Meanderings
2020 Fall
Board of Directors E. William Reichert Board Chair Mary Vandevord President Ronda Latina Vice Chair William Boardman Second Vice Chair Janet Haroian Treasurer Robert C. Nelson Secretary Brenda Chandler 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 Katie Siech Environmental Programs Associate 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. Printed 08.26.2020 Cover image by Talia Long Photography 2
The Roots That Nourish Us Roots. They anchor plants to the
soil and feed them nutrients from the ground. Roots hold the soil in place when it rains so it is not washed away and can hold nourishment for the future. They form communication networks between their plant communities. Roots grow whenever and wherever the environment provides the support, water, warmth, air, and minerals necessary. When they are strong enough, they can break through rocks. What happens when roots are not supported or are removed from their place? Erosion. Mudslides. Loss of habitat. Degradation of the ecosystem. A community’s roots work the same way. Communities in southwestern Illinois are rich with roots of all kinds. The family roots of the people who have worked, farmed, and built lives here are deep and beautiful. They support a complex and diverse social ecosystem. Nature is intertwined in all of our families’ roots. Indigenous people in this region first farmed and exported maize, beans, and squash, building complex economic and social structures. Settlers and immigrants brought their ancestral heritage to our region and created the communities we know today. Nature shaped these communities - whether people tried taming rivers or tapped into them for drinking water - and provided the food we eat, the clean air we breathe, and the materials we need for shelter, comfort, and transportation.
Our human roots are important. Just like plant roots, when they are forgotten, ignored, removed, or suppressed, we lose perspective and understanding of the environment, the community, and each other. In this issue of our newsletter, we celebrate our region’s roots. You may notice that we have also decided to change the name of our newsletter going forward. The original name, Commonfields, represented the historic Common Fields (lands that were parceled for agriculture) that were established by French colonists in the 1700s along the Mississippi River. While these roots represent one particular part of our heritage, the name did not fully capture all of our region’s roots or its future. So, enjoy this first edition of
Meanderings.
Mary Vandevord President & CEO Why Meanderings? Meander n. A winding curve or bend of a river When a stream meanders, it creates a bend that becomes wider over time. As the water slows down, it better replenishes and cleans drinking water (aquifers). Meanderings will include stories that broaden and replenish our understanding of the natural and cultural resources of southwestern Illinois.
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
The Poag Sand Prairie Surpasses Goal #1 You did it! This summer, your support was critical for restoration and stewardship needs at Poag Sand Prairie - a rare habitat for threatened Illinois Chorus Frogs, Ornate Box Turtles, and many other unique species just outside of Edwardsville. The first $7,000 raised would be tripled by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF) as part of a Community Stewardship Challenge Grant. We are very happy to announce that not only did you meet the $7,000 goal, you surpassed it! In total, $14,000 were raised, and ICECF’s match brings the total to $35,000! The funds contributed over the challenge grant amount ($7,000) will fund HeartLands’ other programs focused on conservation in southwestern Illinois. Way to go! So what’s happening at Poag Sand Prairie now that you reached the fundraising goal? In August we began treatment to control the invasive common reed (Phragmites australis) and Chinese bushclover (Lespedeza cuneata) photos above. These plants, if left unchecked, will crowd out the native plants that animals and insects need for food, health, and shelter. Management of these invaders will be an ongoing process. The seeds from these plants can remain in the soil for decades, but dramatically reducing their populations now will prevent more seed from being dropped into the prairie and pond.
Lespedeza cuneata, USDA
Phragmites australis, USFWS
Help Reach Goal #2 for Poag Sand Prairie
Join us at Poag Sand Prairie every 4th Friday!
We still need to log over 300 out of the 400 total volunteer hours at the site to receive the second part of the grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation: $4,000 for 400 volunteer hours.
Sarah Vogt Conservation Manager (618) 566-4451 ext. 23 sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org
Volunteers meet at the site on the fourth Friday of each month from 8am to 10am to work on a variety of projects. Saturday volunteer days this fall include October 17 and November 14 from 9 am to 11 am. Anyone is welcome to join.
