www.HeartLandsConservancy.org A Quarterly Publication of HeartLands Conservancy Winter 2015

What’s InsideLand Easements ................... IFC, 2

Let’s Pull Together ........................2

Invader Alert - Honeysuckle ........3

People and Places .....................4-5

Farm Protection Program ............7Sponsorship ...............................7-8Upcoming Events ......................7-8

Green Leaf Awards ....................BCField to Fork ...............................BC

DirectorsRobert 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 BoardmanFirehouse Contracting, LLC Ronald J. Foster, Jr. Schoen, Walton, Telken & Foster Dennis (Denny) Kirkham(Land Owner) Charles Meier Illinois State Representative Robert Nelson Nelson & Nelson Ron O’Connor O’Connor & Partners Cliff Schuette Schuette Seed Company Justin SiegelDeli Star Corporation

Historic Land Easements Forever Protect Weilbacher Properties

Armin H. Weilbacher, Sr. and his wife, Rose Ann (pictured at left) raised nine children on a family farm in rural Monroe County, just outside of Waterloo. When the children were growing up, days were spent farming the land, milking cows and rolling bales of hay.

With so many memories, it was no surprise that all nine siblings wanted to carry on the family legacy by protecting the land forever. And they did just that, executing three agricultural easements with HeartLands Conservancy in December.

“We want to see it all together for future generations to come,” said Ed Weilbacher, one of the nine siblings. “We felt it should be one unit and while we won’t live forever, this helps to ensure the land is protected from an agricultural point of view and whoever owns it in the future, it will stay in tact.”

The largest easement is on a 718-acre property owned by Rockhouse LLC (a corporation owned by the nine children), while two other easements of 211 acres and 104 acres respectively, are on property owned by Don Weilbacher, another of the siblings. All three farms are adjacent and encompass a diverse terrain of forest, pasture, river, and agricultural farmland. In total, 1,033 acres were protected.

The family farm has been in the Weilbacher family dating back to 1959, when Armin Sr. bought the land, although the family, which was living on another farm in Columbia, didn’t move to the Waterloo location until 1963. In 2009, the family celebrated its 50-year anniversary of buying the farm.

“The easement is a tribute to my parents,” said Ed. “And it was very important to me and my brothers and sisters to ensure the lands are permanently protected. There was absolutely no other way to make this happen.”

“Our entire family grew up on this farm and all nine kids contributed daily, working in the fields and with the livestock,” said Don Weilbacher. “We had family meals inside the farmhouse, rolled hay together and ice skated on the frozen creeks in the winter time with neighbors and friends. There are a lot of memories here.”

Land easement discussions amongst the Weilbacher children started years ago, but they didn’t act on it until last year. An anonymous donor gave a gift to HeartLands Conservancy to enhance its Farmland Protection Program, which allowed the non-profit to wave a stewardship fee and this got the entire family re-engaged. (Cont. pg. 2)

Above: Armin H. Weilbacher, Sr. and his wife, Rose Ann.Below: Eight of the nine Weilbacher children in front of their family farm’s historic barn in rural Waterloo. Picture taken in the Fall, 2014.

Commonfields Winter 2015 www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Weilbacher Farm Land Easements Cont.

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PROTECTED FOREVERSince last May, all nine siblings were in negotiations, meeting as much as they could, working on the specifics of the easement to ensure that the conservation and cultural values were protected for any future owner.

“It isn’t always easy to get nine people on the same page about something,” Ed said. “But most significantly, going through this process, we all knew we wanted to make sure the land could not be sold as separate units. The language is drafted to keep it in tact and to pass it on in full to someone else.”

The easements are the largest ever executed by HeartLands Conservancy and contributed to the State of Illinois placing the most property under privately-held conservations easements last year than any other year in history. Collectively, the easements comprise the third largest in Illinois and the second largest focused on the preservation and enhancement of natural lands.

“These property easements provide the best way to protect both agricultural and conservation land in our region,” said David Eustis, President and CEO of HeartLands Conservancy. “Putting land into an easement helps ensure that space is reserved for the future and the Weilbacher families understands the importance of this.

