Annual report 2012

Donor Report 2012

I n v e s t i n g I n T h e N a t u r e O f S o u t h w e s t e r n I l l i n o i sC O N S E R V A N C Y

Mill Creek Natural Area Cover Photo: M. Lopez Drake and Inside Photo: Bill Freeman

Externally Focused - Internally Whole

Twenty-four years ago a group of people came together to work towards the protection of the natural resources within Southwestern Illinois. Over the years that energy has translated into thousands of acres of land being protected and tens of millions of dollars being invested in improving our air and water resources. Citizens have been re-engaged with their natural resources, local officials are better informed regarding their community’s green assets and many lasting partnerships have been fostered.

In approaching our 25th anniversary, it is important to re-evaluate our vision and priorities so that we might maximize our Investment In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois. The immediate result of this evaluation, as outlined in this report, demonstrates our commitment to being externally focused through our programs and initiatives, while continuing to develop our organizational capacity so that we are, and will remain, internally whole.

Our message, resources and people collectively form our internal assets and organizational foundation. Maintaining and growing these assets will provide a firm base for us to concentrate our energy on our external priorities of conserving natural resources, building greener communities, and engaging our region.

This re-evaluation is timely. Continued reductions in both state and federal conservation funding reinforces our belief that future efforts to protect our air, land and water resources will be largely done at the local and/or regional level.

HeartLands Conservancy remains committed to providing the programs, services and leading initiatives which further protect the quality of the environmental resources within Southwestern Illinois. This report outlines the details of our process and plan.

We encourage you to become a part of these efforts by becoming a member, volunteering, or sponsoring an activity or event. In this way you become a partner in our effort to be externally focused and internally whole. You are HeartLands Conservancy.

David C. Eustis Robert J. HilgenbrinkDavid C. Eustis Robert J. Hilgenbrink Executive Director Chairman

Mill Creek Natural Area

Recognizing the tremendous ecological resources, geologic features and potential

recreational opportunities contained within the Mill Creek Natural Area, HeartLands

Conservancy teamed with Clifftop to quickly assess and combine the necessary resources

to purchase and protect this important site in perpetuity. The Grand Victoria Foundation

(Elgin, IL) provided a significant portion of the project funds. Other local funders,

including Knight Hawk Coal, provided matching funds.

Both HeartLands Conservancy and Clifftop are committed to the long-term protection

of the site and a management style where the human touch is light and the landscape’s

natural processes have the greatest bearing on change. Part of our stewardship efforts will

include reforestation of some small creek-bottom fields. This will reduce soil erosion and

help protect Mill Creek and the St. Mary’s River watershed. Very few invasive species are

present on the property; management will include removal of what is there and vigilance

towards any future incursions of non-native species.

Mill Creek Natural Area (Randolph County, IL) is unique geologically for Illinois. During the retreat of past glaciations, extensive sandstone canyon and cliff systems were carved out. These deep ravines have been capable of sheltering plants such as club moss, cinnamon fern and bishop’s cap, which would typically be found much farther to the north.

Investing In Land Conservation

LeFevre Easement

HeartLands Conservancy is pleased

to welcome Carol LeFevre to our

growing list of conservation easement

donors. Her family farm, which is in

Madison County between Highland

and Trenton, was purchased back in

September 1889 by Eugene Hoyt.

Eugene’s great-granddaughter, Carol,

who now resides on the east coast,

sought to ensure that the legacy of this

farm remained intact in perpetuity.

The LeFevre farm, at 155 acres, is our

first conservation easement that is

devoted strictly to agriculture. Living

on the east coast Carol sees first-

hand the pressures that urbanization

places on farmland. By placing an

agricultural conservation easement

on this property, she is ensuring the

availability of farmland to feed an

ever-growing population.

Each year, across our country, we

loose more than an acre of farmland

every minute. Conservation tools,

such as easements and planning

can work together. The outcome

is sustainable development for a

prosperous future.

“Because I want people to appreciate the importance of preserving land, it would be contrary to my purpose to try to explain to them in turn that, while I have been given the legal right to protect this piece of land, morally I feel I no more own it than I can own the breezes that move across it. I am HeartLands.” - Sally Brown, Land Easement Donor

Investing In Building Greener Communities

The groundbreaking of the Arlington Wetlands Interpretive Site (Madison County, IL) in June was a chance to showcase the successful collaboration of multiple partners at a local, regional and state level. Multiple partners and communities are also working together to develop a regional plan that will provide recommendations and best practices to ensure that our future as a region is prosperous.

Many Communities, One FutureHeartLands Conservancy is proud to be a voice for Illinois as the primary representative

in our state of the 10 consortium partners working with the East-West Gateway Council of

Governments on a three-year regional effort working with local communities on developing

regional best practices for transportation, housing and economic development. HeartLands

Conservancy’s role in the regional plan is to be a voice for Southwestern Illinois and to

provide leadership in developing environmental best practices including strategies and

recommendations for conservation, storm water, green infrastructure, water resources

and walkable and bikable communities.

