Fall 2013

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org A Quarterly Publication of HeartLands Conservancy Fall 2013

Arlington Wetlands Interpretive Site is Open!DirectorsRobert J. Hilgenbrink, Chair IL Green Economy Network

Frank O. Miles, Vice Chair Southwestern Illinois College Lester Harnetiaux, Secretary Bond County Realtors Darrell Brink, Treasurer Brink Brothers Grain & Trucking William BoardmanFirehouse Contracting, LLC Dennis Kirkham(Land Owner)

Jane Eckert Eckert AgriMarketing Terry Lammers Regions Charles Meier IL State Representative Ron O’Connor O’Connor & Partners Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Company Robert Weck Southwestern Illinois College

What’s InsideBackyard Conservation 2

Citizen Spotlight 3

Tackling Flash Flooding 4

Girl Scouts at Arlington 5

Field to Fork a Success 6

Stewardship Day 6

Upcoming Events 7

Pumpkin Pedal 8

“Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois”

Commonfields

Participants at the September 19th Ribbon Cutting for Arlington Wetlands were able to tour the interpretive site and walk across the longest floating boardwalk in Southwestern Illinois!

Bob White was presented with a Stewardship Award for his dedication during each of the volunteer days held at the site. Representatives from CARD, Madison County, Illinois EPA, the Chamber of Commerce, and HeartLands joined in cutting the ribbon to officially open the site for the public.

Arlington Wetlands is located at 84 Arlington Drive, Pontoon Beach, IL. The main water body of the interpretive site is an 83-acre remnant oxbow of the Mississippi River. The wetland serves an important role in providing stormwater storage, clean water, and wildlife habitat for surrounding communities.

In partnership with Team REIL Inc. and Hutchinson Recreation & Design, a trail and boardwalk across the open water allows visitors to discover the true beauty of the wetland up close. Additionally, a permeable parking lot constructed with pavers from Midwest Products Group allows rainfall to move through, rather than flow off, the surface of the lot. This increases filtration of storm water, removing pollutants that would otherwise be washed directly into our lakes and streams.

Funding for this interpretive experience was provided in part by the US Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act distributed through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Phillips 66, Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Grand Victoria Foundation, and The Confluence.

Arlington Wetlands is jointly owned by CARD and Madison County. To learn more about the interpretive site visit www.ArlingtonWetlands.org.

Arlington Wetlands Ribbon Cutting

I had never seen a blue jay in my backyard. In fact, I had never seen a blue jay on our whole block. But when I planted a native serviceberry a few years ago in my backyard, I saw not only several blue jays, but robins and cardinals flock to our serviceberry the day that the tree’s fruit ripened. Our serviceberry became the “hip” restaurant of the week for local birds.

The impact of just a single tree in your backyard on local wildlife often reminds me of the great book by Sarah Stein, ‘Noah’s Garden’ (and the follow-up book ‘Planting Noah’s Garden’). This year is the 20th anniversary of ‘Noah’s Garden’. Although perhaps not as well known as other conservation books, those who have read it almost universally agree on what an inspirational book it has been in looking at our yards.

Ms. Stein writes inspirationally about her efforts to restore her own yard to be a place of not only serene beauty, but a place where rich, diverse, ecological habitats were restored, instead of the sterile lawn and landscapes that are often the norm. Although she loved and preferred native plants, she understood homeowners’ desire for non-natives. She personally kept a burning bush in her yard that she couldn’t stand to part with.

Going back to the blue jays, the other aspect of her writing was the idea that all of us (and our yards) are connected. We might feel overwhelmed trying to make a significant world-wide change by planting natives in our own yard. We are only one yard! How can my one-third acre lot make a difference?! Ms. Stein showed that if our neighbors planted natives, and if their neighbors planted natives, fairly soon the whole block would be connected. A few blocks, then the neighborhood becomes ecologically

rich. Fairly soon there is a connected system. Even better, we don’t have to plant our whole yard in natives – keep that grass for playing catch with your son. If we only took a few feet along the rear and sides of our property and planted natives, it would make a huge difference!

