Elkhorn Slough Foundation Strategic Initiative July 2010 June 2015

Transcription

1 Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin Strategic Initiative July 2010 June 2015 Adpted May 12, 2010 By the Bard f Directrs 1

2 CONTENTS Executive Summary 3 Missin and Visin 4 Map f Elkhrn Slugh..5 Cntext and Overview 6 The Planning Prcess.7 Strategic Initiative Overview..8 Our Cnservatin Actins Strategic Initiative Outcmes.10 Missin Success: Gals, Strategies and Objectives..11 2

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The missin f the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin (ESF) is t cnserve and restre Elkhrn Slugh and its watershed. This Strategic Initiative fr utlines hw ESF will pursue this missin and cntinues the wrk laid ut in the Strategic Initiative This plan takes int cnsideratin the lessns f ur 28 year histry including the key dcument f ur 1999 Watershed Cnservatin Plan, which remains the verall blueprint fr ur cnservatin effrts. This dcument utlines ESF's strategic and rganizatinal apprach t prtecting Elkhrn Slugh, including ur missin and visin, ur cnservatin activities, specific utcmes during the next five years and gals, strategies and bjectives that will guide ur wrk. The plan describes ur activities in three basic categries: what we ll d t achieve ur missin (the first fur gals belw); hw we ll build and maintain the rganizatinal capacity necessary t achieve ur missin; hw we ll maintain ur fiscal health. The plan s six majr gals establish ur fcus fr the next five years: Cnserve and prtect key lands in the Elkhrn Slugh Watershed. Manage these prtected lands including wrking farms and ranches t cnserve their natural resurces and demnstrate successful cnservatin use. Supprt prgrams and activities at the Elkhrn Slugh Reserve that are cmplimentary with ur missin. Disseminate cnservatin knwledge t engage the cmmunity and advance the value, purpse, and effectiveness f cnservatin. Build and value ur human resurces t create the culture and capability fr lng term stability and success. Assure the fiscal strength and stability f the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin. The plan describes the majr strategies we ll pursue in rder t achieve these gals, and includes the specific bjectives we ve set t help us measure prgress. This plan utlines ur gals fr the next five years guiding the directin f mre in-depth annual planning and budgeting. The annual plans, which are cmpleted as part f the fiscal year budget prcess, prvide an pprtunity t measure the prgress being made twards the gals laid ut in this plan, as well as detailing actins and target cmpletin dates. All dates are based n ESF s fiscal year July 1 t June 30. 3

4 MISSION AND VISION The missin f the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin is t cnserve and restre Elkhrn Slugh and its watershed. We see Elkhrn Slugh and its watershed prtected frever. As ne f Califrnia's last great castal wetlands, Elkhrn Slugh will remain a wellspring f life and a surce f inspiratin fr generatins t cme. We see a dynamic balance between human use and natural health. As a wrking landscape, Elkhrn Slugh is a place where peple, agriculture, industry and nature thrive tgether. 4

5 Prtected Lands f the Elkhrn Slugh Watershed The Elkhrn Slugh watershed cnsists f 45,000 acres. Currently there are mre than 8,000 apprximately 18% f the watershed under cnservatin prtectin. The Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin wns nearly 2,600 acres and is the single largest land wner in the watershed. Additinally, we prvide stewardship management fr anther 1,000 acres. The map belw utlines the lands prtected within the watershed. 5

6 CONTEXT AND OVERVIEW The last strategic initiative was apprved in Nvember The fcus n that plan was t acquire key parcels f land within the watershed in rder t ensure its cnservatin and restratin. With the drastic change in the ecnmy, ESF nw has the pprtunity t reexamine its gals in light f the new nrmal and the accmplishments set and achieved in the last strategic initiative. A Brief Histry f ESF's strategic directins ESF was frmed in 1982 primarily t supprt the wrk f the newly created Elkhrn Slugh Reserve. Its early successes included the creatin f the vlunteer, educatin and research prgrams at the Reserve and pening and expanding public access. Within a decade ESF tk n a new rle, when it began managing 800 acres f land wned by The Nature Cnservancy. By the late 1990s ESF made the strategic decisin t becme a land trust with the explicit gal t acquire, prtect, and manage land impacting Elkhrn Slugh. In 1999 ESF adpted the Watershed Cnservatin Plan, develped with key partners, which remains the basis fr the current Strategic Initiative. This plan calls fr the balanced cnservatin f land and embraced the ntin f a "wrking landscape." Since adptin f the Watershed Cnservatin Plan ESF has raised mre than $30 millin fr land acquisitin, restratin and stewardship. Since the last strategic initiative was established ESF acquired mre than 600 additinal acres t help cmplete the Nrthern Crescent and start prtectin f the Mr Cj area. ESF currently manages mre than 3,600 acres f cnservatin lands. Alng with increasing the number f acres in prtectin, the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin made prgress n each gal utlined in the Strategic Initiative. The highlights f these accmplishments illustrate the underpinning f ESF s success a passin fr this land, 6

