HLC Fall Newsletter 2016

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What’s Inside Project Updates.................................... 2 Tips.......................................................3 Recent Events.................................. 4-5 New CEO Announced.........................6 Membership......................................... 7 Jingle Hike Challenge....................... BC

Directors

Robert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair IL Green Economy Network

Bill Reichert, Vice Chair EWR Architects William Armstrong, Treasurer

Retired, International Banking

Robert Nelson, Secretary

Nelson & Nelson Attorneys at Law

William Boardman

Firehouse Contracting, LLC

Brenda Chandler Buy A Farm Land & Auction Co Ronald J. Foster, Jr.

Walton, Telken & Foster

Robert Knobeloch

St. Louis Prompters LLC

Nancy Larson

Harter, Larson & Dodd

Ronda Latina

Environmental Operations, Inc

Charles Meier Illinois State Representative Stephen Parrish

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Company

Dawnesha Tomlin

Illinois American Water

A Quarterly Publication of HeartLands Conservancy

Fall 2016

It’s Time to Think About Taxes...

Summer is over, and we’re already seeing Christmas decorations in the stores. Before you know it, it will be 2017 and you’ll be wishing you had taken full advantage of your tax deductions. A little planning in this last quarter of 2016 can make April 15 a more enjoyable experience.

Help the environment and catch some tax breaks.

As a nonprofit organization, HeartLands Conservancy relies on In July, we protected a 149-acre property with a cypress swamp in donors throughout the year to help southern Illinois. us achieve our mission of “providing leadership and solutions to sustain and enrich the diverse environmental resources of Southwestern Illinois.” Donations this year alone have helped us protect over 200 acres of open space, offer an engaging series of nature treks, and continue our work toward healthy watersheds and a high quality of life for the people of our region. Donations to our organization are tax-deductible.

Conserve your farmland or natural area and get federal income tax breaks.

The donation of a conservation easement can result in significant tax benefits.

If it meets the requirements of federal law, if may lower your federal income tax because you can claim the value of the easement as a tax-deductible charitable donation.

A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently limits uses of the land to protect its conservation values. Landowners maintain many of their rights, including their right to own and use the land, sell it, and pass it on to their heirs.

Conservation easements do have some costs associated with it (e.g., legal fees, appraisal); so, HeartLands Conservancy is pleased to offer an incentive of up to $10,000 to offset our stewardship fee for farmland/agricultural conservation easements.

Contact us to discuss your options or visit www.landtrustalliance.org to learn more about conservation easements.

Commonfields Fall 2016

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Watershed Planning Continues... and Expands...

At HeartLands, we study stormwater and flooding issues by looking at entire watersheds. This holistic approach includes following the causes of water problems upstream to downstream. Following the success of the Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan, which identifies strategies for improving water quality and reducing flood damage in eastern Madison County, four more watershed plans are currently underway.

1. Indian Creek-Cahokia Creek Watershed Plan – Macoupin County and Madison County watershed including Bunker Hill, Wilsonville, Holiday Shores, and half of Edwardsville.

Flooding at Cahokia Creek

2. Canteen Creek-Cahokia Creek Watershed Plan – Madison County and St. Clair County watershed including Maryville, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, and the other half of Edwardsville.

3. American Bottom Watershed Plan – Madison County watershed adjacent to the Mississippi River including Granite City, Pontoon Beach, Madison, and Venice.

4. Lower Silver Creek Watershed Plan – St. Clair County watershed including Lebanon, O’Fallon, Mascoutah, Shiloh, and Scott Air Force Base.

Arlington Wetlands in the American Bottom Watershed

Stakeholder engagement for all of these plans is ongoing; please contact us to learn more! Public Open House events for the Lower Silver Creek Watershed Plan will be held in the Spring, and Open House events for the Cahokia Creek watershed plans in December.

... And Watershed Plan Implementation Begins Once the Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan was complete, the area became eligible for more types of state and federal funds. HeartLands applied for and received a grant of over $500,000 from Illinois EPA to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the watershed, with a cost share from landowners, through 2018. BMPs that are eligible for funding include grassed waterways, streambank stabilization, and Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCOBs). Applications were due October 20.

Visit http://www.co.madison. il.us/departments/planning_and_ development/silver_creek_cost_share_ program.php for more information.

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Let’s Talk Trees

Commonfields Fall 2016

Plant This...Not that.

As the Chinese proverb goes “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago…The second best time is now.” It’s true.

RIGHT NOW. Early fall is a prime time to plant native trees and shrubs.

For a few reasons:

1. Cooler and more even fall temperatures and rain fall will be less stressful on young plants.

2. Soils are moist and easier to work this time of year.

3. There are fewer insect and disease threats.

Naturally, a concern for planting in the fall is that a harsh winter will follow. For hardy species this should not be a problem. Trees that can be successfully planted in the fall include alder, ash, buckeye, catalpa, crabapple, hackberry, hawthorn, honey locust, elm, Kentucky coffee tree, linden, maple, sycamore, pines, and spruces. Most deciduous shrubs can easily be planted in fall.

After planting, water tree thoroughly as needed to supply about 1 inch of water per week. Continue watering until the ground is frozen, even after deciduous plants have lost their leaves.

Some species will do better if planted in the spring. Save oaks, bald cypress, American hornbeam, ginkgo, larch, magnolia, hemlock, sweetgum, tuliptree, and willow for planting in the spring.