The decisions we make today will have impacts for our region in the future. Our

interconnected environmental and natural resources do not conveniently stop at municipal

or county boundaries. Although we live and work in many different places across the

region, we have a shared future. One future.

“ I am a mother of two and having a safe route to school where my son and daughter can walk with friends is important to me. I am HeartLands.” - Swansea Resident

Planning for Complete StreetsOur vision for communities is one where residents are to able to leave their cars at home and walk or bike to school, work, shopping or neighborhood parks. HeartLands Conservancy produced Complete Streets Plans for Swansea, Waterloo and Columbia in 2012. 2013 will see a bicycle and pedestrian commuter study for Scott Air Force Base as a part of this project.

All three community plans have been branded with the “Explore” logo - symbolizing the possibilities a well-developed system of sidewalks, trails and on-street bike facilities can offer residents and visitors. Each 20-year plan includes recommendations and priority designations for new and upgraded facilities, funding strategies, community education and outreach programs, and detailed guidelines for how to handle intersections and traffic interactions.

Each planning process involved extensive public engagement from on-line surveys and stakeholder meetings to public open houses. Over 500 citizens in the participating communities provided input on the plans, making these documents truly citizen-driven. In each community, over 86% of survey participants expressed support for their community to invest tax dollars in alternative transportation infrastructure.

The Mounds - America’s First CitiesThrough a unified effort to lead in the protection of this national treasure, HeartLands Conservancy is bringing together community leaders and state and federal agencies to collaborate on the comprehensive feasibility study. This study will outline solutions to enhance connectivity between ancient and contemporary communities, provide effective and educational interpretation, preserve natural resources and conserve the heritage of our region.

Ensuring all levels of communication and engagement are relevant, open and accessible, the project team has built a foundation of committee members from throughout the region. The team also gathers community input through community outreach meetings and online outlets.

The study looks to national models to elevate the status of Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and to develop methods to connect it with other remaining mound sites. The team successfully collected all of the necessary information in a database and HeartLands Conservancy will complete the first ever comprehensive map of the remaining mound sites in Southwestern Illinois and the St. Louis region.

Hidden in plain sight, today’s Cahokia Mounds are the remnants of North America’s greatest prehistoric culture, the Mound Cities. HeartLands Conservancy has been asked to lead a comprehensive feasibility study, capturing the significance of these sites within our region.

Investing In Community Engagement

Interactive Mapping

HeartLands Conservancy, in collaboration

with the Middle Mississippi River

Partnership (MMRP), launched a new

interactive map in 2012. The map allows

visitors and residents to view a variety

of information from locations around the

region in one interface.

MMRP consists of 21 organizations

working together to restore and enhance

natural resources along the Mississippi

River from St. Louis to Cairo, a 195 mile

corridor. A wealth of information about

sites within the Middle Mississippi has

been consolidated into an interactive map.

Residents and visitors with internet access

may use the map to locate public lands and

points of interest throughout the region.

The ability to turn layers on and off allows

users to personalize the map, displaying

only areas that may interest them. Layers

include camping, fishing, hunting, hiking,

historic points, boat access and more.

To Learn More, Visit

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

“ I can be a part of anything, any trail, all I have to do is click on the map and there it is. I am HeartLands.” - Ruth Riley, Hiking Enthusiast

Strategic PlanningOur HomeWe know and love the characteristics that shape our region, the scenic landscapes of rolling rural farmland, the calm open spaces, rich woodlands, waterways, wetlands and vibrant communities. Collectively, they compose the land closest to our hearts – the region we call home.

HeartLands Conservancy is dedicated to advancing our work through sustaining and enriching the region’s finest qualities to ensure lasting enjoyment and benefits. Our desire to invest in our region ensures future generations may live, work and build memories here.

Our FutureAs we continually expand and grow amidst an ever-changing region it is imperative we assess our strategic priorities. We share with you our process and plan to prepare the organization for success in the years to come.

Donor Report l 2012

Our MissionProvide leadership and solutions to sustain and enrich the diverse environmental resources

of Southwestern Illinois

Our VisionCommunities with healthy and sustainable air, land and water resources for current and future generations


Our Guiding PrinciplesTo provide the framework for our strategic priorities plan, we began with redefining the core values we adhere to, reshaping our mission statement to further focus our intent and direction, and articulating our vision for Southwestern Illinois.

We Listened…Throughout the planning process we have continued to value open and shared communication to effectively evaluate our priorities. Through numerous questionnaires and focus groups we gathered responses from our stakeholders and members of our communities to review our work and strategies.

