Winter 2019 Commonfields Newsletter

Commonfields Winter 2019

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Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois

Another Successful Jingle Hike Challenge Prizes were drawn on January 3, 2019.

Winners were awarded items from The Alpine Shop and Toolen’s Running Start. Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Board of Directors E. William Reichert, Board Chair Ronda Latina, Vice Chair William Boardman, Second Vice Chair Stephen Parrish, Treasurer Robert C. Nelson, Secretary William Armstrong Brenda Chandler Dawnesha Johnson Nancy Larson Charlie Meier Cliff Schuette Mary Vandevord Anne Werner

Managing Team Michael Andreas, Special Projects Shelli Bement, Director of Finance and Administration Janet Buchanan, Project Manager Emily Kinard, Project Specialist Laura L. Lyon, Special Projects Coordinator Kim O’Bryan, Director of Development and Events Mary Vandevord, President and CEO Sarah Vogt, Project Manager Ed Weilbacher, Vice President Steve Widowski, Wildlife Biologist 3 N High Street Belleville, IL 62220 www.heartlandsconservancy.org info@heartlandsconservancy.org HeartLands Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Contributions are tax deductible.

Cover: East St. Louis Heritage Trail Ribbon Cutting in the early 1990s.

Our organization’s first trail project.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2018 Jingle Hike Challenge! Over 150 people made almost 1,000 trips to explore parks throughout the Metro East from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. During the event, jingle bells were tied to 12 trees in parks throughout the region (plus an additional bonus location). Participants were asked to visit each park, take a selfie with the bell, and share the photos on social media to be entered into a prize drawing.

Grand prize: Anne Willoughby Petry Amanda Atkins Bob Guenther Costel Zamfir Alicia Homeier Susan Brethauer Mary Buchanan Stephen Batchelor Devon Criley Lastly, a big thank you to our sponsors, Davey Resource Group and The Alpine Shop, and to all the parks that participated this year for helping to make our event such a success.

We hope you will hike with us over the holidays again next year!

Mary Vandevord President & CEO

Bonus entries were given to participants who correctly identified the tree species at each park. This year’s tree species were: YY Chouteau Island, Silver Maple YY Fort de Chartres, Sweetgum YY Konarcik Park, Loblolly Pine YY Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park, River Birch YY Miner Park, Willow Oak YY Piasa Park, White Mulberry YY Rock Springs Park, White Oak YY Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom, Shortleaf Pine YY Silver Creek Nature Preserve, Black Willow YY Trenton Community Park, Redbud YY Washington Co. State Conservation Area, Tulip Tree YY Watershed Nature Center, Box Elder

Thank you to our Jingle Hike Challenge sponsors!

Save the Date!

2019 Jingle Hike Challenge November 28, 2019January 1, 2020

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HeartLands Conservancy

At the Heart of New Year’s Resolutions Sometimes we lose sight of our intentions in the New Year—those resolutions that we make to do, or not do, something in the coming year to improve our lives. Initially, our intentions are on the right course—we want to be healthier, more productive, become more successful in our career, be calmer, and so on. But somewhere along the line, resolutions usually take on a decided confrontational stance: it’s you against that chocolate bar, you dragged by guilt from procrastination, you backing away from meaningful commitment, or you losing your temper. And then, somehow, it’s June.

Maybe the promises you make to yourself in the New Year would be easier to keep if you didn’t attempt them alone, if the challenges were fun rather than frustrating or depriving, and if the results were tangible almost immediately. We have a few suggestions for ways to help achieve your New Year’s goals:

improve the environment.

Are you vowing to get more exercise?

Join us as we launch the HeartLands Hiking Club in 2019. We are hard at work setting up quarterly guided hikes across our service area. Our staff members are old pros at covering woodlands, grasslands, and considerable hills, but even if you aren’t, you will still have fun, make friends, and get some exercise during these events.

HeartLands is also planning one volunteer work day per month, beginning in February and continuing through November. Worksites will be located in Edwardsville, Belleville, and Pontoon Beach, as well as other spots in our service area. You do not have to commit to participating in every work day—usually just a single day at a time—though many people come again and again after experiencing the immediate gratification of changing the environment for the better.

Are you promising to be an environmental champion, but are scared that it sounds a little daunting?

On March 22, HeartLands Conservancy is a co-host of the “Grow Native! workshop” in Edwardsville.

Come learn how you can choose the right plants for your backyard or shared community area and help pollinators and other wild creatures thrive. This is a small, easy step you can take to

Would you like to be happier, healthier, and more engaged with nature?

HeartLands’ Board of Directors Vice Chair Ronda Latina isn’t necessarily the New Year’s resolutions type, but she is resolute in her belief that being active in HeartLands Conservancy’s efforts can lead to a better life: “I can’t remember ever making [a New Year’s resolution], but it seems that normally resolutions are specific

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to some degree—lose weight, learn to play piano, etc. Involvement with HeartLands Conservancy can help... with some specific goals, but if [someone is] interested in an overall improvement, this is your ticket.”

For Ronda and many others, HeartLands Conservancy provides easy access and increased opportunities to experience the outdoors and get some exercise. Ronda pointed out that there are “Many volunteer opportunities (most providing exercise), learning experiences such as treks and seminars, social interactions at HeartLands Conservancy events with intelligent, caring people, and more. All this contributes to overall physical, mental, and emotional health—not to mention your connection with the conservation community, locally, and worldwide— which contributes to your health and the health of our planet.”

Do you want to be part of something larger than yourself?