7 cperatin with ur surrunding neighbrs and cmmunity, and supprt f the ESNERR. These highlights include: 450 acres f degraded land actively restred Eradicatin f nn-native invasive jubata grass n 2,000 acres Implemented best management practices n ESF farmlands Near cmpletin f prtectin f the Nrthern Crescent f Elkhrn Slugh Enhanced technlgy fr staff and bard, increasing efficiency Administered federal grants and cllabrating n $4 millin stimulus funded grant fr Tidal Wetlands Prject Implemented cntingency planning successfully during ecnmic dwnturn Obtained funding fr land acquisitin and stewardship Engagement f the public thrugh vlunteer stewardship prjects and special events These achievements are n small task and have required time and mney, as well as expanding and training ur talented staff. Each accmplishment is a step in ur nging missin t cnserve and restre the Elkhrn Slugh and its watershed. THE PLANNING PROCESS It was vital t review and determine ur success and shrtfalls with the Strategic Initiative in rder t develp ur plans fr the next five years. This review was the first step in updating the initiative. The change in the current ecnmic situatin and future frecast were als a fcus f this review. Creating a plan withut cnsidering these factrs wuld be impractical. The staff then updated the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin Bard f Directrs n the prgress and challenges f the previus initiative. The Strategic Initiative has been develped based n this review prcess. Additinally, this plan has been created in an effrt t serve ur cmmunity while balancing envirnmental, human, and financial realities. As in previus years, we will use this verarching initiative in ur annual planning and budgeting prcess. Annual plans will fcus n the vital few bjectives critical t mving the rganizatin tward the lng-range bjectives shwn in the plan. Management staff will review the rganizatin s prgress quarterly and make adjustments as apprpriate. The highest pririties will be tracked and prgress will be reprted t the bard every six mnths. In recgnitin f the need fr flexibility and respnding t changing cnditins, the five year plan will be reviewed annually and, if necessary, updated by management and the bard. Fr cnsistency, the terms used in the previus Strategic Initiative will be maintained in this dcument and the annual plans. Gal: An utcme statement that guides a prgram r management functin. Strategy: A crdinated, brad apprach r directin adpted by an rganizatin in respnse t the envirnment s that the rganizatin can achieve its purpse. Objective: A measurable, time-phased result that supprts the achievement f a gal. Objectives in this plan are t be SMART S = Stretch, M = Measurable, A = Attainable, R = Realistic, and T = Time Cnstrained 7

