Summer Commonfields 2014

“Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois”

Commonfields www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

What’s Inside Mill Creek Restoration Project... FC-2 Upper Silver Creek Plan................ 3 People and Places......................4-5

A Quarterly Publication of HeartLands Conservancy

Summer 2014

Mill Creek Restoration Project HeartLandsConservancy.org/ MillCreek

Honoring Bill Freeman.................. 6 The Mounds Initiative.................... 6 Membership & Planned Giving..... 6 Field to Fork .................................. 7 Flat Creek Easement..................BC Farm Preservation Program......BC

Directors Robert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair IL Green Economy Network Frank O. Miles, Vice Chair Madison County Community Development

Lester Harnetiaux, Secretary Bond County Realtors

Ronda Latina, Treasurer Environmental Operations, Inc.

William Boardman Firehouse Contracting, LLC

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

Charles Meier IL State Representative

Robert Nelson Nelson & Nelson Ron O’Connor O’Connor & Partners

Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Company

Justin Siegel Deli Star Corporation

Help us raise $15,000 by Oct. 15 for this unique natural area.

The sandstone cliffs, ravines, rock outcroppings, and streams at Mill Creek illustrate the diversity and grandeur of natural resources right here in Southwestern Illinois.

Mill Creek, a high quality natural area, was purchased at auction in 2012 to prevent development or over-harvest of the timber resources associated with the site. The property sits immediately adjacent to Swayne Hollow Nature Preserve and is in close proximity to Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve.

In addition to hosting a high quality dry-mesic upland forest, the site boasts a Grade A Category 1 sandstone cliff / canyon community which has sheltered plants such as club moss, cinnamon fern, and bishop’s cap for eons. These plants are more typically located in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Over the past two years, staff has worked to develop a restoration plan for the site, focusing on three key components: streambank restoration on 375’ of Mill Creek, forest stand improvement on 100 acres of forested habitat, and restoration of 15 acres that have historically been cropped.

THE WORK IS NOT DONE! We are in need of local funds necessary to finish the restoration project so everyone in our region gets the oppportunity to experience the area’s richness. Raising these funds will leverage $34,000 in state and federal habitat restoration funds.

Please join us so we can continue to increase awareness about this amazing place of solitude and splendor. (Cont. pg. 2)

How can I help?

Consider a gift to support the Mill Creek Restoration Project today to help us reach our goal of $15,000 by Oct. 15. Every dollar makes a difference.

Donate online at www.heartlandsconservancy.org/other-amount/ or mail a donation to : HeartLands Conservancy 406 East Main Street Mascoutah, IL 62258

Commonfields Summer 2014

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Mill Creek Restoration Project Cont.

Make a donation

Commonfields Summer 2014

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Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan

and you will forever be a part of Mill Creek!

Restoration Project Goals: What needs to be done to finish the job?

Streambank Restoration Mill Creek, a biologically significant stream, runs through the property and is experiencing streambank degradation near it’s confluence with Piney Creek. · Restoration efforts will stabilize 375’ of streambank, improving water quality

within Mill Creek, as well as the greater Mary’s River watershed.

Forest Stand Improvement A forest management plan has been developed for Mill Creek Natural Area, indicating needs in the following two areas: · An overabundance of less desirable tree species, including sugar maple, elm and

boxelder, exists throughout the site. Efforts will include removal of less desirable

species on 100 acres to encourage regeneration of native oaks and hickories. ·

While invasive plant species are not overrunning Mill Creek Natural Area, their presence is certainly well documented. Invasive plant species management will be conducted on 100 acres.

Habitat Restoration Fifteen acres of the site have been cropped for several decades. Much of this acreage is within the floodplain and would benefit by being converted to native habitat.

• 15 acres will be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and will be planted to native trees.

Everyone has their own definition of what stewardship means to them.

Stewardship often evokes a sense of personal responsibility for ensuring that natural resources are managed not only for our own quality of life, but for future generations as well.

As a Mill Creek Steward, you join our efforts in investing in the nature of Southwestern Illinois through charitable contributions. Your support matters and your investment stays where you live, work and play.

Recognition of Stewards For any donation amount, you will receive: 1) Personal, hand-written thank you letter from the leadership at HeartLands Conservancy.

2) Certificate of recognition from HeartLands Conservancy that celebrates your stewardship.

3) Be recognized on HeartLands Conservancy’s website and newsletters.

For donations of $250 or more, we’ll also send you a high-quality, 8x10 photo print of Mill Creek Nature Preserve.

