2018 ANNUAL REPORT
Letter from the CEO Our Mission
2018 was an amazing year for conservation in southwestern Illinois!
The mission of HeartLands Conservancy is to conserve, connect, and restore the diverse natural and cultural resources that sustain the people and communities of southwestern Illinois.
Do you feel mother nature smiling a little? I certainly do. That’s because 2018 was a watershed year for conservation in our region. Let me highlight just a few accomplishments you made possible:
Our Vision
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Kathleen Scanlan Conservation Area. In spring 2018, HeartLands Conservancy purchased 140 acres of floodplain forest along the Kaskaskia River in Washington County, Illinois (between Okawville and Mascoutah). This land is part of one of the most important ecosystems in the state—the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forest. The forest is a haven for tropical birds that migrate from south america, including the stunning prothonotary warbler. On a visit to the property last year, our staff observed a bald eagle circling the river and looking for lunch. We are working on improving access to the property so that it can be accessible to the public in the near future.
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William C. Drda Woods. In summer 2018, we were pleased to learn that the City of Edwardsville was awarded a grant to purchase a 71-acre property next to Bohm Woods State Nature Preserve. If you’ve been following our newsletters and social media, you know that Bohm Woods is a special place in Edwardsville. It is the only significant old growth forest left in the county. This makes the forest an important respite for migrating birds who need large blocks of mature forest. The addition and restoration of Drda Woods will protect the integrity of this preserve for the foreseeable future. HeartLands is proud to be a partner on this project with the city and other organizations, such as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
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Illinois Chorus Frog Habitat. In fall 2018, our partners at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) purchased a 10-acre property for protecting the state-threatened Illinois Chorus Frog. HeartLands Conservancy worked with TNC to protect the site and discuss conservation options with the landowner. This property will be undergoing restoration back to its original sand prairie habitat, which is what the frogs really love!
We envision a future for southwestern Illinois where people, wildlife, and natural habitats thrive together because the community—private citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies—has invested in the conservation of our natural places and resources.
Our Guiding Principles The following provide the foundation for all strategies, policies, and organizational decisions: Conservation We are committed to the conservation and stewardship of the region’s natural and cultural resources for the environmental, social, and economic benefit of the region. Data We use scientific research and reliable data to guide our decisions and to evaluate the results of our projects, policies, and initiatives. Integrity We strive for excellence and accountability in the development and delivery of our programs, products, and services. We honor and uphold the trust placed in us by others, and remain open, ethical, and forthright in our activities. Innovation We research and apply innovative technologies and practices in our programs. Collaboration We enthusiastically partner with others who share our vision and respect others with diverse viewpoints and perspectives. Inclusion We recognize that our differences make us stronger; therefore, we are committed to seeking out a diverse staff, board, volunteers, and membership that share our vision. We strive to include and engage a diverse spectrum of southwestern Illinois communities. 2 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
These projects were all funded in part by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. We are deeply grateful to the foundation for supporting preservation of natural areas in our region and state. These are only a few of the many conservation successes in 2018. Please enjoy this Annual Report that highlights the difference you made as a supporter of HeartLands Conservancy.
