2013 HeartLands Conservancy Annual Report

2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois

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Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois

Mill Creek Natural Area

Celebrating 25 Years | 2013 Annual Report | 1

YEAR IN REVIEW

CONTENTS YEAR IN REVIEW..................................................................2 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO.....................2 HIGHLIGHTS..........................................................................3 WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND WHERE WE ARE GOING......................................................3

Webster’s dictionary defines a roadmap as a detailed plan as to guide progress towards a goal.

For HeartLands Conservancy, 2013 was the year of filling in our roadmap; building upon our recent efforts in identifying our strategic priorities and clarifying the actions David C. Eustis President & CEO necessary to successfully achieve our goals.

Our roadmap is big, it is also very exciting, and it serves as a platform for our region to embrace ensuring a healthier, more sustainable and vibrant future.

Here are a few key elements of our platform:

Our roadmap offers something for everyone - it also speaks directly to our innovative and creative ways of improving the world in which we live. That is a top priority of HeartLands Conservancy, and as we continue down new paths we ask you to please join us. You are HeartLands Conservancy!

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AT 25 YEARS, WE INVEST IN...............................................5 BUILDING GREENER COMMUNITIES.................................6 THE MOUNDS - AMERICA’S FIRST CITIES.........................7 CONSERVING LAND.............................................................8 ENGAGING INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES..................9 FINANCIALS, DIRECTORS AND STAFF.............................10 THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS................................11 MISSION, VISION & FUTURE............................................BC

WHY HEARTLANDS CONSERVANCY?

• OneSTL - Many Communities, One Future: A plan for creating a prosperous, healthy, and vibrant region.

OneSTL.org contains an abundance of information and ideas about a vast range of issues, including air and water quality, housing, transportation, energy efficiency, and flooding prevention.

• Land Conservation Strategic Plan: This plan offers insight into how we will work with partners in the protection of farmland, high-quality natural areas, and other properties which, if protected, would provide a significant benefit to current and future generations.

• Building Greener Communities Strategic Plan: This plan, with a focus on green infrastructure, complete streets and regional leadership, is further defined through the development of “A Roadmap for Green Infrastructure”, which provides direction in valuing our natural resources and treating them as an asset for which we should plan and invest.

A LOOK BACK THROUGH THE YEARS...............................4

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HeartLands Conservancy plays an important role in advancing conservation efforts within the region, both in communities and our rural areas. That role is essential in ensuring that we leave a healthy environmental inheritance for future generations.

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- Illinois State Representative Charles Meier

Projects like the Arlington Wetlands is so important to our area and ecosystem. It gives families a place to unplug and unwind - to take a walk and enjoy nature while you can. You can’t go wrong with investing in our communities, HeartLands and the important work being done.

- Roger Riley, St. Clair County resident

HeartLands Conservancy provides innovative leadership in issues of sustainability and quality of life that make St. Clair County and Southwestern Illinois a more desirable place to live, work and play.

- St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern

HIGHLIGHTS •

HeartLands Conservancy is the region’s oldest and largest environmental nonprofit; originating in 1989, in an effort to protect the region’s unique and vast natural resources.

• HeartLands Conservancy serves as a reasoned voice in conservation; striving to balance resource protection with the continued growth of the region.

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At 25 years, HeartLands Conservancy has invested more than 25 million dollars in seven counties in Southwestern Illinois (Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington).

• Collectively, more than 5,000 acres have been permanently protected since 2001; much of this acreage is now open to the public.

WHERE WE H AV E B E E N

Just 25 years ago, a group of people came together to

WHERE WE ARE GOING

There is no shortage of conservation and economic

protect the natural resources within Southwestern Illinois. With

challenges and more work needs to be done. But, with

a clear vision and full hearts, these individuals met with a

strategic priorities in place, HeartLands Conservancy is ready

purpose that translated into thousands of conserved acres of

to lead our region, and work with its people, so that their air,

land and tens of millions of dollars being invested.

land and waters will always be a productive place of beauty.

