2021-2022 Ann Rpt

2021-2022
DONOR IMPACT REPORT

Calaveras Big Trees Association

Walking in Awe Among Giants

Walking in Awe Among Giants

Photo by Alan Beymer

OUR MISSION

Bringing high quality educational and interpretive programs
to Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Dear Friends,

Vida Kenk

Outgoing President

Watch the 2022 Annual Meeting Board of Directors

2021-2022

Vida Kenk, President
Marcie Powers, Vice-President
Patty Haskell, Vice President
Nancy Gardner, Treasurer
Paul Prescott, Secretary
Jim Allday, Director
Jim Bearden, Director
Bob Boughton, Director
Peter Ralston, Director
Toni Welch, Director

Staff

Jacob Cole, Retail Manager
Sue Hoffmann,

Administrative Officer
Debbie McGee, Bookkeeper

Advisory Council

Merita Callaway
Bret Hewitt
Gail Kautz
Peter Ralston
Richard Engel
Wendy Harrison

Dogwood Festival

Making a Difference at Home

Encouraging Future Stewards of the Park

Junior Rangers and Junior Cubs Programs

Held daily during the summer, kids from ages 3-12 and
enthralled by lessons learned from paek aides and do-
cents. Families from near and far include these programs
in their summer plans.

Creek Critters When I announced end of the session
and told the waders to come to the table,
Creek Critters is a time for exploring Beaver Creek, she asked me if she could go into the
looking for aquatic insects. Pairs of children wade creek one more time and catch another
into the clear, shallow waters, clutching plastic critter.”
cups, turning over rocks and searching intently.
Then some child shrieks, “Look what I found!” And
then another calls out. Within five minutes, the
creek is filled with waders finding critters.

Creek Critter is when children gallop out of the wa-
ter, head to the tables with cup full of critters, and
then pour them into share tubs for everyone to
see. Enthusiastic volunteers help with microscopes
and magnifiers, engaging children in discovery. Si-
erra guidebooks whip open, and young ones be-
come amateur entomologists as they try to identify
what they’ve found.

Story from a docent: “One cute little girl, 5 years
old or so, arrived 10 minutes late with her parents
and two brothers. She was very shy. She said she
wouldn't go to water if she couldn't take her
stuffed rabbit with her. Her parents talked to her
and brothers offered to help.

Astronomy Nights

Making a Difference in Learning

Seminars and Workshops

“Science and Conservation of Giant Se-
quoia Forests in a Rapidly Changing World”

Presented by Anthony Ambrose and Wendy Baxter

.

“Thinking Like a Naturalist” Presented by:

John Muir Laws – SOLD OUT
Workshop – Saturday April 30, 2022 – 10am-3pm –
Ralston Classroom

“John Muir and the Giant Sequoias” Pre-

sented by Michael Wurtz
Seminar – Saturday May 7, 2022 - 10am – 12pm Jack
Knight Hall

Making a Difference

Calaveras Big Trees State Park PORTS Program

(Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) by Lillie Oravetz

"PORTS uses the power of videoconferencing to support K-12 educators in designing
deep and meaningful learning experiences in virtual and in-person classrooms."

How it's done at Big Trees California State Parks Photo

Thanks to funding from Calaveras Big Trees
Association, Lillie Oravetz was hired in the fall
as a permanent intermittent State Park Inter-
preter I to both run the PORTS program during
the school year and do summer in-person pro-
grams for the park.

California State Parks Photo A huge majority of virtual visits were through the On-Demand
programming in which teachers sign up their classes) for 45
minute programs. Programs were offered three times a day,
three days a week- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Any teacher of any age group could sign up. There were
teachers from here in Calaveras County to Ontario, Canada
and from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Programs California State Parks Photo

Giant Sequoia Ecology

In this program, students will be introduced to the wonders
of the biggest tree in the world, the giant sequoia! We will
walk around a giant sequoia grove and discuss the trees’
characteristics, what they need, and how humans have im-
pacted them.

