irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $686KNATIVE HABITAT & ECOSYSTEM RESTORATIONPRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2021 INCLUDE: INTENSIVE INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES MITIGATION, FIRE MANAGEMENT CONTROL, AND NATIVE HABITAT RESTORATION CARE FOR 1,000+ ACRES OF LAND AT 7 SITES (BOTH IN RURAL AREAS, AND AT THE WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE). ONGOING RESTORATION AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OWN PROPERITIES IN GLOBALLY IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS LIKE THE RIPARIAN HABITAT AT THE PATON CENTER FOR HUMMINGBIRDS ALONG SONOITA CREEK (A TRIBUTARY OF THE SANTA CRUZ RIVER).SCALING OF RESTORATION AND FIRE MANAGEMENT EFFORTS IN THE URBAN AREA THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S 'HABITAT AT HOME' PROGRAM WITH HOMEOWNERS AND HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS, AS WELL AS UPON FLOOD CONTROL AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC LANDS. INCLUDES LAUNCH OF THE ORGANIZATION'S "GREENWATER STORM INFRASTRUCUTURE," AS PART OF THE CITY OF TUCSON'S "STORM TO SHADE" CLIMATE ADAPTATION & RESILIENCY PLAN TO CONSERVE WATER, COMBAT THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT, REFOREST THE URBAN AREA, AND LOWER UTILITY COSTS IN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS.
- #2 $253KPATON CENTER FOR HUMMINGBIRDSWITH 180 BIRD SPECIES TYPICALLY RECORDED EACH YEAR, THE PATON CENTER WELCOMES THOUSANDS OF WILDLIFE WATCHERS FROM ALL 50 STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD. DURING 2021, AN ADDITIONAL 5 ACRES WAS PURCHASED AND ADDED TO THE CENTER, BRINGING THE TOTAL CONSERVATION LANDS OWNED AND MANAGED BY TUCSON AUDUBON WITHIN THE SONOITA CREEK WATERSHED TO APPROXIMATELY 13 ACRES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO REMOVE INVASIVE PLANS AND RESTORE NATIVE VEGETATION ON ALL ITS ACREAGE AT THE CENTER. WHILE PUTTING A PAUSE ON ITS FACILITY RESTORATION AND CONSTRUCTION PLANS ON THE PROPERTY DURING THE PANDEMIC-RELATED LABOR AND SUPPLY-CHAIN ECONOMIC IMPACTS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOW RESUMED ITS WORK WITH A LOCAL DESIGN-BUILD FIRM TO COMPLETE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS PLANS TO ENHANCE THE CENTER'S VISITOR EXPERIENCE.
named programs · 4 · from sources
what they call their work
Bird Surveys
Provides federally required clearance surveys for threatened or endangered bird species.
Field Trips
Offers guided birdwatching trips to explore local habitats and discover new bird species.
Invasive Plant Removal
Conducts invasive plant mapping and treatment to protect native ecosystems.
Southeast Arizona Birding Festival
Annual festival that connects the community with nature through birding activities and educational events.
activities · 13 groups
what they do
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Urban Wildlife Habitat Engagement 8 activities
- Advocacy for Birds and HabitatsConducts advocacy efforts at local, regional, state, and federal levels to protect birds and their habitats, including policy engagement and public awareness campaigns on threats such as window strikes, outdoor cats, rodenticides, and uncovered vertical pipes.
- Bird AdvocacyEngages in advocacy efforts for birds and their habitats at local, regional, state, and federal levels. This includes educating the public on preventing bird window strikes, the dangers of uncovered vertical pipes, outdoor cats, rodenticides, and wildlife drowning in pools.
- Birding Education and Public EngagementOrganizes birding field trips, virtual events, educational programs, and public outreach initiatives including the "Rare Bird Alert" service, online plant sales, YouTube content, and educational materials on creating wildlife-friendly habitats.
- Habitat at Home ProgramOperates the "Habitat at Home" program to help community members transform outdoor spaces into urban wildlife habitats, providing yard signs, educational materials, and maintaining a Facebook Group for participants.
- Habitat at Home ProgramOperates the "Habitat at Home" program to help community members transform outdoor spaces into urban wildlife habitats, providing yard signs, educational materials, and a Facebook group for sharing.