For information on volunteering:
For information on giving:
Kim O’Bryan Director of Development & Events kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org (618) 566-4451 ext. 10
To ensure we stay within group size limits, sign up before each volunteer day on our website: https://www. heartlandsconservancy.org/volunteer. php
Poag Sand Prairie is open to the public from dusk to dawn. The Tosovsky Family Trail at Poag Sand Prairie is a quarter-mile mowed trail located at approximately 4860 Street Car Road (or Wanda Road on google maps), Edwardsville, IL 62025.
Meanderings 2020 Fall
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Upcoming Events
Volunteering 2020
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. Read in the article to the right for Fridays and certain Saturdays that are on our calendar.
• HLC staff will be in masks the entire time.
Nature still needs you! Here is what to expect when you volunteer.
September through December
September 12 | 9:00 am - noon Hiking Club (Free & open to anyone) New location: Watershed Nature Center 1591 Tower Ave Edwardsville, Illinois Reserve your spot on our website under EVENTS> EVENTS CALENDAR September 18 Last day to shop our Fall Plant Sale on our website under SHOP. September 22 Autumn Equinox September 26 | Noon - 3 pm HeartLands Conservancy’s Native Plant, Rain Barrel & Composter Sale Pickup Swansea Outdoor Classroom Clinton Hills Conservation Park 1524 Clinton Hills Parkway Swansea, Illinois Shop the sale through September 18 on our website under SHOP Buds & Bark Trek: Tree Identification Postponed until 2021 November 7 | 9:00 am Hiking Club (Free & open to anyone) Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve Piney Creek Rd, Ava, Illinois Reserve your spot on our website under EVENTS> EVENTS CALENDAR November 26 - January 1 Jingle Hike Challenge 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. www.HeartlandsConservancy.org 4
Backyard Butterfly Blitz
Volunteers at Belleville Heart Garden
Highlights & Happenings! Summer was busy with restorations, volunteering, and community science! HeartLands Conservancy is honored to connect people to nature and each other. Backyard Butterfly Blitz From June 1 - July 31st, HeartLands Conservancy held a Backyard Butterfly Blitz using iNaturalist. During this project, we are encouraging participants to learn more about one of nature’s most iconic species - the butterfly. A total of 168 observations were recorded, with 35 species being represented, and 49 unique observers. Butterfly Bingo From June 1 - July 31st, HeartLands Conservancy held a Backyard Butterfly Blitz using iNaturalist. Participants learned about the butterfly types native to southwestern Illinois. A total of 168 observations were recorded, representing 35 species being represented, and 49 unique observers. Butterfly Count and Bingo at the Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom One of the goals of the Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom in Belleville is to increase the number of pollinators in the space. To document progress, on August 29, people participated (in a socially distanced way) in the first annual butterfly count. Results were not available at the time of print. Participants used a butterfly bingo card as one of the resources to identify butterflies. The cards were created from the observations made during
the Backyard Butterfly Blitz. The card that can be found on the back page of this newsletter. Upcoming Volunteer Days In July, we began hosting volunteer days again (with safety precautions in place)! It was great to get back in the field. To simplify, we have scheduled consistent volunteer days at the following locations; Belleville Heart Garden (2nd Friday of every month), Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom (3rd Friday of every month), and Poag Sand Prairie (4th Friday of every month. Each volunteer day runs from 8:00am to 10:00am. We are also hosting some Saturdays: October 3 at Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom; October 17 and November 14 at Poag Sand Prairie from 9 am to 11 am; and Heart Garden on October 24th, 9 am to 11 am. Preregistration is required to limit gathering size and ensure proper social distancing. To register and get more information visit our website and click on volunteer under the Get Involved tab at the top of the home page. Belleville Heart Garden Many strides were made at the Belleville Heart Garden this summer! This community garden, led by Lori Powell, is one of the newest additions to our Lots of Love program. Many volunteers contribute to the garden’s success, but Lori’s dedication is what keeps the momentum going. Because of their efforts, the site has seen an increase from only two types
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Volunteers
Troyan Farms’ raffle winner is Valerie M.
of bees in 2018, to more than 20 types this year! Dr. Gerado Camilo from SLU’s Entomology Department applauded the increased biodiversity at the lot during his recent visit. He also found bee predators - a sign that bee populations are sustainable. If you missed it, see the article in our last quarterly newsletter about the Heart Garden.
