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Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Counc

EIN 38-2581056 · Sault S Marie, MI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE LOCAL LEADERSHIP FOR DEVELOPING AND CARRYING OUT A PLAN FOR THE ORDERLY CONSERVATION, IMPROVEMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND WISE USE OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN.

Income
$400,685
Spending
$427,284
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
54
Highest pay
$31,562, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $81,954 spent. MICHIGAN INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM--A MULTI-CISMA PROACTIVE APPROACH TO SAFEGUARD UPPER PENINSULA HEMLOCK. THE UP RC & D COUNCIL WILL UTILIZE THE PARTNERSHIPS OF 3 UP CISMA'S TO EXPAND EDRR EFFORTS FOR MICHIGAN WATCH LIST SPECIES, HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID, THROUGH TARGETED OUTREACH AND DETECTION SURVEY ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS ACROSS 8 MICHIGAN COUNTIES. PROJECT OFFICIALLY CLOSED 8/28/25.
  2. $106,007 spent. MICHIGAN INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM--A MULTI-CISMA RESPONSE TO HIMALAYAN BALSAM IN MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA (UP). UP RC & D COUNCIL WILL UTILIZE THE PARTNERSHIP OF 2 UP CISMA'S TO EXPAND EDRR EFFORTS FOR MICHIGAN WATCH LIST SPECIES, HIMALAYAN BALSAM, THROUGH TARGETED OUTREACH, SURVEY & MANAGEMENT ON PUBLIC AND PROVATE LANDS THROUGHOUT 7 MICHIGAN COUNTIES. PROJECT OFFICIALLY WAS CLOSED 11/4/25.
  3. $33,879 spent. HSF SHARPTAIL & POLLINATOR ENHANCEMENT PA--THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO UTILIZE GREAT LAKE RESTORATION INTIATIVE FUNDS TO ENHANCE HABITAT FOR SHARP-TAILED GROUSE AND POLLINATORS ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONSL FOREST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UPPER PENINSULA RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. SHARP-TAILED GROUSE NUMBERS HAVE DECLINED STEADILY OVER THE LAST DECADE. THIS PROJECT WOULD UTILIZE STRATEGIC PRESCRIBED FIRE AS SITE PREPARATION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PLANTING OF NATIVE WARM SEASON GRASSES TO IMPROVE BOTH COVER AND FORAGING OPPROTUNITIES. ADDITIONALLY, NECTARING OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE IMPROVED ALONG UTILITY CORRIDORS AND OPENINGS TO PROVIDE CONNECTIVE CORRIDORS AND IMPROVE MIGRATORY PATHWAYS FOR POLLINATORS. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD UTILIZE THIS PARTNERSHIP TO STRATEGICALLY TREAT 2,000 ACRES OF OPEN LAND HABITAT WITH PRESCRIBED FIRES AND PLANT 300 ACRES WITH NATIVE WARM SEASON GHRASSES ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST AND 7 ACRES OF UTILITY CORRIDOR AND OPENING WITH WILDFLOWERS ON THE EAST ZONE. TWO MODIFICATIONS WERE ADDED BY USFS, ALLOCATING AN ADDITIONAL 35,000 AND 50,000 TO THE AGREEMENT, WHICH EXTENDED THE AGREEMENT TO 7/31/27. HSF SHARPTAIL & POLLINATOR ENHANCEMENT PA--THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO UTILIZE GREAT LAKE RESTORATION INTIATIVE FUNDS TO ENHANCE HABITAT FOR SHARP-TAILED GROUSE AND POLLINATORS ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONSL FOREST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UPPER PENINSULA RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. SHARP-TAILED GROUSE NUMBERS HAVE DECLINED STEADILY OVER THE LAST DECADE. THIS PROJECT WOULD UTILIZE STRATEGIC PRESCRIBED FIRE AS SITE PREPARATION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PLANTING OF NATIVE WARM SEASON GRASSES TO IMPROVE BOTH COVER AND FORAGING OPPROTUNITIES. ADDITIONALLY, NECTARING OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE IMPROVED ALONG UTILITY CORRIDORS AND OPENINGS TO PROVIDE CONNECTIVE CORRIDORS AND IMPROVE MIGRATORY PATHWAYS FOR POLLINATORS. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD UTILIZE THIS PARTNERSHIP TO STRATEGICALLY TREAT 2,000 ACRES OF OPEN LAND HABITAT WITH PRESCRIBED FIRES AND PLANT 300 ACRES WITH NATIVE WARM SEASON GHRASSES ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST AND 7 ACRES OF UTILITY CORRIDOR AND OPENING WITH WILDFLOWERS ON THE EAST ZONE. TWO MODIFICATIONS WERE ADDED BY USFS, ALLOCATING AN ADDITIONAL 35,000 AND 50,000 TO THE AGREEMENT, WHICH EXTENDED THE AGREEMENT TO 7/31/27.