Improving air quality and water resources, re-engaging the

people of our region with natural resources, providing quality leadership and fostering lasting partnerships was, and is, a top priority. An external focus while remaining internally whole has guided our efforts in year’s past - and will remain as we look to

Working together to achieve common goals so that the

generations to come can inherit the lands we’ve spent so many years protecting - that is the direction we are going and, with your help, we can make a difference.

the next decade and beyond.

Celebrating 25 Years | 2013 Annual Report | 3

1989

1998

Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation & Development was created. Leaders from seven counties come together to form a RC&D Council; an effort to address natural resource-based issues on a regional basis.

1993 The Karst Education Project launched and funding, as part of the Clean Water Act, is received to document contaminants and to educate the public on the urgency to reduce effluent from septic systems, particularly in the Karst region of Southwestern Illinois.

Confluence Greenway forms to plan and develop a 40-mile riverside park from the Gateway Arch to the confluence of the Illinois, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.

2001 Brown Family Conservation Easements occur as organization enters into its first two conservation easements with landowners, protecting in perpetuity 178 acres within the City of O’Fallon.

2005

2012

Assisted the Middle Mississippi River Partnership in the development of a comprehensive Coordination Plan. The MMRP subsequently protects more then 7,500 acres of native wildlife habitat along the Mississippi River in both Illinois and Missouri.

Mill Creek Natural Area, in Randolph County, is acquired and will be protected in perpetuity. Mill Creek is a resource-rich area, featuring two existing state-owned Nature Preserves.

2009 In partnership with Madison County and the Collinsville Area Recreation District, the 84-acre Arlington Wetlands is acquired.

Subsequent grant funding has allowed for habitat restoration and interpretive infrastructure along the site to serve as an outdoor living classroom.

A LO O K B AC K T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R S

Metro East Stormwater Office: Agencies and communities come together to plan stormwater in Madison & St. Clair Counties.

Planning efforts begin in upper Richland Creek.

Metro East Greenway Alliance, a collaboration of six organizations, forms to plan greenways within the Metro East. Chemetco Environmental The group serves Settlement: The first as a catalyst in the environmental development of the Metro settlement ($400,000) East Greenway Plan. awarded to organization.

These funds subsequently levereged over $4M in additional funds for land acquisition and habitat restoration activities.

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1996

2000

Selected as National Resource Conservation & Development Council of the Year, out of 375 councils nationwide.

2003

Organization assists the Kaskaskia Watershed Association and others in developing an application to support the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program within the Kaskaskia River.

Application is subsequently approved and the Kaskaskia River becomes the second authorized CREP area in the State of Illinois.

2006

Southwestern Illinois RC&D officially becomes HeartLands Conservancy.

2011

HeartLands Conservancy is one of 11 bi-state partners working together to develop a comprehensive regional sustainability plan OneSTL. This plan is further enhanced through the development of a Strategic Land Conservation Plan and a roadmap for green infrastructure.

2013

WATER

LAND

AIR

AT H E A R T L A N D S C O N S E R VA N C Y I N V E S T S I N . . .

Celebrating 25 Years | 2013 Annual Report | 5

OneSTL >

BUILDING GREENER COMMUNITIES

onestl.org

Many Communities, One Future

HeartLands Conservancy was the key Illinois partner in

a two-and-a-half year effort, led by the East West Gateway Council of Governments, to develop a regional plan for sustainability. Since there had not been a regional plan

adopted since 1941 and opinions on sustainability vary

Environmentally healthy communities are

OUR HOME

highly desirable from an economic, growth and well-being perspective. To achieve this goal,

An integral part of the OneSTL planning process was

public engagement. More than 2,000 residents came to

we provide leadership in community planning

public meetings and were part of a committee or

and in the creation and implementation of key

contributed to the plan. HeartLands Conservancy had

initiatives.

widely, this was no small task.

the privilege to be part of the citizen engagement and the

We assist communities in addressing

consistent message was how proud residents are of their

complex development issues by offering

communities. Sure, every community has issues and

education and training, guidance on land use

challenges, but residents are extremely proud of the

planning and ordinances, natural resource

small-town atmosphere of their communities, saying they

mapping, grant development and

are great places to live.

implementation.