Poag Sand Prairie Challenge Raffle
If you are interested in becoming a Community Steward, i.e., leading a project such as the Belleville Heart Garden or participating in the Lots of Love program, please contact Sarah Vogt, Conservation Manager, at sarah. vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org. Interested in becoming a steward? Fill out the form on our website under GET INVOLVED and then click VOLUNTEER. The HLC Outdoor Classroom at Swansea Clinton Hills The HeartLands Conservancy Outdoor Classroom at the Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park will be breaking ground this fall, thanks to funding support from the American Water Community Foundation and a Pollinator Meadows Grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Watch for progress as we begin to create trails, prairies, meadows, and learning areas, such as “A Raindrop’s Journey” mini watershed demonstration. The Outdoor Classroom is located at 1524 Clinton Hills Parkway, Swansea, IL 62226.
The winner of the bounty basket from our friends at Troyan Farms is Valerie M. Thank you to John and Lynne Troyan for their generous donation of this home-grown, local produce! Anyone that donated $100 or more to our Poag Sand Prairie Challenge was entered to win the basket. We want to thank everyone for the incredible support during the month of July. ICYMI In 2020, HeartLands as expanded our virtual outreach with webinars, videos, and site tours for your enjoyment. You will find a wide selection of topics on our YouTube and Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pg/ HeartLandsConservancy/videos Enjoy some recent favorites: • Gardening with Natives - University of Illinois Extension Educator Elizabeth Wahle discusses all of the plants offered in our Fall Native Plant, Rain Barrel, & Composter Sale! • Tour of Poag Sand Prairie with Dr. Richard Essner and Katie Wiesehan. • All About Rain Barrels with Rain Barrel Rich!
• Number of attendees will be limited 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. • Do 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. • 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. • Volunteers will need to sign in and out and provide contact information. • Volunteers are 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. • Bring your own tools. • Bring your own gloves. • Hydration is important! Bring your own. Volunteer Days are announced in 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 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. 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 Commonfields Meanderings Summer 20202020 Fall
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Highland Silver Lake - Hard armoring riprap
Streambank and Shoreline Stabilization The area where land and water meet is known as the “riparian zone,” and it plays a critical role in the health of streams and lakes. These zones, when properly cared for, are beautiful settings and were once abundant in our region. Healthy riparian zones have many benefits. They protect water quality, provide food, shelter, and movement corridors for animals, moderate flooding, increase property values, reduce property loss from erosion, reduce maintenance costs, and increase privacy. Unfortunately, riparian zones are frequently damaged by mismanagement, leading to increased bank erosion and loss of property and all of the benefits listed above. Damaging human actions causing severe erosion on most streams and lakes include: • Removal of deep-rooted native vegetation and trees that anchor the soils and replacing them with turf grass and row crops whose roots are too shallow to prevent bank erosion. • Increases in impervious (i.e. paved) surfaces that are unable to hold rainwater, which leads to faster and heavier water flows. • Waves created by watercraft that chip away at unprotected shorelines. • Increased runoff from farm fields, which carries sediment from the fields and deposits it into lakes and 6
streams. This ultimately causes lakes to fill up and hold less water Simple steps can improve riparian zone health and restore the banks of stream and lakes while still providing the aesthetic beauty of the water and land interaction. • Native Plants and Trees – This involves the removal of turf grass and the establishment of native deep-rooted vegetation, including trees and shrubs, and improving the riparian zone within at least 25 feet of the banks to increase water infiltration and soil stabilization. This technique can also involve inserting branches, live stakes, and rootable plants into the bank, as well as bundles of branches, called fascines, to stabilize eroded banks. Use of native plants and trees is the most affordable (and aesthetically pleasing) solution and can be used on all banks with minor erosion.
the lake or stream and its bank. This should be used on the most extensive erosion issues and requires an engineering design. These methods can all be used together to provide a healthy streambank or lake shoreline while also improving the aesthetic and economic value of the waterfront property.
HeartLands Conservancy can help you with your streambank, shoreline, or riparian zone. For a consultation or to understand options, please contact Tyler Burk, Project Manager, at tyler. burk@heartlandsconservancy.org or call (618) 566-4451 ext 25.
