Form 990 for tax year 2023

Totals

Total revenue

$4,132,674

Total expenses

$4,058,248

Contributions and grants received

$3,099,861

Grants paid

$0

Program service revenue

$301,499

Investment income

$572,635

Other revenue

$158,679

Total assets, end of year

$37,541,057

Total liabilities, end of year

$315,866

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$37,225,191

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$2,927,970

Management and general expenses

$711,093

Fundraising expenses

$419,185

Program service expenses (Part III)

$2,927,970

Program services were 72.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Mission and programs · 2023

• EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS- THE SOCIETY IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, STRIVING TO FOSTER A SENSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THE SOCIETY'S EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES ARE DIVERSE AND FAR-REACHING, ENCOMPASSING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES. THE SOCIETY ORGANIZES NUMEROUS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING GUIDED NATURE WALKS, BIRD-WATCHING EXCURSIONS, AND SEASONAL FESTIVALS. THESE EVENTS ARE DESIGNED TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE, OFFERING RECREATION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES.THE SOCIETY ALSO PROVIDES A VARIETY OF WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES ON TOPICS RANGING FROM BIRD IDENTIFICATION AND HABITAT RESTORATION TO SUSTAINABLE LIVING PRACTICES. THESE PROGRAMS AIM TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO MAKE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS DECISIONS IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.THE SOCIETY'S OUTREACH EFFORTS EXTEND BEYOND THEIR OWN PROPERTIES, WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION. THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE THE AUDUBON YOUTH CONSERVATION LEAGUE, THE SOCIETY CULTIVATES THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH MENTORSHIP, TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL CONSERVATION PROJECTS.THE SOCIETY'S COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY ENSURES THAT ITS PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, FOSTERING A COLLECTIVE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL HERITAGE.

  Expenses $1,239,638 · Revenue $194,820

• PROPERTIES AND CONSERVATION- THE SOCIETY MANAGES APPROXIMATELY 9,800 ACRES OF WILDLIFE REFUGES AND PROPERTIES PROVIDING CRITICAL HABITATS FOR VARIOUS SPECIES OF FLORA AND FAUNA. THESE PROPERTIES ENCOMPASS DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS, INCLUDING COASTAL MARSHES, FORESTS, WETLANDS, AND GRASSLANDS. THREE OF THE SOCIETY'S KEY PROPERTIES INCLUDE THE 28-ACRE CLAIRE D. MCINTOSH WILDLIFE REFUGE, HOME TO THE AUDUBON NATURE CENTER AND AQUARIUM (THE CENTER), CARATUNK WILDLIFE PARKER WOODLAND, KNOWN FOR ITS ANCIENT STONE WALLS AND RICH BIODIVERSITY. EACH REFUGE OFFERS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, RECREATION, AND WILDLIFE OBSERVATION, MAKING THEM VITAL ASSETS FOR BOTH CONSERVATION AND PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.THE SOCIETY'S INITIATIVES ARE DEDICATED TO PRESERVING RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL HERITAGE THROUGH THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, RESTORATION OF NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF INVASIVE SPECIES. THE SOCIETY ACTIVELY SAFEGUARDS CRITICAL HABITATS FROM DEVELOPMENT AND DEGRADATION, ENSURING NATIVE WILDLIFE CAN THRIVE. THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE SUPPORTED BY A ROBUST CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAM, WHICH ENGAGES VOLUNTEERS IN MONITORING BIRD POPULATIONS, WATER QUALITY, AND OTHER ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS, THEREBY FOSTERING A DEEPER CONNECTION BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATURAL WORLD.

  Expenses $917,246 · Revenue $48,411

• AUDUBON NATURE CENTER AND AQUARIUM- THE CENTER IN BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND, SERVES AS THE GATEWAY TO THE SOCIETY THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, OFFERING VISITORS AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE NATURAL WORLD. THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY FEATURES INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, LIVE ANIMAL DISPLAYS, AND A STUNNING ARRAY OF AQUARIUMS SHOWCASING LOCAL MARINE LIFE.VISITORS CAN EXPLORE DIVERSE HABITATS, FROM COASTAL MARSHES TO FORESTED WETLANDS, GAINING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE REGION'S ECOSYSTEMS. THE CENTER ALSO BOASTS BEAUTIFUL NATURE TRAILS AND A BOARDWALK THAT MEANDERS THROUGH A SALT MARSH TO THE SHORE OF NARRAGANSETT BAY, PROVIDING BIRDWATCHING AND WILDLIFE OBSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES.THE CENTER OFFERS VARIOUS PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE LEARNERS OF ALL AGES, FROM YOUNG CHILDREN TO ADULTS. SCHOOL GROUPS CAN PARTICIPATE IN FIELD TRIPS THAT ALIGN WITH STATE SCIENCE STANDARDS, OFFERING HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT BRING CLASSROOM LESSONS TO LIFE. THE CENTER HOSTS NATURE CAMPS DURING THE SUMMER WHERE CHILDREN CAN EXPLORE, DISCOVER, AND CONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD.FOR ADULTS, THE CENTER OFFERS WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, AND GUIDED TOURS ON VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS, EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO BECOME ACTIVE STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IS A KEY FOCUS OF THE CENTER. THE CENTER ORGANIZES NUMEROUS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING THE SOCIETY'S LARGEST PUBLIC EVENT, RAPTOR WEEKEND. THESE EVENTS FOSTER COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO EXPLORE AND APPRECIATE THE NATURAL WORLD. ADDITIONALLY, THE CENTER'S OUTREACH INITIATIVES EXTEND INTO THE COMMUNITY, WITH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS. THROUGH THESE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS, THE CENTER IS VITAL IN PROMOTING CONSERVATION AWARENESS AND INSPIRING A LOVE FOR NATURE AMONG RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE.