Mary Vandevord President & CEO
2018 Board of Directors
Our Team
William Armstrong Retired International Finance William Boardman, Land Conservation Committee Chair Firehouse Contracting Brenda Chandler Property Peddlers Robert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair Illinois Green Economy Network Dawnesha Johnson, External Committee Chair Illinois American Water Robert Knobeloch St. Louis Prompters, LLC Nancy Larson Attorney, Retired Ronda Latina, Second Vice-Chair Evironmental Operations, Inc. Charles Meier Illinois State Representative & Farmer Robert Nelson, Secretary Nelson & Nelson Attorneys at Law Stephen Parrish, Treasurer Farmers & Merchants Bank E. William Reichert, Vice-Chair Farnsworth Group Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Company Mary Vandevord, President & CEO HeartLands Conservancy Anne Werner Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
Michael Andreas Special Projects Coordinator Shelli Bement Director of Finance & Administration Landon Brooks Communications Manager Janet Buchanan, LEED Green Associate Project Manager Emily Kinard Project Specialist Laura L. Lyon, A.AIA, CNU Director of Strategic Initiatives Kim O’Bryan Director of Development & Events Mary Vandevord, AICP, LEED AP ND President & CEO Sarah Vogt Conservation Manager Ed Weilbacher Vice President Steve Widowski Wildlife Biologist
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2018 HIGHLIGHTS
conserve
engage
HLC conserved
221
acres total in 2018
9,250
total since 1989
Number of square miles of community growth
planned
acres
617
surveys
1500 volunteer hours
of people directly participated and gave insight on plans for future
Over
community growth, cultural and natural resource conservation, pedestrian, bicycle, trail and watershed planning
devoted to consevation
24 students at-
tended the second
Total of linear feet of sidewalks analyzed
bioblitz 110+
species of plants,
11,602
insects, and animals
22 attendees the wildflower trek in Bohm Woods 4 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
5.25
& trails planned
188,812 ft
& 70 acres park planned park space
connect JINGLE HIKE
152
PARTICIPANTS
They visited 6 COUNTIES 12 PARKS 13 TREES
restore approximately
1,888 stream miles studied in watersheds
14.1 acres projects implemented water
quality projects
TOTAL TREE VISITS:
1,000+ # OF PEOPLE WHO VISITED AT LEAST 6 PARKS: 69 379,000 steps taken
18,950 calories burned
Number of clicks, likes, tags, media interactions:
>800
interactions
Biodiversity & amenities to Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom part 2: 1 ½ lbs. of native seed mix 8 oz of woodland seed 300+ plants of 4 species of milkweed awarded from Monarch Watch 42 shrubs and trees awarded from Forest ReLeaf of Missouri 144 shrubs, trees and forbs 20 button Bush whips donated 2 trees donated by Mr. Meurer
2 Interpretive Signs 3 blue bird houses
(with 4 baby birds!)
2 insect hotels 2 benches
Field to Fork
6 chefs 960 dishes vegetables: jalapeno eggplant cucumbers
5lbs 10lbs 10lbs + 12 zucchini 35lbs celery 15lbs tomatoes, cherry 5lbs + 2 flats tomatoes 60lbs + 20 large onions, sweet 15lbs onions, red 5lbs cabbage centerpieces greens, leafy 15lbs fruit: cantaloupe 30lbs peaches 80lbs apples 30lbs herbs: basil 7lbs thyme 1/2lb mint 1lb garlic 12lbs hazelnuts 6lbs dairy: pecorino 7lbs milk 10 gal cream 8 gal mascarpone 3 gal butter 5lbs
Amount of reduced pollution (nonpoint source pollution) by projects implemented
2,700
tons/year sediment,
2,800
lbs/year phosphorus, &
7,000
lbs/year nitrogen
This year Signal Hill's new trees produced
11,960
pounds of oxygen.