8 An Overview f the Strategic Initiative During the next five years we will build n ur past success and the guiding dcuments that have cntributed t thse successes. We will take every pprtunity t prtect either thrugh the acquisitin f prperty r cnservatin easement key parcels effecting the health and future f the Elkhrn Slugh. We will launch the secnd phase f a ten year effrt t prtect the Suthern Crescent and expand the Elkhrn Slugh Reserve. We will wrk t cmplete prtectin f the Nrthern Crescent f lands in the Elkhrn Highlands. We will cntinue t add t the lands we have prtected in Mr Cj Slugh and cmplete the next phase f its restratin. We will seek pprtunities t cnserve and restre lands n the Springfield Terrace including the permanent prtectin f prductive farm land. We will cntinue t apply cutting edge research and management techniques t steward the land under ur care. We will persist t restre degraded lands, prtect endangered habitats, and practice envirnmentally healthy farming. We will maintain and increase ur supprt fr the Elkhrn Slugh Reserve, as the center f educatinal, research and public access fr the Slugh. We will prvide and expand respnsible public access t Elkhrn Slugh and its surrunding areas, while maintaining the prtectin f the land, water, and life f the slugh and thse seeking t explre and enjy it. Elkhrn Slugh is uniquely set in a true wrking landscape. The area cnsists f residential, industrial, business and agricultural prperties, as well as thse cnserved. Frm the beginning the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin has understd that the prtectin f Elkhrn Slugh can be achieved nly thrugh the creatin and nurturing f strng wrking partnerships. In the next five years, we will develp plans t mre fully engage the varius cmmunities in the area in the cnservatin f Elkhrn Slugh striving t make prtecting the envirnment a cmmunity activity. We will set the standard fr a nn-prfit land trust successfully cnserving critical habitat while respecting the fact that thers live and wrk ff this land. We highlight the key rle f ur partner, the Elkhrn Slugh Natinal Estuarine Research Reserve, and during the next five years we will enhance ur supprt f the Reserve and its researchers and prjects. Thrugh this partnership, we will play a key rle in Tidal Wetland Prject and explre the impact f climate change and sea level rise n the land and Slugh. Achieving these ambitius gals will require that the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin cntinue t evlve as an rganizatin and s we will devte attentin in the next five years t strengthening ur rganizatinal and human resurce capacity. We will cntinue t refine the planning prcess t mre effectively create annual plans and budgets that supprt the bjectives and gals f this Strategic Initiative. Accmplishing these gals will require a substantial increase in cmmunity supprt. Over the next five years we will increase the number f members and dnatins t supprt ur wrk. We will raise mre than $2.5 millin in dnatins and private grants cumulatively. We will cntinue t build ur endwment frm its current amunt f $3 millin t $6 millin by 2015 and eventually t $10 millin by We mve int the next five years aware f hw much remains t be dne. Because we knw hw much has already been accmplished, we are cnfident that these gals can be achieved. We are cmmitted t prtecting this great and threatened natural resurce fr the health f the envirnment and enjyment f future generatins. 8

9 OUR CONSERVATION ACTIONS Because Elkhrn Slugh is the ne f the largest remaining castal wetlands in Califrnia, we are cmmitted t the fllwing actins we believe will help prtect Elkhrn Slugh frever: 1. We will serve as mdel stewards f the land under ur care, cntinually mnitring and adapting ur land management appraches. 2. We will prtect vital habitats, either thrugh the acquisitin f prperty r cnservatin easements. 3. We will demnstrate n ur lands the cmpatibility f well-managed farming and ther land uses with envirnmental prtectin and prmte the cnservatin f wrking landscapes. We embrace the psitive rle humanity can have n the landscape. 4. We will engage and educate key cnstituencies and the brader cmmunity abut the value f and threats t this rare and endangered envirnment and abut hw we can all wrk t further its prtectin. 5. We will wrk in partnership with thers t accmplish these gals. Smetimes we will take n a leadership rle, smetimes a catalytic rle, smetimes a supprtive rle depending n the situatin. 6. We will serve as a mdel and leader in the cnservatin and nn-prfit cmmunities, sharing ur experience and encuraging all players t learn frm each ther. Taken tgether, these activities are essential t achieving the future expressed in ur visin statement t prtect Elkhrn Slugh, and ther wetlands, frever. 9

10 STRATEGIC INITIATIVE OUTCOMES All f the wrk cnducted by the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin is in the effrt t achieve ur visin f the Elkhrn Slugh and its watershed prtected frever, a wellspring f life and a surce f inspiratin fr generatins t cme. Each year during this Strategic Initiative we will mve clser t that visin. Detailed strategies and bjectives are utlined and updated annually t ensure success, hwever we have identified the fllwing verarching utcmes fr this plan. During the next five years, the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin will cmplete transitin f The Nature Cnservancy s Elkhrn Slugh watershed preserved land t ESF wnership maximizing the pprtunity t cmmunicate and prmte the verall cnservatin f Elkhrn Slugh. cmplete the Reginal Water Quality Bard (RWQB) Elkhrn Slugh Envirnmental Enhancement and Mitigatin Plan. review, refine, and update the Elkhrn Slugh cnservatin plan assuring prtectin f the Springfield Terrace, Elkhrn Highlands, and Mr Cj Slugh. facilitate high quality stewardship f ur lands t ensure a healthy landscape where peple, farming, and nature mutually thrive. cntinue ur active partnership with the Elkhrn Slugh Reserve by; managing grant funding, supprting Reserve prgrams, and adding prtected land t the Reserve, as apprpriate. supprt the Elkhrn Slugh Tidal Wetland Prject thrugh the implementatin f the Parsn s Slugh restratin plan. invest in cntinued develpment f ur human resurces thrugh training, evaluatin, and psitive cmmunicatin. generate a strng and steady stream f cntributins frm individuals, business, and fundatins that is cnsistent with meeting ur evlving cnservatin gals. assess all steps necessary in each functinal area t achieve Land Trust Alliance (LTA) cmpliance. 10

