RIVER FIELDS INC

Programs

1. Land conservation - this important program area focuses on the protection, mostly permanent, of natural and cultural resources including scenic and agricultural resources through voluntary conservation easements or purchase of land in fee simple. We work directly with interested landowners and citizens as they decide whether to execute conservation easements or donate their land. With almost 2,200 acres of farmland of cultural landscapes, wetlands, open space, river corridor and watershed properties now protected forever from unwise development, river fields provides a strong, clear voice for land conservation that is listened to throughout this region and beyond. We hold easement in three counties - jefferson, oldham, and shelby county all of which are in the ohio river watershed. We hold and monitor annually 19 conservation easements, seven of which are historic preservation and conservation easements held jointly with the ky heritage council, kentucky's agency for historic preservation. One major easement, the 400-acre shelby trails park, is open to the public year-round. Importantly, river fields also has 10 properties held in fee simple, most of which is open to the public.…

   $207,032 spent
   69% of program spending

2. Education - encourage and empower all citizens to protect the river and its surrounding lands. Our largest email list allows us to communicate with any person who signs up. We send out educational information, alerts about public meetings and critical issues that impact the ohio river corridor. We accept every opportunity to train and educate the public, neighborhoods, and professional advisors to landowners. We offer annual educational events on protected lands, always led by a professional. River fields works closely with its members, governmental agencies, civic organizations and news media to strengthen the community involvement and knowledge about environmental issues and other important topics. We train regional citizens and leaders on the legal and professional operational elements of land conservation. We are particularly adept at educating citizens about the federal law, section 106 which helps stakeholders reduce, and mitigate negative impacts on historic properties from a federal undertaking.

   $48,570 spent
   16% of program spending

3. Advocacy - river fields takes positions based only on the facts and the law. We seek creative solutions that promote protection and enhancement of natural, scenic historic and agricultural resources and open spaces. We promote planned development and growth management, greater public access, rational transportation decisions and good urban design. We are proud of our reputation as a willing negotiator in efforts to promote natural and historic, land conservation, preservation of environmentally sensitive land and wise water use. We always work toward the protection of clean air, soil, water, and historic neighborhoods. We are a lead non-profit in the preservation of historic african american resources which are so often ignored. For example, for over eight years, the neighborhood plan for an important historic african american neighborhood, which has state-wide significance, has been an advocacy priority. River fields funded the work of the center for neighborhoods, another partner, to lead that neighborhood plan. In 2020, the neighborhood plan was approved by the louisville metro council. The advocacy program covers decisions from countless local, state, and federal agencies. In…

   $39,205 spent
   13% of program spending

4. Youth engagement: we work with a partner organization to provide free nature-based programming on our lands to teens in foster care, hoping to cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. Partnerships: we work with the ohio river way and the ohio river basin alliance to advocate for large-scale ecological, recreational, cultural, and economic investment and restoration of the entire stretch of the ohio river.

   $7,000 spent
   2% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $301,807.