“We are grateful to the entire Weilbacher family for entrusting us with the task of fulfilling their desires,” Eustis continued.

Agricultural easements are regarded as the best tool for dealing with urban sprawl and the protection of quality farmland. Currently, there is tax benefits associated with donated agricultural easements. HeartLands Conservancy is also providing an incentive for agricultural easements donated in 2015. “We want to see it all together for generations to come and I think we accomplished that,” said Ed Weilbacher.

Let’s Pull Together! HeartLands Conservancy is working to establish a network of volunteer groups dedicated to the stewardship of natural areas throughout our region.

Wanted!Leaders for volunteer groups! Is there a park in your community that needs some help or a natural area that you love to visit? Would you like to be involved in the stewardship of the site? Could you gather up some of you neighbors, family, friends, and/or colleagues to volunteer with you while enjoying the great outdoors? Would you be willing to lead your volunteer group and organize a few events a year to help improve the natural area you love?

Then we need you! And, of course, we’ll help! We can assist with starting your group, providing tools and direction, publicizing your group and events, coordinating between different groups in the region, and more.

Activities to improve natural areas and parks could include work days for invasive species removal, litter pick up, or trail maintenance. Each site’s needs are different so ideas and activities vary based on the group. If you want to volunteer or would like more information contact Sarah Vogt: sarah.vogt@heartlandsconservancy.org or (618)566-4451 ext. 23.

Friends of Centennial Park, Swansea

Interested in learning more about agricultural or conservation easements and current

incentives that assist land owners? Contact Dave Eustis at

dave.eustis@heartlandsconservancy.org or call 618-566-4451 ex. 26.

EASEMENTSby the numbers

1,033 total acres protected through the three easements (718, 211 and 104 acres).

Largest acreage put into easements by HeartLands Conservancy in its 25-year history.

The easements contributed to the State of Illinois placing the most

property under privately-held conservations easements last year than any other year in history.

Collectively, these easements comprise the third largest in Illinois and the second largest focused on

the preservation and enhancement of natural lands.

There are tax benefits associated with donated agricultural easements. HeartLands Conservancy is also providing an incentive for agricultural easements donated in 2015.

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org Commonfields Winter 2015

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Invader Alert! - HoneysuckleWhat is honeysuckle?Bush Honeysuckle is the most common invasive in southwestern Illinois and refers to four species of honeysuckle. These multi-stemmed shrubs can reach six to 20 feet high and nearly as wide. There is also Japanese honeysuckle, a perennial woody vine of the honeysuckle family. Japanese honeysuckle vines can overtop adjacent vegetation by twining around, and completely covering, small trees and shrubs.

Is all honeysuckle bad?In general, in Southwestern Illinois all bush varieties of honeysuckle are not native. There are however, a few native, woody, vine-like honeysuckles known from Illinois including grape honeysuckle, yellow honeysuckle, and red honeysuckle.

Okay, so why is nonnative honeysuckle bad?• Exotic bush honeysuckles can rapidly invade and overtake a site, forming a dense shrub layer that crowds and shades out native plant species.• They alter habitats by decreasing light availability and by depleting soil moisture and nutrients for native seedlings• The roots release toxic chemicals into the soil that prevent native plant species from growing in the vicinity.• Bush honeysuckle is a prolific seeder. A “typical” plant produces 20,000 seeds per year.• As it becomes established, Japanese Honeysuckle vines form a dense blanket that completely covers native shrubs, plants, and trees.

I have non-native honeysuckle! What do I do?There are a few methods of control for bush and vine honeysuckle including prescribed burns, pulling, and cutting with herbicide treatment. With small plants, in a small area, pulling is the best method. Larger plants can be cut with tools or chain saws and then treated with an herbicide. Cut stems may be piled or piled and burned. Spraying the leaves of smaller plants in the late summer has also been proven successful. Spring prescribed burning will kill seedlings and top kill mature plants. Repeated annual or biennial burning may be necessary if the shrubs are larger.