• Bioengineering – This includes the use of vegetated grids and coconut fiber rolls on banks. Plants are anchored to the bank to stabilize the soil, trap sediment, and encourage plant growth. This method is slightly more expensive and can be used in combination with live, native plantings. • Hard armoring – The last method, and most expensive, involves installing rock, in what is called riprap or gabion baskets, on the bank to act as a barrier between
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Dunlap Lake Master Plan Heartlands expertise helps Dunlap Lake Property Owners create a long-needed Master Plan In the fall of 2019, the 15-member board of the Dunlap Lake Property Owner’s Association realized that while their organizational structure was great for getting work done, it made association-wide planning difficult. The 80 year-old lake, and the dam that created it, needed attention beyond the scope of any one committee. “We asked Heartlands Conservancy to lead a strategic planning process to get resident input on priorities and use that to summarize all the key concerns into one master plan,” said Michael Watts, association president. “We needed a document that would not only give us direction for the next couple decades, but some idea of how to fund the improvements.”
Heartlands sent a team of experts to the Association’s annual meeting in February to answer questions and collect information on resident concerns on everything from water quality to stormwater damage. They followed that up with a resident survey and the team then compared residents concerns to issues identified in the region’s Cahokia-Indian Creek Watershed plan done in 2018. By partnering with the City, County and other community organizations, the association found they could do more than any of the groups could do individually. Working with Heartlands, Madison County has already applied for Illinois EPA funds that could significantly improve water quality in the streams that feed the 130+ acre lake. Heartlands was able to turn around the master plan in just four months
even with delays from the COVID19 shutdown. The resident response has been positive and the board has already begun to dig into the funding recommendations of the plan that was approved at the July 27 board meeting. “We have been working for many years to find an affordable way to care for the long-term needs of the lake,” said Watts. “We are very pleased to have a master plan that gives us direction and tangible funding opportunities to explore as we move forward.” Written by Carolyn Green. Green is president of C. Green & Associates, Inc., a local communications firm that handles association management for Dunlap Lake as well as marketing and strategic planning for a variety of community organizations in the region.
Meanderings 2020 Fall
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McAllister Park Steering Committee: From left to right: Jennifer Trame, Lori Cummins, Belinda McAllister, Conrad G. Steinhoff, Aranda R. Callen, Mary Louise Clark, George Fero Sr, Reverend Griffin, Kimberly E. Moy-Mitchell, & Beverly Moy.
Family Roots Restore A Community Park HeartLands Conservancy has become acquainted with so many wonderful people over the years. We believe in shining a light on their talents and endeavors. We are proud to share their stories with you. Meet Belinda McAllister. Her deep rooted story of community building begins in 1884 in Lebanon, Illinois. Benjamin Howard McAllister was an African American born on November 11, 1884. He lived in Lebanon and upon his passing donated 4 lots (of 7 lots) of land to the City of Lebanon. That land is now McAllister Park. His personal desire was to conserve, connect, and restore natural and cultural resources to be provided by the park. His son, and namesake, Benjamin James McAllister, built the park to establish a place for outdoor recreation for people in the Lebanon community, and especially for residents living in the southeast quadrant.
$266 was raised for flowers and shrubs 8
The park is in a lower socio-economic area, Lebanon’s southeast quadrant, locally named “the flats.” The McAllisters saw that the space was viable to serve the community and created a social recreation hub for residents living too far to access Horner Park. In the 1960s, Ben McAllister led a community-wide volunteer movement, building the park and thereafter building Lebanon’s first, and only, community center to have existed to date. Ownership of McAllister Park transferred from the City to the Horner Park Trust and is maintained and operated by Horner Park District. Fast forward to 2018, and McAllister Park had lacked attention and became a symbol of great disparity in the parks and recreation system. Ben McAllister’s namesake, Ben McAllister Jr., had one child, a daughter, Belinda McAllister. She graduated McKendree and several decades ago left Lebanon. She lived
New restrooms
abroad in Jamaica for 8 years and then in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Florida area. She returned to Lebanon in 2017, and in late August 2018 approached the Horner Park District seeking revitalization of the park which her grandfather built. At that meeting, Belinda stated, “Our history is to be celebrated, and this park should be part of our history.” McAllister immediately scheduled two “call to action” meetings at McAllister Park on August 27 and 28, 2019. McAllister addressed over 90 attendees stating, “I am tremendously pleased and proud of our community as a whole.” Residents formed a steering committee and a formal group, Friends of McAllister Park. McAllister led interviews with residents, as together, they processed what they thought, felt, and wanted to see happen in the park and surrounding community. Residents openly told stories about how generations of their families used
McAllister and community members share stories of the park’s history and progress with HeartLands.