Whether it is blue jays, fire flies, or bull frogs, we sometimes wonder “where did they go”? Well, we can get our wildlife back (or keep them around), by starting in our own yards.

If you have questions about backyard conservation or native plants that you can incorporate into your own landscape, contact Stephen Ibendahl at 618-566-4451 Ex. 20 or [email protected]

Commonfields Fall 2013 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Backyard Conservation

2

Welcome New MembersMary Schmidt

Brooks Brestal, P.E.Laura Evans

Bernard “Sonny” Heck, Jr.

Community Members

Village of Swansea

Stay Connected

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org Commonfields Fall 2013

Our goal at HeartLands Conservancy is to Invest in the Nature of Southwestern Illinois. With each project we strive to make our community a better place and connect our neighbors to the Nature around us. With the citizen spotlight, we hope to bring you a perspective from one of your neighbors and connect you to their experiences. Understading how each of our lives are connected and how we can incorporate this into our projects enables us to deliver an outcome that helps everyone throughout Southwestern Illinois.

Dane Harrel is a civil service employee in Air Mobility Command’s Combat Operations Division. He retired from active duty in 2006 after serving 20 years in the Air Force and he grew up in O’Fallon.

How long have you been commuting by bike to the base? “I started commuting about four years ago. I used to run a lot and ended up with three knee surgeries and was frustrated with continued injuries – so I decided to hop on the bike.”

How far is your commute? “Door to door it’s about an 8-mile commute, but I usually throw in a lap around the base on the way in and on the way home which bumps it up to 15 miles, so 30 miles on my commute days. It’s a chance a do something different, and its a great way to start the day – the sun is coming up, its quiet and it injects some energy into my daily routine.”

What “drives you” to commute by bike? “I enjoy the challenge and the adrenaline rush I get from cycling. Riding a bike is one of the first independent things we do as children. Cycling makes me feel young!”

Why did you agree to serve on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Shift Your Commute Study? “Cyclists aren’t going away and it’s likely we’ll only see an increase in bike commuters, so I thought it was important to do my part to develop a plan to integrate them into the larger traffic picture. Also, I come from bicycle culture. My mom is Danish and I was born in Denmark—bikes are as common as cars there. I still remember being on the back of her bicycle as she rode through O’Fallon on errands in the mid 60s. She was a cycling trendsetter and turned a lot of heads!”

What is your overall impression of having served in an advisory role in the development of a plan?“I realize our planning effort is part of a larger one to make effective use of available resources—roads, etc.—while trying to be good stewards of scarce tax dollars. Also, having just returned from a vacation in Denmark, I realize more than ever there are tangible health benefits to be gained by getting people out of their cars and on bicycles. That’s hard to put a dollar value on, but it does have value.”

Can you share your top three tips, for both drivers and cyclists, to share the roadway? “For cyclists: assume drivers don’t see you--make yourself big and visible; be a good cycling ambassador (say thank you, wave, etc.); introduce others to the joys of cycling. I always try to encourage people to get on their bikes. It doesn’t matter what kind of bike you have, just get out there and ride.

For motorists: cyclists typically drive cars, too—it’s not an us-versus-them relationship; bicycles are entitled by law to use the lane; I appreciate you waving me through an intersection, but it’s safer if we all obey the stop signs. You are better off letting us obey the traffic lights and the signs.”

Citizen Spotlight - Dane Harrel

3

www.HeartLandsConservancy.orgCommonfields Fall 2013

4

Utilizing Green Infrastructure to Tackle Flash Flooding

Let’s talk rain water for a minute. Here in Southwestern Illinois, this past spring and summer we had multiple storms with severe local flooding. By our office in Mascoutah, we had closures of roads that had not been closed in years.

One of the region’s major employers, Scott Air Force Base, had several roads closed leading to the Base because of flooding. It is never good to have one of our region’s key economic assets, Scott Air Force Base, disrupted by local floods. In addition to the Base, other businesses and residents were severely affected.Flooding created problems with another regional asset, our transportation network, and thus our economy. Not only employees commuting to work, but the logistics of moving goods and products.

