GROWING FORWARD Commonfields SUMMER 2020
Board of Directors E. William Reichert Board Chair Mary Vandevord President Ronda Latina Vice Chair William Boardman Second Vice Chair Stephen Parrish Treasurer Robert C. Nelson Secretary Brenda Chandler Janet Haroian Gary Huelsmann Dawnesha Johnson Nancy Larson Charlie Meier Cliff Schuette Anne Werner
Team Michael Andreas Special Projects Shelli Bement Director of Finance & Administration Landon Brooks Communications & Engagement Manager Tyler Burk Project Manager Laura L. Lyon Director of Strategic Initiatives Kim O’Bryan Director of Development & Events Mary Vandevord President & CEO Sarah Vogt Conservation Manager Ed Weilbacher Vice President Steve Widowski Wildlife Biologist
HeartLands Conservancy 3 N High Street Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 566-4451
info@HeartLandsConservancy.org www.HeartlandsConservancy.org HLC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible and are graciously accepted throughout the year. 2
GOINGFOR Over the past few months, HeartLands Conservancy’s plans for most of the year have been tossed in the compost bin.
people of color more vulnerable to pandemics, health issues, flooding, and climate change. COVID-19 has only exacerbated these inequities.
It would be easy to hunker down and say, “wait until things get back to normal,” but in conservation, normal wasn’t working great anyway. “Normal” was wrong.
Racism has undeniably been a significant factor in environmental inequity. A lack of diverse voices in the environmental movement has led to unequal results, with people of color bearing the largest burden of pollution, environmental degradation, and injustice.
Here’s why I say that: • Half the world’s wildlife has been lost in the last 50 years. A football field-size area of natural habitat is destroyed every 30 seconds in the US. • Farmland, the land that feeds our communities, is developed at a rate of one acre per hour in our region. • People of color in low-income communities have been exposed to more pollution and have less access to open space than the rest of our region. These inequities leave low-income communities and
I recently listened to a panel during Black Birders Week, which showed that people of color have been excluded in the majority of naturerelated stories and images. This has created a false perception that Black people aren’t interested or engaged with nature. The panelists shared stories of hiking, birding, and exploring in nature, and loving it. But they also shared being met with hostility, questioning, or unwelcomeness in many cases.
TOG
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
RWARDBETTER. As a white person, I have not had these same experiences in the outdoors. I don’t fear that someone will call the police on me for watching birds in a public preserve. It is unacceptable that anyone would be made to feel unwelcome while enjoying or studying, or just being in nature because of the color of their skin. At HeartLands Conservancy, we value equity; but to be honest, we, too, have unintentionally played a part in systemic racism. We are proud of the diverse voices involved in our organization, which include farmers, LGBTQ+, political parties, faiths, etc. Yet still, all our staff are white, and the board of directors is primarily white. Our region’s population is so much more diverse and culturally rich. Our organization has quietly and slowly worked on equity and anti-racism goals; however, it is not enough, and we have been too quiet. So, as we move forward, we are not going back to “normal”.
We are committed to going forward better, and here is what we commit to: • We commit to combating policies that infringe on environmental equity and justice. • We commit to elevating diverse voices in conservation through our communication channels and programs.
• We will actively promote a culture of anti-racism, anti-sexism, and anti-bias, and implement hiring and board recruitment practices that further minimize bias and reach a broader diversity of applicants. This is not an either/or; it is a BOTH/AND.
• We uphold that Black lives matter, and we stand for their rights to clean air, water, and land, as well as the right to feel safe and welcome while recreating and participating in the environment.
Our mission to conserve, connect, and restore natural and cultural resources for the people of our region will continue with renewed emphasis on equity, making sure that the people who have historically been left out of, or disregarded by, conservation have a strong part and voice from now on.
• We commit to actively partnering, collaborating, and supporting more people of color-led businesses, farms, and organizations.
I hope EVERYONE will join us toward a better future.
• We will continue to examine our organization’s own internalized racism and complicity.
We must do better going forward. TOGETHER.
Mary Vandevord President & CEO
OGETHER. Commonfields Summer 2020
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Upcoming Events July through September
Volunteer Days will be announced in our e-newsletters and on social media, so lookout for those opportunities if you are interested in volunteering, especially for Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom and Poag Sand Prairie.
Triple the WOOF!!
The Burks planted 52 trees!
July 13 |3:00 - 4:00 pm Grow Solar Metro East Power Hour Virtual Webinar LIVE on our Facebook page and YouTube Channel. For questions, contact Peter Murphy, Solar Program Director at MREA with any questions: PeterM@midwestrenew.org July 25 | CANCELED 11th Annual Field to Fork Help restore prairies instead! (see pages 8-11) August 11 Star Trek: Stargazing during the Perseid Meteor Shower More information coming soon August 29 | 9:00 am - noon Butterfly Count Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom More information coming soon September 12 Hiking Club SIUE Nature Preserve More information coming soon September 26 HeartLands Conservancy’s First Native Plant Sale! More information coming soon Postponed until Fall Buds & Bark Trek: Tree Identification Tentative. More information coming soon All events and dates are subject to change, please visit our website and social media for current information. Our number one goal is to keep you safe and healthy. We follow local, state, and CDC guidelines to determine which events we can hold.
