From the Executive Director

Dear JDCF Members and Friends,

At our recent People Connecting to the Land fundraising event, I talked about phases of life and how they connect with nature. I'd like to share that message with you today.

It is clear to everyone that life has a course with a beginning, middle and an end. Hope swelled in our parent's hearts as they gazed into our eyes as a newborn child, and they wondered to themselves – not unlike we do today – what will they bring to this world?

As we grew up, we discovered our purpose – what we are good at and what we are passionate about. We learned that competence comes from honesty, integrity and when it calls for it, just plain getting your hands dirty. When it comes to love, we learn what is worth loving and who we should have as our heroes. We make life changing decisions about who we're going to walk through the rest of our life with. We continue to measure our accomplishments and our failures. We wonder if we are satisfied and if we are not. And we wonder how we can help the younger generations walk their own path.

Finally, we reach a stage where we become wise souls and learn how to solve problems where everyone wins.

We all have legacy to leave and we all have much yet to contribute. I will leave you with a familiar quote: "Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

— Sandi Helgerson, Executive Director, JDCF

From the Conservation Guardians' President

After a couple of really successful projects, Camp Casper and our annual picnic, the area endured another 100-year flood. The 11-15 inches of rain that fell in just a few hours negatively impacted countless roads and properties. Even more devastating: lives were lost, including that of former Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) Board Director and Board President Dan Wegner. A couple of weeks prior to the storm, we also lost longtime Guardian volunteer and dedicated bluebirder Bill Reddy. Our thoughts and prayers are with these two families. As both men would have wanted, let's concentrate on the good things that have happened.

Camp Casper was a huge success! Some 40 children attended the three-day program put on by dozens of Guardian/ JDCF volunteers at Casper Bluff, done in partnership with the Galena Arts & Recreation Center. The campers learned about nature hands-on, took their own photographs, and put together collages on poster board. Thanks to all who helped make Camp Casper such a unique and wonderful learning experience. Later, at our annual picnic, our volunteers enjoyed meeting the parents of the campers.

What a great crowd we had at the Patinkin Barn at this year's picnic – well over 100 in attendance. This year in place of a silent auction we tried something new: sponsorship opportunities where people were able to donate funds toward specific Guardian projects. We did have our big raffle once again, with local foods boxes and some other really great prizes – like a night in Shullsburg and a sunrise yoga/brunch party. Thanks to all our donors – whether you gave a prize, donated money, or bought raffle tickets. We raised nearly $7,000 towards our educational activities next year.

Now it's time to look to the future. In addition to fall educational activities, we're already busy planning our educational activities for 2012. If you have an idea for a program or would like to help out in any way, we would LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Call me at 815-777-4011 or e-mail me at jbruser@jcwifi.com. Thanks! And here's to a pleasant autumn, filled with sunny, 70-degree days. We deserve it!

From the Board President

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate our "partners in crime," the Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois on their 20th Anniversary. To be sure this is a noteworthy accomplishment; many successful, grass-roots organizations never see the completion of one decade. It is truly a testament to the Guardian spirit, to vision and hope, that passionately embraces preservation and conservation of land and natural resources, demonstrated in all of their various endeavors.

At the Founder's Day Brunch to celebrate the first twenty years and honor the founding Guardian fathers and mothers, it was easy to fully realize one of the keys to their success... the sheer, pure zeal in which they face every challenge. The brunch, brainchild of resident creative guru, Chuck Wemstrom, proved to be a very fun and emotional time. Along with the beautiful portraits presented to each of the founders by Pam Johnson, the other highlight was the world premier showing of Rich Mattas' DVD chronicling the first twenty years. As one reviewer, I believe from the Daily Planet noted, "Mattas has done it again... brilliantly capturing the Guardian spirit, the natural beauty of the land and our feathered friends, and of course capturing in vivid color the infamous Guardian appetite."

Reflecting upon the special event walking around Chestnut Mountain, I was profoundly struck by the inspiration and hope that emanated out of that room. The inspiration was contagious and the hope... the hope was not the run-of-the-mill, typical organizational hope that leads one down a spiritual cul-du-sac, but rather a quiet confidence that a difference can be made and that, indeed, the future is being built day by day. Congratulations, thank you. We are immensely proud to work side by side as we tackle the next twenty.

— Cliff Peterson, JDCF President

Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois

A Division of JDCF