2014
Annual Report
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Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois
Southwestern Illinois’ leader in conservation since 1989
HIGHLIGHTS • Collectively, more than 6,500 acres has been permanently protected since 2001, much of which is now open to the public.
• More than $30 million has been invested in conservation in Southwestern Illinois. • Our work with farmers is reducing 16,221 tons of nitrogen and 2,898 tons of phosphorous from entering local streams.
CONNECTION IT’S IN EVERYTHING WE DO
our ESSENCE ofWORK
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• 1,063 acres were permanently protected in 2014, the most by any land trust working in Illinois.
• Assisted eight communities in St. Clair County adopt Complete Streets resolutions. • Community Membership Program for towns, counties, and districts grew by 33% allowing staff to advocate for southwestern Illinois at the regional, state, and national levels on the topics of sustainability, economic growth, and quality of life issues.
After decades of engaging communities, we know that connection with nature is an intrinsic need for the people of our region. From designing trails for hiking; biking; and paddling to protecting farmland and helping communities find solutions to flooding problems, making the link between people and nature is our foundation. Last year, we permanently protected 1,063 acres of land, forever preserving both agricultural and conservation values; assisted with complete streets programming, and other initiatives that will lead to more sustainable communities and helped restore nature at Mill Creek Natural Area. Thanks to your generous and continued support, we are on the ground and able to create open spaces and programs that connect the people of southwestern Illinois with nature in meaningful ways.
MISSION:
Provide leadership and solutions to sustain and enrich the diverse environmental resources of Southwestern Illinois.
VISION:
Communities with healthy and sustainable air, land and water resources for current and future generations.
FUTURE:
Grow with our partners, build upon successes and continue to invest in nature because the payoff is worth it.
Web: HeartLandsConservancy.org Facebook: facebook.com/HeartLandsConservancy Instagram: heartlandsconservancy LinkedIn: HeartLands Conservancy