Spring newsletter 2015

A Quarterly Publication of HeartLands Conservancy

What’s Inside

Green Leaf Achievement Awards Presented by HeartLands Conservancy

Lebanon Ave. Property..............2 State of the Environment...........3 People and Places...................4-5 Membership................................7 Sponsorship................................7 Upcoming Events.......................8 Field to Fork.............................BC

Directors Robert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair IL Green Economy Network Robert Nelson, Vice Chair Nelson & Nelson

Frank O. Miles, Vice Chair Madison County Community Development Ronda Latina, Treasurer Environmental Operations, Inc.

William Boardman Firehouse Contracting, LLC

Ronald J. Foster, Jr. Schoen, Walton, Telken & Foster Dennis (Denny) Kirkham Land Owner

Robert Knobeloch St. Louis Prompters LLC Charles Meier Illinois State Representative

Ron O’Connor O’Connor & Partners Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Company

Justin Siegel Deli Star Corporation

Spring 2015

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HeartLands Conservancy presented its first ever Green Leaf Achievement Awards to eight recipients on the evening of April 16, recognizing outstanding contributions to the physical environment within Southwestern Illinois. The awards were given at a dinner at Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston, Ill. Pictured left is Eden Vitoff of Edwardsville High School accepting the award on behalf of the EHS Environmental Club in the Youth/Education Category.

2015 GREEN LEAF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS (For project descriptions, award winners and nominees and additional photos, visit HeartLandsConservancy.org)

Agriculture: The Weilbacher Family Business/Industry: The Material Works, Ltd. Community/County: Granite City Green Community & Housing Authority

OneSTL – Regional Plan for Sustainable Development Village of Shiloh Individual/Group: Little Bluestem Chapter - Quail Forever Education/Youth: Edwardsville High School Environmental Club The Nature Institute Lifetime Achievement: Lester Harnetiaux Pictured left is emcee Mike Roberts of KSDK NewsChannel 5 welcoming the attendees to the event.

“It is exciting to come together, bringing attention to the outstanding work being done in our communities. I applaud all nominees and award recipients for their efforts in sustainability and environmental stewardship achievements,” said David Eustis, President and CEO of HeartLands Conservancy.

The Green Leaf Awards were presented by HeartLands Conservancy to area individuals, businesses and civic groups who have demonstrated a special commitment to advancing green initiatives and resource conservation in Southwestern Illinois.

Commonfields Spring 2015

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9.2 Acres Protected in St. Clair County

PROTECTED

Commonfields Spring 2015

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State of the Environment Legislative Briefing

On April 9, 2015 HeartLands Conservancy hosted its first SW Illinois Legislative Briefing; an opportunity for state and federal legislators, agency heads and local county board chairman to come together with HeartLands Conservancy Board and staff to discuss environmental issues impacting the St. Louis Metro East region.

Is there a park or natural area in your community that needs some attention? We can help!

Understanding that there are great pressures on local, state and federal budgets, the discussion focused largely on opportunities for public-private investments, as well as impending issues which need creative solutions. Issues papers were developed within four key areas of opportunity, including:

NavNET

Water Quality • Implementation of the Illinois Nutrient Load Reduction Strategy

Natural Areas Volunteer Network

Above: Dave Eustis presenting to the group at the 2015 State of the Environment Legislative Briefing Below: Attendees looking through informational packets and learning more about the issues discussed at the event.

FOREVER PROPERTY DETAILS: • •

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In late February, after several months of negotiations with the executor of the Margaret M. Butz estate, 9.2 acres was donated to HeartLands Conservancy to ensure that the site’s conservation values were protected in perpetuity.

9.2 acres Located along Lebanon Ave. in Belleville, between Whiteside Elementary and Deer Run Dental Will serve as a natural “oasis” The property is located along Lebanon amongst development.

Will be named the Margaret M. Butz Avenue, in St. Clair Township, and contains 8.5 acres of forested habitat and the balance Conservation Easement

is the farm’s original homestead. The surrounding area is heavily developed in a mix of commercial development, an elementary school, as well as single and multi-family residential. This property will serve as an natural “oasis” amongst the development.

HeartLands Conservancy has completed a forest resource assessment for the site and has already engaged volunteers in addressing invasive species, including dense populations of bush and Japanese honeysuckle. Once invasive species are managed undesirable tree species will be thinned and more desirable tree species will be planted where needed.

