www.HeartLandsConservancy.org A Quarterly Publication of HeartLands Conservancy Summer 2014

“Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois”

Commonfields

What’s InsideMill Creek Restoration Project .. FC-2

Upper Silver Creek Plan ...............3

People and Places .....................4-5

Honoring Bill Freeman .................6The Mounds Initiative ...................6Membership & Planned Giving ....6 Field to Fork .................................7

Flat Creek Easement .................BCFarm Preservation Program .....BC

DirectorsRobert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair IL Green Economy Network

Frank O. Miles, Vice Chair Madison County Community Development Lester Harnetiaux, Secretary Bond County Realtors Ronda Latina, Treasurer Environmental Operations, Inc. William BoardmanFirehouse Contracting, LLC Ronald J. Foster, Jr. Schoen, Walton, Telken & Foster Dennis (Denny) Kirkham(Land Owner)

Charles Meier IL State Representative Robert Nelson Nelson & Nelson Ron O’Connor O’Connor & Partners Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Company Justin SiegelDeli Star Corporation

Mill CreekRestoration

Project

Help us raise $15,000 by Oct. 15 for this unique natural area.

The sandstone cliffs, ravines, rock outcroppings, and streams at Mill Creek illustrate the diversity and grandeur of natural resources right here in Southwestern Illinois.

Mill Creek, a high quality natural area, was purchased at auction in 2012 to prevent development or over-harvest of the timber resources associated with the site. The property sits immediately adjacent to Swayne Hollow Nature Preserve and is in close proximity to Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve.

In addition to hosting a high quality dry-mesic upland forest, the site boasts a Grade A Category 1 sandstone cliff / canyon community which has sheltered plants such as club moss, cinnamon fern, and bishop’s cap for eons. These plants are more typically located in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Over the past two years, staff has worked to develop a restoration plan for the site, focusing on three key components: streambank restoration on 375’ of Mill Creek, forest stand improvement on 100 acres of forested habitat, and restoration of 15 acres that have historically been cropped.

THE WORK IS NOT DONE! We are in need of local funds necessary to finish the restoration project so everyone in our region gets the oppportunity to experience the area’s richness. Raising these funds will leverage $34,000 in state and federal habitat restoration funds.

Please join us so we can continue to increase awareness about this amazing place of solitude and splendor. (Cont. pg. 2)

How can I help? Consider a gift to support the Mill Creek Restoration Project today to help us reach our goal of $15,000 by Oct. 15. Every dollar makes a difference.

Donate online at www.heartlandsconservancy.org/other-amount/ or mail a donation to :

HeartLands Conservancy 406 East Main Street Mascoutah, IL 62258

HeartLandsConservancy.org/MillCreek

Community Flooding in the Upper Silver Creek

Join us at one of two Open Houses for the Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan.

At the open houses you can:• Provide your input on goals and strategies for water

quality and flooding issues in the watershed.• Learn more about the overall watershed plan.• Assist the planning team in identifying locations of

existing flooding problems.

Who Should Attend?• Community Officials• Land Owners• Home Owners• Business Owners• Those interested in the Upper Silver Creek Watershed

Learn more at: www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/UpperSilverCreek

Take 7 Minutes and Complete Our Survey!www.surveymonkey.com/s/UpperSilverCreek

The community flooding survey for homes, businesses, and property owners in the Upper Silver Creek will help in determining strategies and recommendations for addressing flooding problems in the Silver Creek Watershed.

(Survey open until September 12, 2014)

We Want Your Input!

OPEN HOUSE #1

Tues., August 19thTroy City Hall

116 E. Market St.Troy, IL 622946:00 - 9:00 pm

OPEN HOUSE #2

Wed., August 20thHamel Community Center

10 Park AvenueHamel, IL 620466:00 - 9:00 pm

Open house format with no formal presentation, feel free to stop by anytime between 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Information will be the same at both meetings.For more information, contact Janet Buchanan at

618-566-4451 ext. 25

Agricultural Flooding in the Upper Silver Creek

Commonfields Summer 2014 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org www.HeartLandsConservancy.org Commonfields Summer 2014

Mill Creek Restoration Project Cont.

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Make a donationand you will

forever be a part of Mill Creek!

Everyone has their own definition of what stewardship means to them. Stewardship often evokes a sense of personal responsibility for ensuring that natural resources are managed not only for our own quality of life, but for future generations as well.

As a Mill Creek Steward, you join our efforts in investing in the nature of Southwestern Illinois through charitable contributions. Your support matters and your investment stays where you live, work and play.

