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YOU make a difference for Bosque del Apache

YOU make a difference for Bosque del Apache. Friends of the Bosque del Apache Annual Meeting Deb Caldwell, Executive Director September 16, 2017. Friends’ Vision. The Friends are a model organization within the wildlife conservation community.

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YOU make a difference for Bosque del Apache

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  1. YOU make a difference for Bosque del Apache Friends of the Bosque del Apache Annual Meeting Deb Caldwell, Executive Director September 16, 2017

  2. Friends’ Vision • The Friends are a model organization within the wildlife conservation community. • We will raise sufficient funds and support for Bosque del Apache NWR to help maintain the level of conservation and leadership required to ensure that the wetlands and wildlife that they support are sustained.

  3. Friends’ Mission We support Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and promote appreciation and conservation of wildlife and habitat.

  4. 2016-2017: A Year of Change • Changes in our Nature Store – “The Face of the Friends” • Friends management is now in the store 7 days per week • Julie-Anna Blomquist – Store Manager • Danielle Gallegos – Assistant Store Manager • Trisha Sanchez – Assistant Store Manager • Streamlined store staffing and inventory • Some exclusive merchandise to raise funds for specific projects

  5. 2016-2017: A Year of Change • Changes in Friends Staff • Infrastructure Changes • New halftime Membership Care Manager: Trisha Sanchez • New halftime Finance Administrator: Norene Boykin • Created strategic plan and updated messaging • Updated membership structure • Built a new, modern website – www.friendsofthebosque.org • Established a social media presence –www.facebook.com/friendsofthebosque

  6. A Year of Strong Leadership • Friends of Bosque del Apache Board of Directors 2016-2017 • Board Officers • President – JR Seeger Vice President – Jill Buckley • Treasurer – Mary Ruff Secretary – Lesley Urquhart • President Emeritus- Paul White • Directors at Large • Elveta Bishop Jack Lockridge • Jim Lommen Matt Mitchell • Jon Morrison David Policansky

  7. Celebrating Cranes for 30 years! • 29th Annual Festival of the Cranes (FOC) – 2016: • Record-breaking registrations, with 1040 registrants & 3400 seats sold • 162 events • Revenue = $177,200 • Net profit = $44,200 • FOC has been in the top 3 • in Wildlife Photography & • Birding Festivals in past • 4 years. • 30th Annual FOC – 2017: • 156 events from November 14-19 • Event seats 53% birding, 28% photography, 19% other (Dinner, Social, Wildlife Zone, etc.) • Registration is going well, but please spread the word to your friends as we want to have more first-time festival go-ers!

  8. Friends Membership is Growing • Membership is solid at 1100; 677 are families • Friends in 3 countries and 48 states • Raised $93,659 between memberships and • donations – up $25K since last annual meeting • 96 members make monthly contributions totaling • $13,106 in revenue over the last year • All Friends members are now listed on our website, by level • 51.13% renewal rate

  9. Friends Business Sponsorships are Growing We now have 25 Business Sponsors – all listed on our website Best Western Socorro Hotels & Suits Casa Blanca Bed & Breakfast Holiday Inn Express Jess Alford Photography Fite Ranch Economy Inn SDC Internet Birds by Boyd Images in Africa Safaris Chupadero Mountain View It’s a Sweet Life Cafe Wild Birds Unlimited Rio Abajo Antiques

  10. Why did Friends Memberships and Donations Matter in the past year?

  11. You funded Solar Panels and Bus Trips Friends continues to purchase solar panels to reduce the refuge’s dependence on the grid and lower energy costs. Money not spent on a utility bill can be used to preserve wildlife and habitat! This year, we funded 20+ trips to Bosque del Apache for local and NM school children to support the refuge’s goal of providing education programs that promote environmental awareness and conservation.

  12. You funded a water catchment system & improvements to a refuge trail The Desert Arboretum, one of the newest trails on the refuge, is a living classroom, boasting over 100 species of native plants and cacti, all maintained by the Friends. A 1,500 gallon water catchment tank and piping system added by the Friends will ensure that the xeric garden has a supply of water year-round and will educate the public about water conservation.

  13. You funded Environmental Education & Outreach Events • Stipends to support Biology Interns who help with • endangered species work, surveys, and outreach events. • Salary to support a summer Maintenance Intern from SHS • Free events to connect the refuge to our community and to • teach about conservation. • Desert Arboretum Stroll April • Field Day / Spring Wildlife Zone April • Annual Meeting September • Wildlife Zone at Festival November • Holiday Open House December

  14. You inspired current and future generations of BdA supporters to be participants in conservation! To ensure every visitor has access to a refuge map and pertinent information in every season, Friends also publishes the annual Habitat! guide. Committed to keeping our family of members connected and informed about refuge activities, programs and upcoming events, Friends publishes the quarterly newsletter, Bosque Watch. Friends publishes the Jr. Ranger Activity Book , an interactive tool utilized by refuge volunteers to encourage young visitors to play an active role in protecting, learning, and spreading the word about conserving Bosque del Apache.

  15. You helped us promote Bosque del Apache! • Conducted advertising and outreach efforts in support of the Refuge and Friends • Provided more than $14K in print media • coverage, including in nationally published • magazines and regional newspapers • Created a modern website and a • Facebook page which has 1200 followers • Hosted Nat Geo WILD for 15 days November-December 2016 – presentation for school kids at NMT & 3 videos released March-April 2017

  16. Outreach and Partnering • Leadership role in establishing Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association; participant in NM True council • Collaborative efforts with BRANT & Holbrook for Eco Tours around the globe; currently investigating possibilities for Eco Tour collaboration with Ted Turner Expeditions via their Armendaris & Ladder Ranch programs • Continued collaboration with International Crane Foundation, Aldo Leopold Foundation, NWRA, other NM refuges, and New Mexico Tech • Crowdfunding planned with major photo companies • Capital campaign to raise $250,000 to safeguard habitat – this will improve visitor viewing areas & wildland water infrastructure • Continued Grant Writing • Continued collaboration with Save Our Bosque Task Force and their many partners around river issues in the Middle Rio Grande valley

  17. Keep up the Good Work ! • Spread the word about the magic of Bosque del Apache & invite visitors • Ask your friends to become Friends members or Business Sponsors • Invite your friends to Festival of the Cranes • Invite your friends to join any of our community events • Tell us about any grant or a donor that you think we should pursue • Recommend that people shop in our amazing Nature Store • Make a tax-deductible year-end donation or IRA charitable distribution • We need your support to help wetlands and wildlife thrive!

  18. Thank you for Defending this Fragile Oasis • Thank you for Being a Friend!

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