Later this year the house and shed will be razed and a sign will be erected identifying the Margaret M. Butz Conservation Easement. Many thanks to the estate’s executor, Daniel Stocker, for the generous gift, and commitment to ensuring the long-term conservation of this site.

PROTECT YOUR LAND FOREVER

Contact us today and gain a better understanding of conservation options and how we can help create a unique land easement suited just for you. HeartLands Conservancy is also providing an incentive for agricultural easements donated in 2015.

Email Dave Eustis, President & CEO of HeartLands Conservancy: dave.eustis@heartlandsconservancy.org or call 618.566.4451 ex.22.

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Water Quantity • Incorporating green infrastructure into development plans within the American Bottom ecosystem • Stormwater planning on, and around, Scott Air Force Base Land Conservation • Making federal tax incentives for conservation easements permanent (S.330 - Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2015) • Creating state tax incentives (conservation credits) for conservation easements • Advancing Cahokia Mounds to a designation within the National Park Service (National Historical Park or National Monument)

Let’s Pull Together Visit HeartLandsConservancy.org for more info or contact Sarah Vogt sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org or (618) 566-4451 ext. 23.

Friends of Centennial Park - Swansea, IL

Air Quality • Advancing planning for bicycle and pedestrian facilities within local communities • Creation of a regional urban forestry program The SW Illinois Legislative Briefing was the first step in advancing these initiatives within the region. HeartLands Conservancy staff and Board will continue to work with our legislators and key agency to advance these initiatives over the upcoming year.

Questions on any of these initiatives should be directed to Dave Eustis at dave.eustis@heartlandsconservancy.org or 618-566-4451 ex 22.

Mill Creek Volunteer Day

Saturday, May 9 at 9 a.m. - Completed Volunteers are needed to help implement erosion control practices at Mill Creek Natural Area in Randolph County on May 9th.

We are in need of one or two chainsaws / operators to help cut up felled logs. Also one or more utility vehicles to transport materials.

Also need several people to help place erosion control structures.

Contact Dave Eustis, 618-566-4451 ext. 28 or dave.eustis@heartlandsconservancy.org to register.

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Commonfields Spring 2015

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Highlights of Recent Events and Activities Brett Blume, reporter for KMOX radio in St. Louis visited the HeartLands Conservancy office in March to visit with The Mounds Team about its efforts to enhance Cahokia Mounds with a National Designation within the National Park Service. To learn more about The Mounds Team and its work, or to donate to the efforts, visit HeartLandsConservancy.org.

Commonfields Spring 2015

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Highlights of Recent Events and Activities Earth Day was April 22, and there was plenty of good deeds going on in our communities to celebrate, including children at Zion Lutheran School in Belleville planting a garden on school grounds.

A big thanks to Mike Roberts of KSDK NewsChannel 5 for serving as emcee of the Green Leaf Achievement Awards. He did a fantastic job sharing the stories of all the nominees while keeping the crowd entertained! Thanks, Mike!

Sharon Mathes of Granite City Housing Authority accepting the Green Leaf Achievement Award for GCHA from Dave Eustis, President & CEO of HeartLands Conservancy. The GCHA won in the community/county category for its Redevelopment Sustainability Philosophy. For a complete list of Green Leaf Award winners and nominees, visit HeartLandsConservancy.org.

HeartLands Conservancy presented an idea for improving our air quality at its State of the Environment Legislative Briefing.

The idea is a simple one: rebuild our urban forest.

Crocus blooming at the recently-aquired property on Lebanon Avenue in Belleville. HeartLands Conservancy accepted a donation of the 9.2 acre property in February and it contains 8.5 acres of forested habitat and the balance is the farm’s original homestead.

Why Rebuild Our Urban Forest?

Consider the following: • Each year, 210,000 premature deaths in the US are caused by poor air quality. (World Health Organization) • Polluted air is harmful to humans, animals, plants, and the built environment.

• Polluted air also interferes with aviation, freight, and transportation-dependent industries.

• Polluted air leads to reduce crop and forest yields of about $500 million per year in the US. • The United States is losing an estimated four million trees per year.

Trees provide many benefits, such as increased property values, reduced runoff, and reduced energy usage of buildings.

Trees also improve air quality. They absorb air pollutants and intercept particulate matter.

Learn more at HeartLandsConservancy.org

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Commonfields Spring 2015

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Upcoming 2015 Events

OPPORTUNITIES

SPONSORSHIP

Conserving Land

Help HeartLands Conservancy protect the natural resources that matter to you!

