Form 990 for tax year 2023

What the amendment changed

Compared with the latest return for 2023 , filed 25 June 2025. matched by us Only the Part I totals and the names listed in Part VII are compared. We relate returns by organization, tax year and form, and order them by each return's own timestamp; the filer's own "amended return" checkbox is a separate fact.

Both are the same on the two returns, so the amendment changed something else.

Totals

Total revenue

$16,248,061

Total expenses

$12,001,905

Contributions and grants received

$12,354,430

Grants paid

$9,584,912

Program service revenue

$3,394,410

Investment income

$87,818

Other revenue

$411,403

Total assets, end of year

$13,712,044

Total liabilities, end of year

$3,256,959

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$10,455,085

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$11,334,715

Management and general expenses

$189,109

Fundraising expenses

$478,081

Program service expenses (Part III)

$11,334,715

Program services were 94.4% 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

• RESTORE:LOCATED ON THE HISTORIC UNCEDED LANDS AND WATERS OF THE ACJACHEMEN AND TONGVA TRIBAL NATIONS, CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK COMPRISES 400 ACRES OF COASTAL BLUFF HABITAT, 3.2 MILES OF MOSTLY UNDEVELOPED BEACHES, 2400 ACRES OF BACKCOUNTRY HABITAT, AN 1100-ACRE OFFSHORE MARINE PROTECTED AREA, AND A 12-ACRE HISTORIC DISTRICT LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. AS PART OF ITS MISSION AS THE NONPROFIT PARTNER TO CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK, CRYSTAL COVE CONSERVANCY (THE CONSERVANCY) HAS RESTORED 37 OF THE 46 HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN THE PARK - AN ENCLAVE OF 45 BEACH COTTAGES AND A WORLD WAR II-ERA JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL IN THE PARK'S HISTORIC DISTRICT. THE FINAL RESTORATION OF 9 REMAINING UNRESTORED BEACHFRONT COTTAGES ON THE NORTH BEACH OF CRYSTAL COVE IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY AND PRIMARILY FUNDED. THE COMPLETION OF THE NORTH BEACH COTTAGES WILL SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND PUBLIC ACCESS TO ONE OF CALIFORNIA'S TOP COASTAL DESTINATIONS AND WILL DOUBLE THE CAPACITY OF THE PARK FOR OVERNIGHT VISITORS. CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK CURRENTLY WELCOMES MORE THAN 2 MILLION VISITORS EACH YEAR. ONCE THE NORTH BEACH PROJECT IS COMPLETE AND THE REMAINING COTTAGES ARE ADDED TO THE OVERNIGHT RENTAL POOL, THE ENTERPRISE WILL CREATE A SUSTAINABLE EARNED REVENUE STREAM TO HELP FUND IMPORTANT K-12 STEM EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND CRITICAL HABITAT RESTORATION WORK IN THE BACKCOUNTRY - ALL WHILE KEEPING RENTAL RATES FROM $50/NIGHT IN A DORM-STYLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO $320/NIGHT FOR AN OCEAN FRONT COTTAGE THAT SLEEPS UP TO 10 PEOPLE. THE CONSERVANCY IS MIDWAY THROUGH THE RESTORATION OF THE REMAINING COTTAGES ON THE NORTH BEACH. WITH ALL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS NOW COMPLETE, INCLUDING THE INSTALLATION OF 17 RETAINING WALLS, NEW LIFT STATIONS, MODERN UTILITIES AND A 650-FOOT-LONG ADA ACCESSIBLE BOARDWALK AND SERVICE PATH, WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDS ADA ACCESS TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT AND THE BEACH, RESTORATION IS UNDERWAY ON THE FIRST FIVE UNRESTORED STRUCTURES. THE PROJECT WILL CONTINUE RESTORING COTTAGES IN GROUPS OF FOUR OR FIVE AT A TIME UNTIL ALL 9 HAVE BEEN RESTORED AND OPENED TO THE PUBLIC AS LOWER-COST OVERNIGHT RENTALS. AS BOTH THE CONTRACTED NON-PROFIT PARTNER AND CONTRACTED CONCESSIONAIRE IN THE PARK, THE CONSERVANCY IS IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO LEVERAGE REVENUES CREATED BY THE OVERNIGHT COTTAGE RENTALS AND FOOD SERVICE OPERATION IN THE PARK TO SUPPORT IMPORTANT STEM EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND UNDERSERVED STUDENTS - ALL GROUNDED IN ONGOING ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND HABITAT RESTORATION WORK IN THE BACKCOUNTRY, THE BEACHES AND IN THE OFFSHORE MARINE PROTECTED AREA.