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Belinda McAllister and community members cutting the ribbon of McAllister Park 2019
the park. One resident, referred to the park as a “second home” while growing up in the neighborhood. The group, alongside the Horner Park District, applied for and received grants from Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) and St. Clair County. Friends of McAllister Park became officially affiliated with Lebanon Kids, Inc. and hosted a successful fundraiser, the McAllister Park Family Classic in November 2019. Over the course of 12 months, community members came together and raised over $15,000 of in-kind matching funds.
Approximately 500 volunteers of all different races, ages, abilities, genders, economic status, and cultures worked through the winter, spring, and summer; enduring the ice, rain, and heat, completing a total rebuild and revitalization of McAllister Park.
Belinda McAllister was a recipient of Meridian Health’s 2019 CommUnity Hero Award. Currently, Friends of McAllister Park has applied for nonprofit designation as they actively lay the groundwork for their next project.
On September 14, 2019, the McAllister Park was re-dedicated. This culmination of their labor of love was also the commencement of a fresh start for the residents and for Lebanon surrounding conservation, environmental equity, and justice.
McAllister continues to seek funding to assist with re-establishing the community center, connecting trails to the park, and expanding a community garden in Lebanon. McAllister Park is located at 799 Cherry Street in Lebanon, Illinois. Find Friends of McAllister Park on Facebook or hornerparkdistrict.org Meanderings 2020 Fall
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Fall Native Plant, Rain Barrel, & Composter Sale Wild Ginger
Our 2020 t-shirt $25. Now child sizes $20!
Our 2020 Rain Barrel. See our online shop for color choices
$105
Plant This, Not That... & Our Fall Plant Sale! Late September and early October is a great time for planting native plants, allowing them to establish roots before going dormant for the winter. The cooler, wetter conditions reduce stress and competition for water and nutrients.
Our fall plant, rain barrel and composter sale (see next page) includes species that will do especially well when planted in the fall. We have assembled several plant packages for sun, shade, and wet soils/rain gardens to make it easy for beginner (or even experienced) gardeners to pick plants that will do well in their specific growing conditions. Tips for Fall Planting Keep plants watered until the first hard frost. In the first year some plants may bloom, but others may take up to three years to bloom. Plants that die back in the winter will likely grow back from the roots in the spring. So, mark your planting spots—you don’t want to forget where you put new plants and accidentally pull them up—and keep an eye out for emergence as the weather warms up. Native plants take patience, but the outcome is very rewarding; hardy plants that bloom year after year and attract a variety of pollinators and birds to your landscape for endless viewing pleasure. Rain Barrels A rain barrel is an easy way to reduce your home’s contributions to stormwater runoff in your community. 10
Rain barrels collect rainwater from your roof using an existing downspout and store it for use around your garden. Stored rainwater is beneficial for your plants, which typically prefer rainwater over mineral-heavy municipal tap water. It also reduces the amount of water you use and, as a result, your water bill. The rain barrels included in our fall sale are enclosed with a screened water inlet to make them safe for animals and to prevent mosquito breeding. When the barrel is full, overflow water is directed back to the downspout. A hose can be attached to the spigot at the bottom of the barrel. Consider elevating your rain barrel using a pedestal or landscaping block. In the winter drain your barrel and leave the spigot open. Next, set the diverter on the downspout to bypass the barrel and water will flow through the downspout like normal. This will prevent any damage from freezing water. For more tips and information about the rain barrels in our sale, visit our homepage and click SHOP to watch an interview with our rain barrel supplier. Composters Compost is a good and economical fertilizer for your garden and landscape beds. You can use scraps from your own kitchen, lawn, and garden to create your own compost at home.