So how to we deal with localized flash floods? Do we build bigger culverts? Larger detention basins? Higher roads? The answer is complicated and it will take multiple solutions working together. And in some cases, no amount of planning can account for six plus inches of rain in a few hours. However, one key solution that is getting more attention is utilizing our regional green infrastructure.

At a regional scale, our green infrastructure is our natural resources of woodlands, prairies, wetlands, open space, parks and trees. A connected system of green infrastructure at a regional scale is one of the most effective ways to manage rainfall from storm events. Instead of stormwater running off and flooding our roads, businesses, and homes, our regional green infrastructure stores and infiltrates the stormwater.

This idea is not new. Our work over the last 25 years in helping conserve and protect over 5,000 acres in Southwestern Illinois is at the heart of building a regional green infrastructure network. What is new, is using the term “green infrastructure”. By using the term “green infrastructure”, it helps us look at our natural resources as an investment. The term helps our regional leaders realize that our natural resources are something we should plan and invest in.

The best part of our green infrastructure is the multiple benefits besides helping to prevent floods. Other benefits of our green infrastructure include: increased quality of life, recreational opportunities, healthy habitats, increased biodiversity, and cleaner air. Lets see bigger culverts do all that!

Scott Air Force Base , IL - 2013

HeartLands Conservancy hosted about 40 Girl Scouts visiting Arlington Wetlands: An American Bottom Interpretive Experience on Saturday, August 24th. The Girls Scouts ranged in age from K – 8 and were at the wetland to earn badges in topics such as bugs, wildflowers and trees. Their visit to the site was one of the two public engagement aspects of the Arlington Wetlands restoration. The second public engagement piece was a field visit by citizens and community leaders at the ribbon cutting ceremony, September 19th.

Wetlands in the American Bottom (the flood plain of the Mississippi River in Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe counties) have been lost to development at a staggering rate. Arlington Wetlands, a restored 83-acre wetland in Pontoon Beach is the showcase project for Southwestern Illinois, demonstrating to communities how wetlands can help communities reap numerous ecological services. Wetlands’ multitude of benefits includes interpreting a piece of our regional history, stormwater management, flood control, enhanced air quality, and improved quality of life for residents.

Girl Scouts enjoyed exploring the site. HeartLands Conservancy staff was on hand to explain the terms ‘restoration,’ ‘best management practices,’ and land conservation in general and guide the scouts in the exploration of the site specific to their needs in earning different badges. The Girl Scouts discussed the benefits of conserving wetlands and others types of open space that exist right inside the communities they live in. It was exciting to hear a group of future leaders thoughtfully discussing the advantages of open space conservation and low-impact development (even if they didn’t use those exact terms!). The floating boardwalk, the longest in Southwestern Illinois, was also a highlight among participants that day.

To earn badges the Girl Scouts were required to identify species within the particular badge they were earning. The youngest participants had fun turning over rocks and leaves to study bugs. Older Scouts used field guides to identify native wildflowers and trees. A group was also able to plant a few trees near the permeable pavement parking lot, signifying their commitment to stewardship of the land and to providing opportunities, like the one they had Saturday, for future generations. We would like to thank the troops that participated and wish them the best of luck in their future Scouting activities!


Girl Scouts are Inspired by Arlington Wetlands

5

www.HeartLandsConservancy.orgCommonfields Fall 2013

6

Field to Fork - Truly Unique

Field to Fork “A Unique Culinary Experience in Local Cuisine” was our most successful fundraiser to date. We would like to thank our amazing team of Chefs, Kevin Willmann - Farmhaus, Josh Galliano -The Libertine STL, Jennifer Pensoneau Kennedy - J-Fires Market Bistro, Valerie Pape - Dear Diva Desserts, and Tim Faltus - Bellecourt Manor for the delicious 5-course meal. Special thanks to our farmers and producers who made this meal possible: Braeutigam Orchards, Drake Farm, Eckert’s Orchard, Fresh Pasture Farms, Keller Farms, Knobeloch Farms, Marcoot Jersey Creamery, Meier Family Farm, Scharf Farms, Schuette’s Market, St. Clair County Beekeepers Association, Turkey Hill Grange Members, and Wenneman Meat Co. Until next year!

