Water Connects Us ALL
Meanderings Summer
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Board of Directors E. William Reichert III Board Chair Mary Vandevord President Ronda Latina Vice Chair William Boardman Second Vice Chair Janet Haroian Treasurer Anne Werner Secretary Brenda Chandler Gary Huelsmann Dawnesha Johnson Nancy Larson Robert C. Nelson Jim Pauley Cliff Schuette
Team Michael Andreas Special Projects Shelli Bement Director of Finance & Administration Landon Brooks Communications & Engagement Manager Tyler Burk Water Programs Manager Laura L. Lyon VP of Program Strategy & Impact Belinda McAllister Community & Partnerships Coordinator Kim O’Bryan Director of Development & Events Jenny Reiman Resilient Communities Program Manager Mary Vandevord President & CEO Sarah Vogt Conservation Manager Ed Weilbacher Vice President
Water Connects
No other resource has more impact on our lives than water. All life depends on water.
Water is undoubtedly abundant where we live. Southwestern Illinois lays claim to the Mississippi and Kaskaskia Rivers and their many tributaries. Along with these streams are lakes that hold water for fish, wildlife, and recreation - Horseshoe Lake, Grand Marais Lake, Carlyle Lake, and many more. Wetlands support these systems, playing a crucial role as natural water purifiers. Like nature’s kidneys, wetlands filter impurities out of the water before it goes back into streams and rivers and ultimately our drinking water. A great example of this is Arlington Wetlands in Pontoon Beach. Learn more about it - and how you can help make sure it stays functioning - on page 16.
HeartLands Conservancy
It’s all one big connected system from cloud, to land, to stream, to wetland, to the river.
info@HeartLandsConservancy.org www.HeartlandsConservancy.org
Still, there can be too much of a good thing. The intensity and duration of rainfall have been increasing due to climate change. Coupled with changes
Steve Widowski Wildlife Biologist 29 East Main Street Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 566-4451
to the land that cause rainwater to rapidly runoff into streams instead of filtering through vegetation, intense rainfall has negative consequences on humans and wildlife. Flash flooding, severe erosion, and polluted water cause damage to property, health, and livelihoods. Chemicals in the water cause fish and other animals and plants to die and make it more expensive to treat the water for drinking.
HeartLands Conservancy and many partners are taking multi-pronged approaches to address these issues. We conserve land, particularly forests, wetlands, and floodplains, to provide places for water to naturally filter and flow. We restore natural resources on the land and help communities adapt to the changing climate. We work region-wide to develop action plans for cleaner water and flood prevention. We help partners find funding to address their rainwater management needs. This spring, we kicked off work on a multi-year grant from the IEPA to work with communities and residents to examine stormwater issues in the western portion of St. Clair County.
HLC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible and are graciously accepted throughout the year. Cover Image by Lauchner Photography
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s Us ALL
The communities of Cahokia Heights, East St. Louis, and others have been feeling the effects of climate change more than most communities in our region. Nearly all of the Metro East’s rainwater flows through this area as it makes its way to the Mississippi River. On top of that, sewer infrastructure in these communities is aging and collapsing, causing sewage backups into peoples’ yards and damaging their homes, health, and wealth. Groups of residents have taken action to call attention to these problems and seek assistance from the state and federal governments - a desperate plea for justice for a crisis that has been going on for far too long. The people most affected live in north Centreville, and they are primarily elderly, on limited fixed incomes, and Black. This situation is not unique to our area. On page 10, Dr. Zach Phillipps from Saint Louis University shares how water under climate change impacts humans, especially People of Color.
yard using a rain garden (page 23), options for rainwater capture in your neighborhood or town (page 22), and the best plants for pond and stream edges (page 8). I also encourage you to join us for our new Watershed Adventure and Discovery Experiences (WADE) program. In June and July, we will host four adventures centered around the region’s water resources, including kayaking, fishing, stream monitoring, and a firefly walk. Each event includes an element of service to the community, such as trash pick up or invasive plant removal. Learn more about WADE and other upcoming events on page 14.
In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time. - Leonardo da Vinci
See you outside,
Mary Vandevord President & CEO
We also share ideas for how you can be informed and involved in healthy water in our region. Learn about regional water action planning efforts (page 20), how to filter water in your
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Feeling Froggy Frog & Amphibian Count
Green Heron
Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Pavilion
Highlights of Recent Happenings Backyard Birding Blitz The 2021 Backyard Birding Blitz kicked off on March 1st and ended on April 30th. We asked participants to contribute to science by making observations right from their backyards or in their community. In total, 233 observations were made, with 59 observers identifying 56 species. One participant (iNaturalist user: unkleloopy) even witnessed a Green Heron (Butorides virescens), one of the few species of bird known to use tools! Feeling Froggy Frog & Amphibian Count After a long winter, volunteers were itching to get outside and help Dr. Richard Essner and his research team from SIUE find frogs and other amphibians at Poag Sand Prairie in Edwardsville, Illinois. The weather conditions were perfect for the evening, and participants found quite a few types of frogs and a salamander. Along with several adjacent properties, Poag Sand Prairie is monitored each spring by Dr. Essner and his students. Sand prairies are rare habitats and are known to host specialized species that can only reproduce under the right conditions. We are thankful that Dr. Essner invites us to participate in this annual event and anxious to watch the populations of amphibians grow over time as we continue our conservation efforts at Poag Sand Prairie! 4
Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Gets a New Pavilion The Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom got a much-anticipated addition this March. A new pavilion was installed thanks to our friends at the Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery and the REALTOR® Association of Southwestern Illinois (RASI). Their generous contributions help us further our mission to provide outdoor education to the Signal Hill School District and Blessed Sacrament School and neighborhood residents. Tree Stewards Training This spring, we launched our new Tree Stewards Program. The inaugural class participated in a six-week training through Forest Releaf of Missouri’s TreeKeepers Program, followed by a morning training session with our Conservation Manager, Sarah Powell. Participants were educated about trees, their benefits, and care and were provided hands-on learning in the following areas: tree identification, biology, soils, planting, pruning, and insects and diseases. The purpose of the Tree Stewards Program is to help monitor and care for trees planted throughout the region. Tree Stewards help communities ensure their investment trees remains healthy for years to come.