  4. $100,796 spent. FISHERIES HABITAT GRANT PROGRAM-- AU TRAIN LAKE COOPERATIVE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT INIATIVE. THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH RIPARIAN LANDOWNERS FOUND ALONG THE SHORELINE OF AU TRAIN LAKE TO EDUCATE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SHORELINE VEGETATION AND IN-WATER HABITAT STRUCTURES. PROJECT PARTNERS WILL REINTRODUCE 90-330 COARSE WOODY DEBRIS STRUCTURES THROUGHOUT THE LAKE, RESULTING IN AQUATIC HABITAT ENHANCEMENT AND BOOSTING FISH POPULATIONS. PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND CLOSED OUT ON 2/27/25. GLRI CWMA HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST PA--MANAGING INVASIVE PHRAGMITES ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST--THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO UTILIZE GREAT LAKE RESTORATION INITIATIVE FUNDS TO SUPPRESS NON-NATIVE PHRAGMITES IN PRIORITY AREAS AONG THE GREAT LAKES COASTLINE OF THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UP RC & D. PRISTINE GREAT LAKES COASTAL WETLANDS, SHORELINES, INLAND LAKES, STREAMS AND FORESTS ARE THREATEND BY THE INVASION OF NON-NATIVE PHRAGMITES. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD UTILIZE THIS PARTNERSHIP TO STRATEGICALLY TREAT 60 ACRES OF INVASIVE PHRAGMITES AND EXPAND DETECTION SURVEYS OVER 400 ACRES ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST. A MODIFICATION WAS ADDED BY UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE, ALLOCATING AN ADDITIONAL 60,000 TO THE PROJECT, IN ADDITION TO EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT UNTIL 8/23/2027. FOREST POLLINATORS PA--THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO UTILIZE GREAT LAKE RESTORATION INITIATIVE FUNDS TO ENHANCE HABITAT FOR SHARP-TAILED GROUSE AND POLLINATORS ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UP RC & D. NECTARING OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE IMPROVED ALONG UTILITY CORRIDORS AND OPENINGS TO PROVIDE CONNECTION CORRIDORS AND IMPROVE MIGRATORY PATHWAYS FOR POLLINATORS. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD STRATEGICALLY TREAT 15 ACRES OF UTILITY CORRIDOR AND OPENINGS WITH WILDFLOWERS ON THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST. AGREEMENT EXPIRES 12/31/2028. MICHIGAN INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM--THREE SHORES CISMA CORE FUNCTIONS-SUB AWARD TO UP RC & D THROUGH THE CHIPPEWA LUCE MACKINAC CONSERVATION DISTRICT. THIS WILL COMPLETE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT WORK ASSOCIATED WITH HABITAT RESTORATION ON THE MAXTON PLAINS OF DRUMMOND ISLAND, IN ADDITION TO BUILDING PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY CAPACITY THROUGH ADDITIONAL GRANT PURSUIT. PROJECT CLOSED 9/4/25. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY-GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INIATIVE--EXPANDING PHRAGMITES MANAGEMENT IN MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA. FACITILIATED A UP WIDE EFFORT TO FUNCTIONALY ERADICATE PHRAGMITES FROM MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA, IN PARTICULAR THE LAKE SUPERIOR WATERSHED THROUGH A JOINT PARTNERSHIP EFFORT WITH DNR FISHERIES DIVISION AND ALL 5 UP CISMA'S TO SURVEY 8,750 LINEAR MILES AND TREAT 77 ACRES. PROJECT OFFICIALLY CLOSED 12/31/24. A SMALL AMOUNT OF PAYROLL OCCURRED IN JANUARY 2025 FOR WORK DONE IN DECEMBER 2024. MICHIGAN INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM--ENHANCING