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SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY HeartLands Conservancy is committed to preserving and increasing the diversity of wildlife species (i.e., biodiversity) in southwestern Illinois. Think of it like your retirement investment portfolio— investing in a diversity of funds will increase your rate of return and protect your long-term investments when the economy is rocky. The same thinking applies to the ecosystem. Humans depend on ecosystems for fresh drinking water, food supply, pollinators for crops, and soil stability and production for food and medicine. When one or more species are lost (i.e., when biodiversity is decreased), the ecosystem is weakened and less likely to provide those essential services we humans need to survive. In 2018, HeartLands Conservancy was responsible for the preservation of 221 acres of natural areas in southwestern Illinois. These areas provide habitat for many threatened and endangered species, including northern harriers, cerulean warblers, Illinois chorus frogs, ornate box turtles, Indiana bats, decurrent false asters, pallid sturgeons, and orchids. These habitats also support other species, such as quail, rabbits, butterflies and bees, squirrels, waterfowl, bobcats, eastern prickly pear cactus, minks, turkey, deer, eagles and other raptors, bluegill, crappie, and many songbirds. Since 1989, HeartLands Conservancy has preserved 9,250 acres of natural areas and farmland in southwestern Illinois. Supporting these species helps our region continue to have clean drinking water, bountiful crops, and clean air to breathe. In addition to conserving large open natural areas, bringing biodiversity back to a neighborhood or in a park within a city benefits all those around it. Consider creating habitat through a pollinator garden or a raingarden for yourself or community and watch it thrive. Every bit of habitat counts. Each fragmented piece can act as bridge and eventually flourish to form benefical habitat corridors and areas. "Biodiversity is our most valuable but least appreciated resource. "
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— Edward O. Wilson
SIGNAL HILL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM EVENTS March • Seeding and Straw with Girls Scouts April • Poison Hemlock removal day – HLC Staff & select Volunteers • Signal Hill Open House and Tour • Bioblitz II & Host Site for STL City Nature Challenge (iNaturalist) June • Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Work Day September • Community Planting & Volunteer Work Days • New Student Introduction Day - 4 science classes from Signal Hill School (2 of 7th grade and 2 of 8th grade) and 2 (7th grade) science classes from Blessed Sacrament introductory tour and work day on site. 7
SHAPING HEALTHY, FUNCTIONING WATERSHEDS A watershed is an area of land in which all of the water drains to a single point—typically a creek or river. Everyone lives in a watershed, and each watershed has its own unique elements. In 2018, HeartLands Conservancy completed work on three longrange watershed plans. The plans help communities, landowners, and residents understand water quality and flooding issues in their local watershed and recommend solutions to improve the watershed over a 20-year period. Two of the watershed plans completed in 2018 are a part of a longstanding effort by Madison County Planning & Development. The county is in the process of completing a watershed plan for each of its watersheds as a part of its Stormwater Master Plan. This innovative approach to stormwater planning provides recommendations and solutions for issues specific to each watershed. The two plans completed in 2018 were for the Indian-Cahokia Creek watershed, which includes Holiday Lake and Dunlap Lake, and the CanteenCahokia Creek watershed, which includes the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, and Collinsville. HeartLands Conservancy also completed the Lower Silver Creek Watershed Plan in 2018. This plan was created with the assistance of a community partnership group consisting of: Scott Air Force Base; the communities of O’Fallon, Shiloh, Mascoutah, Belleville, and Lebanon; St. Clair County; Madison County; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and many other entities. Once watershed plans are final, they can be put into action with the help of grant funding. In 2018, HeartLands Conservancy—with partners Madison County, National Great Rivers Research & Education Center, Midwest Streams, and the Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District—completed a $572,000 “implementation grant” project in the Upper Silver Creek watershed in Madison County. In all, 19 projects were installed to reduce pollution flowing into streams and store water to reduce flash flooding in the watershed. It is estimated that these projects will reduce 2,700 tons of sediment per year, 7,000 lbs/year of nitrogen, 2,800 lbs/year of phosphorus from entering the water system.
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WATERSHED PLANNING • • • •
1,888 stream miles ofwater/streams studies 87 samples tested for water quality 614,000 square feet of planned and implemented water projects 19,680 linear feet of stream projects and sediment control basins installed on site. 9
LENDING A HAND HeartLands Conservancy’s small but mighty staff of 10 accomplishes a lot throughout the year and all over our region, that’s for sure. However, the organization thrives on the efforts of volunteers, nature enthusiasts, supporters, and avid learners—people who want to get involved or just want to get outside. HeartLands Conservancy’s staff and Board of Directors thanks you, our greatest asset, for all you do for our region. Here are just a few examples of volunteer efforts from 2018: In 2018, more than 115 people volunteered their time to keep progress going on the Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom. Many were first time volunteers through the BASIC Initiative in Belleville. Thousands of bad plants, like japanese hops and poison hemlock, were removed to allow native wildflowers to grow and feed the bees and butterflies. The 2018 Jingle Hike Challenge kicked off in November with more participants than ever before! Hikers search for bells in 12 selected parks throughout six counties (plus our new office as the bonus bell) in the Metro East during the holiday season. Each participant was entered for prizes for each bell they found. During 2018’s challenge, one of the bells went missing from a tree on Chouteau Island. A participating family just so happened to have a bell in their car and replaced it for us. Thank you for your good deed! Field to Fork is HeartLands’ annual farm-to-table fundraiser, and like years past the 2018 event was a success. The event simply cannot happen without the volunteers behind the scenes. We are grateful to the farms who donated their lovingly grown fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses. The ingredients these farms provide are truly the stars of the event and showcases our great southern Illinois agriculture. Volunteers spent a day day picking up the farms’ donations and distributing them to participating local chefs. These amazing chefs took time away from their businesses to prepare a six-course meal to delight and surprise everyone’s taste buds. Field to Fork is only possible by the generous sponsors and donors that make the event happen. Thank you for lending a hand for conservation!