Hiking Club at The Nature Institute The Nature Institute hosted the first Hiking Club outing of the year on their beautiful trails before reopening to the public for the year. This event was a huge hit, with over 60 hikers coming out to walk and search for spring wildflowers, such as Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauties, cutleaf toothwort, trillium, and trout lilies. Their stunning array of spicebush was also in full bloom, which gave us the chance to educate hikers about the floral differences between male and female plants, as spicebush is a dioecious species. Field Day with the Illinois Forestry Association If you’ve been to Arlington Wetlands lately, you may have noticed a significant difference in the forested area. The Illinois Forestry Association teamed up with the Illinois Forestry Development Council and HeartLands Conservancy to demonstrate how forestry mulchers can be used in combination with herbicides to control invasive plants like bush honeysuckle and wintercreeper. The partners held a Field Day in April to share the methods with the public. Roger Smith, a consulting forester and dedicated member of the Illinois Forestry Association, led demonstrations and a tour in the morning. He discussed his first-hand experiences of using these techniques in the Shawnee National Forest.
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May was Membership Month. Join us!
Tree Steward Practice Planting
Recent Webinars March - University of Illinois Extension Educator, Elizabeth Wahle, and Illinois Master Naturalist, Ned Siegel, gave participants an in-depth look at “Gardening With Natives.” Renowned as two of the area’s most passionate gardeners, Elizabeth and Ned talked in detail about the plants available in our April Conservation at Home and Garden Spring Sale - which gave the audience some planning inspiration! April - We all know the saying, “April Showers Bring May Flowers,” right? Well, April showers can also give you an idea of where drainage issues in your yard are present - which is why we held a webinar with Christopher Enroth on the topic of “Creating a Rain Garden.” Chris discussed how to choose a rain garden location, the best plants for conditions, and why rain gardens can provide excellent solutions to some of your landscape problems.
Earth Day TV Appearance with Tim Ezell We celebrated Earth Day by joining Fox2Now’s Tim Ezell live out at the Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park. ICYMI, staffers Sarah Powell and Landon Brooks showed viewers how to plant a tree, start seeds, and compost properly. Tim Ezell dressed up as planet Earth while he joined Mary Vandevord, President & CEO. She discussed plans for the garden and talked about the importance of people experiencing nature in their community.
May - Gardening season ramps up tremendously in May, so we decided to ask Crystal Stevens, an organic farmer at Flourish Farmstead, for lessons in Composting 101. From the beginning of her adventures in gardening, she remembers the exciting realization that over half of her food waste could be used for next year’s garden gold. Crystal taught participants how to make healthy, living soil from things most people consider scraps!
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METRO EAST TREE WEEK EARTH DAY TO ARBOR DAY by the numbers 1,030 Trees planted
35 Communities
62 Volunteer Hours
19 Volunteers
Metro East Tree Week 2021 Held from Earth Day to Arbor Day, HeartLands Conservancy celebrated trees like no other year before! Volunteers and staff distributed over 1,300 native trees to communities and community organizations. Additional activities during Metro East Tree Week included PoeTREE Day, an Arbor Day Poster Contest, a Storytime reading of “The Busy Tree” with local author Jennifer Ward, and an Ask the Arborist webinar with Meurer Brothers Tree Care. The week concluded with the planting of the Tribute Tree Grove at the Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park on Arbor Day.
18 Forest Healing Hours
424 Webinar Views
15,088 people engaged by social media
3,912 interactions, clicks and/or shares
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Community Trees headed to New Home
Communities Planting Their Trees
Join Us @ Our Upcoming June 5 | Discover a Stream: Exploring at Baebler Farm June 13 | Discover a River: Paddle Trek on the Kaskaskia River Story Time with Jennifer Ward
June 18 | Volunteer Day at Poag Sand Prairie June 19 | Discover a Pond: Fishing at Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park July 17 | Discover a Wetland: Firefly Walk at Arlington Wetlands Aug 13 | Perseid Meteor Shower Stargazer (Members only Event)
Snow during Tree Week Demonstration
Callery Pear Tree Trade-in
Sept 11 | Fairy & Gnome Home Tour A fundraiser for the Exploration Garden at Clinton Hills Conservation Park Sept 18 | Butterfly Count at Arlington Wetlands All events and dates are subject to change or modifications, please visit our website and social media for current information. Please scan our QR code above for latest dates. 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 or modify.
1,030 Tree Delivery to HLC
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American Lotus at Arlington Wetlands
Plant This, Not That...Aquatic Plants! Garden ponds are popular in many backyards. They provide a calm and relaxing atmosphere in any outdoor space. Ponds, large and small, also add valuable wildlife habitat. Frogs, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and even crustaceans need water. If you have a pond or are thinking about installing one in the future, carefully consider your plant choices. However, something people often do not think about is aquatic invasive species. Remember, invasive species are exotic (not originally from North America) plants that escape the place they were planted and out-compete native plants, eventually taking over entire natural areas and harming the ecosystem. Most commonly, we talk about invasive species in forests and prairies - plants like honeysuckle, autumn olive, Bradford pear, and garlic mustard. In honor of all things water, this time, we are talking about waterloving invasive species. You will want to avoid those plants.
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Every pond has different plant zones. Below are some native plants for each area, starting from the driest zone, Plants to avoid are listed in RED. Border Plants are plants for the edge of your pond. They are happy in moist places but don’t need standing water to survive. • Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) • Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) • Buttonbush (Cephelantus occidentalis) • Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
Shallow Water Plants are the plants that grow around the edge in the shallow area, sometimes called the marginal shelf or aquatic shelf. These plants can survive with up to 3 inches of water. You can plant these plants in pots set on underwater shelves or plant them directly in the soil around the pond or stream. • Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) • Purple Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) • Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) • Lizard’s Tail (Saururus cernuus)
• Turtlehead (Chelone spp.)
• Copper Iris (Iris fulva)
• Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
• Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) • Rushes (Juncus sp.)
• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
• Sedges (Carex spp.)
• Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) • DO NOT PLANT: Reed Canary Grass
• Green arrow arum (Peltandra virginica) • DO NOT PLANT: Parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquatica), Yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus), Purple loostrife (Lythrum salicatia), or Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
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Cardinal FLower by Deborah Bifulco
Floating Plants float on the water’s surface and survive without soil. They get all the nutrients they need from the water and therefore act as natural filters to remove excess nitrogen from the water and help control algae. • Duckweed (Lemna minor) • Manna grass (Glyceria septentrionalis) • Water meal (Wolffia columbiana) • DO NOT PLANT: Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), Yellow floating heart/ floating heart (Nymphoides peltata/Nymphoides spp.)
