2021 IMPACT REPORT
Protecting more land across the state
Last year was a big year for TLC. We announced our transition to a new regional stewardship staff structure with program directors in North Texas, East Texas, and the Hill Country. This new approach will increase our ability to protect more land in each area and allow us to host more events near you that will connect you to the land you are helping to protect. We also announced a new responsibility for TLC. We have initiated agreements with two conservation organizations to transfer their protected lands to the TLC portfolio, totaling 53 conservation projects.
2021 Conservation Highlights
In 2021, we added 6,237 more acres to TLC’s protected properties. These conservation successes could not have happened without your continued support.
Flat Tire Ranch, 295 acres
Donated Conservation Easement
Its location is adjacent to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area, helping to create and expand this protected landscape in Texas.
Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm, 145 acres
Donated Conservation Easement
This historic farm will continue to allow for discovery of the natural world—visitors will find a place in Ellis County untouchable to encroaching development.
The New Regional Approach
Starting from an all-volunteer organization, TLC has seen a lot of changes over the last 39 years—leading up to now with a professional staff of six. As our portfolio has grown to a total of 115,223 protected acres, we have become increasingly aware of the need to deepen our work in specific regions and better support both staff and landowners with the resources they need.
In 2021, TLC implemented a new regional stewardship team structure with Amber Arseneaux focused in North Texas, Stephen Ramirez in the Hill Country, our newest addition to the TLC team, Tyler Brady in East Texas, and Ellen Gass transitioning to Conservation Director —a dramatic shift from the previous structure of two stewardship staff splitting 120 properties across the entire state.
This new approach is an important opportunity to strengthen relationships in each region, provide greater land stewardship, and increase our ability to protect more land in each area.
Expanding the TLC Portfolio
As an accredited land trust in Texas with a solid reputation of conservation success, TLC was able to take on a new responsibility. We initiated agreements with two conservation organizations to transfer their protected lands to the TLC portfolio.
After almost 40 years of conservation work in North Texas, Connemara Conservancy Foundation (CCF) has made the decision to transition their focus to connecting people with nature through their Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve. Consequently, TLC will acquire their 33 conservation projects, totaling almost 7,100 acres of protected land across North Texas, ensuring their permanent protection.
Likewise, the Hill Country Land Trust (HCLT) board of directors made a similar decision and was confident that with such a close overlap in focus area and mission, TLC would be the right group to take over the permanent protection of their 20 conservation projects, totaling 8,400 acres in the heart of the Hill Country.
Both organizations leave behind a legacy of conservation. We are grateful to their board, volunteers, and landowners for their dedication and continued work of protecting the land, water, and wildlife of Texas.
Connecting to Nature
Still determined to to keep our community connected not only to nature but to each other, TLC staff found ways to get people outside together through volunteer workdays, guided hikes, and a camping weekend.
2021 Financials
| REVENUES | 2021 | 2020 |
| Stewardship & Legal Defense Fund | 208,475 | 400,830 |
| Contributions | 281,851 | 273,083 |
| Grants | 642,000 | 255,200 |
| Dividends & Interest | 425,356 | 139,607 |
| Royalties | 9,339 | 15,442 |
| Gain (loss) securities | 10,000 | - |
| Other | 48,495 | 35,878 |
| TOTAL REVENUE | $1,625,516 | $1,120,040 |
| EXPENSES | 2021 | 2020 |
| Conservation Programs | 558,559 | 476,004 |
| Management | 145,379 | 123,892 |
| Fundraising | 61,212 | 52,165 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | $762,150 | $652,061 |
| ASSETS | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash and Equivalent | 494,166 | 267,890 |
| Investment | ||
| Stewardship Fund | 5,653,306 | 4,958,557 |
| Operating Fund | 3,190,725 | 2,897,202 |
| Montgomery Trust | 2,170,364 | 2,170,315 |
| Baird Trust | 974,535 | - |
| Other Current Assets | 276,031 | 271,831 |
| Properties | 4,270,359 | 3,645,358 |
| NET ASSETS | $17,029,486 | $14,211,153 |