Annual Report Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, Inc Mission Inn Ave. Riverside, CA

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1 Annual Report 2016 Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, Inc Mission Inn Ave. Riverside, CA (951)

DTPC MISSION STATEMENT The Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee is dedicated to the recovery and conservation of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and other rare and endangered species

2 DTPC MISSION STATEMENT The Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee is dedicated to the recovery and conservation of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and other rare and endangered species inhabiting the Mojave and western Sonoran deserts. The Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, Inc. Founded 1974 Board of Directors President Vice President Treasurer Recording Secretary Board Member Board Member Board Member Ron Berger Bob Wood Laura Stockton Rachel Woodard Kristin Berry, Ph.D. Greg Lathrop Dave Zantiny Preserve Manager & Conservation Coordinator Jillian Estrada

Letter from the President This has been another challenging year for our beloved desert tortoises and their home. First, the tortoise populations are continuing to decline.

Fish and Wildlife Service is that the population in the wild has declined by 50%!

3 Letter from the President This has been another challenging year for our beloved desert tortoises and their home. First, the tortoise populations are continuing to decline. If anything, their decline and possible race to extinction may well be accelerating. Over the past ten years alone, one estimate by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is that the population in the wild has declined by 50%! This is amazing, and frankly sickening, especially when you recognize that this decline was likely initiated when we humans arrived on the scene. The single safest place for the tortoise today is in the Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area (Natural Area), the reserve we at Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee (DTPC) developed over these past 40+ years and which we maintain and protect. Does it need protection? You bet. In the past year, in addition to our work with legislators and agencies to protect the tortoise, we have continued our efforts to acquire and protect habitat. Currently, we own 7, acres of high quality habitat in our conservation efforts for the desert tortoise, and other sensitive species including the Mohave Ground Squirrel, Burrowing Owl, Desert Kit Fox, and American Badger. The DTPC has and with your support will continue to expand our preserve lands in and around the Natural Area in Kern County, as well as Pilot Knob, Harper Dry Lake, Mojave National Preserve, and Piute Mountains Wilderness Area in San Bernardino County, and Chuckwalla Bench and Alligator Rock Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in Riverside County. Ron Berger President

Financial Commentary Operating Income Total 2016 Total 2015 Contributions and membership Dues $287,087.00 $68,974.00 Endowment $71,776.00 $12,359.00 Indirect Public Support $8,282.37 $12,260.

4 Financial Commentary Operating Income Total 2016 Total 2015 Contributions and membership Dues $287, $68, Endowment $71, $12, Indirect Public Support $8, $12, Investments $80, $81, Government and other grants $34, $3, Other $12, $6, Total unrestricted revenues, gains, 1 and other support $494, $185, % 2016 was an exceptional year for the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee. The amount we received from donations and membership dues far exceeded those from the past five years. A very large donation was received from the estate of a conservation supporter. This donation will allow the DTPC to grow our much needed endowment fund which will ensure funding for many years to come. 1 Total Revenue does not include restricted income from mitigation accounts and other sources.

Expenses Total 2016 Total 2015 General/Administrative

00 $29,904.00 Education & Outreach $20,893.00 $25,971.

00 Land Acquisition & Mitigation $155,939.00 $81,925.

00 Fundraising/Merchandise $32,068.00 $32.

00 Total Expenses 2 $530,003.00 $263,025.

Monitoring & Stewardship 4% FY2016 Expenses Salaries and

5 Expenses Total 2016 Total 2015 General/Administrative $81, $62, Salaries and Payroll $53, $29, Education & Outreach $20, $25, Monitoring & Stewardship $19, $1, Land Acquisition & Mitigation $155, $81, Research $102, $0.00 Fundraising/Merchandise $32, $32.00 Depreciation $63, $61, Total Expenses 2 $530, $263, Education & Outreach Fundraising/ 4% Merchandise 6% Monitoring & Stewardship 4% FY2016 Expenses Salaries and Payroll 10% Land Acquisition & Mitigation 29% Depreciation 12% General/ Admin. 16% Research 19% 2 Some expenses were funded by restricted income (i.e. mitigation income).

Ways to Give The Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee relies on financial donations to fund the critical work involved in protecting and preserving desert tortoise habitat.

6 Ways to Give The Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee relies on financial donations to fund the critical work involved in protecting and preserving desert tortoise habitat. There are many ways to donate. To learn more or to donate, contact us at or Outright Gifts Donate a piece of land Become a member Become a monthly supporter Make a charitable gift of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds Give a gift membership Make a symbolic animal adoption Bequest us in your Will or Trust You can create a legacy that will reflect the values you hold dear, while serving as an example for younger generations. A well-designated estate plan can result in your estate paying less tax, allowing you to leave more to your beneficiaries. If you wish to name us in your will or estate plan, we should be named as: Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, a non-profit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of California, with principal business address of 4067 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA Our tax identification number is Join a Workplace Giving Campaign We are affiliates of EarthShare California, a non-profit federation that allows workers in California to designate a nominal amount per pay period ($1, $5, $10, etc.) to be donated to a charity. We are also affiliates of the Combined Federal Campaign, a similar campaign for federal employees. If you are interested in joining one of these campaigns, visit or Our CFC number is

2016 was a busy year for community outreach and education.

our message of celebration and hope for tortoise conservation.

This expo attracts thousands of visitors each year and provides the opportunity to educate a larger

Presentations were given to the California Turtle & Tortoise Club of Chino Hills, as well as several

7 2016 was a busy year for community outreach and education. Our organization attended numerous tabling events throughout the year to spread the word about our mission and accomplishments. DTPC staff and volunteers reached out to the public across Los Angeles, Riverside, and Kern counties with our message of celebration and hope for tortoise conservation. We also attended the Wildlife Conservation Network Expo in San Francisco as firsttime participants. This expo attracts thousands of visitors each year and provides the opportunity to educate a larger geographic area. Presentations were given to the California Turtle & Tortoise Club of Chino Hills, as well as several nature-based clubs of California City. From March 14-June 5, we hosted one full-time and one part-time naturalist at the Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area to welcome, educate, and give tours to incoming visitors. Community Outreach & Education Wildlife Conservation Network Expo, San Francisco Desert Tortoise Days, California City Toshiro, a volunteer tortoise helping out at a tabling event

Land Management Every year, Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee staff and volunteers visit the

trespass or illegal activities that might be taking place.

management decisions and schedule stewardship activities in order better protect it.

8 Land Management Every year, Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee staff and volunteers visit the land we own to observe the wildlife that is present and make observations about any possible trespass or illegal activities that might be taking place. Yearly monitoring gives us a snapshot of how our land is doing and allows us to make adaptive management decisions and schedule stewardship activities in order better protect it. This year, in pursuant to conservation easements related to much of our land, close to 6,000 acres of land was monitored. SAN BERNARDINO

9 2016 was a very productive year for land management and stewardship activities. Three very important surveys were performed throughout the DTRNA and expansion areas, the results of which are helping us to understand the wildlife inhabiting the area. Additionally, volunteers helped with restoration and stewardship; allowing us to manage and protect tortoise habitat.

10 Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, Inc Mission Inn Ave. Riverside, CA (951)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and SEIS Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and SEIS Fact Sheet 1. What has happened since the 2012 Land Acquisition EIS? The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process