforts have contributed to maintaining the health of the ecosystem in the region.
Overall, the Yaak Valley Forest Council's impactful work in science, education, and advocacy is crucial for protecting the unique biodiversity and ecological integrity of the Yaak Valley for generations to come.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Yaak Valley Forest Council. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $73
- Gross Receipts: $402,108
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $131,921
- Total Liabilities: $4,825
- Net Assets: $127,096
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Organization Details
Founding Year
1998
Phone
(406) 295-9736Principal Officer
Rick Bass
Main Address
11896 YAAK RIVER RD, TROY, MT, 59935
Website
www.yaakvalley.orgNTEE Category
Code: C013 - Environment
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