Then We Planned…Through the collaboration of community input and support from our staff and Board of Directors, we have developed a strategic priorities plan. This will guide us into the future with a vision and clear purpose while acknowledging our past successes and future challenges.

Externally FocusedConserving LandProtecting our land resources: our rich farmland, distinctive natural areas and properties of vital importance and benefit to current and future generations, is essential to the quality of life in our region. Applying a comprehensive land conservation strategy, providing leadership in land stewardship and offering conservation tools for communities will focus and facilitate our efforts.

Building Greener CommunitiesEnvironmentally healthy communities are highly desirable from an economic, growth and well-being standpoint. We provide leadership in community planning and in the implementation of initiatives that improve the overall environmental health within our communities. We assist communities in addressing complex development issues by offering education and training, guidance on land use planning and ordinances, natural resource mapping and grant development and implementation.

Engaging Individuals and CommunitiesFostering continued appreciation and care for our region’s natural resources and engaging individuals and communities in our endeavors is paramount in our ability to successfully achieve our vision. We seek to engage our region with the land and waters around them in inspiring ways through developing educational programming, offering events and treks and establishing partnerships.

Donor Report l 2012

Internally Whole


Integrity

Excellence

InnovationConservation

Appreciation of NatureCollaboration

Our MessageWe seek to deliver compelling messages to communicate the breadth and scope of our work. Increased community awareness of the environmental and social impacts of our efforts will greatly contribute to future success.

Our ResourcesWe are strengthened through the diversification of our funding sources. We remain committed to a long-term goal of balanced funding between grants, foundation awards, community work, private and corporate giving, and membership.

Our PeopleWe are able to fortify our organization by investing in our own capacity. We are committed to recruiting and retaining an engaged team of staff and Board of Directors to provide oversight, leadership and expertise. We will work together to further our vision for Southwestern Illinois.

Our FutureWorking together with the community, with a strategic plan in place to guide our external priorities, the full support and dedication of our board, staff, partners and donors, we move forward, internally whole, to meet the challenges ahead.

We are confident that together we will build upon the past successes of the last 24 years and advance our vision for Southwestern Illinois. We strive to continue the advancement of our region while creating a goal that is in harmony with the surrounding regions. Collectively we will grow and prosper through time to transcend generations and cross state and regional boundaries. Our hope is that in the future our vision will complete our community as a whole. Our vision is your vision and together we are one community.

www.HeartLandsConservancy.orgLearn More

Carlyle Lake, IllinoisPhoto: M. Lopez Drake

Our Donors

Join Today

$1-$49The Boeing CompanyMr. Donald DahlmannIn Honor of Ted and Linda KrauskopfMr. John Mueller

Acorn $50-$99Ms. Jane BonaldiCarlyle Sailing AssociationCommerce BankMr. and Mrs. Mark and Mary D’AngeloDrake Construction, LLCMr. and Mrs. Richard and Diane DrakeMike and Joann FrickeMr. Bill GontermanJoseph W. Gonterman, Jr.Mr. John HagerMr. Scott HardingMr. and Mrs. Wayne and Julia HebererRobert HelfersJennifer HowlandStephen and Elise IbendahlSue IbendahlMartin and Linda KemperMr. Don KniepkampMs. Nancy LarsonLogan and Erica LinkMs. Penni LivingstonMary Angela and Kenneth NettletonR. Randall NeumannMs. Debbie NewmanPfizer Foundation Matching Gift ProgramMr. and Mrs. Glen and Linda SchuetzMs. Nancy SpenceMr. Leo WelchMr. Brian Wells

Seedling $100-$249Mary BiernotBond County RealtorsMr. Darrell BrinkRalph and Karen BuettnerCahokia Mounds Museum SocietyCity of Granite CityCity of MascoutahCity of WaterlooCivil DesignMr. Rod CookEnvironmental Operations, Inc.Julie and Ted HarveyMr. Mike KovarikMike and Jenny KrimMiriam HuelsmannMs. Mary LaurentMargaret and Gary LopezMonroe County SWCDSteve and Brenda MudgeMs. Barb PolaharBrad and Megan Riechmann

Mr. Wes RifeTom and Marian RollinsMr. Ned SiegelDr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. TaylorPatricia WatkinsRobert and Nancy Weck

Sapling $250-$499Gateway FS, Inc.Mr. Lester HarnetiauxLindenwood UniversityMs. Laura LyonRandolph County SWCDMr. and Mrs. Robert and Katie NelsonSouthwestern Illinois CollegeSt. Clair County Farm BureauHMG Engineers, Inc.Illinois American WaterThe Farmers and Merchants National Bank