Above Photo: Bush Honeysuckle Below Photo: Japanese Honeysuckle

Citation: Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan

What else can I do to help?1. Ask for only noninvasive species when you buy plants. Request that nurseries and garden centers sell only noninvasive plants.2. Scout your property for invasive species, and remove invasives before they become a problem. If plants can’t be removed, at least prevent them from going to seed.3. Clean your boots before and after visiting a natural area to prevent the spread of invasive plant seeds.4. Volunteer at local parks and natural areas to assist ongoing efforts to diminish the threat of invasive plants.5. Seek information on invasive plants and share them with your community. 6. Support public policies and programs to control invasive plants.

To read the full article with detailed descriptions and treatment options, as well as good honeysuckle alternatives, visit

heartlandsconservancy.org/invasivespecies

www.HeartLandsConservancy.orgCommonfields Winter 2015

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Highlights of Recent Events and Activities

The Mounds Team was recently awarded an OLGA for Leadership in Planning and Design Innovation from the East-West Gateway Council on Governments. The Mounds Feasibility Study was led by the HeartLands Conservancy, St. Clair County, Madison County, and the city of St. Louis. The study involved the Cahokia Mounds, which is one of four archaeological complexes in the ancient history of North America. The study, completed in 2014, documents the resources and provides justification for the National Park Service to create a national park or a national monument. The Outstanding Achievement in Local Government awards, known by their acronym as the OLGAs, are presented yearly by East-West Gateway to the local governments or individuals who have demonstrated a special commitment to their community and the region.

Don Weilbacher, one of the nine children of Armin H. and Rose Ann Weilbacher, is pictured on his land in rural Monroe County.

Weilbacher put two easements on his land, totalling 315 acres. The land is situated directly north and west-southwest

of the Weilbacher Family Farm, which was also placed in an easement. “There are a lot of memories here and we all

agreed that the family farm needed to stay intact. I wanted to do my part to preserve the area around it, too.”

Jerry Costello, II, pictured at left with Laura Lyon and Dave Eustis of the HeartLands Conservancy staff, is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives and representing the 116th district since his appointment in July 2011. He visited the HeartLands Conservancy office in January. He is a member of the Democratic party. The 116th district includes all or parts of Cahokia, Chester, Columbia, Dupo, East Carondelet, East St. Louis, Red Bud, Smithton, Sparta and Waterloo. He is the son of former U.S. Representative Jerry Costello.

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org Commonfields Winter 2015

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Highlights of Recent Events and Activities

On Dec. 6 and Jan. 10, HeartLands Conservancy and the SIUE Cougars teamed up for “Go Green” basketball games on the campus in Edwardsville. Student-athletes were on hand to walk the arena toward the end of the game, collecting recyclables and bringing awareness to green efforts and sustainability. Join us for our final “Green Game” of the season on Feb. 28, as the Cougars host Eastern Illinois in women’s basketball action at 2 p.m.

Thanks to Long Forestry Consultation on its work at Mill Creek. Through fundraising efforts and in-kind donations, the final restoration of the natural area is complete, including timber

stand improvements and streambank restoration. Thank you to everyone that contributed to the Mill Creek Project.

In the spirit of New Year, we’re counting down the five ways we “built greener communities” in southwestern Illinois for 2014: 5. Strategic Planning- Kaskaskia Regional Port District Strategic Recovery Plan4. Cultural and Historic Resource Planning- The Mounds: America’s First Cities Feasibility Study3. Safe and Healthy Watersheds- Upper Silver Creek Watershed Planning2. Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning- St. Clair County Complete Streets1. Advancement of Green Infrastructure in Southwestern Illinois

www.HeartLandsConservancy.orgCommonfields Winter 2015

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PROTECT YOUR LAND FOREVER

The most common tool for conserving private land, a conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values.

It allows landowners to continue to own and use their land, and they can also sell it or pass it on to heirs.

An agricultural easement is similar to a conservation easement but is specifically tailored to working farm lands and help to maintain agricultural land in active production along with removing development pressures.