HeartLands Conservancy Projects Distribution by County 10 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
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FINANCIALS Much of HeartLands Conservancy’s work involves targeted real estate transactions and associated relationship building, due diligence, deal-making, and fundraising. Sometimes we buy property and steward it permanently. In other cases, we buy land to save it from imminent loss and later transfer it to a permanent steward (e.g., parks department, a conservation-minded individual, or the U.S. Forest Service). In other scenarios, we empower a partner to make the purchase by negotiating the terms, securing funding, and managing or assisting with the acquisition on their behalf. Because of this, our finances can look very different from year to year. In 2018, we performed all of these functions. We purchased the 140-acre Kathleen Scanlan Conservation Area with special funding from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. The acquisition of this property, in the Kaskaskia River Bottomland, will provide recreational access along the river, create a long-term nature preserve, and protect the bottomland forest in perpetuity. We also sold Mill Creek Natural Area in Randolph County to IDNR. This property had been held by HeartLands for IDNR since 2013. The transfer of Mill Creek allows IDNR to manage and steward the special natural features of this site. Lastly, we assisted two partners—TNC and The City of Edwardsville—with property acquisitions to protect threatened and endangered species and an old growth forest. 2018 Audited
CURRENT ASSETS
676,398
630,478
Land
2,667,479
2,530,398
Other Assets
1,391,346
1,620,506
TOTAL ASSETS
4,735,223
4,781,382
Current Liabilities
1,333,694
1,565,968
Unrestricted Net Assets
2,811,117
2,530,398
590,412
685,016
4,735,223
4,781,382
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets
TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS 12 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
2017 Audited
INCOME BY TYPE Federal & State Government Grants 38 % Foundations 25 % Fee For Service 5% Corporate & Individual Giving 9 % Investments, In-Kind, Misc 24 %
EXPENSES BY FUNCTION Conservation of Land & Water Program Resilient Communities Program Engagement & Education Program Management Fundraising
9% 69 % 1% 15 % 6%
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CONTRIBUTORS, PARTNERS, & DONORS THANK YOU!
Your support in our membership program matters!
As a local 501c3 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. Funds generated through the membership program directly support staff in working with landowners in protecting farmland and natural areas, as well as providing outreach related to sustainable communities, and reconnecting people to our lands and waters through our seasonal treks and workshops. The benefits of becoming a member are numerous. When you make a tax-deductible donation to HeartLands Conservancy, becoming a member for one year, you will receive the following: • Our quarterly newsletter, Commonfields, which features our many projects and successes, as well as timely information related to habitat management and conservation in general. • Special invitations to our treks and other outreach events. • Discounts to events, conservation@home, and other programs. • Opportunities to meet with other individuals from throughout Southwestern Illinois who share a passion for conservation. Most importantly, you'll become part of a diverse community of people, businesses and organizations who treasure Southwestern Illinois and who are working together so that our region will always be a place of beauty and natural life. In short, you can make a difference when nature needs our assistance more than ever!