Our 2020 Composter $89.95
Good Greens for Composting
To get started composting at home you’ll need a bin. Pick a sunny, well drained spot to place your bin. A properly functioning bin does not smell or attract critters; so, it is okay to keep it near your garden or house.
• Garden trimmings (flowers and leaves)
The recipe for compost is simple: water, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon. Nitrogen comes from “green” materials and carbon comes from “brown” materials. Alternate layers of brown and green for maximum success. Always keep a brown layer on top so that no food scraps are showing. This will prevent odors and keep pests away. Brown layers should be 2-3 times thicker than green layers.
• Newspaper
Oxygen comes from ventilation. You will need to “turn” your compost either using a pitchfork or by using a tumbler style bin. Add water if your compost gets too dry. Never add meat, dairy, fats, oils, or pet waste to your compost. Compost is ready to use when you can no longer recognize any of the original material. You are left with a dark brown, crumbly, nutrient-rich material to incorporate into your garden.
www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
Aromatic Aster
Sky Blue Aster
Whitetinge Sedge
Asarum canadense
Aster novae-angliae
Aster oblongifolius
Aster oolentangiensis
Carex albicans
Pennsylvania Sedge
River Oats
Misflower, Wild Ageratum
Pale Coneflower
Yellow Coneflower
Carex pensylvanica
Compost is made when microorganisms feed on natural materials like yard debris, grass, leaves, kitchen scraps, paper, straw, hay, wood chips, and sawdust. The scraps and discarded materials break down, while producing heat up to 130F, and release valuable nutrients.
New England Aster
Chasmanthium latifolium Conoclinium coelstinum
Echinacea pallida
Echinacea paradoxa
Eastern Blazing Star
Blazing Star
• Fruit and vegetable scraps • Coffee grounds and filters • breads and grains • Egg shells
Southern Blue Flag Iris
Iris virginica var. shrevei
Prairie Blazing Star
Liatris pycnostachya
Liatris scariosa
Liatris spicata
Slender Mountain Mint
Grey Headed Coneflower
• Grass clippings
• Hair and fur Good Browns for Composting
PC: Amy Huller
Cardinal Flower
Blue Lobelia
Foxglove Beardtongue
Lobelia cardinalis
Lobelia siphilitica
Penstemon digitalis
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Ratibida pinnata
Orange Coneflower
Woodland Stonecrop
Cliff Goldenrod
Zigzag Goldenrod
Rain Barrels, Composters, & T-Shirts also available!
• Soiled napkins and paper plates • Leaves and straw • Wood chips and sawdust • Cardboard roll • Fireplace/Fire Pit ashes
Rudbeckia fulgida
Sedum ternatum
Solidago drummondii
Solidago flexicaulis
Please scan QR code to shop. For questions, contact Landon Brooks at:
landon.brooks@ heartlandsconservancy.org
For questions about the Fall Native Plant, Rain Barrel, & Composter Sale or if you would like help on how to incorporate these plants or appliances into your landscape, please contact: Landon Brooks at landon.brooks@ heartlandsconservancy.org. 618-566-4451 ext 28
How to participate: All sales are online! Use the QR code above. When: Now through September 18th, 2020 (Online Sales Close Sept. 18 at 11:59pm) Where: www.heartlandsconservancy.org and click SHOP in the upper right What is for sale: native plants listed above, plant (rain garden for sun, shade and pollinator plant packages, rain barrels, & stationary composters. (Please note that all plants come in a 4.5” (qt) pot. When to pick up purchases: Orders must be picked up on Saturday, September 26th, 2020 between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm. No holds or delivery available. Where to pickup purchases: Orders must be picked up at the Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park Pavilion (near Fletchers), 1524 Clinton Hills Parkway, Swansea, IL. Sorry, no delivery. No holds.
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HLC Photo Contests: The two contests we held since the last edition of our newsletter were, Cute Little Critters and Sky’s the Limit. We received over 100 submissions between the two contests. To see all the submissions, check out https://www.facebook.com/ HeartLandsConservancy.
