HeartLands Conservancy 2015 Annual Report

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Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois

2015 Annual Report

HeartLands Conservancy has been working to protect the natural resources of our region and the land that we call home for over 26 years. Our region is comprised of nearly 2.5 million acres of land, 1,919 miles of streams, 66,053 acres of lakes, and is bordered by 110 miles of the mighty Mississippi River. Over 670,000 people call Southwestern Illinois home, as do 13 federally listed endangered or threatened species! As such, we are devoted to the conservation of land, the protection of natural resources, the preservation and creation of green spaces in our communities, sustainable and environmentally friendly community planning, and the connection of our neighbors with nature.

Please review this report to learn more about our efforts in 2015.

The following pages will help to illustrate our efforts for the past year.

I hope that you will enjoy the highlights and join me in the excitement for the things to come!

As seasons change, so do organizations. In 2016, we will wish our President, Dave Eustis, well in his future endeavors, and welcome a new leader. We have ambitious goals for 2016! We hope to help save 250 acres of land. We must also expand our fundraising efforts and hope to raise $100,000 in unrestricted funds. We will continue to extend watershed planning and work with communities to provide direction and leadership in planning for neighborhood improvements, parks, and other recreational activities.

At HeartLands Conservancy, we offer our members and the communities here in Southwestern Illinois a unique opportunity to collaborate and connect with numerous professionals in both the public and private sectors to achieve our common goals of conservation, sustainable development, and an overall connection with nature.

Moreover, we are ever appreciative of the support from our sponsors and members—our efforts are made possible by you! We know that you understand that if we don’t act now to preserve our land and natural resources, that they could be lost forever.

We have accomplished great things, but there is more to do. We continue to look forward to investing in nature with you!

Sincerely, Robert Hilgenbrink, Chairman HeartLands Conservancy Board of Directors

Statement of Financial Activities For the Year Ended December 31, 2015, with comparative totals for 2014

Statement of Financial Position

Revenue

For Year Ended December 31, 2015

Assets

Cash Investments Accounts Receivable

$644,976 $660,151 $62,563

Prepaid Expenses

$161

Fixed Assets, Net Land Total Assets

$2,209 $2,022,487 $3,392,547

Beginning Net Assets YTD Change in Net Assets Ending Net Assets

Total Liabilities and Net Assets

Total Revenue

2015

2014

$94,997 $314,271 $15,352 $448,553 $71,963 $167,002 $268,276

$174,547 $669,733 $45,853 $300,070 $63,335 $126,417 $176,607

$1,380,413

$1,556,562

$69,277 $985,991 $192,413 $101,577

$74,222 $1,177,050 $196,157 $61,570

Expenses

Liabilities Accounts Payable Accrued Compensated Absences Deferred Revenue Total Liabilities

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

$18,738 $10,965 $736,415 $766,118 $2,595,275 $31,154 $2,626,429

$3,392,547

Conservation of Open Space Building Greener Communities Administrative Fundraising

Total Expenses

$1,349,258

$1,508,999

Revenue over(under) expenses Net assets, beginning of the year

$31,154 $2,595,275

$47,563 $2,547,712

Net assets, end of the year

$2,626,429

$2,595,275

We are investing in the nature of Southwestern Illinois!

Our Highlights for 2015:

Protection and restoration of 9 acres of land in St. Clair County on Lebanon Avenue in the midst of vast development, helping Daniel Stocker to create the Margaret M. Butz Conservation Easement.

Achieving conservation legacy—assisting Melva Berger in permanently protecting the conservation values on her 35 acre home site near Knobeloch Woods Nature Preserve.

Improving Clinton County water quality—assisting 26 livestock producers in making improvements to their manure management systems, collectively reducing 82,378 pounds of nitrogen and 14,303 pounds of phosphorus from input into local streams per year.

Continuing restoration on Mill Creek’s 115 acres in Randolph County.

Support of flood protection at Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County in an effort to reduce flooding at a $3.1 billion economic impact.

Application for 8 grants to assist regional locations with water quality problems, flooding, food insecurity issues, pedestrian and bicycle connections, and downtown revitalization.

Watershed Planning in the Upper Silver Creek Watershed—a strategic effort to improve water quality and decrease flood problems in a 120,000 acre watershed. −− Recommended 34 Best Management Practices, including ways to improve water quality and reduce flooding on agricultural land, in urban areas, and for water sources. −− Impacts 480 miles of streams and residents in 4 counties, and 13 municipalities.

Continuing the advancement of Cahokia Mounds and the region’s Mississippian mounds to national monument designation in partnership with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Planning for a trail along the southern reach of the Kaskaskia River.

Community Outreach including the Piasa Creek Paddle Trek, Mississippi Earthtones festival, and mentoring Mascoutah Elementary’s participation in the Green Schools Quest.