Two major components resulted from the OneSTL

process. First, a framework plan was developed that grouped future strategies into the categories of: collaborative, prosperous, distinctive, inclusive, green, prepared, connected, efficient, and educated. Second was the creation of a sustainable solutions toolkit. The toolkit allows local officials and communities to search for best

OUR WORK

OneSTL Planning

practices and solutions on a wide variety of sustainable topics including stormwater, flooding, land use, air quality,

As our communities grow,

and energy efficiency.

we must retain the qualities

Board of Directors adopted the plan in December 2013.

The East West Gateway Council of Governments

The OneSTL plan is a voluntary plan that local

we treasure so that we can

governments and communities can adopt.

keep and improve our

A regional plan is especially pertinent for the work

we do at HeartLands Conservancy. Natural resources

quality of life.

do not know jurisdictional boundaries. Our watersheds, woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and other natural resources are regional in nature. Future conservation, stewardship, and investment in our natural systems needs to have a regional approach. The OneSTL plan is an important step Educational outreach at Cahokia Mounds

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Boardwalk installation at Arlington Wetlands

toward that goal.

THE MOUNDS A M E R I C A’ S F I R S T C I T I E S

Throughout the history of humankind,

OUR PARTNERSHIPS

certain episodes and events stand out as particularly important in the evolution of societies - human adaptations, social organization or

Hidden in plain sight, today’s Cahokia Mounds are the remnants of North America’s greatest prehistoric culture, the Mound Cities. HeartLands Conservancy has been leading a comprehensive feasibility study, capturing the significance of these sites within our region.

cultural fluorescence.

Students of world archaeology easily recognize the importance of the Ancient

Mounds. Combined with the

(those deemed significant and suitable),

Civilizations of the Near East, Egypt, Greece,

set out on a journey to better understand the

Two years ago, HeartLands Conservancy

surrounding satellite mound centers,

should be included through the initial

Rome and China. When attention is turned to

extent of the Mississippian occupation with

Cahokia Mounds emerges as the most

designation legislation.

the western hemisphere, great achievements

Southwestern Illinois and Eastern Missouri, as

significant and unsurpassed example

in the archaeological record are often limited

well as to chart a course of action that would

of its time period in Northern America.

to the Inca, the Maya and the Aztecs. In North

lead to enhanced protection and interpretive

Therefore, Cahokia Mounds and its

America four archaeological complexes stand

opportunities for remaining Mounds sites.

supporting mound centers are nationally

out: Poverty Point (Louisiana), Hopewell

Some key findings include:

significant and suitable to become a

Culture (Ohio), Chaco Canyon (New Mexico),

• 548 known mound sites within the

formal National Park Service (NPS) unit

and Cahokia Mounds (southwestern Illinois).

bi-state region have been identified and

and meet the criteria by which to

mapped.

contribute to the NPS mission and

1000-1400 stand as earthen monuments and

• Currently Cahokia Mounds, the

national story of our landscape.

remnants of Mississippian - North America’s

largest city within the Mississippian

• Cahokia Mounds should be elevated

greatest ancient culture and ancestral to many

Culture, is listed as a State Historic Site

either singly as a National Monument,

of today’s great Indian nations. Southwestern

and a World Heritage Site by the United

or elevated with thematically-connected

Illinois represents one of the most important

Nations Educational, Scientific, and

sites as a National Historical Park (i.e.

cultural landscapes of this ancient continent.

Cultural Organization.

Hopewell Culture Historical Park);

The two largest Mississippian Mound Cities

• There are no other mounds within

• Thematically connected priority

were in our immediate region, situated at the

the National Park Service that represent

mounds centers (i.e. East St Louis,

country’s crossroads along the Mississippi

the Mississippian Culture as

Emerald, Pulcher/Dupo, Sugarloaf

River: East St. Louis and Cahokia Mounds.

holistically and uniquely as Cahokia

Mound), or future archaeological finds,

Some of the mounds built between AD

NEXT STEPS 1) Seek achieving national designations.