  Expenses $9,584,912 · Grants $9,584,912 · Revenue $3,394,410

• EDUCATE:THE CONSERVANCY'S UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION HOLDS THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF EQUIPPING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW AT ITS CORE AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE BEST WAY TO LEARN SCIENCE IS BY DOING SCIENCE: TEACHING STUDENTS WHILE THEY EXPLORE REAL WORLD PROBLEMS IN REAL CONTEXTS ALONGSIDE REAL SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS. CURRENTLY, THE CONSERVANCY'S STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS) EDUCATION PROGRAMS ENGAGE MORE THAN 10,000 K-12 STUDENTS FROM 72 SCHOOLS IN 2 STATES IN REAL CONSERVATION WORK THAT IS HELPING FURTHER THE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW CRYSTAL COVE AND PROTECTED LANDS AND WATER ARE BEING IMPACTED BY ACCELERATING CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN IMPACTS. MORE THAN 70% OF PARTICIPANTS COME FROM TITLE 1 SCHOOLS. THE CONSERVANCY'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS LEVERAGE A CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS' NATURAL RESOURCES TEAM AND UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE RESEARCHERS AND FACULTY TO CONNECT CLASSROOM LEARNING TO REAL-WORLD ECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMS WORK ALONGSIDE STATE PARK LAND MANAGERS AND UNIVERSITY SCIENTISTS TO ANALYZE AND SOLVE REAL-WORLD CONSERVATION PROBLEMS. CONSERVANCY PROGRAMS, DEVELOPED IN ALIGNMENT WITH NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS, PAIR AS MANY AS 10 CLASSROOM LESSONS WITH FIELD EXPERIENCE IN THE PARK. BY WORKING WITH MULTIPLE GRADE LEVELS AT THE SAME SCHOOLS, THE CONSERVANCY'S STEM EDUCATION PROGRAMS HAVE CREATED A LEARNING LADDER THAT TAKES YOUNG SCIENTISTS FROM THEIR EARLIEST SCHOOL DAYS THROUGH UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIPS AND INTO CAREERS IN SCIENCE. RECENTLY, WE'VE ADDED ADDITIONAL RUNGS TO OUR LEARNING LADDER WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LOWER-ELEMENTARY ENGINEERING PROGRAM, THE TROUBLE WITH TRASH, WHICH ENGAGES KINDERGARTEN, FIRST, AND SECOND-GRADERS IN AN EXPLORATION OF THE IMPACTS OF MARINE PLASTICS AND ALLOWS THEM TO CONSIDER SOLUTIONS TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM. A HIGH SCHOOL-LEVEL FIRE ECOLOGY INTERNSHIP EXTENDS THE LADDER, ADDING A RUNG AT THE TOP THAT CAN LAUNCH STUDENTS INTO SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE EXPERIENCES IN STEM. THE ADDITION OF A NEW PAID NATURAL RESOURCES INTERNSHIP FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FURTHER SUPPORTS THE AMBITIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE LOOKING TO ENTER STEM FIELDS.

  Expenses $1,590,284

• PROTECT:CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK IS PART OF AN INTERCONNECTED LANDSCAPE. WHILE THE BOUNDARIES THAT DEFINE IT ARE INVISIBLE TO THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS THAT LIVE HERE, HOW WE MANAGE THE LAND WITHIN THOSE BOUNDARIES HAS AN IMPACT FAR BEYOND ITS BORDERS. THE PARK IS ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING UNDEVELOPED STRETCHES ALONG ORANGE COUNTY'S COASTLINE AND INCLUDES RIPARIAN AND OAK WOODLAND HABITATS, AS WELL AS A ROCKY INTERTIDAL ZONE AND A TRANSIENT KELP FOREST IN THE OFFSHORE UNDERWATER PARK. THESE PROJECTED ECOSYSTEMS ARE PART OF THE LARGER SOUTH COAST WILDERNESS OPEN SPACE, WHICH STRETCHES TO LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK AND CITY OF IRVINE OPEN SPACE. CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK IS ALSO DESIGNATED AS PUBLIC CONSERVATION LAND ON THE ORANGE COUNTY GREEN VISION MAP AND IS AN ENROLLED PROPERTY WITHIN THE NATURAL COMMUNITIES CONSERVATION PLAN/HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN (NCCP/HCP) FOR CENTRAL COASTAL ORANGE COUNTY. CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK IS A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT PLACE BECAUSE IT CONTAINS RARE AND ENDEMIC ECOSYSTEMS THAT ARE NOT FOUND IN MANY OTHER PLACES ON EARTH. ITS BACKCOUNTRY IS DOMINATED BY COASTAL SAGE SCRUB, A NOW-RARE PLANT COMMUNITY WHOSE RANGE HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY REDUCED DUE TO COASTAL DEVELOPMENT. ITS BLUFFS, A RARE ISLAND OF PROTECTED NATURAL SPACE IN A PRIME LOCATION FOR BEACHSIDE HOMES AND SHOPPING CENTERS, BOAST SOME OF THE LAST REMAINING COASTAL BLUFF SCRUB IN ORANGE COUNTY, INCLUDING SEVERAL EXTREMELY ENDANGERED SPECIES OF RARE PLANTS. THE PARK IS ALSO HOME TO RARE AND ENDANGERED BIRD AND ANIMAL SPECIES, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHERS (A TARGET SPECIES TO CONSERVE UNDER ORANGE COUNTY'S NATURAL COMMUNITIES CONSERVATION PLAN), COASTAL CACTUS WRENS, ORANGE-THROATED WIPTAIL LIZARDS, AND THE LEAST BELL'S VIDEO. HOWEVER, DUE TO A LONG HISTORY OF CATTLEGRAZING, MUCH OF THE BACKCOUNTRY AND COASTAL TERRACES HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO ANNUAL GRASSLANDS DOMINATED BY INVASIVE PLANTS SUCH AS BLACK MUSTARD. BESIDES THE DAMAGE DONE BY RANCHING, THE LAND IS ALSO BEING IMPACTED BY DROUGHT, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AN EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF DAILY VISITORS WHO WORRY THEY MAY BE LOVING THE PARK TO DEATH. THESE CHALLENGES ARE NOT UNIQUE TO CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK. THE PARK IS PART OF A LARGER, CONTIGUOUS OPEN SPACE, AND MANY AREAS ACROSS ORANGE COUNTY AND UP AND DOWN THE COAST HAVE BEEN DRASTICALLY AFFECTED BY THESE SAME CHALLENGES. THE LAND HAS BEEN LEFT WITH STRESSED NATIVE PLANTS AND DEPLETED SEED BANKS STRUGGLING AGAINST HOTTER, DRIER WEATHER, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REBOUND ON ITS OWN WITHOUT INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT - BUT DEVELOPING AND ASSESSING THE STRATEGIES THAT WOULD WORK BEST TAKES A SCIENTIFIC TACTIC THAT STATE PARKS OFTEN DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO COORDINATE. OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE CONSERVANCY HAS STEPPED INTO A NEW ROLE TO SUPPORT THE PARK'S NATURAL RESOURCES TEAM IN DEVELOPING A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING OPTIMAL RESTORATION STRATEGIES WHICH WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HELP OTHER LAND MANAGERS THROUGHOUT THE LARGER SOUTH COAST WILDERNESS OPEN SPACE AND BEYOND.