We don’t need to tell you that the last few months have been unprecedented and stressful. As many of our favorite activities and daily routines came to a halt, many in the region found or rediscovered local bits of nature to cope. HeartLands Conservancy abandoned all regularly scheduled programming and changed to virtual and DIY ways to engage with nature - whether from your own backyard, from one of our protected places, or from a local park or nature trail. Nature Bingo: In an effort to help families with an activity for kids during the early days of school closings, we created a bingo card in English and Spanish. The cards are available on our website and Facebook page. Open Trails in Southwestern Illinois: As many parks and open spaces closed during the pandemic, HeartLands Conservancy began and has maintained a document listing all the open trails in our region. We are in the process of adding all of these locations to a map for your use. Backyard Birding Blitz (April - early June): Using iNaturalist, an app that collects observations and can also assist with identification, 576 bird observations were collected in southwestern Illinois. Backyard Birding Bingo: Using the observations from the birding blitz, we created a bingo card that anyone can use to identify and have a good time birding! See the back page.
Metro East Tree Planting Week (April 19 - 25): More than 200 trees were planted and reported by people throughout the region! For every tree planted, HLC will be able plant a tree in urban areas of Madison and St. Clair Counties. This program is part of HeartLands Conservancy’s ongoing effort to Bring Forests Back to communities. Funding is provided by the U.S. Forest Service and the Illinois Forestry Development Council. To help install these trees, become a Tree Steward! The Tree Stewards program will partner with local communities who would like volunteers to help care for small trees. The program will train residents on proper tree care, including pruning and simple pest identification. The program kicks off this winter with its first training class. Communities interested in help from Tree Steward volunteers or individuals interested in participating can email sarah.vogt@ heartlandsconservancy.org Single Hike Challenge (May): A modified version of our popular Jingle Hike Challenge, we partnered with local tourism bureaus, Great Rivers & Routes and ILLINOISouth Tourism, to create the Single Hike Challenge. More than 70 people visited selected trails and parks throughout the Metro East, many of them commenting that they were introduced to new places that they will continue to visit. Winners received gift cards to Alpine Shop and Toolen’s Running Start, as well as
www.HeartlandsConservancy.org 4
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Farmers’ Markets to visit this Summer Conservation@Home Designation
prizes from both tourism bureaus. The grand prize winner was able to choose their favorite park from the challenge to have a tree planted in their name. #SingleHike Urban Forestry Webinar (May 20): Guest speakers, Sarah Vogt, Roger Smith from the Illinois Forestry Association, and Kevin Bennett from Trees Forever. The entire webinar can be found on our YouTube channel and Facebook page. You can also view the webinar directly on our website by visiting https:// www.heartlandsconservancy.org/ urbanforest.php. May Membership Drive: Our goal of 50 new members was far exceeded with a total of 60 new members during May! We are overwhelmed by the support of the community. These memberships provide essential unrestricted support, enabling us to ensure the preservation of open, natural spaces close to where people live and work in southwestern Illinois. Thank you and welcome to all the new members. Conservation@Home: Kerry and Susan Brethauer were presented with one of the first Conservation@ Home certifications. Their yard in Belleville has a variety of native plants, trees, and shrubs. They also have a rain garden, rain barrels, a compost pile, and lots of places for little wildlife.
Dates are determined by City, but are generally are from May through October. Due to CDC and State COVID phasing, please check individual communities’ information. Alton Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market Landmarks Boulevard and Henry St. Wednesday | 4:00pm -7:00pm Thursday | 6:00pm - 9:00pm Saturday | 8:00am - Noon Belleville Belleville Old Town Farmers Market 1st Block of South Charles St. Saturday | 7:30am - Noon Bethalto Bethalto Market in the Park Central Park 213 N. Prairie St. 3rd Sunday | 9:00am - 1:00pm Breese Breese Farmers Market 500 North 1st Street Saturday | 8:00am - Noon Carlyle Carlyle Courthouse Square Farmers Market | 8th St. between Franklin and Fairfax Thursday | 4:00pm - 7:00pm Columbia Columbia Farmers Market 1000 Columbia Center Thursday | 3:00pm - 6:00pm Edwardsville Land of Goshen Community Market 201 St. Louis St.