Agricultural easements are regarded as the most promising tool for dealing with urban sprawl with a direct purpose of protecting farm land.

Every easement is as unique as the land itself and at HeartLands Conservancy, we craft easement language that reflects your wishes and best uses for the future.

I’m curious and want to know more! Contact us today to gain a better understanding of which conservation options would work for you. Also, discuss your wishes with your family, attorney, estate planner and accountant.

Currently, there are tax benefits associated with donated agricultural easements. HeartLands Conservancy is also providing an incentive for agricultural easements donated in 2015.

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Engaging Individuals and Communities with Nature

BuildingGreener Communities

ConservingLand

SponSorShip opportunit ieS2

015Please consider becoming a HeartLands Conservancy partner

in 2015. We can design a package that connects you to thousands of environmentally-focused consumers, while enhancing your company’s image as a leader in sustainability and conservation. For more information, call Kim O’Bryan, Development & Events Coordinator at 618-566-4451 ex. 10 or e-mail kim.obryan@heartlandsconservancy.org.

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Email Dave Eustis, President & CEO of HeartLands Conservancy

dave.eustis@heartlandsconservancy.orgor call

618-566-4451 ex. 22

Green Leaf Achievement Awards Sponsors

Field to Fork Sponsors (as of 1/22)

Gold Fork Leonard C. Goodman The Maschhoffs LLC

Silver SpoonGrimm & Gorly

Bronze Knife Express Design Group, Inc.

St. Clair County Farm Bureau

www.HeartLandsConservancy.org Commonfields Winter 2015

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Upcoming 2015 Events

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.

Identify a dollar amount, a percentage, a residual, real estate or other tangible property that would be

transferred directly to us.

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.

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.

Did you know that HeartLands Conservancy welcomes

gifts of real estate?

Receiving gifts of land and real estate from generous supporters just like you ensures our vision of communities with healthy and sustainable air, land and water resources for generations to come.

Join us as we invest in the nature of Southwestern Illinois: For more information, contact David C. Eustis,

President and CEO of HeartLands Conservancy. 618-566-4451 ex. 26 or

info@heartlandsconservancy.org.

HeartLands Conservancy • 406 East Main Street • Mascoutah, IL 62258618-566-4451 • David C. Eustis, President & CEO

info@heartlandsconservancy.org • www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Are you a farmer or landowner? Are you looking for ways to improve the quality and integrity of your land? You can take part in important agricultural research and help in the effort to revitalize our farmlands.

The Savanna Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing restorative, savanna-based agricultural systems through research, education, and outreach.

We want to meet you! Attend a workshop or field day. Whether you are simply curious about what we do, or if you want to get involved, our events are a great way to connect with us and with your community. Visit us online at savannahinstitute.org to learn more or call us at 224-544-9095.

Green Leaf Achievement Awards Thursday, April 16, 2015

Hidden Lake Winery Aviston, IL

5 p.m. - Registration & Wine Tasting 6:15 p.m. - Dinner

7 p.m. - Awards Presentation

6th Annual Field to Fork Saturday, July 18, 2015

Bellecourt Manor Belleville, IL

5 p.m. - Registration

6 p.m. - Dinner begins

Tickets are now available to purchase for both events online at

HeartLandsConservancy.org

Invest Locally.

Become a member and invest in the nature of Southwestern Illinois. HeartlandsConservancy.org/membership

406 East Main StreetMascoutah, IL 62258(618) 566-4451www.HeartLandsConservancy.org

Address service requested:

PRSRT STDNONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAIDZIP CODE 62258

PERMIT NO 7

6th Annual Field to Fork - July 18, 2015 - Tickets now available onlineFor eligibility, information, criteria, and

submission process, please visit www.HeartLandsConservancy.org/greenleaf

Submissions via email only to:awards@heartlandsconservancy.org

Awards will be announced at the Green Leaf Achievement Awards on Thursday, April 16 at Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston.

Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Hidden Lake Winery in Aviston, Illinois