  Expenses $159,519

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

Listed in Part VII

• LESLIE ANN 'TEDDIE' RAY

  CHAIR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• DOUG LE BON

  VICE CHAIR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• RICHARD SWINNEY

  SECRETARY

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• ERIC SMYTH

  TREASURER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• ALAN BEDEKAR

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• ANIE AKLIAN ROBINSON

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• CALEB SILSBY

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• CYD SWERDLOW

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• GAVIN HERBERT

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• GERALD F SCHECK

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• GLENN BOZARTH

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• JEFFREY COLE

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• LAURA DAVICK

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• MAGNUS EGERSTEDT

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• MARA MURRAY

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• SARA LOWELL

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• STEPHANIE QUESADA

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• STEPHEN ZOTOVICH

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• NATHAN CHIAVERINI

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• AL BENNETT

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• SHELLEY THUNEN

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• SHANNON KATE WHEELER

  PRESIDENT/CEO

  Total calculated

  $495,852

  From this org

  $485,420

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $10,432

  Hours/week

  40

  Schedule J breakdown matched by us

  Base

  $240,700

  Bonus

  $244,720

  Other

  $0

  Deferred

  $1,907

  Nontaxable benefits

  $8,525

  Filer's total

  $495,852

• HALLIE JONES

  VICE PRESIDENT

  Total calculated

  $237,182

  From this org

  $234,725

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $2,457

  Hours/week

  40

  Schedule J breakdown matched by us

  Base

  $49,725

  Bonus

  $185,000

  Other

  $0

  Deferred

  $0

  Nontaxable benefits

  $2,457

  Filer's total

  $237,182

• CINDY OTTO

  DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

  Total calculated

  $241,081

  From this org

  $208,538

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $32,543

  Hours/week

  40

  Schedule J breakdown matched by us

  Base

  $102,138

  Bonus

  $106,400

  Other

  $0

  Deferred

  $3,553

  Nontaxable benefits

  $28,990

  Filer's total

  $241,081

• REX AUSTIN BARROW

  CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

  Total calculated

  $357,018

  From this org

  $0

  From related orgs

  $337,847

  Other

  $19,171

  Hours/week

  40

  Schedule J breakdown matched by us

  Base

  $0 + $164,247 related

  Bonus

  $0 + $173,600 related

  Other

  $0

  Deferred

  $0 + $5,616 related

  Nontaxable benefits

  $0 + $13,555 related

  Filer's total

  $0 + $357,018 related

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. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

• UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE

  $74,665

  SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH PROGRAM.

• CRYSTAL COVE MANAGEMENT COMPANY

  $0

  RESTORATION OF HISTORIC COTTAGES ON STATE OF CA PARK LAND MANAGED BY RECIPIENT.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2023

Filed

12 May 2025

IRS schema version

2023v6.0

Source object

202511339349308476

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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