California State Parks Photo Winter Superpowers

Giant sequoias need to survive the bitter winters at Calaveras
Big Trees and they aren’t alone! Students will be introduced
to giant sequoias and other living things that call this place
home as well as their adaptations to handle the winter. This

program mainly takes place inside our Visitor Center muse-
um.

Far and Wide

Fire Ecology California State Parks Photo

California has had many intense wildfires lately but
not all fire is the same. As we walk around a giant
sequoia grove, students will be introduced to the
complexity of fire, how we have influenced it, and
how important it is for the giant sequoia. This pro-
gram is geared toward older students and can be
taken with the Giant Sequoia Ecology program but

Success in Another Way

Statistics are one thing, but kind words are another.

"Thank you, Ranger Lillie. The kids loved it. Not one has been to a forest, so, this was all new to
them. Blessings." - Nancy Prado, 3rd grade

"Hi Lillie,
You are really good at talking to the littles. May presenters are not. Thank
you for the wonderful information and visuals. My students and I LOVED
this! with admiration and respect" - Felicia Suminiski, Kindergarten

"Hi Lillie, My class really enjoyed today’s virtual field trip. Thank you so much!" - Melissa
Abousamra, 1st grade

More in the Future

As Lillie started in mid-November, PORTS programs in September- October
were mainly done by Caleb Masquelier (thanks Caleb!). There were then no
programs until late January. So next school year, hopefully we can introduce
even more students to this wonderful park and the amazing trees it protects.

Making a Difference in Education

Scholarships

California Naturalist Program

Student Conservation Association Interns

California Sate Parks Photo

Making a Difference By the Numbers

Statement of Activities for Year Ended 12/31/2020

REVENUE 2020 2019
Retail (net of cost of goods sold)
Contributions, Grants & Bequests 291,432 378,238
Program fees 131,391 98,186
Investment Income (net) 13,907
Total Revenue (180) 54,434
38,095 544,765
460,738

EXPENSES 114,632 148,992
Program Services 85,621 101,416
Retail Operations 25,023 53,270
Direct Support to the Park 225,275 303,679
Visitor Services & Programs
Total Program Services

Support Services 83,223 80,022
Administrative 51,475 50,670
Fundraising

Total Expenses 359,973 434,371

Change in Net Assets 100,765 110,394

NET ASSETS 680,197 569,803
Beginning of Year 780,962 680,197
End of Year

The 2020 financial statements of Calaveras Big Trees Association Statement of Financial Position at 12/31/2020
show the impact of the Visitor Center being closed for three

months with limited entry for the rest of the year. Despite the Assets
restrictions, the store had sales that that exceeded expectations.
Cash & Equivalents 251,572

Visitors supported the park not only by patronizing the store but Investments 357,036
also by making donations at the register. In 2019, the public Property and Equipment 8,646
donated over $12,000 along with their purchases. In 2020, that Inventory
amount increased to $17,593. 171,668

Because of restrictions due to the pandemic, all programs for the Other Assets 5,673
public were cancelled beginning in March 2020 Expenses were Total Assets 794,594

ongoing for the Commemorative Bench Program, docent activi-

ties, administrative expenses for the interpretive staff, and trail Total Liabilities 13,632
maintenance and trail guides. In addition, Calaveras Big Trees Net Assets
Association awarded two $2,500 scholarships.

Despite a revenue loss of over $180,000 due to the closure, CBTA Without Donor Restriction 593,290
ended the year increasing net assets by over $100,000. This With Donor Restriction 187,672

figure includes unrealized investment gains of $30,000 and the Total Net Assets 780,962
794,594
$38,000 Payroll Protection Program forgiven loan. In addition, Total Liabilities and Net Assets
our expenses were low since we had to cancel programs, and the

public was very supportive by making purchases at the store and

continuing memberships and donations.