White Oak Society Membership Levels Pin Oak $500/year Red Oak $1,000/year Chinkapin Oak $2,500/year Post Oak $5,000/year Burr Oak $10,000+/year
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HeartLands Conservancy is grateful for the organizations, partners, and donors that make conservation possible. $100,000+ Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Illinois Department of Natural Resources Illinois Environmental Protection Agency $50,000 - $99,999 U.S. Forest Service $25,000 - $49,999 Anonymous Madison County St. Clair County $10,000 - $24,999 City of Mascoutah Randolph County $5,000 - $9,999 Anonymous Prairie State Generating Company, LLC Ed and Kathi Weilbacher Wetlands Forever, Inc. $2,500 - $4,999 City of Edwardsville Donna Dougherty Marilyn and Tom Fahey Robert E. and Mary E. Klie Estate Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery Village of Godfrey $1,000 - $2,499 Ameren Illinois William and Marie-France Armstrong William and Christine Boardman Susan and Kerry Brethauer Robert and Donna Hilgenbrink Kaskaskia Regional Port District Dennis and Jo Kirkham Cheryl Kowalczyk Ted and Theresa Kratschmer Laura L. Lyon and Tim Busse Nelson & Nelson Attorneys at Law, P.C. Robert C. and Katherine Nelson Joel Pesapane E. William Reichert, III Glen and Linda Schuetz Village of Shiloh
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis The Material Works, Ltd. John and Lynne Troyan Walker & Williams P.C. $500 - $999 Belleville Optometry, Ltd. Amy Brockman Dale and Carol Brockmann Cahokia Mound Chapter NSDAR Brenda Chandler Clinton County SWCD Kay Connolly Carl and Penelope DauBach Davey Resource Group, Inc. Farm Credit Illinois Michael and Joann Fricke Don Gaston Toni and Clare Goelz Gori, Julian & Associates, P.C. Gary Green Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. Julie Heberer Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Anne Koleson Nancy Larson and Bill O'Hara Libby E Oxenham Stephen Parrish Charles Poettker William Rable and Libby Reuter John and Denise Schaberg Cliff and Christy Schuette Robert Seiffert SunCoke Energy GCO David and Lisa Tiedemann Robert and Mary Vandevord Volkert, Inc. Anne Werner Laura Wheeler Robert and Mary Vandevord Volkert, Inc. Anne Werner Laura Wheeler $250 - $499 James Andrew Larry Brammer Civil Design, Inc.
Helen Gallagher Grimm & Gorly Florist & Gifts, Inc. Illinois American Water Ronda Latina Madison County SWCD Meurer Brothers Tree Care Mitze Nitzsche Bob Polk Randolph County SWCD Bradley Riechmann Terri Riutcel Scott Credit Union Cas Sheppard St. Clair County Farm Bureau Richard and Deborah Vandevord Robert Weck Leo and Kay Welch Brian and Jaynie Wells Katy Wonnacott $100 - $249 Bill Ahaus Anonymous Kimberly Atkins Mary Biernot Frederick Blume Douglas Bonner Amy Chartrand City of Belleville City of Carlyle City of Columbia City of Fairview Heights City of Greenville City of Highland City of Mascoutah City of O'Fallon City of Red Bud City of Troy City of Waterloo Greg Colombo Elaine Cueto Diane Drake East St. Louis Park District Mayor Mark Eckert Richard Essner Isaac Faibisoff Tim Faltus Pam and Chris Farrar
Grace Garin Patty Gregory Dan Haider Linda Hanagan Myra Hart Mark Harter Robb and Pam Hass Claire Hatch Sue Herren Chuck and Donna Hill Barbara Hinson Gary Huelsmann Lisa Jenschke Marty and Linda Kemper James Klein Andy Kniffin Bob and Trudy Knobeloch Jamie Koch Brad and Jean Korte Mark Kratschmer Ted and Linda Krauskopf Mike and Jenny Krim Dian Langenhorst & William Kisting Charitable Fund Joe Langenhorst Mary Laurent Carol Lieb Chris Long Florence Maatita Madison County Farm Bureau Keith Markus Virginia McCall Metro East Park & Recreation District Eugene Meurer Valerie Mollet Michael Ness Debbie Newman Sarah Palermo Randi Papke Jason Poole Christine Reed Roger and Dianne Ross Zane and Connie Schneider Silver Creek Garden Club Nancy Suelflow Carole Valencia Village of Bethalto Village of Freeburg