Recognition of Stewards For any donation amount, you will receive: 1) Personal, hand-written thank you letter from the leadership at HeartLands Conservancy.

2) Certificate of recognition from HeartLands Conservancy that celebrates your stewardship.

3) Be recognized on HeartLands Conservancy’s website and newsletters.

For donations of $250 or more, we’ll also send you a high-quality, 8x10 photo print of Mill Creek Nature Preserve.

Visit us at HeartLandsConservancy.org/MillCreek to donate today!Every dollar makes a difference.

Restoration Project Goals: What needs to be done to finish the job?

Streambank RestorationMill Creek, a biologically significant stream, runs through the property and is experiencing streambank degradation near it’s confluence with Piney Creek. · Restoration efforts will stabilize 375’ of streambank, improving water quality within Mill Creek, as well as the greater Mary’s River watershed.

Forest Stand ImprovementA forest management plan has been developed for Mill Creek Natural Area, indicating needs in the following two areas: · An overabundance of less desirable tree species, including sugar maple, elm and boxelder, exists throughout the site. Efforts will include removal of less desirable species on 100 acres to encourage regeneration of native oaks and hickories.

· While invasive plant species are not overrunning Mill Creek Natural Area, their presence is certainly well documented. Invasive plant species management will be conducted on 100 acres. Habitat RestorationFifteen acres of the site have been cropped for several decades. Much of this acreage is within the floodplain and would benefit by being converted to native habitat.• 15 acres will be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and will be planted to

native trees.

Community Flooding in the Upper Silver Creek

Join us at one of two Open Houses for the Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan.

At the open houses you can:• Provide your input on goals and strategies for water

quality and flooding issues in the watershed.• Learn more about the overall watershed plan.• Assist the planning team in identifying locations of

existing flooding problems.

Who Should Attend?• Community Officials• Land Owners• Home Owners• Business Owners• Those interested in the Upper Silver Creek Watershed

Learn more at: www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/UpperSilverCreek

Take 7 Minutes and Complete Our Survey!www.surveymonkey.com/s/UpperSilverCreek

The community flooding survey for homes, businesses, and property owners in the Upper Silver Creek will help in determining strategies and recommendations for addressing flooding problems in the Silver Creek Watershed.

(Survey open until September 12, 2014)

We Want Your Input!

OPEN HOUSE #1

Tues., August 19thTroy City Hall

116 E. Market St.Troy, IL 622946:00 - 9:00 pm

OPEN HOUSE #2

Wed., August 20thHamel Community Center

10 Park AvenueHamel, IL 620466:00 - 9:00 pm

Open house format with no formal presentation, feel free to stop by anytime between 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Information will be the same at both meetings.For more information, contact Janet Buchanan at

618-566-4451 ext. 25

Agricultural Flooding in the Upper Silver Creek

Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan

Take 7 Minutes and Complete Our Survey! www.surveymonkey.com/s/UpperSilverCreek

The Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan is an opportunity to identify strategies to improve water quality and reduce the impacts of flooding in the Upper Silver Creek watershed. The Upper Silver Creek watershed is one of ten watersheds in Madison County and the watershed plan is an important component of Madison County’s Stormwater Plan. By documenting existing conditions and

developing recommendations and strategies for best practices to improve water quality and to reduce flooding, the plan will be a roadmap for communities, agencies, and landowners for future improvements. The plan will also identify potential sources of funding. Improved water quality provides for healthier community water supplies, increased opportunities for recreation, and healthy habitats. Flooding has tremendous costs such as damage to homes, business, and infrastructure such as roadways. Strategies for mitigating flooding will help reduce costs for homeowners, businesses, and taxpayers. For more Information, visit: www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/UpperSilverCreek

We want your input! Attend one of our

open houses.

HeartLands Conservancy and Madison County invites the public to attend two open houses for the Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan on Tuesday,

August 19th from 6:00 - 9:00pm at the Troy City Hall (116 E. Market Street, Troy) or Wednesday August 20th from 6:00 – 9:00pm at the Hamel Community Center (10 Park Avenue, Hamel). Both dates are open house formats with no formal presentation,

so the public may stop by anytime between 6:00 – 9:00pm. The open houses will be a chance for the public to provide input on goals and strategies for water quality and flooding issues in the watershed, learn more about the overall watershed plan, and assist the planning team in identifying locations of

existing flooding problems.

www.HeartLandsConservancy.orgwww.HeartLandsConservancy.orgCommonfields Summer 2014 Commonfields Summer 2014

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Highlights of Recent Events and Activities

HeartLands Conservancy was proud to facilitate the Kaskaskia Regional Port District (KRPD) Strategic Plan over the last 12 months. In May, the KRPD board adopted the strategic plan. Shown left to right: Stephen Ibendahl, Sustainability Planner; Chris Martin, Randolph County Economic Development Coordinator; George Obernagel, KRPD Board Chairman; Ed Weilbacher, KRPD General Manager.