- Habitat at Home ProgramOperates the "Habitat at Home" program to help community members transform outdoor spaces into urban wildlife habitats, providing educational materials and a yard sign. This includes maintaining a Facebook Group for community members to share photos of their yards.
- Public Education on Bird SafetyEducates the public on various dangers to birds and wildlife, including window strikes, uncovered vertical pipes, outdoor cats, rodenticides, and drowning in pools, and provides information on prevention.
- Public Education on Bird SafetyEducates the public on various dangers to birds and wildlife, including window strikes, uncovered vertical pipes, outdoor cats, rodenticides, and drowning in pools and water troughs.
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Riparian & Habitat Restoration 4 activities
- Advocacy for Birds and HabitatsEngages in advocacy efforts for birds and their habitats at local, regional, state, and federal levels.
- Bird Conservation and Habitat RestorationEngages in on-the-ground habitat restoration including invasive plant removal, native plant installation, rainwater harvesting systems, and erosion control features; also installs wildlife-specific habitats such as tortoise burrows and artificial nestboxes, and conducts hazardous fuels mitigation to reduce fire risk in natural areas.
- Bird Conservation and Habitat RestorationEngages in bird conservation and habitat restoration through recreation, education, and community involvement, including invasive plant removal, habitat maintenance, and community science projects.
- Habitat Restoration and Erosion ControlPlans and installs corrective features for habitat restoration and erosion control, including sheetflow spreaders and trincheras.
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Birding Festivals and Fundraising Events 4 activities
- Annual Birding Events and FundraisingOrganizes the annual Southeast Arizona Birding Festival and the month-long Birdathon fundraiser from April 1–30, including virtual kick-off events, team fundraising support, and a wrap-up celebration with prizes.
- Birdathon Fundraising EventOrganizes an annual month-long community fundraising event called "Birdathon" from April 1-30, where participants count birds to raise funds, with a virtual kick-off event and a wrap-up party.
- Birding Field Trips and FestivalsOrganizes and leads birding field trips in Southeast Arizona, including international tours, and hosts the annual Southeast Arizona Birding Festival. This also includes organizing an annual "Birdathon" community fundraising event.
- Southeast Arizona Birding FestivalOrganizes the annual Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, which includes a free Nature Expo, "Roadrunner Adventure Day" for children and families, and offers scholarships for activities.
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Wildlife Population Monitoring 4 activities
- Bird Monitoring and ResearchConducts and supports bird monitoring and research projects, including the Tucson Bird Count, Bird Safe Buildings program, and monthly bird surveys for the Santa Cruz Heritage Project. This also includes collaborative research with various institutions on critical species conservation issues and providing project clearance surveys for federally protected bird species.
- Bird Population MonitoringSupports monitoring of bird populations in Arizona's Important Bird Areas to protect critical habitats and conducts monthly bird surveys for the Santa Cruz Heritage Project to document changes in the bird community.
- Community Science and Bird MonitoringCoordinates long-term community science initiatives including the Tucson Bird Count since 2012, monthly bird surveys for the Santa Cruz Heritage Project, monitoring of Important Bird Areas, and the Bird Safe Buildings program that documents bird-window collisions through volunteer surveys.
- Tucson Bird CountCoordinates and conducts the Tucson Bird Count, a community science bird survey project since 2012, to collect bird data, identify areas utilized by native birds, determine beneficial urban habitat features, and share discoveries with the public.
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Wildlife Habitat & Species Information Guides 3 activities
- Habitat Improvement GuidesCo-created three guides (Arizona Deserts Guide, Arizona Riparian Guide, Arizona Grasslands Guide) on how to improve properties for birds and wildlife, available at their Nature Shop or for download.
- Rare Bird Alert ServicePublishes and maintains a "Rare Bird Alert" report that lists bird sightings by order of overall rarity within specific localities in Southeast Arizona, and allows for reporting of rare bird sightings.
- Rare Bird Alert ServicePublishes a "Rare Bird Alert" report that lists bird sightings by order of overall rarity within specific localities in Southeast Arizona and allows for reporting of rare bird sightings.
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Hummingbird Research and Monitoring 2 activities
- Motus Network Base Station InstallationInstalled Motus network base stations at the Mason Center for Ironwood Preservation and Environmental Education and the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, and partners with regional groups to install additional stations.