SURVEILLANCE FOR HWA ACROSS MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA. THE UP RC & D COUNCIL WILL UTILIZE THE PARTNERSHIPS OF 3 UP CISMA'S TO EXPAND EDRR EFFORTS FOR MICHIGAN WATCH LIST SPECIES, HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID, THROUGH TARGETED OUTREACH AND DETECTION SURVEY ON PUBLIC & PRIVATE LANDS ACROSS 8 MICHIGAN COUNTIES. PROJECT WILL CLOSE 4/30/27. US FISH & WILDLIFE COASTAL PROGRAM--SUB AWARD TO UP RC & D. THE UP RC & D COUNCIL WILL RECEIVE A SUB AWARD FROM THREE SHORES CISMA FIDUCIARY, THE CHIPPEWA LUCE MACKINAC CONSERVATION DISTRICT, TO ESTABLISH 30 SITES WITHIN A SELECTED REGION OF GREAT LAKES MARSH, AND CONDUCT SECRETIVE MARSHBIRD SURVEYS. THE PROJECT GOAL IS TO COMPARE THE PRESENCE/ABSENCE DATA OF VARIOUS SPECIES, WITH THE PRESENCE/ABSENCE OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES, EUROPEAN FROG-BIT. UP RC & D STAFF WILL ALSO AID IN 4 REMOVAL EFFORTS WITH CISMA STAFF DURING THE SUMMERS OF 2025 AND 2026. PROJECT IS DUE TO CONCLUDE 12/31/26. POINT AUX CHENES SENSITIVE SPECIES PROTECTION & HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PA--THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO UTILIZE GREAT LAKE RESTORATION INITIATIVE FUNDS TO ENHANCE HABITATS FOR FEDERALLY LISTED AND REGIONAL FORESTER'S SENSITIVE SPECIES AFFILIATED WITH GREAT LAKES COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UPPER PENINSULA RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. THIS PROJECT WOULD ENHANCE HABITAT AND PROVIDE PROTECTION OF PIPING PLOVER, PIPING CLOVER CRITICAL HABITAT, PITCHER'S THISTLE, DWARF LAKE IRIS AND HOUGHTON'S GOLDEN HABITAT, AND A VARIETY OF REGIONAL FORESTER'S SENSITIVE SPECIES. THIS PROJECT IS SET TO EXPIRE MAY 31, 2028.
  5. FISHERIES HABITAT GRANT PROGRAM-- AU TRAIN LAKE COOPERATIVE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT INIATIVE. THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH RIPARIAN LANDOWNERS FOUND ALONG THE SHORELINE OF AU TRAIN LAKE TO EDUCATE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SHORELINE VEGETATION AND IN-WATER HABITAT STRUCTURES. PROJECT PARTNERS WILL REINTRODUCE 90-330 COARSE WOODY DEBRIS STRUCTURES THROUGHOUT THE LAKE, RESULTING IN AQUATIC HABITAT ENHANCEMENT AND BOOSTING FISH POPULATIONS. PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND CLOSED OUT ON 2/27/25. GLRI CWMA HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST PA--MANAGING INVASIVE PHRAGMITES ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST--THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO UTILIZE GREAT LAKE RESTORATION INITIATIVE FUNDS TO SUPPRESS NON-NATIVE PHRAGMITES IN PRIORITY AREAS AONG THE GREAT LAKES COASTLINE OF THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UP RC & D. PRISTINE GREAT LAKES COASTAL WETLANDS, SHORELINES, INLAND LAKES, STREAMS AND FORESTS ARE THREATEND BY THE INVASION OF NON-NATIVE PHRAGMITES. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD UTILIZE THIS PARTNERSHIP TO STRATEGICALLY TREAT 60 ACRES OF INVASIVE PHRAGMITES AND EXPAND DETECTION SURVEYS OVER 400 ACRES ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST. A MODIFICATION WAS ADDED BY UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE, ALLOCATING AN ADDITIONAL 60,000 TO THE PROJECT, IN ADDITION TO EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT UNTIL 8/23/2027. FOREST POLLINATORS PA--THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO UTILIZE GREAT LAKE RESTORATION INITIATIVE FUNDS TO