11 STRATEGIC INITIATIVE JULY 2010 JUNE 2015 GOALS AND STRATEGIES Cnserve and prtect key lands in the watershed Review and refine ur 15 year acquisitin plan and define missin success. Transfer Nature Cnservancy lands t ESF. Prtect key land and land uses thrugh easements, including prductive farm land and grundwater recharge zne. Acquire key prperties t prtect rare and threatened habitats, cntingent n funding. Manage prtected lands t cnserve their natural resurces and demnstrate successful cnservatin use Restre degraded natural areas. Prtect habitat needs and functinality fr rare and endangered species using latest science. Manage a sund cnservatin easement (CE) prgram. Utilize vlunteers where pssible t supprt land management activities. Manage wrking lands t supprt healthy fd prductin while maintaining apprpriate land stewardship ethic. Cntrl spread f target invasive nn-native plant species. Expand public access pssibilities and educatinal pprtunities. Supprt prgrams and activities at the Elkhrn Slugh Natinal Estuarine Research Reserve that are cmplementary t ur missin Redefine and reinvigrate the ESF/Reserve partnership. Prvide administrative supprt fr grant funded educatin and research activities at the Reserve. Assist the Reserve s land acquisitin prgram. Prvide direct funding assistance t supprt Reserve activities. Crdinate publicity and cmmunicatins abut Elkhrn Slugh with the Reserve. Disseminate cnservatin knwledge t engage the cmmunity and advance the value, purpse and effectiveness f cnservatin. Participate in the Tidal Wetland Prject s develpment and implementatin. Prmte the cncept and value f cnservatin within the Elkhrn Slugh Cmmunity. Prmte the cncept f land cnservatin in a wrking landscape. Build and nurture frmal and infrmal cnnectins with stakehlders and clleagues. 11

12 Actively participate in natinal, state and reginal cnservatin rganizatins. Encurage scientific research and land management experimentatin n ur lands and thrughut the watershed. Serve lcal cmmunity needs fr educatin and enjyment thrugh eclgically sustainable public access f Elkhrn Slugh and its watershed. Build and value ur human resurces creating the culture and capability fr lng term stability and success Ensure a strng Bard f Directrs. Create a planning culture t guide ur wrk. Establish a rbust vlunteer prgram that supprts the Reserve s and ESF s missin. Create and maintain a healthy, prductive, cllegial, cllabrative and innvative wrk envirnment and culture. Review and refine plicies and prcedures. Prmte develpment and refinement f leadership capabilities fr Bard and Staff. Assure the fiscal strength and stability f the Elkhrn Slugh Fundatin. Develp and articulate a clear picture f ESF s shrt and lng term revenue and spending needs fr missin success. Raise funds sufficient t acquire the prperties t ensure Missin Success. Increase individual giving supprt t ESF. Expand and increase the diversity f cntributins made t ESF. Explre and ptimize apprpriate land dnatins and revenue. Increase ESF visibility with a defined ESF brand t enhance cntributins and increase dnr lyalty. Increase access t ur lands fr recruitment and cultivatin f members and majr dnrs. Increase annual Bard giving and Bard participatin in fundraising. Cntinue t explre the cncept and feasibility f naming rights fr land features and prperties. Increase develpment and cmmunicatins capacity t achieve abve bjectives. In the full Strategic Plan (available n request), each strategy abve is supprted by a detailed list f Objectives. 12

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