Pin Oak $500-$999Mike and Sue AndreasDale and Carol BrockmannDynegy Midwest Generation, Baldwin Energy ComplexDavid and Tamara EustisMr. Tim GarveyMr. and Mrs. Robert HilgenbrinkMr. Cliff SchuetteSouthern Illinois Construction Advancement ProgramSt. Clair County Property & Recreation CommitteeC. David and Lisa TiedemannTurkey Hill GrangeVeolia Environmental Services

Red Oak $1,000-$2,499Ms. Jane EckertPatrick E. FaheyHEP LLCMemorial HospitalOliver C. Joseph Inc.RegionsSEIU Local 73Ed and Kathi Weilbacher

Post Oak $5,000-$9,999Anonymous (1)Carol LeFevreMr. Steve Carter

Bur Oak $10,000 ++The Crown FamilyGrand Victoria FoundationKnight Hawk Coal, LLCIllinois Archaeological SocietyIllinois Clean Energy Community FoundationThe McKnight FoundationOerter FoundationWaste ManagementWilliam A. Kerr FoundationWilliam T. Kemper Foundation


Become a Member

Today’s children will be 65 years old when an oak tree planted today begins to reach its version of adulthood. Their children will be the ones to first appreciate the full majesty of a mature oak’s dappled shape. “Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois” today, ensures vital and thriving communities with fresh air, flowing rivers, and fields of plenty for our future generations.

You can become a part of a diverse community of people, businesses and organizations who treasure Southwestern Illinois and work together so that our region will always be a place of beauty and natural life.

As the oldest and largest environmental nonprofit serving our region, our success and continued work is made possible by the support of our members, sponsors, and private foundation awards. We are grateful to share this journey with you.

Investing In The Nature of Southwestern Illinois

The oak is a storied treasure throughout the Southwestern Illinois landscape, symbolizing strength, stability and longevity. Like the oak, our members provide strength, stability, and longevity to HeartLands Conservancy.

Board Members

Mike AndreasSpecial Projects - Animal [email protected]

Dave EustisExecutive [email protected]

Marty KemperSpecial Projects - Invasive [email protected]

Erica LinkDevelopment [email protected]

Laura LyonSpecial Projects - Mounds [email protected]

Megan Riechmann, AICPCommunity and Environmental [email protected]

Ed WeilbacherSpecial Projects - Mounds [email protected]

Mark BadaschSpecial Projects - Mounds [email protected]

Stephen Ibendahl, ASLA, RLA, Sustainability [email protected]

Roberta [email protected]

Mary Ann Lopez DrakeMarketing and Events [email protected]

Allie McCrearyEnvironmental Programs [email protected]

Sarah VogtEnvironmental Programs [email protected]

Steve WidowskiSpecial Projects - Middle Mississippi [email protected]

Staff

Robert J. Hilgenbrink, ChairIL Green Economy NetworkShiloh, IL

Lester Harnetiaux, SecretaryBond County RealtorsGreenville, IL

William BoardmanFirehouse Contracting, LLCChicago, IL

Jane EckertEckert AgriMarketingUniversity City, MO

Charles MeierIL State Representative, 108th DistrictOkawville, IL

Cliff SchuetteSchuette SeedBreese, IL

Frank O. Miles, Vice ChairAmerica’s Central PortGranite City, IL

Darrell Brink, TreasurerBrink Brothers Grain & TruckingSandoval, IL

Craig BressanPrairie State Generating CompanyMarissa, IL

Terry LammersRegions BankBelleville, IL

Ron O’ConnorO’Connor & PartnersBelleville, IL

Robert WeckSouthwestern Illinois CollegeBelleville, IL


STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIESFor the year end December 31, 2012, with comparative totals for 2011

REVENUEService Agreements ..................................................................... Foundation Awards ...................................................................... State ................................................................................................Federal ............................................................................................ Unrestricted Donations ............................................................... Temporarily & Permanently Restricted Donations ................. Other Revenue ...............................................................................

TOTAL Revenue EXPENSESConservation of Open Space .................................................... Liveable/Sustainable Communities .............................................Administrative ............................................................................... Fundraising .................................................................................... TOTAL Expenses

Revenue over (under) expenses ................................................

Net assets, beginning of the year .............................................

Net assets, end of the year ........................................................

2012

97,789 398,385 58,445

1,222,736 61,003

185,000 472,356

2,488,713

147,219 1,724,295

208,919 33,336

2,113,770

374,944

2,266,379

2,641,323

2011

89,987 1,056,144

60,943 421,493 135,595

2,200 351,020

2,117,381

518,513 904,173 202,160

19,0661,643,911

473,470

1,792,909

2,266,379

Address service requested:

406 East Main StreetMascoutah, Illinois 62258

I n v e s t i n g I n T h e N a t u r e O f S o u t h w e s t e r n I l l i n o i sC O N S E R V A N C Y

Documents

Annual report 2012