2) Continue to collaborate with legislators, communities, agencies, and archaeological groups to achieve the recommended designations.

3) Leveraging opportunities to implement early action items such as the protection of key mound groupings/sites and better interpretation of this unique and world-class regional asset.

For further information and a complete summary of the study, visit heartlandsconservancy.org and click on the Mounds-America’s First Cities link.

Celebrating 25 Years | 2013 Annual Report | 7

B OA R D M A N C O N S E RVAT I O N EASEMENT

C O N S E RV I N G LAND

In 2006, Bill and Christine Boardman entered into a

conservation easement with HeartLands Conservancy

Protecting our land resources - rich

OUR PROJECTS

farmland, distinctive natural areas and

on 50 acres of their 100-acre family farm in Millstadt.

The rest of the farm has now been enrolled in a similar

properties of vital importance and benefit,

conservation easement. The easement was divided into two

is essential to our quality of life. Applying a

segments so that Bill and Christine could maximize federal

comprehensive land preservation strategy,

charitable deductions.

providing leadership in land stewardship and

offering conservation tools for communities will

generations. The oldest building on the property is a log

focus and facilitate our efforts.

cabin which dates to approximately 1854. A brick addition

to the log house was built shortly after the Civil War. Bill

To date, we’ve permanently protected

Kropp Farm has been within the family for five

more than 5,000 acres: a combination of prime

has invested significant time in restoring this building,

farmland, natural areas and urban parks, all of

including raising the log portion to install a foundation,

which benefit current and future generations.

replacing logs, installing a standing seam roof, and replacing the chimney. Inside, Bill chose to go high-tech; the entire structure has been insulated with bio-based spray foam insulation and a 100% geothermal system heating / cooling system. Bill is currently restoring the “new� house on the property, which dates to 1900.

OUR EFFORTS Directed towards resource protection and improving the region in which we live, work and play.

Boardman Easement

Historically the property consisted of approximately

70 acres of fields and 30 acres of woods, pasture and buildings. In 2007, the fields were put into the federal Conservation Reserve Program for trees, and were planted with 26,000 stick- bare root trees, including a mix of oak species and black walnut (provided by The State of Illinois). In 2008, two lakes were constructed, providing additional habitat diversity on the property.

Vi si t o u r w eb si t e t o l earn mo re ab o u t o u r p art n ersh i p s t h at p erman en t l y p ro t ect o u r l an d s an d o t h er n at u ral reso u rces: h eart l an d sco n servan cy. o rg / w h at - w e- d o 8 | www.heartlandsconservancy.org

A R L I N G TO N WETLANDS

ENGAGING INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES

We know and love the characteristics that

OUR FUTURE

shape our region - from the scenic landscapes to the rolling rural farmland.

Fostering continued stewardship for our

region’s natural resources while engaging individuals and communities in our endeavors is paramount to our ability to successfully achieve our vision.

We seek to connect our region with the

surrounding land and waters in inspiring ways through developing educational programming, offering events and treks and establishing partnerships.

OUR LEGACY

Arlington Wetlands

More than $25 million invested in seven counties in Southwestern Illinois, with more than 5,000 acres conserved.

Eagle Trek

2013 Field to Fork

The ribbon cutting of the Arlington Wetlands Interpretive Site in September, 2013 was a chance to celebrate both a successful beginning and an end to a remarkable project.

The end was the culmination of a multi-year effort by multiple partners in making the Arlington Wetlands Interpretive Site a reality. Highlights of the process include restoring more than 80 acres of wetland and prairie areas, 100+ volunteers over the course of three months built the longest floating boardwalk in Southwestern Illinois at more than 400’ in length, and demonstration of stormwater best practices including a permeable paver visitor parking lot.