Stewardship at Knobeloch WoodsOver thirty volunteers came together on Saturday, September 14th to perform some much needed stewardship to the Knobeloch Woods Nature Preserve in St. Clair County. Situated 6 miles east of Belleville (between Freeburg and Mascoutah), Knobeloch Woods contains upland and floodplain forest communities. The location of the preserve –in an area that is highly accessible by sizeable nearby communities– provides educational opportunities to those who might otherwise never experience a natural area. However, this proximity has also sped up the establishment of invasive, non-native species.

Because of this, management of the 44-acre area is primarily concerned with the control of exotic species. Volunteers at the stewardship event on September 14th were removing two types of invasive species: non-native honeysuckle and periwinkle. Both of these species can quickly dominate the forest floor, creating large expanses where native trees and wildflowers are unable to grow. Volunteers, headed up by current and retired IDNR employees and HeartLands Conservancy staff, were able to collectively log over 120 volunteer hours during the event, ensuring that the site continues to be representative of traditional plant communities in Southwestern Illinois for visitors and neighboring communities.

For more information on participating in stewardship tasks at Knobeloch Woods and other properties, contact [email protected]

So many friends, members, and partners of HeartLands Conservancy have experienced the beauty of Mill Creek since we acquired the property jointly with Clifftop about a year ago. The sandstone cliffs, ravines, rock outcroppings, and streams illustrate the diversity and grandeur of natural resources right here in Southwestern Illinois! As we move into stewardship activities, the site will remain closed to public access. However, we are compiling a list of individuals who would like to continue regular visits to the property and become a “Friend of Mill Creek.”

Obligation: No-cost, but we ask that you commit to attending at least 1 stewardship activity per year at Mill Creek. Stewardship activities could involve trash pickup, invasive species removal, trail building or maintenance, tree planting, stream clean up and others.

The Perks:

• Access to a pristine natural area that is otherwise closed to the public

• An opportunity to experience changing seasons at one of Southwestern Illinois’ natural gems

• Meet others who share an interest in stewardship of natural resources

• And, of course, the awesome feeling of giving back and “Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern Illinois”

All ages, families, children, etc. are welcome. Be one of the first “Friends of Mill Creek,” call 618-566-4451 Ex 21 or email [email protected] today to add your name to the list. In September we will choose a date for our autumn outing.

Join Today!


Calling All Friends Of Mill Creek

7

Saturday, October 19th 9AM: Enjoy a brisk “Pumpkin Pedal” that will depart from and return to the Watershed Nature Institute in Edwardsville, Illinois. Enjoy the fall colors along Madison County Trails. HeartLands Conservancy staff will be on hand to discuss recent bicycle and pedestrian planning efforts taking place in Southwestern Illinois. Please bring your own bike and helmet.

Saturday, Novemeber 9th 10 AM: Calling all Friends of Mill Creek (and newcomers too!), join us for a crisp hike among the sandstone canyons of Mill Creek Natural Area in southern Randolph County. HeartLands Conservancy staff will guide visitors throughout the site, which showcases meandering streams, steep ravines, and rare species. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of the gems of Southwestern Illinois!

All treks are free and open to the public. Registration is not required but encouraged. Please bring your own water bottle (we’ll have a jug for refills) and consider carpooling to these events!

For more information email [email protected], check out our events calendar www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/get-involved/events-and-treks/ find us on Facebook.com/HeartLands Conservancy or call (618)566-4451 Ex 21.

Upcoming Events

406 East Main Street

Mascoutah, IL 62258

(618) 566-4451

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Address service requested:

Investing In The Nature Of Southwestern IllinoisCONSERVANCY

Pumpkin Pedal

October 19

/HeartLandsConservancy

Pumpkin Pedal - Ocotber 19

Saturday, October 19 - 8:00 a.m.at the Watershed Nature Trail1591 Tower Avenue - Edwardsville, IL

For more information (reservations recommended) visit www.HeartLandsConservancy.org, email

[email protected]

or call (618) 566-4451 x23

Documents

Fall 2013