Eel grass by Rob Curtis (CC BY-NC-SA)
Purple Pickerelweed by BDK
Submerged Plants, also called oxygenators, grow entirely underwater. They filter the water and add oxygen. Most commonly, these are planted in pots that are sunk to the bottom of ponds. • Canadian pondweed (Elodea canadensis) • Coontail/Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) • Carolina watershield (Cabomba caroliniana) • Eelgrass, water celery (Vallisneria americana)
Duckweed /Lemna minor by Joey Shaw
Deep Water Plants, have roots in the soil and prefer deeper water, up to about 3 feet deep. These can be planted in pots at the bottom of the pond or directly into the ground. • Fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata) • White water lily (Nymphaea tuberosa) • Yellow water lily (Nuphar lutea) • American Lotus (Nelumbo Lutea) (not suitable for small ponds).
• DO NOT PLANT: Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum spp)
American lotus by Liz West (CC BY-NC-SA) Meanderings 2021 Summer
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Mississippi River at Alton
Water & Climate at the Great Confluence by Zachary R. Phillips, Ph.D Coordinator and Assistant Professor of GIScience, Geospatial Institute Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, Saint Louis University Zach is an Assistant Professor of Geographic Information Science at Saint Louis University. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Conservation Science from North Dakota State University, in which he studied the long-term evolution of river systems in areas once covered by glaciers. Zach teaches undergraduate and graduate-level Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing classes at SLU. In his free time, he enjoys disc golfing, hiking, camping, kayaking, and exploring the natural places he lives.
Life as Part of an Integrated Water System – The Hydrologic Butterfly Effect Somewhere in Africa, a butterfly flaps its wings... Weeks later, a destructive tornado, partially caused by the ever so slight disturbance of that delicate butterfly wing, forms on American soil. This metaphor, used to apply the complex theory of the butterfly effect to weather, may seem like an exaggeration. But, our lives centered at the confluence of two great rivers are a prime example of the interconnectivity of Earth’s natural systems. What happens thousands of miles away affects us, and in turn, the decisions we make here in our hometowns affect populations downstream and around the world. A more direct example of the butterfly effect is seen in the hydrology systems that we are directly connected to. If a raindrop falls on a sidewalk in Great Falls, Montana, that raindrop makes its way into stormwater drains and contributes to the Missouri River less than a mile away from where it landed. Upon entering the Missouri River, that drop meets with other water droplets and begins a journey of over 2,300 miles until it flows into the Mississippi near our homes. Downstream where we live, we don’t see the effect of a single raindrop because it is very small. But, over the extent of such an extensive area, the contribution of each drop of water making its way to the river builds to create a hazard with
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which we are all too familiar here in the Heartlands. Flooding. Climate Change and Flooding – Trends Heading in the Wrong Direction Living among interconnected systems is a challenging aspect of human life. Human societies need to be close to rivers for beneficial services such as drinking water, waste management, transportation, food, recreation, prayer, and many others. But, rivers are constant sources of uncertainty. And, considering humans produce more CO2 now than ever, climate change will only continue to increase the levels of uncertainty and risk related to rivers. There are global effects of climate change, such as warmer temperatures and increased atmospheric moisture, but the effects of climate change also vary regionally. So, how exactly will the effects of climate change affect the river systems of the Midwest? Frankly, flooding is going to get worse everywhere in the Midwest, but for different reasons. In agricultural watersheds and smaller tributaries, the frequency of flooding is predicted to increase thanks to the increased intensity of spring rain events. For larger rivers, the increasing height of flood crests and the duration of flood events during the springtime are the main cause for concern. The Missouri
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Watershed Plans completed or underway by HeartLands Conservancy
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Braided Waterways along the Mississippi River
and Mississippi Rivers, being tied to larger drainage basins influenced by watersheds in cold northern states, are sensitive to winter weather patterns, snow accumulation, and the spring thaw. In northern climates, the most severe floods start when rain falls on snow, and these events are only expected to increase in frequency due to climate change. Climate-related Threats to Infrastructure – The (Sad) State of the Union Another major concern is the current state of American infrastructure, and the added stress climate change will put on infrastructure, specifically water-related infrastructure. Infrastructure generally makes it easier for us to live. And according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the general state, condition, and safety ratings for infrastructure in the United States earn a letter grade of a C-minus. Within that, water-related infrastructure is generally worse off. Aspects of infrastructure related to dams, rivers, levees, stormwater, and wastewater all earn a grade of D or lower. Only two categories of water infrastructure, drinking water, and bridges, earn grades in the C-range.
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Closer to home, water infrastructure grades in Missouri and Illinois are in the same general range, earning grades in the C to D range. Some examples of the failing state of water infrastructure in our region exist in different forms. Examples of poor drinking water infrastructure are frequently broken water mains in the winter or the decaying state of lead water supply pipes once used to construct homes and schools in the Midwest and greater St. Louis region. An example of failing levee infrastructure is the Len Small levee on the Mississippi River, located about 160 miles downstream of its confluence with the Missouri. To improve the state of our infrastructure, the updates and repairs to waterrelated infrastructure are expected to require over $20-billion in funding for Illinois and Missouri and more than 20 years to do so. One’s Benefit is Another’s Burden Water Disparity and Climate Change in the Heartland In terms of water resources and climate change, historically underfunded communities are at the greatest risk. Currently, the investments being made in
Midwestern infrastructure are not proportionate for all communities. In communities where funding for maintenance, repairs, and infrastructure upgrades does not keep up with demand, any normal stress on water infrastructure is compounded. A further concern is raised because climate change will only exaggerate the existing disparities due to increased stress on water infrastructure. In areas where people get their water from wells, agricultural runoff is expected to inhibit habitants’ ability to get clean drinking water. The failure of the Len Small levee, built by farmers in 1945, is a perfect example of how one community benefits from infrastructure upgrades while burdening others. As other levee projects were completed on the Mississippi, there were noticeable increases in the flooding of Dog Tooth Bend. Now, after standing pat for nearly 50 years, the Len Small levee has been breached and repaired three times since 1993 and currently lives in a state of disrepair as Dog Tooth Bend is slowly being turned into an island. With higher flood crests expected due to climate change, the typical solution is to raise levees. But, because
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different levees are managed and maintained by various organizations, not all levees are incorporated into the project plans and raised comprehensively. This displaces water that originally would enter the floodplain in one area and forces it to another. So, by deciding to raise one levee while not raising another, humans enter a feedback loop where communities fight one another to keep floods at bay while inadvertently putting other communities at greater flood risk. Working toward a solution – Getting Back to Nature There are possible successful strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on water, but adjusting the currently bleak projections in a positive way requires the concerted effort of people coming together for the common goal of adapting our behavior to protect these vital systems. In adapting to climate change, experts recommend naturebased solutions like reforesting aquatic corridors, installing green infrastructure such as green roofs, retention basins, and rain barrels or gardens that catch water before it enters the storm drain and rivers.
Further actions to protect our resources, such as installing solar panels, using less plastic, and cleaning up after others, are also critical activities that don’t go unnoticed in helping aquatic systems adapt to climate change. We have observed from the COVID pandemic that solutions to complex societal problems exist, and that society is capable of using scientific knowledge, political decisions, and a multi-pronged effort from citizens to solve problems that were once unsolvable. Because, as was the same with COVID, there is no one solution to solving the problems that climate change presents. Each of us must contribute however it is possible. How people individually contribute to climate change adaptation are expected to be diverse, and the outcomes of such complex undertakings are not always certain at the onset. But, one thing that is certain is that moving forward, each of us is part of the solution because we are all parts of one vast interconnected system. Earth.
Contributors: Craig Adams, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE Principal Investigator, SLU WATER Institute Olive L. Parks Endowed Chair and Professor, Civil Engineering Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology Chris King, Ph.D., CSP, CHMM Principal Investigator, SLU WATER Institute Director and Assistant Professor, Center for Environmental Education and Training College for Public Health and Social Justice Jason Knouft, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, SLU Dept. of Biology Scientist, Large River Ecologist, NGRREC Roger Lewis, Ph.D., CIH Principal Investigator, WATER Institute Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health College for Public Health and Social Justice Rachel Rimmerman, MBA Director of Business and Outreach, WATER Institute
T2801 N Illinois St.
Thursday | 10:00am - 2:00pm Waterloo Waterloo Farmers Market 100 Plaza Drive Saturday | 7:30am - 11:30am
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WADE
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Discover a Stream
Spotted Tiger Salamander
Fishing Day by IDNR
Get Your Feet Wet & WADE! Are you ready to get outside and discover our waterways? HeartLands Conservancy’s new outdoor education program, Watershed Adventures and Discovery Experiences (WADE) will be holding four summer events to get you in touch with water by exploring a creek, paddling on a river, fishing in a pond, and visiting a restored wetland. People of all ages are welcome to attend these FREE events to enjoy active exploration and guided activities. Check our website for registration and more details about these adventures! These events are made possible by an Illinois American Water Environmental Grant, our partners at The Alpine Shop, and an outdoor grant from MTN Dew.
June 5 – Discover a Stream: Jump In a Living Laboratory!
June 19 – Discover a Pond: Go Fish!
Step into Fountain Creek at Baebler Educational Farm (near Waterloo) and explore riffles, pools, and root mats. Use a net to collect samples of tiny organisms, called macroinvertebrates, from these habitats. Staff will help you identify the organisms in your net and learn about their connection to water quality and stream health with water testing kits.
Let’s go fishing and learn about pond wildlife, large and small, at the Exploration Garden at Clinton Hills Conservation Park in Swansea. See tiny organisms that live in pond water and try to catch (and release) a fish. Bring your fishing pole or use one we provide and learn the basics of fishing.
June 13 – Discover a River: Paddle Up! Join HeartLands Conservancy and the Alpine Shop for a paddling trek on the Kaskaskia River! Kayaks and safety gear will be provided for a leisurely, beginner-level paddle down the river. Along the way, identify wildlife in the river corridor, learn about the Kaskaskia River watershed, and determine how water quality impacts recreation on the river.
July 17 - Discover a Wetland: Walk with Fireflies! Arlington Wetlands is buzzing with life. Spend an evening learning about wetlands and the variety of life they support. Participants will conduct a Bio-Blitz to inventory species and learn about fireflies as the sun sets over the wetland and sand prairie.
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Poster created by HeartLands Conservancy with source photography by Mike Matney Photography, Jack Rainey, & various other pieces. 16
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Wetlands have been helping us. Here's a chance to help one in need. Even though we are past the worst of the pandemic, we are still unable to hold our annual Field to Fork fundraiser this year. The beloved summer event raises money for ongoing conservation efforts in southwestern Illinois. Funds that are critical to healthy habitats, clean water, and wildlife. Instead, for June and July, HeartLands is asking for your donations to support ongoing restoration and stewardship at Arlington Wetlands - a unique wetland and prairie habitat just outside of Collinsville near I-255. What’s more, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation will TRIPLE the first $7,000 in donations! That means, if we raise $7,000 for Arlington Wetlands, the foundation will contribute $21,000. Anything raised over that amount will go to HeartLands’ other conservation and community programs in southwestern Illinois.
Why is Arlington Wetlands so important? Before Europeans settled in the American Bottom (the historic floodplain of the Mississippi River), the Mississippi River twisted and turned through its entire floodplain, from bluff to bluff. The river resembled a loosely braided rope, much different than the broad and deep Mighty Mississippi we are familiar with today. Settlers drained the wetlands and lakes for agriculture, built levees and canals to protect property from floodwaters, and channeled the river for shipping. All of this nearly erased the historic natural landscape and functioning ecosystem. However, little clues remain about this past landscape. Remnants of the Mississippi River channels, now lakes, remain in the area. Horseshoe Lake, for example, is the largest remnant river lake in the area. Arlington Wetlands is another.
In 2012, HeartLands Conservancy purchased and restored Arlington Wetlands with funding from Conoco Philips, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, Illinois EPA, and US Fish and Wildlife Service. The functioning habit was turned over to Madison County (and formerly the Collinsville Area Recreation District) for permanent public recreation and stormwater management. To donate (and triple your donation) to Arlington Wetlands, see the enclosed envelope or visit our website to donate under the support tab.
Today, the 80-acre Arlington Wetlands is a work in progress. There are many types of habitat on the site for visitors to explore, including wetland, floodplain forest, and sand prairies. The wetland is the heart of the site. Stretching the length of the property, but only reaching depths of about 5-6 feet. In the summer, the lake becomes completely covered with water-loving vegetation like American lotus, rushes, and water lilies, while buttonbushes Meanderings 2021 Summer
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crowd the bank. Arlington becomes a great resting place for thousands of migratory birds, like ducks, geese, swans, herons, and smaller songbirds. In the water, frogs, turtles, and sometimes beavers can be spotted on warm summer days. One of the highlights of visiting Arlington Wetlands is crossing the floating boardwalk. Here visitors can get a unique and up-close view of the center of a wetland. Surrounding the wetlands is a floodplain forest, full of cottonwoods, persimmons, and oaks. This is where visitors could see deer, turkey, rabbits, birds, and turtles. The sand prairies are the first thing many people see when they arrive at Arlington Wetlands. As you take the path from the parking lot to the floating boardwalk, you meander through a small section of sand prairie, and again on the other side of the wetland, many paths wind through this habitat. Sand prairies are one of Illinois’ rarest landscapes. Only 2,400 acres of sand prairies remain in Illinois, an area about the size of SIUE. Some of the unique species that could be found in the sand prairie include Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum), Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus), Purpleheaded sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum), Eastern prickly pear (Optotia cespitosa), Ohio spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), and ornate 18
box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata). In addition to being a great natural area, habitat, and home for wildlife, and a nice recreation area, all of these habitats together provide another benefit to human life. Arlington Wetlands acts like a sponge during significant rains. It can hold a lot of stormwater and then slowly release it over many days. This helps reduce flooding in neighborhoods downstream. While slowing and storing the stormwater, the wetland filters pollutants out of the water, helping to improve water quality. So far, volunteers have been working hard removing non-native Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) from the sand prairie. They have successfully cleared a small section in the front. Also, partners from the Illinois Forestry Association, through a grant from the Illinois Forestry Development Council, used a forestry mower to clear honeysuckle from the forest on the east side of the wetland. However, much work remains to remove invasive plants from the rest of the site. If not removed, these invasive species will crowd out the plants that the animals need to survive. The invasive plants can also eventually cause the wetland to lose function as floodwater storage.
helps control non-native plants and encourages native plants to grow. Some native species need fire to survive. HeartLands Conservancy may even need to plant native wildflowers, grasses, and sedges where non-native have been removed to complete this restoration project. We can’t do this alone. In addition to matching cash donations, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation will also match volunteer hours! If we can log 400 volunteer hours at Arlington Wetlands, we will receive an additional $4,000 from the Foundation for restoration. As such, we will be planning several volunteer dates throughout the remainder of the year. A group meets on the first Friday of each month, from 9-11 am to volunteer. They always welcome new faces to help a great cause. Want to experience Arlington Wetlands up-close? Join us in the evening on July 17th for Discover A Wetland: Walk with Fireflies at Arlington Wetlands. We will explore the wetland and walk among the fireflies in the sand prairie. More details are available on our website.
In addition to removing invasive species, the prairie is overdue for a prescribed burn. Prescribed fire
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Firefly walk
Do you reminisce about catching fireflies as a child? You’re never too old to appreciate the wonder of a field full of lightning bugs. Save the date for a Firefly Walk, July 17th, at Arlington Wetlands. This activity will be part of the Discover a Wetland segment of our new WADE Program. See page 15 for more details. This event will be fun for family members of all ages.
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Ryan Hummert (L) and Mike Andreas (R)
An Interview with Ryan Hummert, City of Highland, IL HeartLands Conservancy and the City of Highland have been partners on several projects in the Highland Silver Lake watershed. The partnership between both entities has enabled the completion of a successful cost-share program funded in part by a nonpoint source pollution grant from the Illinois EPA. The program has prevented hundreds of tons of sediment from entering the drinking water source for the city. A vital member of these projects is Ryan Hummert, the Natural Resource Manager for Highland. In addition to managing Silver Lake, Silver Lake Park, and the watershed, Ryan serves as Highland’s Arborist. Ryan was gracious enough to talk to us about the watershed and how residents can be involved. Q: Can you describe the uniqueness of the Highland Silver Lake Watershed, the lake itself, and the City of Highland’s role in protecting it? A: Silver Lake and the Silver Lake watershed is one of the most unique and vast natural resource areas in Illinois, in my opinion, as it not only provides the City of Highland residents their drinking water but also offers so 20
many benefits to farmers, recreation enthusiasts, hunters, fisherman, forestry enthusiasts and so on. We, the City of Highland, take our role in protecting and harnessing those natural resources very seriously and take pride in offering programs that residents and nonresidents of Highland can enjoy daily. We strive to keep our waterways clean and actively work with landowners around the lake to incorporate best management practices on their properties, which benefits everyone as a whole. Q: Can you talk about the activities that the public can enjoy at the lake? A: Some of the recreational opportunities which can be found in and around Silver Lake are: canoe/ kayaking, boating, fishing, archery hunting, archery target shooting, waterfowl hunting, 6-mile forested natural trail system for hiking & biking, disc golf, volleyball courts, and pavilion rentals. Q: What changes have you seen to the lake and the watershed as a whole since you began working there? A: I’ve been with the City in my role as Natural Resource Manager for 13 years. In my time here, I have seen a vast transformation in water clarity and overall water quality in the lake, primarily due to the partnership programs we have been fortunate enough to incorporate into the lake and the watershed. HeartLands
Conservancy, the federal and state EPA, the Corps of Engineers, IDNR Fisheries, local engineers and contractors, and local landowners have all been instrumental in developing and implementing best management practices. We are seeing a drastic reduction in erosion and farm field runoff. Water clarity has never been better. Q: What are some examples of past and current projects the City is involved in improving the health of the Lake and watershed? A: Past projects include various key benefits such as shoreline stabilization, grass waterways, livestock exclusionary ponds, wetland ponds, re-building of islands within the lake to slow the flow of sediment, forestry invasive species control around the lake, basins/ sediment traps in farm fields, and most recently fish rearing pond which will allow the city to raise and stock our fish based on the fishery needs. Over the past couple of years, we have had great success partnering and working with local farmers and landowners to identify areas around the lake in which management practices could be applied. This has been a gratifying process for me personally because private landowners are willing and ready to improve their land to protect the flow of water/ sediment downstream. There are grant opportunities and project costshare available each year through the
www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
Shoreline Restoration in Silver Lake in Highland, Illinois
NRCS, EPA, Heartlands Conservancy, and the City of Highland, which allow private landowners in the watershed to partner with these organizations to greatly reduce the costs of improving their land, which is a win-win for all parties involved. Q: How can residents get involved in maintaining a healthy lake? A: We are very fortunate to have great local landowners in the Silver Lake Watershed who practice best management practices. Some of these landowners create buffer areas for reduced runoff, grass waterways, no-till planting practices, water retention basins in their farm fields, WASCOB installation in drainage areas, and cover crop applications. All of these strategies are great ways to protect their land as well as the land next to them and on down the line. Landowners in the Silver Lake Watershed can contact the NRCS, HeartLands Conservancy, or the City of Highland if they have any questions or would like someone to look at their property to see if it meets the guidelines for future cost-share programs.
Before Intervention
See a virtual tour of some of the recently installed projects at Highland Silver Lake on June 10, 2021 at 6pm. See page 20 and website for details.
After Grassed Waterway & Riffles Installation Meanderings 2021 Summer
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Bioswale_flikr_Aaron Volkening
Managing Rainwater in Your Community Using Natural Solutions When many people think of infrastructure, images of pipes, highways, storm drains, and concrete ditches often come to mind. Although necessary for cities to function, this “grey” infrastructure comes at a cost to the health of streams, rivers, and lakes. Rainwater cannot be filtered or penetrate through these hard surfaces before reaching streams, resulting in flash flooding and pollution of our region’s water. But what if there was an infrastructure that captured water and allowed it to be absorbed in the ground, increased the energy efficiency of buildings, and promoted economic growth. That would seem like something cities would like to invest in, right? Well, that infrastructure is called green infrastructure. These rainwater management practices can be installed in any community, neighborhood, or business and 22
include basins, bioswales (i.e., landscaped ditches), rain gardens, green roofs, community forests, rain barrels, permeable pavement, and stream restoration. All of these practices are designed to capture rainfall and slow or prevent water from flowing into drains or ditches. Green roofs, rain barrels, and rain gardens can all be used together as a system. The plants and soil of the green roof absorb the initial wave of rain. Extra rain can be directed to rain barrels attached to the downspouts. After the barrels fill, any remaining water can finally be filtered through the rain garden, which is filled with native deep-rooted vegetation. Community forests, permeable pavement, basins, and bioswales can be used in a similar system on a larger scale to help capture and filter rainwater.
infrastructure can be an attractive landscape when properly maintained. Green infrastructure improves property values by 18% and saves energy consumption by providing shade and insulation to buildings. By using these natural practices, communities can control stormwater AND increase greenspace - a considerable benefit to the people of our region. That seems like a plan everyone can get behind.
Beyond ecological benefits, these green practices have significant economic benefits. Green
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or visit our website at www.HeartLa
Initial Consultation
HeartLands Conservancy (HLC) w phone. If staff determine that the s home visit.
Cost: Residential: $50 for non-mem Businesses: $100 for Membe
Other features included are the fol Photo: Rain Garden from CNT
Rain Gardens, AGAIN! Why do we keep talking about rain gardens? A rain garden is simply a shallow depression planted with native, deeprooted plants near a water runoff source such as a gutter downspout, sump pump, or driveway. The average rain garden can filter 30,000 gallons of rainwater and melted snow, reducing storm sewer overload and localized flooding. Moisture-loving plants absorb some of the rainwater. The garden’s basin collects rainwater which then filters slowly into the ground to recharge the groundwater system. Water typically drains within 24 hours, preventing mosquito breeding, a common concern for homeowners. A bonus is that the captured rainwater eliminates the need to water the garden with tap water, conserving a precious resource and saving your water bill. As water is absorbed, the plants and soil help filter out sediment and pollutants from the “first flush” of rain, which contains the highest levels of contaminants. These pollutants are deposited into the soil and absorbed by plants, and consumed by naturally occurring beneficial soil microbes. The selection of plants native to our region can also provide habitat and food sources for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife throughout the year. Rain gardens have improved property values by beautifying areas with aesthetically pleasing, lowmaintenance landscaping.
If you are interested in having a rain garden at your home and live in the Canteen Creek watershed, HeartLands might be able to help and reimburse 50% of your installation costs. This is part of the Canteen Creek 319 Project. For more information, contact Tyler. Burk@Heartlandsconservancy.org or call 618-566-4451. HeartLands Conservancy can also help you get started with a rain garden through the Conservation@Home Program. Learn more on our website under Communities.
• Site Consultation and home visi • Conservation @Home or @Wor • Access to all of HLC Resources • Early Certification: If your pr Making anyour Impact home visit; Julia Cole of Belleville • Plant lists purchased of native plants, t a rain barrel from our Fall Saleshoreline sta emergents (for last September and used it most • The Criteria Checklist for Co creatively. Not only did she paint it • PLUS, receive HeartLands C to match her house and a garden, but she also is solving some of her major
Custom water issues. Projects & HLC
“The enhanced advantage for level me of having it is This of guidance in that this is an old house, and I don’t assistance for custom native lands have spigots all over, so the only
outside$500 spout for that non-members I have to water my or ex Cost: plants is on the back of my house by
This includes following service my driveway. So, the by having this (rain
barrel) here, I can use its spigot so I • Includes allwatering services listed abo have water for my can to • Project/Site water my flowers onConsultation the side of my and v house.” • Access to our resources and c
Julia’s barrel also cuts down plan for • A rain customized planting on her erosion problems and has native buffer, turf replacement, allowed her to grow grass where list, installation guidelines, mai she previously had a constant mud project, potential puddle. “It filled a drainagevendors, problem and • me Conservation for - because now @Home I don’t haveor @wor water collecting here.” a HeartLands Co • PLUS, receive We are thrilled by this success story! Rain barrels have so many possibilities in our landscapes and actively work to conserve one of our most precious natural resources - water. For a video highlight of Julia’s rain barrel system, please visit our YouTube Channel.
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Volunteer Highlights Forestry Field Day at Arlington Wetlands Earlier this year, HeartLands Conservancy collaborated with the Illinois Forestry Association (IFA) to embark on a non-native invasive control project at Arlington Wetlands. Through a grant from the Illinois Forestry Development Council, the partners are working to establish demonstration plots at Arlington Wetlands to show the results a forestry mower can achieve on woody invasive control. Woody invasives, such as bush honeysuckle and autumn olive, are substantial obstacles to effective forest management. Infestations of these plants can be corrected with different control methods. However, using a forestry mulcher with a followup systemic herbicide application can be one of the most efficient control methods on larger infestations. Work was completed by IFA board member, Roger Smith, an experienced operator. IFA and Heartlands Conservancy hope that private landowners and forestry professionals can learn about successful non-native invasive plant control benefits. In the big picture of forest management, it is a crucial step to create a healthy forest. In April, a volunteer field day was held at Arlington Wetlands to demonstrate the forestry mower method and provide follow-up chemical treatment.
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VOLUNTEER HOURS
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Volunteering is in your future Volunteers at Poag Sand Prairie removed many bags of garbage from the far edge of the site. They continue to meet monthly to keep up with invasive species control and monitor prairie plant growth. 4-H’er, Leah Stein, with the help from her grandfather, Gary Wiederhold, installed three bluebird houses on the prairie. A note about the use of herbicides: Deciding whether to use herbicides for invasive species control is a calculated risk not taken lightly by our organization. We first evaluate the severity and context of infestations of non-native plants. We then decide the best course of action - whether the plants can be removed by hand or if herbicide will be needed. Some infestations are so severe that herbicide is the only viable alternative. HeartLands Conservancy uses selective herbicide application methods that do not affect the sensitive features we are trying to protect. Our staff and volunteers are trained and licensed by the State of Illinois as pesticide applicators to ensure that the applicator, general public, and ecosystem is protected.
Sign-up on our volunteer portal at heartlandsconservancy.duplie.com or contact Landon 618-566-4451 ext 28. Each volunteer day begins at 9:00 am Arlington Wetlands 1st Friday of the month Belleville Heart Garden 1st Saturday of the month Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom 3rd Friday of the month Knobeloch Woods Nature Preserve 3rd Saturday of the month Poag Sand Prairie 4th Friday of the month Bohm Woods Nature Preserve 4th Saturday of the month You are welcome to join these dates without using the portal, but the portal helps us prepare.
Upcoming Volunteer Dates: Friday, June 4 | Arlington Wetlands 9:00 AM Saturday, June 5 | Belleville Heart Garden | 9:00 AM Friday, June 18 | Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom | 9:00 AM Saturday, June 19 | Knobeloch Woods 9:00 AM
Friday, Jul 2 | Arlington Wetlands 9:00 AM Saturday, July 3 | Belleville Heart Garden | 9:00 AM Friday, July 16 | Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom | 9:00 AM Saturday, July 17 | Knobeloch Woods 9:00 AM Friday, July 23 | Poag Sand Prairie 9:00 AM Saturday, July 24 | Bohm Woods NP 9:00 AM Friday, August 6 | Arlington Wetlands 9:00 AM Saturday, August 7 | Belleville Heart Garden | 9:00 AM Friday, August 20 | Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Saturday, August 21 | Knobeloch Woods NP | 9:00 AM Friday, August 27 | Poag Sand Prairie 9:00 AM Saturday, August 28 | Bohm Woods 9:00 AM Volunteers can sign-up on our website under Get Involved > Volunteer.
Friday, June 25 | Poag Sand Prairie 9:00 AM Saturday, June 26 | Bohm Woods NP 9:00 AM
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TUNE in June Webinar
July Webinar
Virtual Tour of Highland Water Quality Projects
Butterfly Host Plants
The City of Highland
Chris Benda, The Illinois Botanizer
June 10, 2021 | 6:00 pm
July 8, 2021 | 6:00 pm
What is a watershed? Join HeartLands Conservancy, along with the City of Highland, to discuss the importance of managing water quality within a watershed. We will focus on best management practices in urban and rural settings and take an in-depth look at some of the recent projects in which HeartLands Conservancy and the City of Highland have partnered.
Learn how to attract butterflies to your home garden by providing food sources and breeding grounds for our butterfly friends. Find out which plants are needed to bring your favorite species to your yard, and what steps you can take to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful.
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Register for webinars at www. 26
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n August Webinar
September Webinar
The Great Migration: Birds
Sustainable Yard Management
Debbie Newman, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC)
Jean Ponzi, EarthWays Center
August 12, 2021 | 6:00 pm
September 9, 2021 | 6:00 pm
Migratory birds pass through our region every spring and fall, ushering in a new season and bringing joy to the birders who track their progress. Join HeartLands Conservancy and Debbie Newman from the Illinois Natural Preserves Commission (INPC) for a guide to the who’s, what’s, when’s, and where’s of migratory bird season!
Creating a sustainable yard is much simpler than it seems! Composting your organic waste by mixing food scraps with your lawn clippings, for instance, can save you money on potting soil and fertilizer for your garden and house plants. Join Jean Ponzi and HeartLands Conservancy for an informative look at some of the creative ways you can upcycle some of your waste to benefit your home garden.
.HeartLandsConservancy.org under Get Involved>Webinars Meanderings 2021 Summer
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Sen Duckwork & HLC at Cahokia Mounds
Signal Hill’s Signage & Water Fountain
Exploration Garden’s Tribute Trees
Project & Partner Highlights Canteen Cahokia Creek Cost Share Program The Canteen Cahokia Creek Cost Share Program is still actively seeking projects to help reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants from reaching the streams and lakes in the watershed. The area eligible for 50% reimbursement funding includes all or portions of Fairview Heights, Caseyville, Collinsville, Maryville, Glen Carbon, and Edwardsville. This exciting opportunity to implement stormwater management projects such as tree planting in developed areas, rain gardens, shoreline stabilization, streambank stabilization, porous pavement, and bioswales (i.e., landscaped and graded ditches) is only available until March 2022 or until all funding has been exhausted. If you are interested in installing any of these practices on your property, please contact Tyler Burk at tyler. burk@heartlandsconservancy.org or 618-566-4451 ext for a free site assessment and consultation.
Mounds Initiative Update On April 19, 2021, Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Mike Bost re-introduced bills to elevate Cahokia Mounds and surrounding Mississippian mound sites to a National Historical Park. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Congresswoman Cori Bush immediately signed on as cosponsors to these bills. These bills are nearly identical to the bills from 2019 and further seek to provide access for Indigenous people for spiritual practices and expressions. Stay tuned for more updates as these bills progress through Congress. On May 7th, Co-sponsor Senator Duckworth met with HeartLands Conservancy at Cahokia Mounds to discuss this and other initiatives. Brushy Lake HeartLands Conservancy has received a Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity (GIGO) funding from Illinois EPA to implement the Brushy Lake Wetland and Floodplain Restoration project, creating and enhancing wetlands and wet meadows in the Cahokia Creek floodplain in Madison County. Brushy Lake consists of 80 acres owned by HeartLands Conservancy on the western edge of Collinsville.
and wildlife habitat. The project will restore 9.5 acres of emergent wetland, enhance 20 acres of forested wetland, and establish 50 acres of wet meadow habitat. Existing ditches that were initially installed decades ago to drain water for farming will be reshaped to re-establish the original wetlands. The floodplain at Brushy Lake can store and release stormwater back into the stream more slowly. The restoration work will help reduce the number and duration of floods downstream of the site, such as in Fairmont City. The site will eventually be open to the public for bird and frog watching, hiking, and other types of recreation. Exploration Garden You will see many changes at the Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park over the summer months. Already volunteers have planted 50 trees in the Tribute Grove and 275 native flowers. The pollinator meadow will begin growing this season. Look for a rain garden and new signs to be installed soon.
The project by HeartLands Conservancy and its partners, made possible by funding from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, will enhance water quality, stormwater storage, 28
www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
Belleville Heart Garden’s Newest Friends
Belleville Heart Garden In partnership with The City of Belleville, the Heart Garden received a grant from Illinois American Water to expand to another lot. Funds will purchase permeable paving stones, fruit trees, rain garden plants, and ground cover seed. This project will demonstrate urban fruit production and stormwater management. The fresh fruit produced by the trees will be provided to the community. Lebanon Neighborhood Plan Kick-Off HeartLands Conservancy and Friends of McAllister Park hosted HLC’s Southeast (SE) Quad Neighborhood Plan Kick-Off on May 22nd from 11 AM-4 PM at Lebanon’s McAllister/ Johnson Park. Residents and supporters of the SE Quadrant enjoyed a catered bar-b-q, music, interactive activities, and all of the other park amenities in one epic event!
Existing Brushy Lake before restoration
FOMP|Safe Routes to Parks Partnership
News from Lebanon’s Friends of McAllister Park HeartLands Conservancy is collaborating with Friends of McAllister Park (FoMP) in Lebanon, Illinois, on various projects. Here’s the latest: Early this Spring, FoMP received a $12,500 grant from the Safe Routes to Parks Partnership for their Routes to Equity (RTE) program. The grant will create a plan of action for increasing environmental equity, safety, and accessibility to outdoor recreation for residents of Lebanon’s Southeast (SE) Quadrant.
PHACT Center HeartLands Conservancy, Studio Archaeos, and Friends of McAllister Park are partnering with a local family from Lebanon’s SE Quad to revitalize and rehab Lebanon’s only community center to date. The former Neighborhood Opportunity Center will become the Pearl Hall Arts, Culture, and Technology (PHACT) Center. The PHACT Center name honors Pearl Hall, an early Lebanon resident who was responsible for bringing drinking water to the families in the SE Quadrant by digging and installing water lines by hand. Volunteers, laborers, conservationists, and anyone else who wants to help are needed and are welcome! Please contact PHACT founding family members Denice Martin or Twila Lunn at hello@phactc. org.
A series of events were held in April and May to engage residents and families, community stakeholders, and others who want to support the RTE movement. Currently, the FoMP have set their sights on creating safe, accessible walking and biking paths in the park’s surrounding area. FoMP has also received a Community Action Grant from Illinois Humanities for its Roots to Equity through Oral History program. Please join us in congratulating FoMP for their excellent work contributing to the SE Quad neighborhood and the Lebanon community-at-large.
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Save the Date: Aug 13, 2021 HLC Members Only Event
Perseid Meteor Shower Stargazer
Fairy & Gnome Home Tour Saturday, September 11, 2021 Calling all fairies, gnomes, pixies, elves, and other mythical creatures! The mystical kingdom needs your help building homes for our resident fairies and gnomes! Join the socially distanced fun and build a nature-inspired house for our magical residents. Costumes of your favorite mythical creatures are highly encouraged. Participants will receive a house construction kit, snacks, crafts, and an optional picnic lunch. More details to come on our social media. Magical creatures will be roaming the meadows and woodlands to inspect your work. Afterwards you can stroll the Exploration Garden to see what others have built. This event is open to all ages. Children (accompanied by an adult), scout troops, adults, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to participate. Proceeds will support the development of the Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park - a living, outdoor classroom for all to enjoy. Join our email list or follow us on social media to stay updated on how to participate in this event. Interested in volunteering to help with this event? Please contact Landon at landon. brooks@heartlandsconservancy.org or (618) 566-4451 ext 28.
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Fairy & Gnome Home Tour 09.11.21
www.HeartLandsConservancy.org
Jenny Reiman
Welcome! Jennifer Reiman has joined the HLC team as our new Resilient Communities Program Manager! As the Resilient Communities Program Manager, Jenny will be combining her interest in creating sustainable communities with her technical skills in mapping and geospatial analysis. She uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to help community leaders understand their environment. Jenny is particularly attuned to the challenges of floodplain communities, rural areas, and sustainable food systems. Jenny started her career at HeartLands in 2004 when it was called Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation & Development.
After spending nearly fifteen years at East-West Gateway Council of Governments, the metropolitan planning organization for the St. Louis region, she is back at HeartLands with expertise in managing data to support the planners and local leaders. During her time at East-West Gateway, Jenny guided the agency’s investment in high-quality geospatial data for the region, such as very detailed land cover and wetlands maps, and highresolution aerial photography.
Union County) she advocates for the unique landscapes and communities in “the 618”. She serves as a steward of the Belleville Heart Garden and plans on becoming an Illinois Master Gardener in the near future. Jenny farms 1/1000th of an acre behind her home in Belleville.
Welcome aboard & welcome back, Jenny!
HLC does great work helping people and communities understand their natural resources. I’m excited to join the team! - Jenny Reiman Jenny has a degree in Environmental Studies & Regional Planning from the University of Kentucky. As a native of southernmost Illinois (Wolf Lake in
Thank You to Our Sponsors to Date Bur Oak
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29 East Main Street Belleville,IL 62220 (618) 566-4451
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Arlington Wetlands Needs YOUR Help! See pages 16-19 more information
