PSCC ANNUAL MEETING AND TRAINING WORKSHOP

Conference Presentations

Our annual conferences held at Starved Rock State Park Lodge in Utica just keep getting better. We were honored with a visit from the newly-appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Colleen Callahan, who stopped by for a visit with our attendees.

Once again we had a wonderful lineup of presentations and speakers, covering topics from how to capitalize on your success, information on the Natural Areas Stewardship Act, the impact of women in conservation, and the heartfelt passion we all share in preserving our wild places, open spaces.

We also recognized two members leaving our board, Viv Bennett and Alley Ringhausen, for their dedication and outstanding service to Prairie State Conservation Coalition. We welcomed Aimee Collins of Openlands and Tharran Hobson of The Nature Conservancy to the board.

In case you weren’t able to attend, or you were there and want to have another look at the fabulous programs that were presented, here they are for your review!

Meet Prairie State’s Hike App! video

Private Land Conservation In Illinois — David Holman, PSCC Consultant ––  2018Year In Review

Launching the Natural Areas Stewardship Act—A Primer — Fran Harty, The Nature Conservancy and Anne Holtrop, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Unintended Consequences — Off-Target Impacts of Ag Herbicides on Native Plants:  Lou Nelms, retired biologist

The History of Women in the Conservation Movement: Valerie Blaine, Kane County Forest Preserve District, and Pam Otto, St. Charles Park District

Conserving Nature’s Stage:  Adapting and Designing Projects with Resiliency: James Cole, The Nature Conservancy

Update on the Statewide Land Needs Assessment: Ashley Maybanks, The Nature Conservancy

Farmland: Conversion and Conservation: Jen Filipiak, American Farmland Trust, Emy Brawley , Conservation Fund, and Linda Balek, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

With All One’s Heart: Ed Collins, McHenry County Conservation District

Assessing Your Organization’s Toolbox — Program Impact: Tolu Olorode, Openlands

Let the Sun Shine In Initiative: Saving our Oaks:  Jody Shimp, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Pollinators Reveal a Role for Cities in Wildlife Conservation:  Abigail Derby Lewis, Ph.D, Field Museum, and Susan Lenz, Barrington Area Conservation Trust

LTA Report — Carolyn Waldron, Land Trust Alliance

  • LTA Rally, Strategic Plan and Community Relevance Campaign Update
  • Accreditation Update
  • IRS Ruling on Disallowed Deductions
  • Syndicated Easements: Status Report

Understanding the Current State of Stewardship in Illinois: Kerry Leigh, Natural Land Institute, and Ben Shorofsky, Delta Institute