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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project acquired 315 acres to expand the Pine Dunes Forest Preserve. This area was used to perform over $8 million in wetland mitigation for ISTHA, providing approximately 85 acres of quality wetland habitat. Native Landscape Contractors, LLC was awarded the native vegetation establishment and maintenance contract in 2014.

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PROJECT GOALS:

The primary goal of the work was to provide quality wetland mitigation for impacts by off-site ISTHA construction projects. Additional goals of the restoration and expansion were to provide habitat for threatened native birds such as the red-headed woodpecker, eastern bluebird, and least flycatcher. Wetland birds, reptiles, and amphibians will be supported by planting and managing native prairie, savanna, woodland, and wetland communities.

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PROJECT SCOPE:

This project included removal of drain tile, control of invasive species, planting of over 159,000 native aquatic and emergent plugs, and seeding of over 200 acres of prairies, woodlands, and wetlands.