Making a Difference in the Future

Interpretive Master Plan

Roadmap for the Future
Calaveras Big Trees Association is proudly
partnering with California State Parks in the
creation and implementation of an Interpre-
tative Master Plan (IMP) for Calaveras Big
Trees State Park. An IMP is a long-range plan
for interpretation and education. It analyzes
the park’s existing interpretive and operation-
al conditions, makes recommendations for
improving the visitor experience, and pro-
vides a unified vision for interpretation. This
long term plan looks to be completed in
about three years. The CBTA investment in
this project is $50,000.

Thanks to All
Who Are Making a Difference!

Calaveras Big Trees Association could not provide the excellent inter-
pretive and educational programs for Calaveras Big Trees State Park

without continued and generous support of our donors.

Badri Ananthanarayanan Julia Prehm
Henry Ralston
Darby Bardini Marilyn Regan
Martha Rubin
Claudia Beymer Vicki Ryman
Georgia Schrum
Alan Beymer Lauren Scott
Scott & Barbara Slobodian
Leslie Blankenship Joseph Sonnenberg
Darcy Sperzel
Blaine Bolich Linda Stack
David Staub
Robert Bordner Danna Sullivan
Susan Sunstrum
Tom & Elaine Cahill Bruce & Nancy Thomsen
Jill Tobia
Jeremy Cantrell Kellie Tripp
Lee Vierra
Mary Anne Carlton Donnalynn Warren
Betty Watson
Michele Carr Kim Howard Adam Weiler
Nico Wiborg
Martin Caxton Scott and Kathleen Huhn Craig Wiesner
Reyna Williams
Gail Davis John and Christa Kell Mickey Williamson
Andrea York-Jennings
Jordan Dragoo Vida Kenk Kay Zimmerman

Donna Eisner Ruth Klingbeil

Dennis & Jane Escola Kay Kopp

Jim and Kenna Fenton Hallie Larsson

Holly and Dave Fields Susanne Leitner

Nancy Gardner/Bill Eppler Donna Liberato

Neva Gazay Gary Lowe

Lorrie Gervin Maya MA

Richard and Janet Ghio Matthew Maclear

Terry & Rick Giorgetti Gail Meany

Robert Giusti Lacey Merryman

Ricardo Gonzalez, Pe Carol and Steve Mertens

Nora and Patrick Hart Philip Michaels

Patricia Haskell Bruce Mitteldorf

Marco Hellman Roger Moseley

Paul Helman Mara Naber

Robert Hendrickson Carol Olds

Carmen & Brett Henrikson Holly & Rodger Orman

Bret Hewitt Curtis Overway

Kristen Hislop James Peet

CBTA Members Are the Difference

With hundreds of members, we can’t name you
all, but CBTA can’t accomplish anything without

your dedicated and continuing support.

Those That Will Always Be Remembered Dany

In memory of: Tom Jones
Kay Parker & Walt Hassinger, Kaaren Babb, James & Virginia Goldsberry,

& Betty Armstrong, Cece Walrond
In memory of: Sylvia Brady

Carol & Charlie Hoenisch
In memory of: Barbara Hurlbut

Joy Hurlbut
In memory of: Faith Roberts

Nancy Burton
In memory of: Don and Rita Gilbeau

Jeanette Corder
In memory of: Jeff Davis

Anonymous donor
In memory of: William Kays

Elizabeth Rowan-Mitchell
In memory of Bill and Betty Souther

Claudia Beymer
In memory of Patrick Heryford

Aaron Rashba
In memory of Carl and Betty Bengston

David Bengston
In memory of Danielle Lynn Grillo

Anne, Victor, Ashley and Eric Grillo Pagan

How You Can Continue to Support Our Mission

Shop at the Visitor Center, every dollar of profit is invested back
into the park.

https:/bigtrees.org/shop
Become a member when you visit or join online at

https://bigtrees.org/cbta-membership/
Donate online at https://bigtrees.org/donate
Become a volunteer docent by calling (209) 795-7980
Express interest in joining the Board by calling (209) 795-1196

Contact Us to Learn More!

209-795-1196 [email protected]
P.O. Box 1196, Arnold CA 95223-1196