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In August 2017, HeartLands Conservancy members gathered in a field in southern Illinois to be part of something really special: the total eclipse of the sun. Member Toni Oplt recalls her excitement and surprise at what she actually “received” that day.

“I knew that I was in for an experience that would be like no other in my life—actually being directly in line with this oncein-a-lifetime event. And it was spectacular and was something I will never forget as the sky darkened in the middle of the afternoon and the magical ring of fire appeared in the sky. But what I hadn’t expected was the feeling of community, of sharing this moment with those other people in that field—some folks I knew and some were total strangers. Suddenly, though, we were all part of something larger than ourselves and we all were also connected to each other. I will never forget this—this feeling of how we are all one, how the Earth is

our home and how we can make a difference just by standing together.

It was a philosophical ideal I had always believed in manifested in living, breathing truth. It changed my life forever and has kept me involved and committed to environmental stewardship ever since.”

Participate in HeartLands Conservancy’s events to get connected to the outdoors, meet new people, and improve the environment together.

Do you want to spend more time in nature?

Member Donna Dougherty has her plans made and her resolutions defined: “I’m fascinated by the millions of benefits of nature for everyone regardless of age or culture. University of Michigan researchers found that after just an hour interacting with nature, memory performance and attention span improved by 20 percent. I need all of that for sure! Since

nature brings all our senses alive and nourishes our spirits, my resolution for 2019 is getting out to the wilderness and natural areas as much as possible! I really love seeing the wonders nature dishes out every day.” Donna’s connection with HeartLands Conservancy is bound to keep her on track...and trail...and through the woods!

It is also possible to lend support by donating to HeartLands Conservancy. Your donation will be put to effective use by supporting our ongoing initiatives.

Happy New Year from all of us at HeartLands! Our resolution is to keep working hard to conserve, connect, and restore the diverse natural and cultural resources that sustain the people and communities of southwestern Illinois.

A special thanks to Toni Oplt for helping us with this article.

A New “Home” for Mill Creek In December of 2018, HeartLands Conservancy transferred one of its properties, Mill Creek Natural Area, to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to become a part of the Swayne Hollow Nature Preserve. Mill Creek is located in Randolph County near Campbell Hill at Piney Creek Ravine. It is home to beautiful rock formations and rare species.

While we are sad to see Mill Creek go, we are happy that it is in good hands with IDNR.

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HeartLands Conservancy

Join the HeartLands Hiking Club!

To celebrate our 30th Anniversary, HeartLands Conservancy is launching a quarterly hiking club. The club will be an informal group of hiking enthusiasts and others who would like to get some exercise while exploring natural areas within a one- to two-hour drive of Belleville.

The first hike will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 9AM to 11AM at Cahokia Mounds.

The trails at Cahokia Mounds are primarily flat and made of gravel, mowed grass, and dirt, making this a beginner-level/easy hike. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, and please bring your own water.

Please see our Facebook page and website for updates on hiking club events or email Kelsey at hikingclub@heartlandsconservancy.org to get on the list.

Save the Date! Upcoming HeartLands Conservancy Events Volunteer Work Day February 22, 2019 Location pending

Grow Native! Native by Design Workshop on Layered Landscapes March 22, 2019 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM Leclaire Room at N.O. Nelson Campus, Edwardsville Volunteer Work Day March 30, 2019 Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom, Belleville HeartLands Hiking Club April 13, 2019 Cahokia Mounds, Collinsville Volunteer Work Day—Bioblitz Year 3 April 26, 2019 Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom, Belleville 2019 St. Louis City Nature Challenge April 26-29, 2019 HeartLands Conservancy’s 30th Anniversary Celebration on the Mississippi River May 4, 2019 Becky Thatcher Riverboat Visit our website and social media pages for detailed event information.

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Help Celebrate HeartLands’ Anniversary with “$30 for 30” This is a big year for HeartLands Conservancy—our 30th anniversary! Since 1989, we have preserved 9,000 acres of land and wildlife habitat, worked toward cleaner drinking water in 10 watersheds, planned thousands of miles of trails, and educated thousands on the benefits of nature.

We have only been successful because of the generous donors and volunteers who care deeply for our region.

In honor of our 30th anniversary, we’re asking you to donate 30 dollars for 30 years (or another amount meaningful to you) to accelerate the impact of conservation in the Metro East for the next 30 years and beyond.

To donate, simply fill out and return the enclosed envelope or visit our website. Thank you for helping to preserve nature in the St. Louis Metro East.

Thank You to Our Sponsors (as of 1/16/19) POST OAK

PIN OAK

Belleville Optometry, Ltd. Clinton County SWCD Davey Resource Group, Inc. Farm Credit Illinois Gori, Julian & Associates, P.C. Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. SunCoke Energy GCO Volkert, Inc. Walker & Williams, P.C.

SAPLING CHINKAPIN OAK

Civil Design, Inc. Illinois American Water Madison County SWCD Randolph County SWCD Scott Credit Union St. Clair County Farm Bureau

RED OAK

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COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Madison Co. Planning & Development City of Belleville City of Carlyle City of Columbia City of Fairview Heights City of Greenville City of Highland City of Lebanon City of Mascoutah City of O’Fallon City of Red Bud City of Troy City of Waterloo East St. Louis Park District Metro East Park & Recreation District Village of Bethalto Village of Freeburg Village of Hamel Village of Hecker Village of Marine Village of New Baden Village of Shiloh Village of Smithton Waterloo Park District HeartLands Conservancy

Celebrating 30 years of conserving land and water, building resilient communities, and engaging people with nature.

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org 3 N High Street Belleville, IL 62220 (618) 566-4451