Community Flooding in the Upper Silver Creek

Agricultural Flooding in the Upper Silver Creek

We Want Your Input!

Attend one of our Community Flooding in the Silver Upper Silver Creek

The Upper Creek Watershed

We want your input!

Agricultural Flooding in the Upper Silver Creek

Plan is an opportunity to identify strategies to improve water quality and reduce the impacts of flooding Join us at one of two Open Houses for thein the Upper Silver open houses.

Creek watershed.

Upper Silver Creek Plan.

Join Watershed us at one of two Open Houses for the Tues., August 19th

The Upper Silver Creek watershed is Troy City Hall Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan. one of ten watersheds in Madison County OPEN Troy City St. Hall 116 E. Market At the open houses you can: and the watershed plan is an important 116 E. Market St. At the open houses you can: Troy, IL 62294 • Provide your input on goals and strategies for water HOUSE #1 Troy, IL 62294 component of Madison County’s Stormwater • Provide your on goals and strategies for water quality and flooding issues in input the watershed.

6:00 - 9:00 pm quality andPlan. flooding issues in the watershed.

6:00 - 9:00 pm • Learn more about the overall watershed plan.

• Learn more about the overall watershed By documenting existingplan. conditions and • Assist the planning team inplanning identifying locations of locations of • Assist thestrategies team in identifying developing recommendations and for best practices to improve water Wed., August 20th existing flooding problems. existing flooding problems. quality and to reduce flooding, the plan will be a roadmap for communities, Community Center OPEN HamelHamel Community Center agencies, and landowners forShould futureAttend? improvements. The plan will also identify Who Who Should Attend?

10 Park Avenue 10 Park Avenue potential sources of funding.

HOUSE #2 • Community Officials • Community Officials Hamel, IL 62046 Improved water quality•provides for healthier community water supplies, Hamel, IL 62046 Land Owners • Land Owners • Home Owners 6:00 - 9:00 pm increased opportunities for recreation, and healthy habitats. Flooding has 6:00 - 9:00 pm • Home Owners Business Owners tremendous costs such as• damage to homes, business, and infrastructure HeartLands Conservancy Madison County Open house format with noand formal presentation, • Business Owners• Those in the Upperwill Silver Creek Watershed invites the attend two open houses forpm. the such as roadways. Strategies forinterested mitigating flooding help reduce costs for Open house format no formal presentation, feel free to public stopwith bytoanytime between 6:00 - 9:00 • Thosebusinesses, interested and in the Upper Silver Creek Watershed Upper Silver Creek Watershed Plan on Tuesday, homeowners, taxpayers.

Information will be the same at both meetings. feel free to stop by anytime between 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

August 19thinformation, from 6:00 - contact 9:00pmJanet at theBuchanan Troy Cityat Hall at: For more For more Information,Learn visit: more www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/ Information will be the same at or both meetings.

(116 E. Market Street, Troy) Wednesday August 618-566-4451 ext. 25 Learn more at: www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/UpperSilverCreek UpperSilverCreek For more information, Buchanan at 20th from 6:00 – contact 9:00pm atJanet the Hamel Community

We Want Your Input!

Tues., August 19th OPEN HOUSE #1

Wed., August 20th

OPEN HOUSE #2

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/UpperSilverCreek

Center618-566-4451 (10 Park Avenue, Hamel). ext.

25 Both dates are open house formats with no formal presentation, so the public may stop by anytime between 6:00 – 9:00pm. The open houses will be a chance for the public to provide input on goals and strategies for www.surveymonkey.com/s/UpperSilverCreek water quality and flooding issues in the watershed, learn more about the overall watershed plan, and The community flooding survey for homes, businesses, and property owners in the Upper Silver assist the planning team in identifying locations of www.surveymonkey.com/s/UpperSilverCreek Creek will help in determining strategies and recommendations for addressing flooding problems existing flooding problems. in the Silver Creek Watershed.

Take 7 Minutes and Complete Our Survey!

Take 7 Minutes and Complete Our Survey!

The community(Survey floodingopen survey forSeptember homes, businesses, until 12, 2014)and property owners in the Upper Silver Creek will help in determining strategies and recommendations for addressing flooding problems in the Silver Creek Watershed.

Visit us at HeartLandsConservancy.org/MillCreek to donate today!

Every dollar makes a difference.

Take 7 Minutes and Complete Our Survey!