Saturday | 8:00am - Noon East St. Louis F.R.E.S.H. Farmers Market 650 North 20th St. Thursday | 8:30am - 1:00pm Maryville Maryville Drive-Thru Farmers Market Maryville Village Hall Thursday | 5:00pm - 7:00pm Millstadt Millstadt Farmers Market 200 South Veterans Drive Friday | 7:30am - Noon Nashville Nashville Chamber of Commerce Market | 101 East St. Louis St. Monday | 4:30pm - 6:30pm Thursday | 7:00am - Noon O’Fallon Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station | 212 East 1st St. Saturday | 8:00am - Noon Steeleville Steeleville Farmers Market 107 West Broadway Saturday | 7:30am - 11:30am Swansea Swansea Farmers Market 2801 N Illinois St. Thursday | 10:00am - 2:00pm Waterloo Waterloo Farmers Market 100 Plaza Drive Saturday | 7:30am - 11:30am
Commonfields CommonfieldsSummer Summer2020 2020
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunflower Garden by the Love Squad
The plan coming together
Plant Happiness, Harvest Love! Just a little over two years ago, Lori Powell was scrolling through her Facebook feed when she noticed an article that piqued her interest. It was about The Sunflower+Project: StL. The project, which started in 2013, is a demonstration and study of the viability, affordability, and practicality of using plants that can absorb metals through their roots (i.e. hyperaccumulators), such as sunflowers and winter wheat. As she looked across the way from her back porch at a vacant dirt patch that had been an eyesore in her neighborhood for years, she thought, “This could really be something,” and she began brainstorming about the possibility of bringing a similar project to Belleville. The third-of-an-acre property that had bothered her for so long sits close to land once used by the railroad industry as a shipping yard. Sites such as this are often highly contaminated by heavy metals - so planting a sunflower garden on it seemed like a logical solution to begin its restoration. Also, she thought, the look of the sunflowers would bring a sense of joy to her community as people walked by. Lori began working on a proposal to the City of Belleville. Within a month she presented the idea to the City’s Zoning Committee and the project was approved without any pushback. In fact, the Mayor of Belleville was very supportive of the idea of beautifying the vacant lot and was thankful of Lori’s initiative. With the backing of the City and support from her neighbors, Lori began work immediately. She recruited a group of volunteers, aptly named the Love Squad, and began planning out the sunflower garden to be planted that spring. 6
One of the Love Squad’s plans for the garden was the installation of a permanent art fixture. The idea of a heart-shaped swing was conceived to serve as a gateway to the garden, and a great photo opportunity for passersby. It also would send a message of love and belonging to the community. While the concept was there, it wasn’t until three days before Belleville’s famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade that the idea came together. Lori sat up in her bed one night and thought, “We need to build the heart swing for the Love Squad’s float in order to promote the garden.” The Love Squad loved the idea and three days later, Lori was swinging through the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in a giant heart, with a 40,000 person audience cheering her on (photo above). That same heart now serves as part of the garden’s identity, drawing people to “swing by” and enjoy its whimsy. People continuously post their pictures inside the heart on Instagram, using the hashtag #LiveLoveBelleville. With the momentum generated by the heart swing and a plan in hand, Lori and her group of faithful volunteers planted the sunflowers behind the heart swing that spring. The results were overwhelmingly positive from the community. The City of Belleville even agreed to install a spigot to ensure plant survival. The progress of the garden didn’t just stop in the Fall, however. On New Year’s Day, Lori and HeartLands Conservancy planted bags full of native seeds that were donated from friends, family, and neighbors. Their idea was to create a pollinator area so that the community would have an opportunity to further engage with nature.
Then COVID-19 Global Pandemic hit in March. While Lori was so excited about the idea of pollinators buzzing around feeding on the garden’s bounty, she also realized that people would be severely burdened by the economic fall-out of being out of work and may even struggle to provide for their families. So, the game plan for the pollinator garden shifted into the development of a community vegetable garden. City of Belleville employees came out to re-till the area, Lori repurposed a discarded fence to surround the garden. Seeds were started in a donated greenhouse. More volunteer days were planned, and within a matter of weeks, the community garden was realized. HeartLands secured a competitive grant for milkweed. This May, four species of milkweed, a total of 136 plants were planted with volunteers, to provide food and nesting sites for Monarch butterflies. To date, the neighborhood has donated over 200 plants to the project and has committed hundreds of volunteer hours. One volunteer, Alan Elfrink, stands out above all for his generous contributions and dedication to the garden. Alan spends most of his evenings with Lori out in the thick of it - hoeing, constructing, planting, composting, and supporting the project in any way possible. Lori credits her “service buddy” with its success, saying that, “None of this would have been achieved if it wasn’t for Alan being there every step of the way.” If you look at the site today, you would never imagine that it was once a vacant lot. It is full of life, vegetables, and happiness - and a very inspiring story about how if you follow your heart, you, too, may harvest love.
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
City installing the water spigot
Volunteer To Do List
Alan Elfrink
If you would like to contribute to the garden through volunteer work, there is a mailbox on site with a list of tasks to be completed. The site is located at approximately 806 South High Street, Belleville, Illinois 62220. To learn more about the project, follow Belleville Urban Garden Social Club on Facebook. If you would like to investigate ideas for a vacant lot in your community, or more information on Lots of Love programs, visit our website at https://www. heartlandsconservancy.org/lol.php or contact: Sarah Vogt Conservation Manager (618) 566-4451 ext. 23 sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org
Lori Powell, the Belleville Urban Garden Social Club, & #LiveLoveBelleville
Volunteers reviewing the day’s tasks outside the vegetable patch. Commonfields Summer 2020
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www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Illinois Chorus Frog
Bob White Quail
Hairy vetch
Field to Fork is canceled, but Frogs & Prairies still need YOUR Help We were busy getting ready for our largest annual fundraiser, Field to Fork, when the world changed midMarch. Who would have guessed that the words “coronavirus,” “flatten the curve”, or “social distancing” would become part of our daily vocabulary? But they did, and HeartLands made the difficult decision to cancel the event that raises a third of our operating budget. The beloved July 25 event is canceled, but our mission is not.