- Motus Network InstallationInstalled Motus network base stations at the Mason Center for Ironwood Preservation and Environmental Education and the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, and partners with regional groups to install additional stations.
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Visitor-Facing Educational Retail Operations 2 activities
- Nature Shop OperationsOperates a Nature Shop, available both in-store and online.
- Nature Shop OperationsOperates a Nature Shop both in-store and online, offering habitat improvement guides and other educational and conservation-related materials.
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Native Landscaping & Xeriscape Installation 2 activities
- Sustainable Landscape Design and InstallationOffers design and installation services for sustainable native-plant landscapes, including tortoise burrows, tortoise-specific habitat vegetation, integrated rainwater harvesting, and upgrading stormwater detention areas into functional habitats.
- Sustainable Landscape Design and InstallationOffers design and installation services for sustainable native-plant landscapes, including tortoise burrows and tortoise-specific habitat vegetation, and works with HOAs, businesses, and homeowners to integrate rainwater harvesting and upgrade stormwater detention areas into functional habitats.
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Guided Wildlife Observation Tours 1 activity
- Birding Field TripsOrganizes and leads guided birding field trips in Southeast Arizona at various locations, with a limit of two trips per person per month to allow broader participation.
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Species Rediscovery & Documentation 1 activity
- Collaborative ResearchEngages in collaborative research with various institutions on critical species conservation issues related to plants, animals, and birds.
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Avian Habitat Protection & Relocation 1 activity
- Desert Nestbox ProgramOperates a Desert Nestbox Program where volunteers monitor artificial nestboxes used by cavity-nesting birds like Eastern "Azure" bluebirds, American Kestrels, and Lucy’s Warblers.
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Land Acquisition and Preserve Management 1 activity
- Niche Habitat Creation ResourcesProvides resources and "Approved" stickers for creating niche habitats for Sonoran Desert wildlife, including monarch butterflies, native bees, moths, bats, lizards, and cavity-nesters, as well as promoting dark skies and poison-free environments.
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Uncategorized 15 activities
- Bird Conservation and Habitat RestorationEngages in bird conservation and habitat restoration through recreation, education, and community involvement, including invasive plant removal, habitat maintenance, and community science projects. This includes providing services for invasive plant removal and treatment, and offering design and installation services for sustainable native-plant landscapes.
- Bird Safe Buildings ProgramConducts the Bird Safe Buildings program, engaging volunteers in seasonal surveys and reporting to document bird mortality from window strikes in Tucson.
- Capacity Building and TrainingOffers 3-day Wilderness First Aid training and certification for groups of up to 10 people to build safety capacity for outdoor activities.
- Fall Native Plant SaleHosts an online Fall Native Plant Sale to encourage the creation of bird habitat.
- Hazardous Fuels MitigationProvides hazardous fuels mitigation services, including thinning and treating non-native woody vegetation, chipping material on site, and assessing and mitigating fire risk from invasive grasses and ladder fuels to create defensible spaces.
- In-lieu Fee MitigationProvides In-lieu Fee Mitigation to offset impacts to jurisdictional waters, with one project underway providing mitigation for impacts to the Santa Cruz River watershed and over 30 advance credits available for sale at $85,000 per credit as of August 2022.
- Invasive Plant Removal and TreatmentProvides services for ecologically sensitive invasive plant removal and treatment, utilizing digital mapping and precision treatment, and offering web-based documentation of infestation conditions and treatment progress.
- Native Plant SalesHosts an online Fall Native Plant Sale to encourage the creation of bird habitat.
- Paton Center OperationOperates and maintains the Paton Center, a premier birding site.
- Protected Bird Species SurveysProvides project clearance surveys for federally protected bird species including southwest Willow Flycatchers, western Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Mexican Spotted Owls, and western Burrowing Owls.
- Research and Conservation CollaborationEngages in collaborative research with institutions on conservation issues affecting birds, plants, and animals, and co-develops science-based habitat improvement guides for Arizona’s major ecosystems.
- Wilderness First Aid TrainingProvides 3-day Wilderness First Aid training and certification for groups of up to 10 people.
- Wildlife Habitat GuidesCo-created three guides (Arizona Deserts Guide, Arizona Riparian Guide, Arizona Grasslands Guide) on how to improve properties for birds and wildlife, available at their Nature Shop or for download.