Winner (Top) Clear Connection Chris Hettenhausen
Honorable Mention (Below) Nichole Hettenhausen
PHOTO CHALLENGE: The Fruits of Your Labor Aug 18th - Oct 18th
Many people have taken up gardening this summer, and we want to see the fruits of your labor! Whether you grew vegetables or expanded your pollinator area, every gardener has a unique story to tell! That’s why, in addition to photo submissions, we are also inviting participants to share their stories with us (250-500 words).
Winner > Shell-fie Rachel Steibel
Honorable Mention (Below) Chuck Hill
What did you learn? Did you see anything new visiting your garden? We want our followers to be able to read about your experiences along with your pictures. And, who knows, your story could end up in our next newsletter and might even be featured in an online article! The winner of this photo contest will be chosen by our Facebook followers during the week of October 19th. Participants should email their photos/stories to photo@ heartlandsconservancy.org with the subject The Fruits of Your Labor. Photos must be of southern Illinois (generally, south of Springfield). 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.* Send up to 10 images per theme, per person. Watermarks (along the bottom edge) are allowed and photo credit will be given. Please attach and 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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www.HeartLands Conservancy.org
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Katie Siech
Photo by Talia Long Photography
Seich seining for fish
Growing the Team: Katie Siech HeartLands Conservancy is pleased to announce the addition of Katie Siech to our dynamic team. Katie will serve as HLC’s Environmental Programs Associate, working with team members to accomplish a variety of organizational goals related to the many facets of our environmental and resilient communities initiatives, including watershed planning, education outreach, environmental planning, and more. Katie fell in love with nature at a young age. As a child, she spent most of her time outdoors and her family went camping along the Meramec River often. It wasn’t until she stumbled upon a flyer at St. Louis Community College, however, that the trajectory of her life changed from aspiring artist to environmental advocate. “I was walking through the hall one day and I noticed a flyer for the Missouri Master Naturalist Program. I had taken some conservation biology courses already, so the idea of learning more about our local environment piqued my interest.” She decided to participate in the program, and it ignited her passion for seeing conservation as a human construct.
Thank You for Your Growing Support! Welcome New Members!
quality that makes her a perfect fit to work for an organization such as HeartLands Conservancy.
In addition, Katie is also an experimental chef. Please enjoy one of her recent adventures below.
Katie has a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Maryville University. She serves as a Volunteer Naturalist for the Missouri Department of Conservation and as a Water Quality Monitor for the Stream Team Organization.
I was inspired by a recipe video (Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company https:// pin.it/1ENcbpP) our colleague sent us, Laura Lyon, and decided it was a great experiment to try with my four year old!
In her spare time, Katie loves kayaking and is a self-described “river rat.” She is a mother of two, and thoroughly enjoys her “chaotic” garden that provides native habitat for pollinators throughout the year. She can be reached at: Katie Siech Environmental Programs Associate katie.siech@heartlandsconservancy.org 618-566-4451 ext 16
We cut off our sunflower heads that were mostly done blooming, where the seeds were still white and soft but the flower’s petals were beginning to drop off. We removed all the petals and ‘flower bits’ from the middle, and I saved them for pickling with our veggies. From here, we coated the flower seeds in olive oil and my favorite grilling spices (for this we used garlic, salt and pico fruta - a seasoning blend with chili peppers and lemon peel). We grilled the sunflower seed side down for approximately ten minutes, until the seeds were soft and grill marks appeared. Afterwards, I coated the sunflower in sundried tomatoes and fresh cut basil from our herb garden. It made for the perfect side dish to a summer BBQ, and was loved by all, including the kids! For a fresh way to enjoy sunflowers, I highly recommend them grilled. - Katie Siech