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www.surveymonkey.com/s/UpperSilverCreek (Survey open until September 12, 2014)

Commonfields Summer 2014

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Highlights of Recent Events and Activities

Highlights of Recent Events and Activities HeartLands Conservancy’s board member Denny Kirkham was joined by five members of the Little Blue Stem chapter of Quail Forever for a 200 acre field of CRP that was burned as a management tool to retard the invasion of trees and non-native plants. This year, the group conducted prescribed burns on 690 acres in Bond, Montgomery, Fayette, Marion, and Madison Counties. They do not carry any fuel on their UTV’s while working the fire.

HeartLands Conservancy was proud to facilitate the Kaskaskia Regional Port District (KRPD) Strategic Plan over the last 12 months. In May, the KRPD board adopted the strategic plan.

Shown left to right: Stephen Ibendahl, Sustainability Planner; Chris Martin, Randolph County Economic Development Coordinator; George Obernagel, KRPD Board Chairman; Ed Weilbacher, KRPD General Manager.

The Mounds Project Team sat down with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin this Spring to discuss elevating Cahokia Mounds and associated Mound Centers to a National Designation within the National Park Service. Join our effort as we urge Congress to designate Cahokia Mounds and the similar sites in the St. Louis area a national historical park or to get the president to designate Cahokia Mounds a national monument! Learn how to support this initiative on pg. 6.

On Saturday, June 28, dozens of people gathered at Carlyle Lake as HeartLands Conservancy and the Alpine Shop joined together for the annual Carlyle Sailing Association’s Open House. The CSA’s annual event allowed for sailors to be on hand to answer questions and talk about boats while the Alpine Shop donated use of kayaks, paddle boards and more.

Staff spent part of Earth Day getting the native plants in front of the HeartLands’ office cleaned up for Spring. If you want to see natives like Little Bluestem, Prairie Dropseed, and sedge used in a front yard, stop by our office.

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Commonfields Summer 2014

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Students from St. John the Baptist School in Smithton received the ‘Sara Stein Award’ for site scale green infrastructure at this year’s Green Infrastructure Breakfast on May 20th. St. John the Baptist School’s project to build planters and plant native plants has shown the school’s commitment to investing in green infrastructure.

More than 95 attendees came to hear keynote speaker Laura Bray of the Menomonee Valley Partners in Milwaukee share their success in creating a win-win situation of green infrastructure and economic development.

Stephen Ibendahl of HeartLands Conservancy gave an update on the ‘Roadmap for Green Infrastructure’ highlighting successes of this past year and previewing the coming year. For more information on the roadmap, visit HeartLandsConservancy.org.

At the breakfast, the ‘Olmsted Award’ for community scale green infrastructure went to the City of Edwardsville.

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Commonfields Summer 2014

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Field to Fork a Truly Unique Dining Experience

Upcoming 2014 Event

Honoring Bill Freeman

On July 26, more than 160 people gathered at Bellecourt Manor to attend the 5th Annual Field to Fork, benfiting HeartLands Conservancy and its land conservation initiatives. It was a smashing success and the best fundraising event to date for the organization. Ryan and Dana Dean of KSDK NewsChannel 5 served as emcees of this year’s event.

Centennial Park Stewardship Day Saturday, October 11 - 9 a.m. - Noon Centennial Park in Swansea, Ill.

It is with heavy hearts that we at HeartLands Conservancy must share the sad news of the passing of William Freeman.

Join HeartLands Conservancy, Swansea Township, the Village of Swansea and other partners and volunteer for a stewardship day on Saturday, October 11th, 9am - Noon at Centennial Park in Swansea.

Bill was a volunteer photojournalist for HeartLands Conservancy for the past seven years, serving the organization with great pride and care. He was always available to help when needed and the majority of the photographs used today by HeartLands Conservancy were shot by him.

Centennial Park is a hidden gem in Swansea. Stewardship activities will include removal of invasive species such as bush honeysuckle and general park clean-up. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, email: treks@heartlandsconservancy.org.

Commonfields Summer 2014

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A special thanks to the following for their time and talents donated to Field to Fork: The Chefs: Meaghan Boyer Coltrain, of Element, St. Louis; Jenny Cleveland, of Cleveland-Heath, Edwardsville; Tim Faltus, of Bellecourt Manor, Belleville; Josh Galliano, of The Libertine, Clayton, Mo.; Joe Hemp, of Robust Wine Bar, Edwardsville; and Jennifer Kennedy, of J. Fires’ Market Bistro, Waterloo. The Farms: Brautigum Orchards, Cooley Farms LLC, Drake Farms, Echo Farms, Eckert’s, Fresh Pasture Farms, Keller Farms, Marcoot Jersey Creamery, Meier Family Farm, Morgan Oaks, Riverbend Roots Farm, Sharf Farms, Turkey Hill Grange Members, Vogt Family Farm and Wenneman Meat Company.