- Wildlife Protection and Technical ServicesProvides project clearance surveys for federally protected bird species and offers In-lieu Fee Mitigation services to offset impacts to jurisdictional waters, with credits available for sale in the Santa Cruz River watershed.
- Wildlife Water Feature InstallationInstalls natural-looking prefab fountain systems, custom ponds, streams, and wetland complexes to support wildlife and provide refugia for endangered fish and plants in southeastern Arizona.
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financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$3.15M
Contributions & grants$1.51M48%
Program service revenue$1.50M48%
Investment income$44K1%
Other revenue$100K
expenses
Total expenses$2.73M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$1.98M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.16M
Cash$2.95M
Investments$917K
Liabilities$901K
Net assets$5.26M
Liquid reserves17.0 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2021 · YoY revenue +9.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021
who runs it
board members · 12
- ANDRES ANCHONDO — DIRECTOR
- COLLEEN CACY — SECRETARY
- CYNTHIA PRUETT — DIRECTOR
- CYNTHIA VERDUIN — TREASURER
- KEITH KAMPER — VICE PRESIDENT
- LAURENS HALSEY — DIRECTOR
- LINDA MCNULTY — DIRECTOR
- MARY WALKER — PRESIDENT
- MICHAEL BOGAN — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD CARLSON — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT HERNBRODE — DIRECTOR
- TRICIA GERRODETTE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 31
who they work with
- 191 Toole Partner — Hosts a concert by Bonner Black as part of the festival.
- AZGFD Partner — Collaborates with researchers on critical species conservation issues.
- Arizona Antelope Foundation Partner — Supported the creation of guides on improving properties for birds and wildlife.
- Arizona Bird Committee Partner — References the Arizona Bird Committee for a list of review species considered rare in Arizona.
- Arizona Game and Fish Partner — Partnered to create guides on improving properties for birds and wildlife.
- Arizona Game and Fish Partner — Provides live birds and other animals for the Nature Expo.
- Arizona Game and Fish Department Government — Cited by Tucson Audubon Society regarding a University of Arizona study on cat predation.
- Audubon Arizona Partner — Partnered to create guides on improving properties for birds and wildlife.
- Cat Topia Partner — Cat Topia specializes in designing and building outdoor cat enclosures and has partnered with Tucson Bird Alliance, offering a 5% donation for services used through a specific link.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson – Reid Park Partner — Serves as the festival headquarters and offers special rates for attendees.
- Erica Freese Partner — Director of Development for Tucson Bird Alliance.
- Mowgli Expeditions Partner — Partners with Mowgli Expeditions for international birding tours, such as a trip to India.
- NAU Partner — Collaborates with researchers on critical species conservation issues.
- NPS Partner — Collaborates with researchers on critical species conservation issues.
- National Audubon Society Partner — Organizes Christmas Bird Counts, which Tucson Audubon Society supports.
- National Audubon Society’s Western Water Initiative Funder — Supported the creation of guides on improving properties for birds and wildlife.
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Funder — Supported the creation of guides on improving properties for birds and wildlife.
- Paton Center Partner — Manages or supports the Paton Center, known for Violet-crowned Hummingbirds.
- Reid Park Zoo Partner — Provides live birds and other animals for the Nature Expo.
- SRP Funder — Supported the creation of guides on improving properties for birds and wildlife.
- Sonoran Joint Venture Partner — Supported the creation of guides on improving properties for birds and wildlife.
- Three Canyon Beer and Wine Garden Partner — Hosts the Birdathon Wrap Up Party.
- Tucson Bird Alliance Partner — Co-hosts or organizes birding education events including the "It’s All In the Family: Birding by Ear 101" workshop.
- Tucson Water Partner — Began releasing reclaimed water in the Santa Cruz river channel as part of the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project.
- UA Partner — Collaborates with researchers on critical species conservation issues.
- UManitoba Partner — Collaborates with researchers on critical species conservation issues.
- US Army Corps of Engineers Government — Provides In-lieu Fee Mitigation for impacts to jurisdictional waters protected by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
- USFWS Partner — Collaborates with researchers on critical species conservation issues.
- University of Arizona Partner — Conducted a study on cat predation in the Tucson area, cited by Tucson Audubon Society.
- University of Arizona Partner — The Tucson Bird Count project began at the University of Arizona in 2001.
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