2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Introduction

If I had to give a theme to 2022, it would be “clean water.“ That‘s because in 2022, the majority of our projects focused on clean water and flood impact reduction. Clean water is so important to our region and all of humanity and wildlife. Many people think about the drinking water that comes out of the tap, often cleaned by local municipalities or water utilities. Before that water gets to the facility, it comes from the land... and often picks up pollutants that are costly to remove before they come out of your faucet. HeartLands Conservancy‘s work to restore natural conditions in floodplains and streams, and to reduce stormwater runoff from cities, helps remove millions of tons of pollutants from our water.

Here are some highlights of water-related projects that happened in 2022 thanks to supporters of HeartLands Conservancy:

• 310 acres of land is now permanently preserved and being restored to wetlands near Edwardsville, Valmeyer, Germantown, and Bartelso. These wetlands will provide wildlife habitat and help manage flooding and filter pollution in our region‘s water.

• The wetlands restoration above brought HeartLands‘ land conservation efforts to over 10,000 total acres preserved!

• Phase 1 of the Exploration Garden in Swansea was unveiled and Phase 2the Raindrop‘s Journey - began. The Raindrop‘s Journey filters water from the roof of the park pavilion as it makes its way to the pond, where many people fish.

• Work continued to improve watershed health and reduce flash flooding in Madison and St. Clair counties, including the area around Scott Air Force Base, the watersheds in western St. Clair County, and in the central parts of Madison County.

• Volunteers contributed more than 400 hours at Arlington Wetlands to help improve the habitat and protect the wetland system.

And not water related, but exciting...

• A neighborhood action plan was completed for the City of Lebanon‘s southeast quadrant and won the award for Outstanding Plan Making from the St. Louis Section of the American Planning Association.

It‘s because of people in our region who care about this place that our water can be cleaner and healthier. Thank you for all you do!

Mary Vandevord President & CEO

HLC’s Impact on Conservation in southwestern Illinois

Because of generous support from our members and sponsors, HeartLands Conservancy has been able to conserve, connect, and restore the diverse natural and cultural resources that sustain the people and communities of southwestern Illinois.

Preserving the Heart of Our Landscapes: Celebrating a Landmark Achievement of 10,000 Acres Conserved

In 2022, HeartLands Conservancy supporters reached a milestone for conservation. Together we have preserved over 10,000 acres of land for nature, farms, and recreation in southern Illinois.

What does this look like?

6,770 acres are publicly accessible open spaces throughout the region, such as Willoughby Heritage Farm Conservation Reserve, Arlington Wetlands, Chouteau, Garbaret, and Mosenthein Islands, Engelmann Farm, White Rock Nature Preserve, and parts of the Shawnee National Forest.

Another 280 acres are currently under restoration with public access to come!

That‘s the equivalent of about 5 1/2 Forest Parks of public open space.

In addition to public land, supporters of HeartLands Conservancy have preserved nearly 3,000 acres of private land through our conservation easement program. That’s almost 5 square miles!

Nurturing Community Bonds: Empowering and Honoring Local Groups through Technical Planning Support

In 2022, HeartLands Conservancy made a positive impact on historic neighborhoods like East St. Louis and Lebanon, Illinois, fostering community bonds and empowering local groups. One significant achievement was our collaboration with the founders of Valentine Conservation Park, where we provided technical planning support to develop an action plan and transform the land into a cherished neighborhood amenity. The park now stands as a legacy project dedicated to the Valentine Family.

In another inspiring partnership, we worked with Friends of McAllister Park in Lebanon‘s Southeast Quadrant. Together, we crafted a comprehensive neighborhood plan, engaging the community through events and activities to ensure everyone had a voice. This collaborative endeavor was recognized with the prestigious Outstanding Plan award from the APA - ST. Louis Chapter, adopted by both the neighborhood and the City.

At HeartLands Conservancy, we believe in preserving and empowering communities. Through the dedication of our multidisciplinary team and active involvement of local groups, we‘ve made a tangible difference in Southern Illinois.

Unveiling Nature‘s Canvas: Journey through the Enchanting Expansion of Phase 2 in the Exploration Garden

In 2022, we witnessed the breathtaking transformation of the Exploration Garden and unveiled the remarkable growth and expansion of Phase 2. With each passing season, this haven of natural beauty continues to flourish, inviting visitors on a journey.

Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, the meadow became a living canvas, evolving with waves of colors that harmoniously danced with the diverse wildlife. Birds serenaded the air, minks and turtles made occasional appearances, and butterflies gracefully flitted from flower to flower. The meadow became a cherished gathering place, attracting volunteers, visitors, and even hosting weddings, celebrations, and moments of quiet contemplation. Whether fishing, walking, or capturing photographs of the awe-inspiring scenery, everyone found their own unique connection to the natural wonders within.

Audit & Financial Information

Much of HeartLands Conservancy’s work involves targeted real estate transactions and associated relationship-building, due diligence, deal-making, and fundraising. Sometimes we buy a 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, conservation-minded individual, or a state or federal agency).

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 2022, we transferred ownership of our Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge inholdings to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. As with the global market downtown, we had significant losses on our investments and spent some of our reserves to cover unanticipated costs from inflation, resulting in a loss on our financial statements.

We could not do what we do without the generosity of our donors.