Village of Glen Carbon Village of Hamel Village of Hecker Village of Marine Village of New Baden Village of Shiloh Village of Smithton Connie Vogt Sheila Voss Waterloo Park District Lisa Williams Stewart and Kathleen Wilson Jim Wolterman up to $99 Blake and Suzanne Alberter Dallas and Julie Alley Roland Biehl Dick Breckenridge Chris Brefeld Ralph Buettner Sally Burgess Chris Carl David E. Cassens Sr Tom and Eloise Cohoon Mayor Gerald Daugherty Kristy DeGuire Diane Diekemper Becky Douglas Barb Ducey Brian Dulski Marshall Dyer Sharon Geil Greater St. Louis Community Foundation Tim Gregowicz Molly Hacker Susan Hertich Tom Hewlett Emily Kinard Jeffrey P. King Wayne Kinney Deborah Lexow Penni Livingston Kerl Luly Katie Mondy Hughes Mary Jo Mordthorst David Murrell Heather Navarro
Mary Ellen Niemietz Paul and Julie Niesen Katie Noble Jan Oberkramer Mike and Kim O'Bryan Toni and Don Oplt Veronique Orlet Amanda Payne Wayne and Jen Politsch Michael Reeb Larry Rhutasel Rhonda Ross Lynn Scherer Karen Shoup Ned Siegel John Sloan, PhD Chuck Solinski St. Louis Community Foundation Linda Suess Barb Taylor Mary Truitt Richard Vandevord Terry and Charlotte Walther India Williams Cheryl Wood Roberta Wood Virginia Woulfe-Beile Connie Yordy Lisa Zamfir Amy Ziegler Tributes In Memory of John Valencia Up to $500 Anita Busch Rick Mahrt Robert Massa Phyllis McNeil Kelly Mills Carol and Louis Mitchell Edward Mitchell Darlene Pytlinski Michael Rickert Raymond and Suzanne Rickert Carole Suzuki Carole Valencia Washington University in St. Louis Washington University IMC Staff
In-kind 1818 Chophouse Abe's Gourmet Popcorn All Mart Liquor Alley Family Farms Alpine Shop Audubon Center at Riverlands Beast Craft BBQ Beatnik's Bel-Air Bowl/St. Clair Bowl Bellecourt Manor Bin 51 Bobby's Frozen Custard Braeutigam Orchards BTO Distributing & Libby Newton Casino Queen Chef's Shoppe Climb So ILL Companion Cooley Farms Country Estate Kennel, Inc. Crain Tree Farm Dewey's Pizza Dill's Floral Haven Dintelmann's Nursery & Garden Eckert's Effinger's Garden Center Elmwood Golf Club Debbie Ettling Excel Bottling Company Farmtruk Four Muddy Paws Gateway Grizzlies Grappa Growlers Ian Hass Holiday World & Splashin' Safari Home Depot Gary Karasek Keller Farms Lehr's Vegetable Farm Local Lucy's Marcoot jersey Creamery Meyer Jewelry Studio My Just Desserts Nothing Bundt Cakes Olive + Oak Orange Leaf-O'Fallon Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza
Peel Wood Fired Pizza Peel-Edwardsville PET Dairy - O'Fallon Property Peddlers Saddleback Chocolates Scharf Farm Schlafly Beer Scott Credit Union Senator Rickert Residence Bed and Breakfast Shady Creek Silver Creek Saloon & Grill Six Flags St. Louis Stuckmeyer's Plants & Produce Stumpy's Spirits Tavern on Main The Butcher's Block The EDGE The Lincoln Theatre The Orchards Golf Course The Pageant The Pasta House Company-Edwardsville Toolen's Running Start Troyan Farms Urban Chestnut Brewing Company Walker & Williams, P.C. Wang Gang Wegman Electric Company What to Wear Cover photo by Jack Rainey Photography
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3 N. High Street Belleville, IL 62220
About Us
Founded in 1989, HeartLands Conservancy protects open spaces, farmland, and cultural assets of southwestern Illinois and the surrounding region to support communities with healthy and sustainable air, land, and water resources.
www.heartlandsconservancy.org