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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: February 2026 Expires: February 2028

Wildlands Conservancy

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
(610) 965-4397
3701 Orchid Place
Emmaus, PA, 18049
https://www.wildlandspa.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Wildlands Conservancy meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways, and educate the community to create a legacy of a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations."

Year, State Incorporated:
1973, PA

Wildlands Conservancy reports that it serves as the land trust of the Lehigh River watershed, dedicated to protecting and connecting people to nature through three core service areas: land protection, environmental stewardship, and get-outdoors experiences. Through its land protection efforts, the organization states that it has protected more than 60,000 acres of critical natural lands across ten counties. This work includes the permanent protection of properties through direct ownership or transfer to other conservation entities, ensuring that ecologically important lands remain preserved for future generations. Wildlands Conservancy reports that it manages 14 nature preserves, each offering public access to open space while conserving wildlife habitats, forest corridors, wetlands, and waterways. The organization actively restores and enhances natural systems that support biodiversity and improve water quality throughout the region. Projects include riparian buffer plantings, streambank stabilization, invasive species management, and the reestablishment of native vegetation to create resilient habitats for fish and wildlife. Wildlands Conservancy also provides get-outdoors experiences and environmental education events to create community awareness and appreciation of the natural world.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Wildlands Conservancy's program expenses were:

Conservation $1,933,589
Education $752,800
Total Program Expenses $2,686,389

Chief Executive
Christopher M. Kocher, President

Compensation*
$209,990

Chair of the Board
Michael Stershic

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Executive Director, Discover Lehigh Valley

Board Size
23

Paid Staff Size
48

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)

Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,999,498, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Wildlands Conservancy's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Contributions $3,985,866
Program service revenue $576,479
Realized and unrealized gain on investments, net $257,217
Investment income, net $115,352
Other income $58,050
Special events, net $13,632
Total Income $5,006,596

Programs: 76% Fundraising: 14% Administrative: 10%

Total Income $5,006,596
Total expenses: $3,548,140
  Program expenses $2,686,389
  Fundraising expenses $494,388
  Administrative expenses $367,363
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,458,456
Beginning Net Assets $12,448,353
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $13,906,809
Total Liabilities $857,647
Total Assets $14,764,456

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance