Commonfields Spring 2017
New Year, New Strategy Board of Directors Robert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair E. William Reichert, Vice-Chair William Armstrong, Treasurer Robert Nelson, Secretary William Boardman Brenda Chandler Ronald J. Foster, Jr. Dawnesha Johnson Robert Knobeloch Nancy Larson Ronda Latina Charles Meier Stephen Parrish Cliff Schuette
Managing Team
Mary Vandevord, President & CEO Ed Weilbacher, Vice PresidentBuilding Greener Communities Janet Buchanan, Project Manager Sarah Vogt, Project Manager Kim O’Bryan, Development & Events Director Trisha Roberson, Accountant Laura L. Lyon, Special Projects Coordinator Steve Widowski, Special Projects Coordinator/Wildlife Biologist Michael Andreas, Agricultural Engineer 406 E Main Street Mascoutah, IL 62258 www.heartlandsconservancy.org info@heartlandsconservancy.org HLC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible. Cover: HLC’s new wetland in Jackson County, IL.
The week of Christmas, I found myself in Edwardsville City Hall among a standing room-only crowd. These citizens had come out of concern about the impacts from a proposed development on one of the Metro East’s three remaining old growth forests. Bohm Woods is fairly unknown to people in SW Illinois. It is a spectacular ecosystem that attracts birds and other wildlife that aren’t found in other parts of the region. Landowners years ago worked hard to convince the State of Illinois to grant it the highest level of protection - an Illinois Nature Preserve. (Learn more about Bohm Woods at our Annual Dinner - see pg 3). A proposed apartment complex next door to Bohm Woods is what brought this packed house to the City Council meeting. Among the concerns are the impacts from lights, noise, and invasive species. The developer made some concessions to offset the impacts, but biologists agree that protection of the entire property is the only way to protect the Woods. So, in collaboration with Great Rivers Land Trust, and with support from local residents and conservationists (too many to name here), we’ re raising funds to protect the remaining Bohm Woods buffer. (We have a gofund me page: www.gofundme.com/ savebohmwoods.) While I do not know what will happen in this conservation endeavor, I am floored by the number of citizens that have become awakened to the importance of protecting our region’s natural resources. However, I have also come to realize that the old way of doing things is not going to work going forward. The national dialogue around public land protection and natural resource conservation is changing. No matter which side of the aisle you find yourself on, the reality is that we must work together locally to protect these resources for present and future generations. And we must be strategic in our efforts.
is based on science that identifies significant “core” areas, like Bohm Woods, and then identifies buffers that are needed to protect them. You see, it is not enough to protect just the core - the sensitive area - but we must also protect the edge. This plan also finds places to reconnect our fragmented ecosystem. Connection points that help wildlife travel between the cores. This is critical for biodiversity. The next steps will be to set priorities for the most important places to protect, restore, and connect. We hope to work with residents, and communities to integrate this framework into city plans and work together to strategically protect important areas. This year we will be taking a hard look at our priorities at HeartLands, too: our board will be updating our strategic plan. Likewise, it became clear to me that we have much work to do in teaching others about our region’s natural areas and importance of biodiversity. We simply must do better at making conservation a priority. I hope you will join us on this journey and get involved. We need your support more than ever. Happy New Year. Now let’s get to work.
At the end of 2016, our staff put the finishing touches on a conservation framework for Madison and St. Clair Counties. This plan is a new way of looking at how to protect important natural and historic areas in the region. The methodology
HeartLands Conservancy
Commonfields Spring 2017
Reconnecting Our National Forest The Shawnee National Forest covers much of the southern tip of Illinois. It is the single largest publicly owned body of land in the state at around 286,000 acres. It is home to seven Wilderness Areas, four National Natural Landmarks, four heritage resource sites, two national scenic byways, and eighty designated natural areas considered important for botanical, ecological, geological, or zoological reasons. While large by state proportions, the forest is fragmented in places. Particularly on the western edge, near the Mississippi River, the forest starts to resemble swiss cheese. These holes - owned by private landowners - make it difficult to effectively manage the forest. It is nearly impossible to negotiate a prescribed fire around a 20 acre hole.