Assistance with stewardship in shared natural areas and parks, including invasive species removal via our NAVnet program.

Celebration of 9 Green Leaf Achievement award winners recognized for their contributions in sustainability and environmental stewardship in Southwestern Illinois.

Selling-out Field to Fork, our premier fundraiser for land conservation, celebrating over 17 local farmers and 5 local chefs.

: 5 1 0 2 t a A look

vision:

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

mission:

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

Thank you, Dave!

In January, our President and CEO, Dave Eustis, announced that he would be pursuing a new personal business endeavor with his wife, Tam. Dave has been involved with our organziation for over 16 years. He has not only helped to grow the organization, he too has grown with it, working his way up the ranks from Operations Manager to Executive Director to President and CEO. His leadership has been critical in creating a strong voice for Southwestern Illinois in the area of natural resources and sustainable community development.

Dave has facilitated a professional delivery of services and products from HeartLands Conservancy that have been appreciated from Federal, State, and Local agencies. He has also worked with both National and Statewide foundations to bring resources to the region that would not have otherwise provided support in our area—support that has exceeded several million dollars for projects that add to the quality of life for everyone.

“Dave has always been committed to the mission of the organization and, as such, was able to convey the message of HeartLands Conservancy to others. He was able to achieve one of the largest conservation easements in any given year in the state and has worked to assemble unique and environmentally strategic properties for the public.” - Ed Weilbacher, Vice President - Building Greener Communities “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with each of you. I’ve learned a great deal and hopefully have been able to share a little as well. We should all be proud of the collective work accomplished, the lands protected, the improvements in both air and water quality, and the many individuals who have been reconnected with nature as a result of our efforts. I intend to remain connected to HeartLands Conservancy through land conservation work.”

-Dave

Thank You...

ACORN: $50-99 Anonymous Ronald Auld Susan & Kerry Brethauer Thomas & Catherine Buelter Ralph Buettner Sarah Coffin Commerce Bank Megan Connelly Chris Craig Katie Davis Ed & Connie DeRousse Mary Ann Drake Marshall Dyer Grace Garin Kathryn Hall Jane Helms Angela Holbrook Illinois Real Estate Services, Inc. Lisa Koerkenmeier John Laker Joe Langenhorst Nancy Larson Carol LeFevre Carol Lieb Carol Luly Carrie Magill Ginger McCall John Mueller Randall Neumann Debbie Newman Emil Oatfield Kim & Mike O’Bryan Barb Polahar Michael Reeb Larry Rhutasel Jan Rule Robert Seiffert Virginia Woulfe-Beile Emiko Yang SEEDLING: $100-249 Anonymous Tiffany Baldwin Mary Biernot Steve Black Frederick Blume Terry & Judy Booth Dick Breckenridge City of Chester City of Collinsville City of Columbia City of Edwardsville City of Granite City City of Greenville City of Mascoutah City of O’Fallon City of Red Bud City of Troy City of Waterloo Laura Cohen Collinsville Area Recreation District Greg Colombo Kay Connolly

Rod Cook David Diecker Diane Drake Laura Evans Melvin Feig Ron Foster Carol Frerker Bonnie Grohmann Ted Harvey Judith Joy Dick & Carol Kealy Marty Kemper Erika Kennett Anne Koleson Ted Krauskopf Chris Long Madison County Farm Bureau Marsha Maller Kate Mannix Mascoutah Garden Club Dan McGuire Charles Meier Monroe County SWCD Joel Pesapane Zane & Connie Schneider Glen Schuetz Cas Sheppard Dan & Judy Siegel Ned Siegel Dawn Tomlin Jim Vernier Village of Bethalto Village of Dupo Village of Fayetteville Village of Hamel Village of Shiloh Village of Smithton Village of Swansea Waterloo Park District Pat Watkins Robert (Bob) Weck Leo Welch David & Rolayne Wiest Brittany Williams Roger Wittmann SAPLING: $250-499 Megan Allen America’s Central Port Bill Armstrong John & Judy Barud Brenda Chandler Aaron & Amber Durbin Edwardsville Plaza, LLC Farm Credit Illinois Michael Fricke Gateway FS, Inc. J. Neil Graser Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. Emily Hartmann Johnson & Johnson Law Office Shawn Kennedy Tom Kinsella Mary Laurent Lindenwood University Laura Lyon & Tim Busse Madison County SWCD Mitze Nitzsche Quail Forever Randolph County Randolph County SWCD