The Mounds Initiative Letters of Support

While Bill is no longer with us, his legacy and dedication will live on in the work and people he put so much care into over the years.

The Mounds Initiative Project Team is looking for individuals to submit letters of support for its efforts to enhance Cahokia Mounds State Histsoric Site, (the premier example of the Mississippian Culture) as well as connecting other mound sites, to a national status.

Remember HeartLands Conservancy in your will Will your children and grandchildren be able to enjoy Southwestern Illinois as much as you have? One of the most popular and simplest ways is to make a planned gift through your will or trust.

Join us in this movement to elevate Cahokia Mounds!

Find a letter of support template on our website. Just download, print and return.

Identify a dollar amount, a percentage, a residual, real estate or other tangible property that would be transferred directly to us.

heartlandsconservancy.org/the-mounds-americas-firstcities/

Your gift is free from federal estate tax, and there is no limit you can leave. After your lifetime, your estate is able to take a charitable donation for the full amount of your gift.

Contact Project Team Members: Laura Lyon (lyonl1@yahoo.com) or Ed Weilbacher (ed.weilbacher@heartlandsconservancy.org)

Save the Date: Next Year’s Field to Fork is July 18, 2015

www.facebook.com/TheMounds

Together, we can make an impact on the future of our region

and invest in nature with us.

Take these steps today: 1) Discuss your wishes with family and begin to plan.

2) Contact an attorney and evaluate your options.

3) Contact HeartLands Conservancy to plan and direct your gift, or to ask questions.

Programs & Services - 91%

HeartLands Conservancy 406 East Main Street Mascoutah, IL 62258 618-566-4451 David C. Eustis, President & CEO info@heartlandsconservancy.org www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

General & Management - 8%

Fundraising - 1%

Memberships Available At: www.HeartLandsConservancy.org kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org

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GET INVOLVED Volunteer Donate Learn More Email info@ heartlandsconservancy.org or call 618-566-4451 ext. 10

Gold Fork

SPONSORS

Join Today

Wetlands Walker and Williams P.C. Forever, Inc.

Silver Spoon Bronze Knife

Farm Credit Illinois • Jack Schmitt Chevrolet of O’Fallon • Johnson & Johnson Law Offices • Lindenwood University • St. Clair County Farm Bureau • Southwestern Illinois College • Suncoke Energy • Turkey Hill Grange

Media/ In-Kind/ Donations

Billy Goat Chip Company • Broilmaster Premium Grills • Empire Comfort Systems • Environmental Operations, Inc.• Excel Bottling Company • Jody White State Farm • La Jerezana Tienda Mexicana • Madison County Farm Burearu • Raymond James • Sauce Magazine • The Pie Pantry • Kevin and Carrie Vosse

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Flat Creek Conservation Easement HeartLands Conservancy is pleased to announce the signing of our latest conservation easement, which is located along Flat Creek, a tributary of the Kaskaskia River, north and east of Carlyle Lake. The thirty acres included within the conservation easement is being developed as a wetland mitigation site.

Wetland loss and degradation within the Kaskaskia River has been significant since Euro-American settlement, with only 700 acres of wetlands currently being listed as being high quality. This is just .1% of the total wetland acreage. This project directly supports one of the goals of the Kaskaskia Watershed Association; to double the number of acres within the Kaskaskia River, from 4.5% to 9% of the total land cover.

Benefits of developing wetlands above Carlyle Lake include reducing sediment and nutrient flow in this important reservoir. In addition to providing flood storage benefits, Carlyle Lake provides habitat for fish & wildlife, as well as supplying water for residential and commercial use, and power generation.

Clean water is also critical for the recreational use of Carlyle Lake, which draws over 3,000,000 visitors annually.

WANTED Agricultural Easements

Have you ever considered protecting your farm with an agricultural easement? Contact HeartLands Conservancy to learn the benefits associated with taking action now. Contact David Eustis, 618-566-4451 ext. 28, dave.eustis@ heartlandsconservancy.org.

HeartLandsConservancy. org/MillCreek

Join the Mill Creek Restoration Project Stewardship Day Oct. 11 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org 406 East Main Street Mascoutah, IL 62258 (618) 566-4451

Address service requested:

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