Hackberry trees are wonderful natives that can be planted in the Fall. Photo:itrees.com

Leaf them lay…

Spending hours raking and bagging or burning leafs? Burning leaves is terrible for air quality and bagged leaves probably end up in a landfill. Plus, I’m sure we could spend time enjoying autumn in other ways. So let’s leaf them lay. For the benefits of improved air quality, reduced waste, and better soil!

Leaves are full of nutrients. By allowing leaves to break down in our yard we add key nutrients to the soil. Worms, insects, and other soil organisms break down leaves into and rich compost to naturally fertilize you lawn. In the following years your soil, and therefore your lawn, will be much healthier.

Big piles of leaves will kill grass, so here’s some ways to utilize fallen leaves: 1. Mow over your leaf filled yard a few times to cut the leaves into smaller pieces. They will break down faster.

2. Rake leaves into flower beds, gardens, and around trees to act as mulch over winter. This will suppress weed growth and build soil fertility.

3. Add leaves to compost pile. Layer with kitchen waste throughout the winter.

4. If you prefer a tidy yard and must bag your leaves consider taking them to your community yard waste site or another composting center (like St. Louis Composting) where they can be used by others.

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Oak Trees should be planted in the Spring for Best Results. Photo above: Burr Oak

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Commonfields Fall 2016

Highlights of Recent Events and Activities

We had our most successful Field to Fork event EVER in July, raising over $30,000 for conservation...

On a recent trip to the Shawnee National Forest, visiting our most recent land acquisition, Mary Vandevord captured this beautiful flower near an ephemeral wetland.

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Commonfields Fall 2016

Highlights of Recent Events and Activities The Mounds team - Suzanne and Laura - put together a parklet for all to enjoy during the Mississippi Earthtones Festival in Alton in September.

What is a parklet? A parklet is a small public sidewalk extension. It usually extends two parking space lengths and uses non-permanent materials. It combines elements such as seating, trees, flowers, shrubs, umbrellas, bike parking, or lighting. This year’s parklet patrons got to walk on the big Mounds Map, hula hoop, and make sand castles.

Thanks to all who came out for the Perseid Meteor Shower Star Trek on August 12th! Over 100 people had planned to come out to Highland Silver Lake Park to view the meteor shower. Unfortunately we had a rain shower instead of a meteor shower! Luckily the Riverbend Astronomy Club stuck around to give us some demonstrations and teach us about the meteor shower that we will get to view next year!

... thank you to the farms, chefs, volunteers, donors, members, sponsors, and everyone who pitched in to help us ensure our mission can continue for another year!

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Commonfields Fall 2016

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Mary Vandevord named new President & CEO

NavNET

Do the woods in your favorite park look like this?

Dense and overgrown...

On October 1, 2016, the HeartLands Conservancy Board of Directors announced that Mary Vandevord has been named President & CEO of the organization.

Mary has served in a variety of roles at HeartLands, beginning as a Community & Environmental Planner, and then as Chief Operating Officer and interim CEO. “Mary has successfully prepared herself by leading the organization through a time of change and transition,” said Robert Hilgenbrink, board chairman. “Mary’s vision for the future of HeartLands is aligned with the board’s strategic priorities to expand the reach of our programs and strengthen its position as a leader in conservation in southwestern Illinois.”

Would you like it to look more like this instead?

Clear, with space for trees to thrive.

Prior to joining HeartLands Conservancy, Vandevord served in various sustainable development and conservation positions at the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, and the City of Blanchard, Oklahoma.

She holds a master’s degree in Regional and City Planning from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University.

“The board of directors is excited about the future of HeartLands Conservancy, and Mary has the passion for land conservation and ability to create the next chapter of HeartLands Conservancy’s story of success,” said Bill Reichert, vice chairman of the board.

Tell us all about it! NAVNet, the Natural Areas Volunteer Network can help! Let us know if your favorite park needs a little help. We can work with your town to organize volunteer events and demonstrate how to clear woods of overgrowth and invasive species. With some neighborhood power we can help get that park looking great again!

In her new role, Vandevord will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s program development, fundraising, personnel, communications and finance. She will also lead efforts surrounding the organization’s robust Building Greener Communities program, which advances more sustainable efforts within the 50 plus communities that call southwestern Illinois home.

Call Sarah, 618.566.4451 ext. 23 or send an email (sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org).

Work controlling invasive bush honeysuckle at Swansea’s Centennial Park has been successful, and now we want to work with more communities to help improve parks for everyone.

A native of Dorsey, IL, in rural Madison County, she and her husband, Rob, have a daughter and live in Edwardsville.

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Commonfields Fall 2016

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Help HeartLands

Conservancy protect the natural resources that matter to you!

Become a Member Today! www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/membership

Did you know that HeartLands Conservancy welcomes gifts of real estate?

Receiving gifts of land and real estate from generous supporters just like you ensures our vision of communities with healthy and sustainable air, land, and water resources for generations to come.

Join us as we invest in the nature of Southwestern Illinois: For more information, contact Mary Vandevord, President and CEO of HeartLands Conservancy.

618-566-4451 ex. 20 or info@heartlandsconservancy.org.

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406 East Main Street Mascoutah, IL 62258 (618) 566-4451

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