The region still has tremendous environmental needs, and your support is needed. So for this unprecedented year, we ask you to put down your forks and help frogs and a rare habitat instead! For the entire month of July, HeartLands is asking for your donations to support ongoing restoration and stewardship work
Ohio Spiderwort
at Poag Sand Prairie - a rare habitat for threatened Illinois Chorus Frogs, Ornate Box Turtles, and many other unique species just outside of Edwardsville near I-255.
condition. Our restoration work will, over-time, create a healthier sand prairie and habitat for many unique plants and animals that need the habitat to survive.
What’s more, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation will TRIPLE
Some of the unique species that have already been found on or nearby the property include Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum), Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus), Purpleheaded sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum), Eastern prickly pear (Optotia cespitosa), Ohio spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), and ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata). The sand prairie is also a habitat for Illinois Chorus frogs (Pseudacris illinoensis).
the first $7,000 in donations!
That means, if we raise $7,000 for Poag Sand Prairie, the foundation will contribute $21,000. Anything we raise over that amount will go to our other conservation and education programs in southwestern Illinois.
Why is this sand prairie so important?
Sand prairies are one of Illinois’ rarest and oldest landscapes. Only 2,400 acres of sand prairies remain - an area about the size of SIUE - in the ENTIRE state of Illinois. The Poag Sand Prairie is 10 acres and connects to a larger 40acre state-owned property in similar
Purple-headed Sneezeweed
So far, hundreds of invasive Siberian elms (Ulmus pumila) have been removed from Poag Sand Prairie.
Sand prairies are among the most unique landscapes in Illinois. They are distinct remnants of glacial times, having been formed thousands of years ago when the glaciers melted and deposited the sand, silt, rock, and soil they carried with them. These prairies are home to many rare plants and animals that thrive in the sandy loam, which provides quick drainage and easy burrowing/rooting. Commonfields Summer 2020
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356 Milkweed Plants arrived to plant
However, there is still a lot of work to be done to remove other highly invasive plants, such as Common reed (Phragmites australis australis) and Chinese bushclover (Sericea lespedeza), which will crowd out the plants that the animals need to survive. In addition to removing invasive species, HeartLands Conservancy will need to plant native wildflowers, grasses, and sedges to complete this restoration project. Most of the work on site has to be done by hand to protect the sensitive animals and plants that currently live on the property. For example, in June, a group of volunteers handplanted 300 milkweed plants at the site. These efforts will also support monarch butterflies, which are nearly endangered. Volunteers also carefully planted eastern prickly pears grown by SIUE students. Poag Sand Prairie Planned Restoration and Improvements Timeline: 2019 Achievements • Removal of siberian elm and other nonnative woody vegetation. • Removed by cutting trees at base so as not to disturb frogs. • Trail installed from trailhead loop through prairie. Named the Tosovsky Family Trail; • Welcome sign installed. • Prairie overseeded in the winter 2020 • Removal and treatment of exotic vegetation, such as Siberian Elm and serecia lespedeza. Removal will require cutting trees at base and applying herbicide so as not to disturb frogs, pulling, and trimming; Species Inventory
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Bullfrog
In addition, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation will match volunteer hours! If volunteers can log 400 volunteer hours at Poag Sand Prairie, we will receive an additional $4,000 from the Foundation. As such, we will be planning several volunteer dates throughout the remainder of the year. Please follow us on social media and sign up for our e-newsletter for up-to-date information.
We hope Field to Fork will return again next July, but for now, if you are able, please consider making a donation to support conservation in southwestern Illinois instead.
Blackberries Thicket
For making a tax deductible gift, please use enclosed envelope. For further information:
Contact Kim O’Bryan, Director of Development & Events kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org or 618) 566-4451 ext. 10. Or contact: Sarah Vogt Conservation Manager (618) 566-4451 ext. 23 sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org
The prairies and frogs need you.
• Complete plant species inventory with a comprehensive list of all species found on site in all seasons. • Birdhouses installation. • Signs and interpretation of trails and kiosks with plant and animal identification. • Monitoring health of existing trees: blackjack oak, swamp white oak, hickory, and cottonwood species. • Plant new oak and hickory species in wetland and property buffer areas. 2021 • Continue exotic species control. • Native prairie seedings (year 1.5 to 2 after woody vegetation removed). • Construct parking lot. • Connect to IDNR property.