HLC, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, has been working for the past few years to help the US Forest Service reduce these holes - or inholdings. Much of our focus has been on acquiring flood-prone farmland that can be restored to wetlands and forest. Our recent efforts have resulted in acquisition of beauties like this bald cypress swamp (pictured below). Centuries old cypress trees line this swamp, which is home to species like otters, bald eagles, night herons, and snowy egrets.
Cypress swamps are among the world’s most diverse habitats and act as natural sponges that help water soak into the soil and reduce damage from flooding. Cypress trees can live for thousands of years, but have declined in numbers over the last century due to logging and loss of wetlands.
With funding support from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and Grand Victoria Foundation, we have been able to acquire 228 acres of inholdings since July 2016. The other “holes� we acquired include a federally designated wetland and a second growth forest near Fountain Bluff. These properties are home to important migratory birds and native mammals and reptiles.
HLC Annual Dinner to Highlight Rare Ecosystems of Southwestern Illinois April 19 This year’s theme for our Annual Dinner focuses on efforts to protect rare natural resources by HeartLands Conservancy and other conservation leaders. Dr. Richard Essner - our keynote speaker - is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at SIUE. Among his many research interests, Essner studies wildlife and conservation biology. He is collaborating with Dr. Peter Minchin on modeling habitat in birds and mammals. One area of focus in Bohm Woods, Madison County’s only remaining old growth forest. Essner has led the charge in trying to protect Bohm’s unique habitat. “Old growth forests are exceedingly
rare, and to have one of such quality in an urbanized area like Edwardsville is unheard of,” Essner wrote in an editorial featured in the Edwardsville Intelligencer. Dr. Essner will be speaking about Bohm and other interesting habitats and species in southwestern Illinois. HeartLands will also present our accomplishments from 2016 and present our vision for 2017. We will also present Green Leaf Awards to our region’s conservation superstars. We are grateful to the nominating committee who is helping to identify and celebrate great work region-wide. Reserve your seat www.heartlandsconservancy.org/events
Pileated Woodpecker is found in Bohm Woods
Green Leaf Nominating Committee:
Dawn Johnson, Chair, IL American Water Jim Andrew, Prairie State Generating Emily Fultz, City of Columbia Alyssa Harre, Prairie State Generating Ronda Latina, HLC Board Member Kim Petzing, Madison County Virginia Woulfe-Beile, Sierra Club PPG Matt Young, IL RiverWatch
Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans Underway HeartLands’ staff is working on two Pedestrian and Bicycle Plans in Godfrey and Alton. In January, Godfrey’s citizen committee met to discuss major focus of the plan. Some of their priorities include tourism, recreation, economic development, safety, and connectivity throughout the city and to the regional system. Alton will be going through a similar process this Spring and Summer.
Highlights of Recent Events Cahokia Creek Watershed Plan HeartLands Conservancy is assisting Madison County Planning & Development with their efforts to develop stormwater and water quality management plans throughout the County. In January, we held an open house meeting to gather information from residents in the Cahokia Creek watershed. Residents discussed flooding issues, erosion, and drainage problems near Edwardsville, Collinsville, Glen Carbon, Bethalto, and Holiday Shores. (Pictured Above). Next steps in the process are to begin compiling goals and recommendations for the watershed.
Photo by Bryan Werner MEPRD
Comprehensive Plans Kick Off Two comprehensive planning processes have begun. The City of Murphysboro in Jackson County is developing a plan focused on a high level of community input. Workshops, surveys, and interviews will begin in the Spring.
Mounds: America’s First Cities Initiative Continues in 2017 Even though the timing did not work out to designate Cahokia Mounds as a national monument under President Obama, we are continuing our efforts to pursue National Historical Park designation through Congress. This bipartisan supported effort continues to make progress with the National Park Service’s review and study of the initiative. Simultaneously, we are continuing work on the Mounds Heritage Trail, which is a trail connecting significant Mounds sites in our region. You can follow the Mounds project on facebook.
