Commonfields I Winter 2016

Page 1

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

What’s Inside Upcoming Events ................... 2-3 Recent Events.............................4 2016 Treks .................................. 5 Conservation News.....................6 Sponsorship ............................... 7 #investinginnature .................. BC

Directors Robert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair IL Green Economy Network

Frank O. Miles, Vice Chair Madison County Community Development

Bill Armstrong, Treasurer Retired, International Banking

Robert Nelson, Secretary Nelson & Nelson Attorneys at Law

William Boardman Firehouse Contracting, LLC

Brenda Chandler Buy A Farm Land & Auction Co.

A Quarterly Publication of HeartLands Conservancy

January 2016

“Our area is vast and valuable.” - A look at 2015 and our plans for 2016 from Dave Eustis, President and CEO

As our recent record flooding has reminded us, mother nature remains fully in control. At HeartLands Conservancy, we understand and respect this and have been working for the past 27 years to minimize our impact on our environment, while supporting the economic growth of the region. In 2015, we worked to protect over 40 acres of land, bringing our total conserved acreage to over 6,600 acres. We presented a comprehensive water quality and flooding study plan for the Upper Silver Creek watershed, one of the largest tributaries within the Kaskaskia River. We also engaged with the people of Southwestern Illinois in effort to protect the air we all breathe, the water we all drink, and the land we live on here in Southwestern Illinois. Our area is vast and valuable. We serve 7 counties in Southwestern Illinois, and yet the impacts of our work can reach far beyond these borders. This area represents nearly 2.5 million acres of land, 1,919 miles of streams, and a population of over 670,000 people. We’re working to help protect the natural resources that affect every single one of us.

Ronald J. Foster, Jr. Schoen, Walton, Telken & Foster

Dennis (Denny) Kirkham Land Owner

Robert Knobeloch St. Louis Prompters LLC

Ronda Latina Environmental Operations, Inc.

Charles Meier Illinois State Representative Bill Reichert EWR Architects

Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Company

Justin Siegel Deli Star Corporation

Dawnesha Tomlin Illinois American Water

Did you know that $50 can purchase an oak tree and about $3,000 can buy an acre of wetlands, but the cost to protect an acre of land in the midst of suburban development can cost upwards of $50,000? We have big goals for 2016, but we need your help. We have three main events and four treks scheduled for 2016—find out more within this newsletter, on our website, and via social media. We also have big plans for 2016 with conservation in mind—we have an ambitious goal of raising over $100,000 in unrestricted funds which will, in turn, help us to achieve our goal of protecting 250 acres of land. We also hope to extend the Silver Creek watershed planning from Madison county to the confluence of the Kaskaskia River. We hope that you will join us in our efforts—investing in greener communities, in land conservation, in agriculture, in nature. We look forward to investing in nature with you!


Commonfields Winter 2016

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Upcoming HeartLands Conservancy Events: Southwestern Illinois Communities Conference March 17th, 2016

r

Join us for breakfast on March 17th, for an event focused on Green Communities and Prosperous Places in Southwestern Illinois. The conference will include discussion and collaboration on sustainable and prosperous community development. Community leaders, elected officials, and invloved citizens are invited to learn about regional and national innovations in economic development, green infrastructure, and neighborhood improvement. This event will present ideas and advocate for solutions that will work in the context of Southwestern Illinois.

Oklahoma City-based developer, Richard McKown, of Green Earth Land Design will provide a developer’s perspective on the use of green infrastructure and sustainable construction in subdivisions. McKown’s company developed a subdivision with one half using green stormwater infrastructure and the other half using traditional infrastructure. Join us to learn about the results of his experiment! The conference is an expansion of our previously successful Green Infrastructure breakfast series. This year it will take place at Our Lady of the Snows Visitors & Conference Center on Thursday, March 17th, 2016 at 8:00 am. Contact Kim O’Bryan for tickets and sponsorship opportunities: 618-566-4451 x 10 or e-mail: kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org.

2


www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Commonfields Winter 2016

Annual Dinner and Green Leaf Achievement Awards April 19th, 2016 The Green Leaf Achievement Awards will be presented in conjunction with our annual dinner on April 19th, 2016 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The Green Leaf Achievement Awards celebrate achievements in different areas of environmental awareness—from individuals, to groups, to businesses—all making a local impact in conserving land, building greener communities, and engaging people and individuals with nature. After a thorough nomination process, Green Leaf Awards will be given to worthy recipients who are making a difference right here in Southwestern Illinois. The dinner will also feature special guests, James Rogalsky and Lauren Pattan, owners of Old Bakery Beer Company based in Alton, Illinois. They will share with us how they are combining sustainability and brewing with a focus on local goods in their business. Contact Kim O’Bryan for tickets and sponsorship opportunities: 618-566-4451 x 10 or e-mail: kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org.