Building Greener Communities

AIR

2015

Engaging Individuals and Communities with Nature

LAND

S o

Please consider becoming a HeartLands Conservancy partner ponSorShip in 2015. We can design a package that connects you to thousands of environmentally-focused p p oconsumers, rt u n i t while ieS 1 enhancing your company’s image as a leader in sustainability and conservation. For more information, call Kim O’Bryan, Development & Events Coordinator at 618-566-4451 ex. 10 or e-mail kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org.

WATER

Field to Fork Sponsors (as of 4/23)

Gold Fork

Leonard C. Goodman

Silver Spoon

Bronze Knife

Dynegy

DoubleTree by Hilton

Goulding’s Jewelers

Environmental Operations, Inc.

Grimm & Gorly

Express Design Group, Inc.

SunCoke Energy

Jody White State Farm

Commonfields Spring 2015

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Become a Member Today!

Lindenwood University

HeartLandsConservancy.org/get-involved/memberships

Scott Credit Union

Did you know that HeartLands Conservancy welcomes gifts of real estate?

6th Annual Field to Fork Saturday, July 18, 2015 Bellecourt Manor Belleville, IL 5 p.m. - Registration 6 p.m. - Dinner begins

Tickets are now available to purchase at HeartLandsConservancy.org/field-to-fork Receiving gifts of land and real estate from generous supporters just like you ensures our vision of communities with healthy and sustainable air, land and water resources for generations to come.

SEEKING UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION

Have you recently moved or have a new e-mail address?

Do you regularly receive HeartLands Conservancy information via mail and/or emails? If not, would you like to?

Join us as we invest in the nature of Southwestern Illinois: For more information, contact David C. Eustis, President and CEO of HeartLands Conservancy.

618-566-4451 ex. 26 or info@heartlandsconservancy.org.

We are currently updating our database. Please contact Kim O’Bryan to update your contact information with us so you can be sure to get all the latest news and happenings from HeartLands Conservancy. kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org

Planning for a Trail along the Kaskaskia River This Spring, HeartLands Conservancy staff has been studying the feasibility of constructing a recreational trail along the lower Kaskaskia River. Funded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the first phase of the study determines the most feasible path to connect the two communities and the surrounding Fish and Wildlife Areas.

The Kaskaskia River Trail, Phase I Study is the first in a series of studies that will examine the feasibility of a trail system from Fayetteville to the confluence of the Mississippi River near Modoc, Illinois. The trail could serve as a catalyst for future regional connections to surrounding municipalities and recreational attractions, like the World Shooting Complex and American Discovery Trail.

The trail will be approximately 13 miles long and will traverse throughout the Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area, one of the largest state-owned and managed sites in Illinois. The study also recommends a “water trail” for canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding on the river.

HeartLands Conservancy will be wrapping up the study at the end of May and will host an open house on May 20, 2015 between 6 and 8 pm at New Athens Village Hall. The open house will allow residents and businesses to learn more about the trail and help identify changes needed to the study.

St. Clair County Farm Bureau

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Save the Date Saturday, July 18, 2015 Join us for the 6th annual Field to Fork - featuring amazing area chefs preparing a five-course meal made from locally-grown and sourced products.

Bellecourt Manor 225 E A St, Belleville, IL 62220 $70 - Member Tickets or $500 Table of 8 $90 - Non-Member Tickets or $650 Table of 8

Live music, silent and live auctions, giveaways and more!

Funds raised support the conservation of open space in Southwestern Illinois

Tickets available to purchase online at HeartlandsConservancy.org/field-to-fork Benefiting land conservation - #FieldtoFork Tickets now available online @ HeartLandsConservancy.org/field-to-fork

6th Annual Field to Fork - July 18, 2015

Save the Date Saturday, July 18, 2015

Join us for the 6th annual Field to Fork - featuring amazing area chefs preparing a five-course meal made from locally-grown and sourced products. www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Address service requested:

PRSRT STD NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID ZIP CODE 62258 PERMIT NO 7

$70 - Member Tickets or $500 Table of 8 $90 - Non-Member Tickets or $650 Table of 8

406 East Main Street Mascoutah, IL 62258 (618) 566-4451

Bellecourt Manor 225 E A St, Belleville, IL 62220

Live music, silent and live auctions, giveaways and more!