  Expenses $453,952 · Revenue $58,268

• WATER RESOURCES- THE SOCIETY LEADS THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER, FOCUSING ON PIONEERING NATURE-BASED SUSTAINABLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND EDUCATING MUNICIPALITIES ABOUT THEIR IMPORTANCE. LOCATED WITHIN ROGER WILLIAMS PARK (THE PARK), THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER IS A LIVING LABORATORY SHOWCASING ADVANCED GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS DESIGNED TO REDUCE STORMWATER RUNOFF AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY. THESE SOLUTIONS INCLUDE RAIN GARDENS, BIOSWALES, PERMEABLE PAVEMENTS, AND GREEN ROOFS, ALL INTEGRATED INTO THE PARK'S LANDSCAPE.THE SOCIETY'S LEADERSHIP ENSURES THAT THE STORM INNOVATION CENTER NOT ONLY DEMONSTRATES CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES BUT ALSO SERVES AS A MODEL FOR URBAN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ACROSS THE REGION.TRAINING PROGRAMS AT THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER ARE DESIGNED TO ENGAGE A DIVERSE AUDIENCE, FROM RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS TO MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS. THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER OFFERS WORKSHOPS, GUIDED TOURS, AND HANDS-ON TRAINING SESSIONS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GREENINFRASTRUCTURE. BY PROVIDING PRACTICAL, REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, THE SOCIETY EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES TO ADOPT SIMILAR NEIGHBORHOOD PRACTICES. ADDITIONALLY, THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER'S EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH INCLUDES COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, OFFERING CURRICULUM-ALIGNED PROGRAMS THAT TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT THE SCIENCE AND IMPORTANCE OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IN PROTECTING LOCAL WATERWAYS AND ECOSYSTEMS.UNDER THE SOCIETY'S LEADERSHIP, THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER IS CRUCIAL IN ADVANCING CLIMATE RESILIENCY THROUGH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER PARTNERS WITH ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONDUCT STUDIES AND PILOT NEW TECHNOLOGIES. THESE COLLABORATIONS AIM TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, CONTRIBUTING VALUABLE DATA AND INSIGHTS TO THE FIELD. BY FOSTERING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION, THE SOCIETY ENSURES THAT THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER REMAINS AT THE FOREFRONT OF SUSTAINABLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, DRIVING PROGRESS AND SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE.

  Expenses $214,810

• ADVOCACY- THE SOCIETY HAS A LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY, CHAMPIONING POLICIES AND INITIATIVES THAT PROTECT RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE. THE SOCIETY'S LEADERSHIP IN THIS ARENA INVOLVES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN LEGISLATIVE PROCESSES, LOBBYING FOR LAWS THAT PROMOTE CONSERVATION, CLIMATE RESILIENCY, BIODIVERSITY, SUSTAINABLE LAND USE, AND CLEAN ENERGY. THE SOCIETY WORKS CLOSELY WITH POLICYMAKERS, PROVIDING EXPERTISE AND SCIENTIFIC DATA TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROBUST ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS. THE SOCIETY'S ADVOCACY EFFORTS HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SECURING CRITICAL PROTECTIONS FOR HABITATS AND SPECIES, ENSURING THAT RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL HERITAGE IS PRESERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.IN ADDITION TO POLICY ADVOCACY, THE SOCIETY COLLABORATES WITH VARIOUS PARTNERS, INCLUDING OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, TO ADVANCE CONSERVATION GOALS. THESE PARTNERSHIPS ENHANCE THE SOCIETY'S CAPACITY TO ADDRESS COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND IMPLEMENT LARGE-SCALE CONSERVATION PROJECTS SUCH AS THE ACT ON CLIMATE. BY FOSTERING COLLABORATION AND LEVERAGING COLLECTIVE EXPERTISE, THE SOCIETY'S ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP STRENGTHENS THE ORGANIZATION'S IMPACT AND HELPS CREATE A UNIFIED VOICE FOR CONSERVATION IN RHODE ISLAND AND BEYOND.

  Expenses $102,324

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2023

Filed

4 November 2024

IRS schema version

2023v5.1

Source object

202423109349300517

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