2022/23 • Continue exotic species control. • Prescribed burning treatment after 3 years of prairie establishment and mowing twice per year, coordinated with IDNR-adjacent site. On-going • Long term monitoring of all resources in conjunction with academic and scientific partners, including monitoring water level in wetland and species present in water. Coordination of management and habitat improvement with IDNR. Future Potential Opportunities • Installation of small lab space/office. • Possible hoop house or greenhouse installation for plant propagation
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Give a Gift to Poag Sand Prairie at www.heartlandsconservancy.org/ poagsand.php
Join us for Fourth Fridays at Poag! In order to log 400 volunteer hours at Poag Sand Prairie so we can receive $4,000 in stewardship funds from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, we will host a volunteer day on the fourth Friday of every month. The first one will be July 24th from 8am to 10 am. Site restoration is a work in progress so there is always something needing to be done. Consider joining us for a Fourth Friday at Poag! We will continue to occasionally hold Saturday work days throughout the year so more people can have the opportunity to volunteer on the site. Commonfields Summer 2020
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As of March 2020
Recognizing Conservation Farming Practices S.T.A.R. Program Crops in fields across the region are popping up in tidy rows and golden wheat is being harvested. As you drive around, perhaps take a moment to notice the conservation practices farmers and landowners are adopting to help improve soil health by reducing soil erosion (when dirt washes away) and nutrient loss (when extra fertilizer, mostly phosphorus and nitrogen, wash away).
A new program, called S.T.A.R. (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) is being used across the state to evaluate conservation practices. The S.T.A.R. Program, developed by the Stewardship Committee of the Champaign County Soil & Water Conservation District, is a free tool farm operators and landowners state-wide can use to evaluate their nutrient and soil loss management practices on individual fields. The purpose of S.T.A.R. is to motivate those making cropping decisions to use “best management practices.” The program aims to help the agriculture sector meet statewide goals to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses by applying nitrogen when the plants need it and preventing soil losses by reducing tillage. Madison, Monroe, and Randolph county have recently adopted the S.T.A.R. program. 12
When a farmer or landowner participates in the S.T.A.R. Program, they complete an evaluation form for their field. Points are given for each conservation practice, with the most effective practices having the highest value. The field is given a rating from 1 to 5 stars based on total points received. Five-star fields are exemplary models of local farming practices for improving soil health. Some examples of conservation farming practices include: • Using cover crops • No-till farming • Crop rotation • Inclusion of livestock/forage • Vegetation filter strip at edge of field • Grassed waterways
The potential farmer benefits and value of using this program include: decreased nutrient loss, increased net farm income, assist in securing local conservation cost share (when available), reduce crop insurance premiums, assist producers in obtaining documentation to support potential water quality issues, and assist producers to with potential market incentives for sustainable cropping practices.
To participate in the S.T.A.R. program, contact the county Soil and Water Grassed Waterways I Conservation Office for more information and the evaluation form. It is only two pages. The cost is free. Hopefully we will start seeing S.T.A.R. rating signs pop up all over Southwestern Illinois in the near future!
• Strategic nutrient application Farmers who are interested in adopting new practices or starting the journey to improved soil health can benefit from having a longer-term plan and clear expectations of the steps involved by signing-up for the S.T.A.R Program. In addition, the program helps track and verify practice changes on a county level.
Are your fields a candidate for S.T.A.R.?
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Erosion before Grassed Waterways
Grassed Waterways Farmers continuously try to improve soil health conditions on their fields; and for good reason. Maintaining soil health creates more productive fields and better yields. However, soil erosion is often overlooked but an important aspect of soil health.
Erosion is a natural process, but when it is left unchecked, it can remove fertile topsoil and create deep gullies. This causes important nutrients from the fields to IL Farm Bureau runoff into streams and rivers where they cause many problems. A grassed waterway is a simple practice that can be used to reduce soil erosion and improve soil health on farm fields. Grassed waterways are graded channels, 50 to 100 feet wide, shaped to direct water slowly through fields. The waterways are typically seeded with a mixture of sod-forming grasses, such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass, to further slow the water. When the water slows, it causes less erosion. Grassed waterways also provide habitat for many birds that can naturally help control crop-damaging insects.
Ohio Spiderwort https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/buffers
Grassed Waterways IL Farm Bureau
Farmers’ fields may have the most to gain from grassed waterways, but they are not the only ones who benefit. The thick deeprooted grasses filter the excess nutrients from the fields, removing as much as 80% of the sediment and 45% of the phosphorus. This leads to improved water quality of streams, rivers, and lakes. Maintenance and a change in crop management are required to ensure the grassed waterways perform as they should. Row crops should be planted along the contours of the land to slow water entering the waterway and limit equipment from entering the channels. Grassed waterways need to be inspected after large rain storms to check for gullies and sediment . Mowing the waterway should be limited to only maintain its width, which also provides habitat for various wildlife. Grassed waterways can provide so many benefits: soil health,insect management, healthier drinking water, and wildlife habitat. Not bad for a narrow strip of grass!