HLC is also assisting the Village of Shiloh in an update to their 2004 Comprehensive Plan. The new plan will incorporate growth that has occurred over the past 13 years. It will also evaluate new opportunities for incorporating green space, residential development, and new commercial development in a sustainable manner for the next decade.
Murphysboro Spillway
HeartLands Conservancy Commonfields Spring 2017
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Save the Dates! 2017 TREK SERIES Wild Foraging Hike
Featuring Chefs Josh Galliano and Rob Connoley May 6, 2017 Check our website’s events page for info
Silver Creek Stream Monitoring
Citizen Science with Illinois RiverWatch Network May 27, 2017
Total Eclipse of the Heart(Lands) Members Only Solar Eclipse Hike & Picnic August 21, 2017
Paddle Trek
September 9, 2017
Nature Photography Hike October 28, 2017
Jingle Hike Challenge
November 21, 2017 - January 1, 2018 Photo Credit: Bryan Werner, Metro East Park and Recreation District
Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors (as of 2/10/17) CHINKAPIN OAK ($2,500 - $4,999)
Anonymous Wood River Refinery
RED OAK ($1,000 - $2,499)
SAPLING ($250 - $499)
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis
Civil Design, Inc. Farm Credit Illinois St. Clair County Farm Bureau Scott Credit Union St. Louis Composting Stormwater STL, LLC
PIN OAK ($500 - $999)
Geotechnology Greensfelder Attorneys at Law www.terrain-mag.com
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Memorial Network - BJC HealthCare
HeartLands Conservancy
Commonfields Spring 2017
Plant This! Not That! Wildflower Mix Edition by Sarah Vogt
Unusually warm winter days have us daydreaming about gardens, making plant wish lists, and shopping nurseries and seeds suppliers. Before you know it butterfly bush, asters, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, milkweed and other natives will be making their summer appearance. I have all these things planted in nice clumps in traditional flower beds around my house. I also have a large area of empty garden that I am envisioning to be a less-manicured, mixed-wildflower-patch where bees, birds, and other wildlife can thrive. The most cost effective way to achieve this is by purchasing a wildflower mix. So I set off on my quest to find the perfect seed mix, and that’s when I noticed…Wildflower Mix does not always mean native plant mix. Let’s analyze a popular seed company’s ‘Wildflower Perennial Mix’ I picked up at a local lawn & garden store. Here’s what the package contains and my rating: Percent of Mix
Native Grade
Baby’s breath
16%
X
Blue flax
15%
—
Lupine
15%
X
Calendula
10%
X
Wallflower
5%
—
Crysanthemum
5%
X
Coreopsis
5%
Dianthus
5%
Echinacea
5%
Alyssum
2%
X
California Poppy
2%
X
Gaillardia
2%
Iceland poppy
2%
Rudbeckia
2%
Achillea
1%
—
English Daisy
1%
X
Prairie Coneflower
1%
Viola
1%
Seed Variety
X
X
—
Species listed in the chart with a X are not native to this region. It is also worth noting Baby’s Breath and Alyssum have been listed as invasive species in two states. Species with a — are questionable. There are varieties of those species that are native to the region, but it is unclear which variety is used in the mix. Plants native to North America get a .
plants evolve to their habitat, including climate and insects,creating what are known as local ecotypes. For example: Purple Coneflower native to Southern Illinois will be very slightly different from Purple Coneflower in California or Maine (or Holland).
In the best case scenario, this mix contains 47% seeds native to our region. If the questionable species are exotic varieties, the percentage drops to just 15% native seeds.
Other things to watch for: Think about where you are planting these. The amounts of sunlight and soil moisture play a huge part in which kinds of plants will thrive. Not all plants can grow in the shade or in constantly wet soils. Some seed distributors have mixes to accommodate these different growing conditions.
