Project Name:
Messenger Woods Nature Preserve Habitat Restoration
Project Description:
Messenger Woods Nature Preserve Habitat Restoration will consist of the restoration of 90 acres of former agricultural fields in order to compensate for wetland impacts resulting from runway expansion at O'Hare airport. Native oak trees, prairie grasses, and wildflowers will be planted in the upland areas. Wetland areas will be graded with earthmoving equipment, and native sedges and grasses will be planted in these areas. Weed control work, including prescribed burning, will follow the planting work.
The goal of this project will be to return the current landscape, which historically has been drained, grazed, and farmed, to a condition very similar to pre-European settlement by recreating diverse and ecologically functional wetlands that will cleanse waters, help reduce flooding in the surrounding area, and enhance groundwater recharge. In total, 54 acres of upland prairie and savanna, 32 acres of wetlands, and 4 acres of enhanced woodland habitat will be restored.
In August of 2009, we will begin the removal of existing vegetation, earthwork, and erosion control. Native seed will be broadcast in the spring and fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010. Wetland planting work will be done in the spring of 2010 and 2011. Weed control work, including mowing, herbicide applications, and prescribed burning, will be conducted from 2009 to 2014. Tree planting work will be done in 2012 and 2013.
This $2,301,414 project is made possible by cooperative agreements between the Forest Preserve District of Will County, Openlands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. The work is being performed by V3 Construction Group, Ltd. of Woodridge, Illinois.
Photograph Courtesy of Juanita Armstrong
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District Home Page |
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| Diane H. Seiler |
| 602 Rodney Court, Lockport, IL 60441 |
| Cell: 815.735.8394 |
| Email: DHSwillcounty@yahoo.com |
| Committees:Finance Committee |
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| Jim Bilotta |
| 16640 W. Hillside Court, Lockport, IL 60441 |
| Cell: 815.955.4310 |
| Business: 815.588.1633 |
| Email: jim@jimbilotta.com |
| Committees:Executive Committee, Operations Committee |
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| Kathleen Konicki |
| 13325 167th Street, Lockport, IL 60441 |
| Home: 708.301.7873 |
| Email: konicki@willcountyillinois.com |
| Committees:Finance Committee |
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