Our mission here at HeartLands Conservancy is to work for clean water, access to the outdoors, healthy ecosystems, and resilient communities in southwestern Illinois. Our members are part of a diverse community who treasure our region and have been instrumental in working together to preserve and protect the lands and places of beauty and natural life. To highlight a few accomplishments through the generous donations of members and donors over the last year, you‘ve preserved over 9,994 total acres of wetlands, prairies, and cultural sites in our region. Preservation includes 90 acres of sand prairie habitat to help protect threatened Illinois Chorus Frogs--in expanding our Poag Sand Prairie site. You‘ve helped preserve a 70-acre buffer to Bohm Woods Nature Preserve--the only remaining Grade A old-growth forest in Madison County. You‘re helping to build the Exploration Garden at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, where this 6-acre piece of the park will be pollinator meadows, rain gardens, and native plant landscape displays. You‘ve helped plant over 1,030 native tree species in our region within the last year, uplifting communities, restoring biodiversity, and improving the health of ecosystems.
Trees are a big deal and vital to the environment. With extinction rates sweeping, biodiversity loss is critical. According to the‚ IDNR 2020 List of Endangered and Threatened Species in Illinois by County‘, over 142 species in our region alone are at risk of disappearing, many within decades, like the Illinois Chorus Frog and the Ornate Box Turtle. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse don‘t just threaten animals and plants; it risks the food and water supplies that we regionally rely on.
‘Choose Nature‘ with HLC!
You‘ve seen 153,509 acres of community and watershed planning for the health of our local watersheds into thriving resources for communities and wildlife. Southwestern Illinois watersheds flow into the Mississippi River – a significant source of drinking water, transportation, commerce, recreation, and wildlife habitat. Healthy watersheds are not only suitable for the people living in them but contribute to a healthier and resilient Mississippi River. Thank you for your continued support, and thank you for Choosing Nature! HeartLandsConservancy.org
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