Why does this matter? Native plants are good for native insects and animals. The species here have co-evolved with the plants here. Certain insects only feed on specific plants. For example, the monarch butterfly larvae only feeds on milkweed. Local plants, insects, and animals are mutually beneficial to each other and they don’t really like strangers. Back to this package of wildflower seeds, after reading the seed mix I scanned the rest of the package and stamped at the bottom is “Origin Holland.” What!? Over generations
By purchasing Midwest ecotypes you will be more likely to grow healthier, more tolerant plants in your backyard.
The moral of the story is to be aware of what’s in your seed mix. If possible, buy from seed suppliers with Midwest native seed species.
HeartLands Conservancy Commonfields Spring 2017
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Fun Ways to Get Involved in Conservation with us! Volunteer Opportunities! The Friends of Centennial Park group holds volunteer work days throughout year to clean out invasive species. Join them on March 4th from 9am - noon at Centennial Park in Swansea. Lunch and tools provided. Monthly workdays are held at the Missionary Oblates Woods Nature Preserve in Godfrey. They gather on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9:30 - 12:30. New volunteers are always welcome. For more information on volunteer opportunities contact sarah.vogt@ heartlandsconservancy.org
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HeartLands Conservancy Commonfields Spring 2017
Eat Pizza to Raise Funds! All families, friends and staff of Heartlands Conservancy are invited to dinner on
Monday May 8th 2017
Join us at Dewey’s Pizza 112 E. Vandalia Street in Edwardsville Present this paper certificate or via mobile device & up to 20% of all food & beverage purchases from 4pm - 10pm (dine-in or carry-out) will be donated to
Only Valid at Dewey’s Pizza in Edwardsville 112 East Vandalia Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025 (618) 656-2200
Our Members Make a Difference! Our Membership Program has grown significantly over the years. We are proud to say that our members make Southwestern Illinois a better place. Whether they are planting trees, preserving their own natural area or farm, cleaning up a park, spreading the word about conservation, or just participating in one of our events, their impacts echo across our region. Thank you to our new and renewing members from the past quarter (November - January).
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Sally Burgess Brian Dulski Sharon Geil Bonnie Grohmann Debra Klueter Connie Vogt Sheila Voss Katie Wonnacott Lisa Zamfir
RENEWING MEMBERS Bill Armstrong Mary Biernot Frederick Blume William & Christine Boardman* Susan & Kerry Brethauer Dale Brockmann* Ralph Buettner Greg Colombo Kay Connolly Donna Dougherty Diane Drake Tim Faltus Ted Harvey Judith Joy Anne Koleson Mike & Jenny Krim Nancy Larson & Bill O’Hara Ronda Latina Carol Lieb Mary & Ralph Prevo* Larry Rhutasel Zane & Connie Schneider Justin Siegel Silver Creek Garden Club Ann Warner Brittany Williams *White Oak Society
Planting a tree at our very first Conservation Easement near O’Fallon, IL (2001)
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Jingle All the Way Outside Our first annual Jingle Hike Challenge took place Black Friday through January 2. We challenged the metro east to get outside and explore our fantastic parks and open spaces. We also encouraged people to learn about the different types of trees in our area. We are proud to report that over 100 people participated! Thanks to the Alpine Shop, Davey Resource Group, and Toolen’s Running Start, anyone who participated was entered to win prizes!
Annual Dinner & Green Leaf Awards April 19, 2017 | Four Points Sheraton, Fairview Heights, IL
Join us for our annual dinner celebrating our region’s collective achievements in conservation, sustainable communities, and engagement. SIUE’s Dr. Richard Essner will discuss his work on the endangered Illinois Chorus Frog and Bohm Woods, Madison County’s last remaining old growth forest. We will also honor some of southwestern Illinois’ conservation superstars. Reserve your space at www.heartlandsconservancy.org
Photo: Bryan Werner, Metro East Park and Recreation District
www.HeartLandsConservancy.org 406 East Main Street Mascoutah, IL 62258 (618) 566-4451
Address service requested:
PRSRT STD NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID ZIP CODE 62258 PERMIT NO 7