The Mounds Project Team sat down with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin this Spring to discuss elevating Cahokia Mounds and associated

Mound Centers to a National Designation within the National Park Service. Join our effort as we urge Congress to designate Cahokia

Mounds and the similar sites in the St. Louis area a national historical park or to get the president to designate Cahokia Mounds a national

monument! Learn how to support this initiative on pg. 6.

On Saturday, June 28, dozens of people gathered at Carlyle Lake as HeartLands Conservancy and the Alpine Shop joined together for the annual Carlyle Sailing Association’s Open House. The CSA’s annual event allowed for sailors to be on hand to answer questions and talk about boats while the Alpine Shop donated use of kayaks, paddle boards and more.

Highlights of Recent Events and Activities

Students from St. John the Baptist School in Smithton received the ‘Sara Stein Award’ for site scale green

infrastructure at this year’s Green Infrastructure Breakfast on May 20th. St. John the Baptist School’s

project to build planters and plant native plants has

shown the school’s commitment to investing in

green infrastructure.

Staff spent part of Earth Day getting the native plants in front of the HeartLands’ office cleaned up for Spring. If

you want to see natives like Little Bluestem, Prairie Dropseed, and sedge used in a front yard,

stop by our office.

More than 95 attendees came to hear keynote speaker Laura Bray of the Menomonee Valley Partners in Milwaukee share their success in creating a win-win situation of green infrastructure and economic development.

Stephen Ibendahl of HeartLands

Conservancy gave an update on the

‘Roadmap for Green Infrastructure’

highlighting successes of this

past year and previewing the coming year. For more information on the roadmap,

visit HeartLandsConservancy.org.

At the breakfast, the ‘Olmsted Award’ for community scale green infrastructure went to the City of Edwardsville.

HeartLands Conservancy’s board member Denny Kirkham was joined by five members of the Little Blue Stem chapter of Quail Forever for a 200 acre field of CRP that was burned as a management tool to retard the invasion of trees and non-native plants. This year, the group conducted prescribed burns on 690 acres in Bond, Montgomery, Fayette, Marion, and Madison Counties. They do not carry any fuel on their UTV’s while working the fire.

www.HeartLandsConservancy.orgwww.HeartLandsConservancy.orgCommonfields Summer 2014 Commonfields Summer 2014

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Upcoming 2014 EventCentennial Park Stewardship Day Saturday, October 11 - 9 a.m. - Noon Centennial Park in Swansea, Ill.Join HeartLands Conservancy, Swansea Township, the Village of Swansea and other partners and volunteer for a stewardship day on Saturday, October 11th, 9am - Noon at Centennial Park in Swansea. Centennial Park is a hidden gem in Swansea. Stewardship activities will include removal of invasive species such as bush honeysuckle and general park clean-up. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, email: treks@heartlandsconservancy.org.

GET INVOLVED

Volunteer Donate

Learn More

Email info@heartlandsconservancy.org

or call 618-566-4451 ext. 10

The Mounds Initiative - Letters of Support

www.facebook.com/TheMoundsContact Project Team Members: Laura Lyon (lyonl1@yahoo.com) or

Ed Weilbacher (ed.weilbacher@heartlandsconservancy.org)

Honoring Bill FreemanIt is with heavy hearts that we at HeartLands Conservancy must share the sad news of the passing of William Freeman.

Bill was a volunteer photojournalist for HeartLands Conservancy for the past seven years, serving the

organization with great pride and care. He was always available to help when needed and the majority of the photographs used today by HeartLands Conservancy were shot by him.

While Bill is no longer with us, his legacy and dedication will live on in the work and people he put so much care into over the years.

Remember HeartLands Conservancy in your will

Will your children and grandchildren be able to enjoy Southwestern Illinois as much as you have? One of the most popular and simplest ways is to make a planned gift through your will or trust.

Identify a dollar amount, a percentage, a residual, real estate or other tangible property that would be transferred directly to us.

Your gift is free from federal estate tax, and there is no limit you can leave. After your lifetime, your estate is able to take a charitable donation for the full amount of your gift.