Scott Credit Union St. Clair County Farm Bureau Brian Wells

WHITE OAK SOCIETY PIN OAK: $500-999 Dale Brockmann Anonymous Civil Design, Inc. Clinton County Farm Bureau Clinton County SWCD Donald Dahlmann Donna Dougherty Dynegy Midwest Generation David Eustis Gori, Julian & Associates, P.C. Robert Hilgenbrink Mike & Jenny Krim Ronda Latina Penny Livingston Mary Prevo E. William Reichert III Roger Ross Jan Rule Al Scharf Schoen Walton Telken & Foster Thomas Sommerfeld Southwestern Illinois College St. Clair County Property & Recreation Committee Suncoke Energy-GCO John & Lynne Troyan Mary Vandevord Volkert, Inc. Donald Weilbacher Williams Creek Consulting, Inc. RED OAK: $1,000-2,499 Pat Fahey Ameren Illinois Bill Boardman Deli Star Corporation Dennis Kirkham Migratory Waterfowl Hunters Cliff Schuette Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis The Maschhoffs LLC CHINKAPIN OAK: $2,500-4,999 Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery Robert Nelson POST OAK: $5,000-9,999 Engeling, Inc. Illinois Soybean Association Madison Co. Planning & Development Northern Trust Charitable Giving Program Prairie State Generating Company, LLC Village of Shiloh Ed & Kathi Weilbacher BUR OAK: $10,000+ Melva Berger Crown Family Philanthropies

Leonard Goodman Grand Victoria Foundation IDNR Illinois Council on Best Management Practices Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Madison County McKnight Foundation Daniel J. Stocker Trailnet, Inc US Fish & Wildlife Service William A Kerr Foundation IN-KIND DONORS: Suzanne Boyle, Belleville News Democrat Braeutigam Orchards BTR Woodworks Cooley Farms DoubleTree by Hilton Collinsville Echo Farm Eckert’s Environmental Operations, Inc. Excel Bottleworks Express Design Group Tim Faltus, Bellecourt Manor Fresh Pasture Farms Fresh Thyme Market Josh Galliano, Companion Bakery Goulding’s Jewlers Grimm & Gorly Pam Hass Joseph Hemp V., Robust Wine Bar Jody White State Farm Keller Farms Jennifer Kennedy, J. Fires’ Market Bistro Lowe’s Marcoot Jersey Creamery Meier Family Farm Morgan Oaks Abby O’Bryan PET O’Fallon, LLC (Deans) Praire Farms Regions Bank Duanne Ripperda, Buy A Farm Land & Auction Company Ben Rudis, Pastaria Sauce Magazine Scharf Farm SWIC Culinary Arts & Food Management Program The Trophy Mules Voss Pecans Walker & Williams P.C. Windcrest Dairy

...for investing in nature!

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

-John Muir

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Robert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair

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Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois

IL Green Economy Network

Frank O. Miles, Vice Chair

Madison County Community Development

Bill Armstrong, Treasurer

406 East Main Street, Mascoutah, Illinois 62258 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org 618-566-4451 - info@heartlandsconservancy.org

Retired, International Banking

Robert Nelson, Secretary

Nelson & Nelson Attorneys at Law

William Boardman

Firehouse Contracting, LLC

Brenda Chandler

Buy A Farm Land & Auction Co.

OUR PRIORITIES: BUILDING GREENER COMMUNITIES

Innovative planning and partnerships with communities to protect environmental resources and promote healthier, sustainable, and resilient communities.

Ronald J. Foster, Jr.

Schoen, Walton, Telken & Foster

Dennis (Denny) Kirkham Land Owner

Robert Knobeloch

St. Louis Prompters LLC

Ronda Latina

Environmental Operations, Inc.

Charles Meier

Illinois State Representative

Bill Reichert

EWR Architects

Cliff Schuette

Schuette Seed Company

Justin Siegel

Deli Star Corporation

Dawnesha Tomlin

Illinois American Water

CONSERVING LAND & PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES

Providing leadership, conservation strategies and tools in order to protect our rich farmland and distinctive natural areas.

STAFF: Mary Vandevord

Interim Executive Director mary.vandevord@heartlandsconservancy.org

Ed Weilbacher

Vice President for Building Greener Communities ed.weilbacher@heartlandsconservancy.org

Janet Buchanan

Environmental Planning and Policy janet.buchanan@heartlandsconservancy.org

Megan Connelly

Marketing and Communications Coordinator megan.connelly@heartlandsconservancy.org

David C. Eustis

Special Projects - Land Conservation dave.eustis@heartlandsconservancy.org

Roberta LaSalvia

ENGAGING PEOPLE WITH NATURE

Bringing our neighbors and nature together through education, treks, and partnerships to promote the nature of Southwestern Illinois.

Accountant roberta.lasalvia@heartlandsconservancy.org

Laura Lyon

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

Kim O’Bryan

Development and Events Coordinator kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org

Sarah Vogt

Environmental Programs Technician sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org