Arlington Wetland is part of the larger American Bottom Floodplain of the Mississippi River. Its proximity to Horseshoe Lake State Park, the Chouteau Island complex, as well as other wetland mitigation sites, ensures that this project will be a benefit to local and migratory wildlife. The Arlington Wetlands will provide recreational and educational opportunities to local residents, families, and visitors. Already, numerous community groups including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, high school and college classes are using Arlington as an outdoor classroom and for stewardship activities.

Arlington also allows visitors to see up close the importance of our region’s wetlands. At one time, 35% of the American Bottoms was comprised of wetlands. The wetlands not only provided wildlife and ecological habitat, but was a crucial component of the natural hydrologic functions that reduced flooding and provided clean water.

Today, much of that natural hydrologic functions has been degraded. Projects such as Arlington provides functional benefits, but more importantly, raises awareness of the further need for wetland restoration.

Numerous partners made Arlington a success.

The original purchase of the land was made possible with assistance from ConocoPhillips, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Sierra Club Palisades Chapter and the American Bottom Conservancy. Financial assistance from Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s 319 Grant Program made possible the site improvements. The site is currently owned and maintained by Madison County and the Collinsville Area Recreation District.

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D I R E C TO R S

FINANCIALS For the year end December 31, 2013, with comparitive totals in 2012 2013

2012

REVENUE Service Agreements Foundation Awards State Federal Unrestricted Donations Temporarily & Permanently Restricted Donations Other Revenue

171,810 140,959 32,217 803,695 37,248 89,420

97,789 391,385 58,445 1,222,736 61,003 185,000

1,426,148

472,356

TOTAL REVENUE

2,701,497

2,488,713

EXPENSES Conservation of Open Space Building Greener Communities Administrative Fundraising

99,306 2,449,339 222,549 23,914

147,219 1,724,295 208,919 33,336

TOTAL EXPENSES

2,795,108

2,113,770

(93,611)

374,944

2,641,323

2,266,379

*2,547,712

2,641,323

Revenue over(under) expenses Net assets, beginning of the year Net assets, end of the year *reflects a planned reduction in net assets.

Girl Scouts at Arlington Wetlands

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Robert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair IL Green Economy Network Shiloh, IL

William Boardman Firehouse Contracting, LLC Chicago, IL

Frank O. Miles, Vice Chair SWIC Granite City, IL

Ronald J. Foster Schoen Walton Telken & Foster Attorneys at Law Glen Carbon, IL

Lester Harnetiaux, Secretary Bond County Realtors Dennis Kirkham Greenville, IL Landowner Greenville, IL Ronda Latina, Treasurer Environmental Operations, Inc. Charles Meier St. Louis, MO IL State Representative, 108th District Okawville, IL

Robert C. Nelson Nelson & Nelson Attorneys at Law Mascoutah, IL Ron O’Connor O’Connor & Partners Belleville, IL Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Breese, IL Justin Siegel Deli Star Corporation Fayetteville, IL

S TA F F David C. Eustis President/CEO dave.eustis@heartlandsconservancy.org

Allie McCreary Environmental Programs Technician allie.mccreary@heartlandsconservancy.org

Janet Buchanan Special Projects - Water Policy janet.buchanan@heartlandsconservancy.org

Kim O’Bryan Development and Events Coordinator kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org

Stephen Ibendahl, ASLA, RLA Sustainability Planner stephen.ibendahl@heartlandsconservancy.org

Erica Stelling Marketing Communications Coordinator erica.stelling@heartlandsconservancy.org

Marty Kemper Special Projects - Invasive Species marty.kemper@heartlandsconservancy.org

Sarah Vogt Environmental Programs Technician sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org

Roberta LaSalvia, CPA Accountant roberta.lasalvia@heartlandsconservancy.org

Ed Weilbacher Special Projects - Mounds Initiative ed.weilbacher@heartlandsconservancy.org

Laura Lyon Special Projects - Mounds Initiative laura.lyon@heartlandsconservancy.org

Steve Widowski Special Projects - Middle Mississippi River steve.widowski@heartlandsconservancy.org

THANK YO U

As a local nonprofit our work is made possible through the generous support of our members, corporate sponsors, private foundation awards, assistance agreements with local units of government, and state & federal grants. In today’s economy, fully capitalizing on each of these funding opportunities is necessary in order to develop and grow our programs.

