Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards

EIN: 472407669 501(c)(3) Environment

Asheville, NC

Total Revenue
$1,216,976
Total Expenses
$1,193,208
Total Assets
$360,918
Net Assets
$210,024
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2014
Legal Domicile
NC
Principal Officer
Paul Dickens
Phone
8287851517
Tax Period
2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, founded in 2014, is a community nonprofit in the Environment sector that reported $1.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Revenue grew 18% year-over-year, indicating healthy expansion.

Mission

SAWS sets standards of excellence that inspire, connect, and equip people to steward wild public lands. SAWS provides trail maintenance, restoration, construction, ranger patrols, and disaster recovery in remote and wilderness areas; offers technical training in stewardship and crosscut saw use; and engages communities, volunteers, and the public in transformational conservation and education efforts.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $866,203 Revenue: $991,046

Wilderness Stewardship Program: In partnership with federal agencies, SAWS wilderness rangers provide trail maintenance, collect stewardship data, monitor wilderness character, and engage public land...

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Wilderness Stewardship Program: In partnership with federal agencies, SAWS wilderness rangers provide trail maintenance, collect stewardship data, monitor wilderness character, and engage public land visitors with local information and Leave No Trace education. In 2024, we delivered 29,330 hours of stewardship across 26 wilderness areas in 6 states, connected with 3,956 visitors, removed 803 pounds of trash, and authored 61 technical wilderness documents contributing thousands of data points for recreation site and solitude monitoring.

Program 2

Trail Infrastructure Program: Across federal public lands, SAWS field crews maintain, restore, and construct trail tread and infrastructure in remote and wilderness areas. In 2024, we brushed over 15...

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Trail Infrastructure Program: Across federal public lands, SAWS field crews maintain, restore, and construct trail tread and infrastructure in remote and wilderness areas. In 2024, we brushed over 15 miles of trail corridor, built 552 feet of rock cribbing, maintained 208 drainage features, installed 56 rock steps, removed 649 downed trees, and constructed 7,328 feet of new trail tread. Training and Education Program: SAWS delivers specialized training in wilderness stewardship, crosscut saw use, wilderness first aid, trail infrastructure, Leave No Trace, and public land management. In 2024, we co-led the annual Wilderness Skills Institute serving 183 participants, 10 national forests and regions, and 28 partner organizations through 9 free courses over two weeks, providing certifications and hands-on learning opportunities to agency staff, partners, and volunteers to promote excellence in stewardship. Additionally, we led 21 trainings including certifying 135 crosscut saw sawyers under U.S. Forest Service standards.

Program 3

Workforce Development Program: SAWS provides paid field positions and leadership development opportunities to the next generation of conservation stewards. In 2024, we created 25 new jobs and...

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Workforce Development Program: SAWS provides paid field positions and leadership development opportunities to the next generation of conservation stewards. In 2024, we created 25 new jobs and delivered 4,720 hours of professional development training for seasonal crews, rangers, and specialists who gained hands-on experience in conservation, trail work, and leadership. Many alumni return for additional seasons or go on to careers in conservation, natural resource management, and public land service. Disaster Response Program: SAWS maintains expert C-certified sawyers and trail specialists ready to lead and mobilize crews for natural disaster response in wilderness areas using traditional tools and adhering to wilderness law and policy. In 2024, SAWS responded to two natural disasters on federal land: Tropical Storm Fred on the Pisgah Ranger District, National Forest in North Carolina and flood damage on the Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest. Community Engagement Program: Across the Southern Appalachian Mountains, SAWS engages community volunteers, partners, and the public through stewardship projects, educational outreach, and collaborative events. In 2024, we hosted 98 stewardship events including 62 volunteer projects, 21 trainings, 13 outreach events, and 2 education events. These efforts supported 4,020 hours of volunteer stewardship service.

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Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2023)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $224,067
Program Service Revenue $991,046
Investment Income $1,863
Other Revenue $0
TOTAL REVENUE $1,216,976

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $70,125
Salaries & Benefits $884,673
Fundraising Expenses $88,326
Program Expenses $866,203
Other Expenses $238,410
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,193,208

Year-over-Year Comparison

2023 2022 Change
Revenue $1,216,976 $1,034,257 +0.2%
Expenses $1,193,208 $1,031,898 +0.2%
Net Income $23,768 $2,359 +9.1%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
8
Independent Members
8
Employees
27
Volunteers
150

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$140,217
Total Directors
8
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Kaitlin de Varona Executive Director 40.00
Officer
$57,699 $25,577 $83,276
Tracy Harrell Finance Director 40.00
Officer
$50,638 $6,303 $56,941
Chris Sporl Chair 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Nealon DeVore Secretary 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Paul Dickens Treasurer 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Bart Hawley Board Member 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Aliya Naim Board Member 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Anya Boyko Board Member 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Lornett Vestal Board Member 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Kim Smith Woodford Board Member 0.25
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2024 $1,216,976 $1,193,208 $360,918 $23,768
2023 $1,034,257 $1,031,898 $264,775 $2,359
2022 $1,236,805 $1,128,261 $252,577 $108,544
2021 $1,067,088 $1,043,097 $134,823 $23,991
2020 $972,676 $926,471 $193,183 $46,205
2019 $935,536 $1,019,904 $101,805 $-84,368
2018 $1,050,975 $1,083,861 $200,336 $-32,886
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