For more information contact: Tyler Burk Project Manager (618) 566-4451 ext. 25 tyler.burk@heartlandsconservancy.org
Rain Garden Funds Still available! HeartLands Conservancy can split half the cost of your rain garden installation in the Collinsville, Maryville, and Glen Carbon vicinities thanks to funding from the IEPA and Madison County. Rain gardens are vegetated basins, located near the lowest point of a small drainage area or downspout, that temporarily store and infiltrate rain water. They can significantly slow the flow of water from a residential lot and help improve water quality. Visit https://www. heartlandsconservancy.org/ cahokiacreek.php for more information and to submit an application.
Rain garden photo: Marilyn Pribus Commonfields Summer 2020
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PHOTO CONTEST THEME: Sky’s the Limit!
Winner > Michael Allway
We want to see landscapes of Southern Illinois with sky! Sunsets... Sunrises... Storms... Clouds... Stars... Rainbows... Blue skies... Deadline is July 22, 2020. The winner of this photo contest will be chosen by our Facebook followers during the week of July 27th. Participants should email their photos to photo@ heartlandsconservancy.org with the subject Sky’s the Limit. Photos must be of southern Illinois. Please include your name, title of photograph, company name (if applicable), address, and phone number. If your photography business is on Facebook, please include the link so we can tag your page.*
Honorable Mention ^ Amy Huller
Send up to 10 images per theme, per person. Watermarks (along the bottom edge) are allowed and photo credit will be given. Please send digital images at 300dpi. *By entering you allow HeartLands Conservancy to use your images in presentations, exhibits, and in digital and print media.
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Honorable Mention > Michael Allway
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Av a i l a b l e
Ser vi ces
&
Assi stanc e
Conservation @Home or @Work HeartLands Conservancy provide a variety of conservation services for homeowners, schools, businesses, agencies, home owners’ associations, and many other organizations. If you are interested in participating in the Conservation@Home or Conservation@Work program, we can help you get started! If you need dedicated native landscape assistance and solutions for your property, we are here to provide guidance and resources as well. A sample of our services are included in this brochure. For further questions or information, please contact our conservation staff or visit our website at www.HeartLandsConservancy.org.
Initial Consultation HeartLands Conservancy (HLC) will conduct an initial interview and survey over the phone. If staff determine that the site is ready for a consultation, we will schedule a home visit. Cost: Residential: $50 for non-members or $25 for existing HLC members Businesses: $100 for Members/Sponsors or $250 for non-members Other features included are the following: • Site Consultation and home visit from HLC Conservation staff. • Conservation @Home or @Work certification sign upon completion. • Access to all of HLC Resources online: • Early Certification: If your property meets the criteria, it can be certified during your home visit; • Plant lists of native plants, trees, shrubs, forbs (perennial flowers), grasses, and emergents (for shoreline stabilization); and • The Criteria Checklist for Conservation@Home certification. • PLUS, receive a HeartLands Conservancy membership for one year!
Custom Projects & HLC Assistance This enhanced level of guidance includes services listed above, plus personalized assistance for custom native landscapes. Cost: $500 for non-members or existing HLC members This includes the following services: • • • •
Includes all services listed above in Initial Consultation. Project/Site Consultation and visit from HLC staff before and after project. Access to our resources and conservation staff. A customized planting plan for a project, such as a pollinator/perrenial border, buffer, turf replacement, native hedges, etc. This will also include custom plant list, installation guidelines, maintenance guidelines, expectations for completed project, potential vendors, and contractors.
• Conservation @Home or @work certification and sign, if applicable. • PLUS, receive a HeartLands Conservancy membership for one year!
Commonfields Summer 2020
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Wild ginger
Wild bergamot
Serviceberry, Friends, & Pie!
Plant This, not That! Eat from YOUR Landscaping! Birds love to eat fruits of native plants as do insects, caterpillars, deer, squirrels, and other mammals. Native plants provide a buffet for pollinators and insect feasting birds. BUT humans can indulge in some native plants as well.
There are several plants you can grow in your yard and enjoy the harvest of your labors….provided the animals don’t beat you to it. As always, when foraging food, if you are not 100% certain what the plant is, what it may have been treated with, what your allergies are, or that it is safe to eat, do not eat it.
Plant This... FRUIT-BEARING TREES & SHRUBS Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea): Serviceberry is an exceptional landscaping plant with showy spring flowers and bright fall colors. The berries ripen in June and taste like blueberries...that is if you can beat the birds to them. P.S. Makes great pie and jam! Our CEO used this pie recipe pictured above: http:// lostrecipesfound.com/serviceberrypie-yes-you-can-eat-them/ Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa): Another beautiful shrub with white spring flowers and bright fall colors. It may be too tart to be eaten raw, but the nutritious fruit can be cooked, sweetened, and used in pies or preserves. Harvest after a frost for the best favor.