HeartLands Conservancy gratefully acknowledges the support from the following:

ACORN - $50-99 Brooks Brestal Cahokia Mounds Museum Society Commerce Bank Diane Drake Marshall and Faye Dyer Scott Harding Bernard ‘Sonny’ Heck Jr. Robert Helfers Miriam Huelsmann Stephen Ibendahl Sue Ibendahl Martin and Linda Kemper Ted Krauskopf Nancy Larson John Mueller Kenneth and Mary Angela Nettleton Roger Ross Mary Schmidt Matthew Warren Leo Welch Brian and Jaynie Wells

Mill Creek Natural Area

SEEDLING - $100-249 Ralph and Karen Buettner City of Belleville City of Fairview Heights City of Granite City City of Greenville Collinsville Area Recreation District Rod Cook Laura Evans Julia Heberer Mike and Jenny Krim Mary Laurent Gary and Margaret Lopez Debbie Newman Barb Polahar Tom and Marian Rollins John Sedlacek Ned Siegel Lawrence and Barbara Taylor Village of Bethalto Village of Smithton Village of Swansea David Warner

Waterloo Park District Robert and Nancy Weck Steve Widowski SAPLING - $250-499 Added Dimension, LLC Anonymous Environmental Operations, Inc. Farm Credit Services of Illinois Gateway FS, Inc. HMG Engineers, Inc. Holland Construction Services Inc. Illinois American Water Illinois Farm Bureau Lindenwood University Laura Lyon Madison County SWCD Randolph County Randolph County SWCD RJN Group St. Clair County Farm Bureau SWT Design, Inc. Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen Volkert, Inc. PIN OAK - $500-999 America’s Central Port Dale and Carol Brockmann City of Collinsville Clinton County Farm Bureau Clinton County SWCD Jane Eckert David and Tamara Eustis Lester Harnetiaux Rob and Donna Hilgenbrink Denny and Jo Kirkham Madison County The Maschhoffs Prairie State Generating Company, LLC Regions Bank Cliff and Christy Schuette David and Lisa Tiedemann Turkey Hill Grange Veolia Environmental Services Patricia Watkins Williams Creek Consulting

RED OAK - $1,000-2,499 Bill and Christine Boardman City of Mascoutah Patrick E. Fahey Hendrichs Farms, LTD Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois Memorial Hospital Paul Meyer Robert and Katie Nelson City of O’Fallon James Pona & Associates SEIU Local 73 David Timmerman Village of Shiloh Ed and Kathi Weilbacher CHINKAPIN OAK - $2,500-4,999 Alta Planning & Design City of Columbia City of Waterloo Norman Kutterer Family Foundation Mary Prevo POST OAK - $5,000-9,999 City of Alton Engeling, Inc. St. Clair County Property & Recreation Committee Trailnet, Inc. University of Illinois-Chicago - Energy Resources Center BUR OAK - $10,000+ Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives East-West Gateway Council of Governments Get Up and Go, Inc. Grand Victoria Foundation I.A.S (Illinois Archaeological Study) Monroe County Randolph County Sophia and Elmer Oerter Charitable Foundation Southwestern Illinois College William A. Kerr Foundation Celebrating 25 Years | 2013 Annual Report | 11

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Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois

406 East Main Street Mascoutah, Illinois 62258

PRSRT STD NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID ZIP CODE 62258 PERMIT NO 7 Address service requested:

MISSION

Provide leadership and solutions to sustain and enrich the diverse environmental resources of Southwestern Illinois.

Website: heartlandsconservancy.org • Facebook: facebook.com/HeartLandsConservancy

VISION

Communities with healthy and sustainable air, land and water resources for current and future generations.

Instagram: heartlandsconservancy • LinkedIn: HeartLands Conservancy

FUTURE 12 | www.heartlandsconservancy.org

Grow with our partners, build upon successes and continue to invest in nature because the payoff is worth it.