ENHANCE HABITAT FOR SHARP-TAILED GROUSE AND POLLINATORS ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UP RC & D. NECTARING OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE IMPROVED ALONG UTILITY CORRIDORS AND OPENINGS TO PROVIDE CONNECTION CORRIDORS AND IMPROVE MIGRATORY PATHWAYS FOR POLLINATORS. THIS AGREEMENT WOULD STRATEGICALLY TREAT 15 ACRES OF UTILITY CORRIDOR AND OPENINGS WITH WILDFLOWERS ON THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST. AGREEMENT EXPIRES 12/31/2028. MICHIGAN INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM--THREE SHORES CISMA CORE FUNCTIONS-SUB AWARD TO UP RC & D THROUGH THE CHIPPEWA LUCE MACKINAC CONSERVATION DISTRICT. THIS WILL COMPLETE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT WORK ASSOCIATED WITH HABITAT RESTORATION ON THE MAXTON PLAINS OF DRUMMOND ISLAND, IN ADDITION TO BUILDING PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY CAPACITY THROUGH ADDITIONAL GRANT PURSUIT. PROJECT CLOSED 9/4/25. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY-GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INIATIVE--EXPANDING PHRAGMITES MANAGEMENT IN MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA. FACITILIATED A UP WIDE EFFORT TO FUNCTIONALY ERADICATE PHRAGMITES FROM MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA, IN PARTICULAR THE LAKE SUPERIOR WATERSHED THROUGH A JOINT PARTNERSHIP EFFORT WITH DNR FISHERIES DIVISION AND ALL 5 UP CISMA'S TO SURVEY 8,750 LINEAR MILES AND TREAT 77 ACRES. PROJECT OFFICIALLY CLOSED 12/31/24. A SMALL AMOUNT OF PAYROLL OCCURRED IN JANUARY 2025 FOR WORK DONE IN DECEMBER 2024. MICHIGAN INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT PROGRAM--ENHANCING SURVEILLANCE FOR HWA ACROSS MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA. THE UP RC & D COUNCIL WILL UTILIZE THE PARTNERSHIPS OF 3 UP CISMA'S TO EXPAND EDRR EFFORTS FOR MICHIGAN WATCH LIST SPECIES, HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID, THROUGH TARGETED OUTREACH AND DETECTION SURVEY ON PUBLIC & PRIVATE LANDS ACROSS 8 MICHIGAN COUNTIES. PROJECT WILL CLOSE 4/30/27. US FISH & WILDLIFE COASTAL PROGRAM--SUB AWARD TO UP RC & D. THE UP RC & D COUNCIL WILL RECEIVE A SUB AWARD FROM THREE SHORES CISMA FIDUCIARY, THE CHIPPEWA LUCE MACKINAC CONSERVATION DISTRICT, TO ESTABLISH 30 SITES WITHIN A SELECTED REGION OF GREAT LAKES MARSH, AND CONDUCT SECRETIVE MARSHBIRD SURVEYS. THE PROJECT GOAL IS TO COMPARE THE PRESENCE/ABSENCE DATA OF VARIOUS SPECIES, WITH THE PRESENCE/ABSENCE OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES, EUROPEAN FROG-BIT. UP RC & D STAFF WILL ALSO AID IN 4 REMOVAL EFFORTS WITH CISMA STAFF DURING THE SUMMERS OF 2025 AND 2026. PROJECT IS DUE TO CONCLUDE 12/31/26. POINT AUX CHENES SENSITIVE SPECIES PROTECTION & HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PA--THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO UTILIZE GREAT LAKE RESTORATION INITIATIVE FUNDS TO ENHANCE HABITATS FOR FEDERALLY LISTED AND REGIONAL FORESTER'S SENSITIVE SPECIES AFFILIATED WITH GREAT LAKES COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UPPER PENINSULA RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. THIS PROJECT WOULD ENHANCE HABITAT AND PROVIDE PROTECTION OF PIPING PLOVER, PIPING CLOVER CRITICAL HABITAT, PITCHER'S THISTLE, DWARF LAKE IRIS AND HOUGHTON'S GOLDEN HABITAT, AND A VARIETY OF REGIONAL FORESTER'S SENSITIVE SPECIES. THIS PROJECT IS SET TO EXPIRE MAY 31, 2028.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.