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Common Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis): This one is probably not a good option for your front-yard landscaping, it is a bit unruly and has thorns. However, the delicious fruits ripen in early summer and are famously good in pie and other deserts. A good alternative to this option are thorn-less versions, such as Apache blackberries, which are newer to the market and were developed by the University of Arkansas. Paw Paw (Asimina triloba): Paw Paw are North America’s largest native fruit. They have a creamy texture and a flavor often compared to banana, mango, or cantaloupe. You will need more than one cultivar for fruit production. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): The berries are commonly made into jam or baked into pies and can otherwise be used as you would any small berry.
NUT-BEARING TREES Black walnut (Juglans nigra): The nuts are edible, and the fruit casing can be used as a black dye. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata): The most common hickory species. The tree produces sweet nuts that can be harvested when they drop from the tree after a hard frost and eaten raw. Pecan (Carya illinoinensis): The nuts need no introduction. They are famously found in granny’s pies and baked goods. Illinois is the northern extent of this tree.
Basswood (Tilia americana): Fruit is pea-shaped nut attached to a long leafy bract that ripen in October but often remains through winter.
TEAS Yep, you could grow your own teas, if you wanted. Many herbs, flowers, and plants can make tea. Some interesting ones are as follows: New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus): The dried leaves of this prairie shrub make for a black tea substitute. This is a, small ornamental shrub. Leadplant (Amorpha canescens): Like New Jersey tea, the leaves of this species can be made into a tea. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): The leaves of the common prairie plant are used to make earl grey tea.
WILDFLOWERS Wild onion (Allium canadense) Wild leeks (Allium tricoccum) and nodding wild onion (A. cernuum): Entire plant is edible just like leeks and scallions. Use as a substitute for onions or leeks in recipes. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense): Can be used as a substitute for domestic ginger, but have a slightly less strong favor. Annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus): The seeds of this weedy native species are edible, in fact cultivated sunflowers are horticultural varieties of this species.
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Backyard Butterfly Blitz June 1- July 31
Sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus): The edible root tubers of this species taste like potatoes or artichokes and are becoming popular among permaculturists for their high productivity, ease of cultivation, and attractive flowers. Ostrich fern fiddleheads (Matteuccia struthiopteris): Young tender fiddleheads taste best when steamed, can be used in salads, be careful not to confuse with other ferns that can contain carcinogens.
...Not That The following plants should never be grown at home; they are either exotic invasives or aggressive natives that would dominate your home garden. If you find these plants in the wild (or in your lawn), you could have yourself a tasty snack, while also helping the ecosystem. Wild grape (Vitis riparia): Native, this giant vine can top large trees, damage, and even kill them. To protect large trees, yet provide for wildlife, a common practice is to only leave wild grape along forest edges and streams. These wild relatives of domestic grapes are smaller and slightly more bitter than the domestic variety. They are gathered by wildlife quickly, so people rarely have a chance to sample them. Cattails (Typha spp): There are native and non-native cattails for most it is difficult to tell the difference. The roots are edible and are usually baked or roasted.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): Though native, nettles are the reason we wear long pants in the woods. Leaves can be eaten after being boiled to remove the bristles. Young leaves are preferred. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata): This is one of the region’s most problematic invasive species. Young leaves are edible but somewhat bitter, becoming very bitter with age. There are so many recipes out there for garlic mustard, from sautéed to pureed. Please pull them out whether you eat them or not. Plantains (Plantago spp.): These common lawn plants have young leaves which are edible raw. Try it when you run out of lettuce. Curly dock (Rumex crispus): Young leaves can be eaten raw, older leaves must be cooked. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea): This is a succulent from Asia that grows anywhere it can find a foothold. It was one of North America’s earliest invaders. Generations have enjoyed purslane’s crisp leaves, lemony tang, and a peppery kick. Dandelion (Taraxacum offcinale): Dandelions are non-native, common lawn flowers. The entire plant is edible if prepared properly. There are many recipes for dandelion, including wine and jam.
Summer is upon us and it’s almost butterfly season! During this project, we are encouraging participants to learn more about one of nature’s most iconic species the butterfly. To participate: • Be located in Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, or Washington Counties in Illinois. • Download the iNaturalist App • Take a picture of a butterfly in your backyard or favorite natural area and upload it using the Taxa: Butterflies Other iNaturalist users will help you ID the species, although you are encouraged to try to figure it out on your own, too! We will use the images to create our Butterfly Bingo card to share at the end of the project. You will receive credit on the images selected. Prizes: • Most Species Observed (t-shirt + 3 native seed packets) • Most Observations (t-shirt + 3 native seed packets) • Rarest Observation (t-shirt + 3 native seed packets) • Honorable Mention Image chosen for the Butterfly Bingo Card (3 native seed packets) Let’s have some Citizen Science fun! P.S. Use #BackyardButterflyBlitz on Facebook and Instagram In the late summer, a butterfly count will be held at the Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom in Belleville. We’ll use the bingo card and other resources to help ID and count butterfly observations. If you want to participate in the Butterfly Count, please email Landon Brooks at landon.brooks@heartlandsconservancy. org or call 618-566-4451 ext 28
Commonfields CommonfieldsSummer Summer2020 2020
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Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Volunteers
Volunteering at Poag Sand Prairie Caption
Volunteering - the 2020 Way! Volunteering is back!