Green Leaf Achievement Awards: Call for Entries Entry forms are available online or by contacting HeartLands Conservancy directly. We look forward to highlighting the efforts of those who are making a difference in the nature of Southwestern Illinois!

How will you take action in 2016? Earth Day is April 22nd, 2016 - Field to Fork is July 23rd, 2016 How will you be #investinginnature? 3


Commonfields Winter 2016

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Highlights of Recent Events and Activities Happy New Year! We celebrated the holidays at HeartLands Conservancy with good food, fun, and discussions of our favorite local gift finds and favorite things to do on winter break. We wish you all a happy 2016! - Dave, Zeke, Roberta, Kim, Janet, Sarah, Laura, Mary, Ed, and Megan Celebrating the Superb(owl)! Sure, there’s a big football game later this year, and we do appreciate a good game. At HeartLands Conservancy, we’re also celebrating the Superb(owl). This owl happens to be a Great Horned Owl. Southwestern Illinois is home to 2 species of owls listed as endangered in the state of Illinois, the Short-Eared Owl and the Barn Owl. From fowl to fields, we’re #investinginnature and hope that you will continue to support our efforts in 2016.

HELP HEARTLANDS CONSERVANCY PROTECT THE NATURAL RSOURES THAT MATTER TO YOU! BECOME A MEMBER TODAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RAFFLE WINNER, MICHAEL REEB, WHO WON TWO ANNUAL DINNER TICKETS IN THE DRAWING FOR NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERSHIPS AT THE END OF 2015!

4


www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Commonfields Winter 2016

Save the Date! 2016 TREKS: Wildflower Hike April 30th, 2016

Farm Tour June 18th, 2016

Star Trek August 12th, 2016

Jingle Hike Challege November 25th, 2016 - January 2nd, 2017 Follow HeartLands Conservancy on Facebook or see our website for more details on the upcoming treks!

Did you know? HeartLands Conservancy can help lead private treks as well! The Garden Club of Lebanon enjoyed a special trip to the Mill Creek Property in November. Contact Sarah Vogt for more details, sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org or 618-566-4451 x 23.

5


Commonfields Winter 2016

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Conservation Gets a Big Win Tucked away in the massive tax and spending bill recently signed by the President, was language which makes enhanced tax incentives for donated conservation and agricultural easements permanent. Land trusts from across the country have been lobbying for making these incentives permanent since they were introduced, on a temporary basis, back in 2006. Why is this tool so important for land trusts? Because when in place, these incentives accelerate the rate of conservation on private property by over thirty-three percent. What does this legislation mean to a landowner? A landowner, whose primary income is not related to agriculture may now deduct the value of the donation on up to fifty percent of their adjusted gross income over a period of sixteen years. If more than half of your income is derived from agriculture, you may deduct up to 100% of your adjusted gross income over sixteen years. Tax incentives are a cost-effective way to protect land. By encouraging donated easements, every dollar of tax incentives leverages $2.80 worth of conservation. This incentive makes the tax system more fair. The enhanced incentive allows working farmers and ranchers, as well as landowners with modest incomes, to realize more of the value of their charitable donation. Easements are a voluntary, private-sector approach to conservation. Landowners and community-supported nonprofits take the lead, rather than the government. Are you a landowner with more questions? HeartLands Conservancy can help make sense of it all and provide guidance.

Can I help HeartLands Conservancy? Yes, I can! Visit us at: https://www.heartlandsconservancy.org/get-involved/donate/

6


Commonfields Winter 2016

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Sponsorship Opportunites Available The sponsorship packet for 2016 is now available. With opportunities ranging from sponsoring a Trek to headlining Field to Fork, there are a variety of ways to sponsor a HeartLands Conservancy activity or event this year. Sponsoring HeartLands Conservancy shows the people of Southwestern Illinois that your company is making a difference in our environment and in the communities in which you serve—the places your customers and employees live, work, and play. With in-kind sponsorship opportunities and direct investments ranging from $100 to $10,000; there are plenty of choices to review for the best fit with your organization. Kim O’Bryan, Development and Events Coordinator, can help with the details: 618-566-4451 x 10 or e-mail: kim.obryan@ heartlandsconservancy.org.

St. Clair County Conservation Property - For Sale! Nearly nine acres on Lebanon Avenue in the midst of vast development in St. Clair County. A parcel of land was donated in 2015 to HeartLands Conservancy in effort to preserve the natural wooded areas and to honor Margaret M. Butz. HeartLands Conservancy helped to create the seven and a half acre conservation easement, which will now always remain a natural wooded area, and assisted in clearing the property and removal of invasive plant species. This property is currently for sale and with its conserved area, is truly a rare piece of property in the Belleville/Shiloh area. Interested? Get more information and contact Sheila McAllister at buyafarm.com.

7


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

PRSRT STD NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID ZIP CODE 62258 PERMIT NO 7 Address service requested:

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Thank you for your support in 2015! Follow us online to see how we’re #investinginnature in 2016!


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.