“It [conservation ecology] isn’t just about science. There is a very human element that comes with ecology. People benefit both mentally and physically by being surrounded in nature and that aspect is something I am very passionate about.” Through the Missouri Master Naturalist Program Katie was introduced to AmeriCorps, which furthered her interest in serving people. Throughout a variety of roles in her career, she has tied her love of service and nature together, a 14
Siech’s Grilled Sunflower Heads
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Thank you for supporting HeartLands Conservancy and Poag Sand Prairie between June 1 and August 20, 2020
Thank You to Our Sponsors to Date
Emily Amizich Ken and Linda Aud Belleville Optometry, Ltd Bitsy Askew Dr. Susan Barker Scott and Shelli Bement* Chris Benda Mary Biernot Kerry and Susan Brethauer* Beth Browne Arnold L Busse* Cahokia Mound Chapter, NSDAR Tom and Eloise Cohoon Fay Churovich Sharon Douglas Diane Drake Charity Davis-Woodard Richard Essner* Sandy and Don Eversole Mike and Joann Fricke* Grace Garin* Sharon Geil Kay Gilroy Jane Ann Haines Julie Heberer* Kaitlyn Hinson J. F. Electric Inc.* Daniel Jansen Judith Joy Junior Service Club of St. Clair County* Marty and Linda Kemper* Denny and Jo Kirkham* Cheryl Kowalczyk* Chris Krusa Ronda Latina* Mary Laurent* Kerl Luly Virginia McCall Representative Charles Meier* Kathy Meier* Louis and Carol Mitchell
Bur Oak
Edward Moll Valerie Mollet* Jane Morris Robert C. and Katherine Nelson* Jessica Orelt Libby E Oxenham Joel Pesapane* William Rable and Libby Reuter* E. William Reichert III* Leslie Rice John I and Denise D Schaberg Glen and Linda Schuetz* Ned Siegel John Sloan PhD St. Louis Community Foundation Corrine Stone Studio Archaeos* Kristin Thompson John and Lynne Troyan* Jeff Tupper Utilitra Rebecca Valadez Carole Valencia Richard and Deborah Vandevord in honor of Robert Lyday Robert and Mary Vandevord* Village of Shiloh Village of Smithton Southern Illinois Audubon Society Megan Vogt Mary Von Tobel Walker and Williams P.C.* Walmart Ed and Kathi Weilbacher* Brian and Jaynie Wells Laura and William Wheeler Katie Wiesehan Mark Wiesehan Melissa Wolfe Roberta Wood * White Oak Society
Post Oak
Red Oak
Pin Oak
Belleville Optometry, Ltd. Clinton County SWCD Farm Credit Illinois Farnsworth Group J. F. Electric Inc. Madison County SWCD Pufalt-Pauley Insurance Agency, Inc. Walker and Williams P.C.
Sapling
City of Edwardsville Madison Co Planning & Development Randolph County SWCD St. Clair County Farm Bureau Utilitra Village of Godfrey Village of Swansea
Meanderings 2020 Fall
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Commonfields Summer 2020
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Cabbage White
Pieris rapae
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
Monarch
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
American Lady
PC: cazotea
Vanessa virginiensis
PC: cazotea
Papilio glaucus
PC: Ned Siegel
Danaus plexippus
PC: cazotea
Colias eurytheme
Orange Sulphur
PC: cazotea
Phoebis sennae
Cloudless Sulphur
PC: Ned Siegel
Vanessa atalanta
Red Admiral
Backyard Butterfly Bingo Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides marcellus
PC: Ned Siegel
Red-spotted Admiral
Limenitis arthemis
PC: cazotea
Free Space! PC: Amy Huller
3 N. High Street Belleville,IL 62220 (618) 566-4451
PC: Ned Siegel
Spicebush Swallowtail
Papilio troilus
PC: Ned Siegel
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Cupido comyntas
PC: cazotea
www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
PC: Ned Siegel
Silver-spotted Skipper
Epargyreus clarus
PC: Ned Siegel
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
PC: cazotea
Northern Pearly-Eye
Lethe anthedon
Pipevine Swallowtail
Battus philenor
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
PC: Nathan Carpenter
Zabulon Skipper
Lon zabulon
PC: Nathan Carpenter
Banded Hairstreak
PC: Nathan Carpenter
Satyrium calanus
PC: Nathan Carpenter
Chlosyne gorgone
Little Glassywing
PC: cazotea
Papilio polyxenes
PC: Nathan Carpenter
Gorgone Checkerspot Limenitis arthemis
PC: Nathan Carpenter
Black Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes
PC: Nathan Carpenter
Red-spotted Purple
Pompeius verna
PC: Nathan Carpenter
Eastern Giant Swallowtail
PC: Nathan Carpenter