It will just look a little different for a while. Here is what to expect when you volunteer with us at one of our natural areas: • You should not volunteer if you are sick, have any symptoms, have a sick family member, or have knowingly been in contact with a COVID positive person in the last 14 days. • HLC staff will be in masks the entire time. • Volunteers are encouraged to wear masks when social distance can not be maintained. Luckily there is usually plenty of room to spread out in nature. We will have disposable masks available if needed. • You will need to bring your own tools. We want to limit sharing of tools, so please bring your own. There will be a few tools available to loan out if you do not have any, but you will be expected to keep track of and use only your tool the entire time. • We will not loan out gloves. Bring your own. • We will not have water, the water jug, or snacks. Please bring your own…. hydration is important! • We will sanitize everything before, after, and between uses. Hand sanitizer will be available during events. Volunteers should use hand sanitizer upon arrival to the site before touching pens, paper, tools, etc and before they leave as well. • Events will be limited in size of attendees.
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• You must sign up in advance! If there is a lot of interest in a volunteer day, we will have a 2 hour shift with 30 minutes between groups to accommodate everyone. • Volunteers will need to sign in and out and provide contact information. Volunteer Days will be announced in our e-newsletters and on social media, so keep a lookout for those opportunities if you are interested in volunteering. Signal Hill Volunteer days will be held the 3rd Friday of every month, starting July 17th, from 8am to 11am. Also, we will continue to hold the occasional Saturday volunteer events throughout the year to give more people the opportunity to volunteer at the outdoor classroom. See pages 8-11 for every 4th Friday volunteering opportunities at Poag Sand Prairie near Edwardsville. For more information on volunteering, visit our website or contact: Sarah Vogt Conservation Manager (618) 566-4451 ext. 23 sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org
Winners’ Circle May Membership Drive Raffle Winner •
Grand Prize: Mike Pierceall Tesla for a Weekend provided by Tesla of St. Louis
Single Hike Winners
• Grand Prize: Debra Mota York Namesake Tree to be planted at Willoughby Farm • 2nd Place: Kyle York $200 Alpine Shop Gift Card • 3rd Place: Susan Miller Duffel Bag from ILLINOISouth Tourism & Book from Great Rivers & Routes • 4th Place: John Harryman $50 Toolen’s Running Start Gift Card • 5th Place: William Thurston $50 Toolen’s Running Start Gift Card • 6th Place: Heather Adams $25 Toolen’s Running Start Gift Card • 7th Place: Shelby Roberts $25 Toolen’s Running Start Gift Card • Best Dog Photo: Deb Havel (photo to the left) ILLINOISouth Tourism Grill Set • Best Face Covering Photo: Benjamin Pollard Great Rivers & Routes Book
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Growing the Team: Welcome New Members! New or Upgraded Members Jan 1 through May 31, 2020 Blake and Suzanne Alberter Michael Allway Angela Andrew Maria Balligner Shelli and Scott Bement Larry Brammer Nancy Burk Tyler Burk Allan Culberson Jeanne Dahlmann MK Dashke Sharon Douglas Jim Eckert Alan Elfrink Richard Essner Sandy and Don Eversole Christina Farmer Alder Forrester Toni and Clare Goelz Joann Harlin Janet Haroian Tom and Mary Hewlett Chuck and Donna Hill Kathleen Hill Dennis Hogan Patti Hornberger Deanna and Michael Horsey Gary and Christine Huelsmann Steve Jurgens Chris Krusa Laura Lyon and Tim Busse Carol Manning Virginia McCall
Thank You to our Sponsors to Date Calvin Morris Randall Neumann Paul and Julie Niesen Sheila O’Brien Mike and Kim O’Bryan John Petzing Mike Pierceall Wayne and Jen Politsch Lori Powell Susan Quinn William Rable and Libby Reuter Carol and Mike Raeber Bill and Connie Rathmann Terri Riutcel Maggie Roney Chalice Sandheinrich Kelsey Sartin Laura Schaefer Laura Sforza Cynthia Sibrel Randy Smith Roger Smith Kristin Thompson David Tiedemann Robert and Mary Vandevord Sandy VerDuin Connie Vogt Jessica Walker Jennifer Walling Susan Weber Robert White Megan and Michael Zanger
Bur Oak
Post Oak
Red Oak
Pin Oak
Belleville Optometry, Ltd. Clinton County SWCD Farm Credit Illinois Farnsworth Group Madison County SWCD Pufalt-Pauley Insurance Agency, Inc. Walker and Williams P.C. Sapling City of Edwardsville Randolph County SWCD St. Clair County Farm Bureau Village of Godfrey Village of Swansea Madison County
Commonfields Summer 2020
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Commonfields Summer 2020
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3 N. High Street Belleville,IL 62220 (618) 566-4451
www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
Backyard Butterfly Blitz June 1- July 31!