Together, we can make an impact on the future of our region

Take these steps today: 1) Discuss your wishes with family and begin to plan.2) Contact an attorney and evaluate your options.3) Contact HeartLands Conservancy to plan and direct your gift, or to ask questions.

HeartLands Conservancy406 East Main StreetMascoutah, IL 62258

618-566-4451David C. Eustis, President & CEOinfo@heartlandsconservancy.orgwww.HeartLandsConservancy.org

The Mounds Initiative Project Team is looking for individuals to submit letters of support for its efforts to

enhance Cahokia Mounds State Histsoric Site, (the premier example of the Mississippian Culture) as well as

connecting other mound sites, to a national status.

Join us in this movement to elevate Cahokia Mounds! Find a letter of support template on our website. Just

download, print and return.

heartlandsconservancy.org/the-mounds-americas-first-cities/

Join Today and invest in

nature with us.

Programs &

Services - 91%

General &

Management - 8%Fundraising

- 1%

Memberships Available At:www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org

Field to Fork a Truly Unique Dining ExperienceOn July 26, more than 160 people gathered at Bellecourt Manor to attend the 5th Annual Field to Fork, benfiting HeartLands Conservancy and its land conservation initiatives. It was a smashing success and the best fundraising event to date for the organization. Ryan and Dana Dean of KSDK NewsChannel 5 served as emcees of this year’s event. A special thanks to the following for their time and talents donated to Field to Fork: The Chefs:

Meaghan Boyer Coltrain, of Element, St. Louis; Jenny Cleveland, of Cleveland-Heath, Edwardsville; Tim Faltus, of Bellecourt Manor, Belleville; Josh Galliano, of The Libertine, Clayton, Mo.; Joe Hemp, of Robust Wine Bar, Edwardsville; and Jennifer Ken-nedy, of J. Fires’ Market Bistro, Waterloo. The Farms: Brautigum Orchards, Cooley Farms LLC, Drake Farms, Echo Farms, Eck-ert’s, Fresh Pasture Farms, Keller Farms, Marcoot Jersey Creamery, Meier Family Farm, Morgan Oaks, Riverbend Roots Farm, Sharf Farms, Turkey Hill Grange Members, Vogt Family Farm and Wenneman Meat Company.

Save the Date: Next Year’s Field to Fork is July 18, 2015

Silver Spoon Walker and Williams P.C.

Bronze Knife Farm Credit Illinois • Jack Schmitt Chevrolet of O’Fallon • Johnson & Johnson Law Offices • Lindenwood University • St. Clair County Farm Bureau • Southwestern Illinois College • Suncoke Energy • Turkey Hill Grange

Media/In-Kind/Donations

Gold Fork

Billy Goat Chip Company • Broilmaster Premium Grills • Empire Comfort Systems • Environmental Operations, Inc.• Excel Bottling Company • Jody White State Farm • La Jerezana Tienda Mexicana • Madison County Farm Burearu • Raymond James • Sauce Magazine • The Pie Pantry • Kevin and Carrie Vosse

SPON

SORS

WetlandsForever, Inc.

406 East Main StreetMascoutah, IL 62258(618) 566-4451www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Address service requested:

HeartLands Conservancy is pleased to announce the signing of our latest conservation easement, which is located along Flat Creek, a tributary of the Kaskaskia River, north and east of Carlyle Lake. The thirty acres included within the conservation easement is being developed as a wetland mitigation site. Wetland loss and degradation within the Kaskaskia River has been significant since Euro-American settlement, with only 700 acres of wetlands currently being listed as being high quality. This is just .1% of the total wetland acreage. This project directly supports one of the goals of the Kaskaskia Watershed Association; to double the number of acres within the Kaskaskia River, from 4.5% to 9% of the total land cover. Benefits of developing wetlands above Carlyle Lake include reducing sediment and nutrient flow in this important reservoir. In addition to providing flood storage benefits, Carlyle Lake provides habitat for fish & wildlife, as well as supplying water for residential and commercial use, and power generation. Clean water is also critical for the recreational use of Carlyle Lake, which draws over 3,000,000 visitors annually.

Have you ever considered protecting your farm with an

agricultural easement? Contact HeartLands Conservancy to learn the benefits associated with taking action now. Contact David Eustis,

618-566-4451 ext. 28, dave.eustis@heartlandsconservancy.org.

WANTEDAgriculturalEasements

Flat Creek Conservation EasementPRSRT STD

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE PAIDZIP CODE 62258

PERMIT NO 7

Join the Mill Creek

Restoration Project

HeartLandsConservancy.org/MillCreek

Stewardship Day

Oct. 11