In collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), RES led a transformative wetland mitigation project at Hobart Marsh, a parcel of public land managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This project was not only about restoring wetlands but about reimagining what resilient, accessible, and ecologically diverse landscapes can look like when working with nature.

RES was brought in to address a complex suite of restoration needs across the degraded landscape, which had suffered from invasive species encroachment, historical agricultural use, and hydrological disruptions. As work progressed, our team uncovered unforeseen site challenges, including newly formed erosion gullies and complex drain tile systems that impacted natural water flow.

Our Approach

RES deployed a full suite of ecological services to restore wetland and upland habitats across the site. Key restoration actions included:

• Removal of woody vegetation and invasive species management
• Native seeding and planting of trees, shrubs, and plugs
• Drain tile disablement and innovative water control structures
• Gully stabilization and restoration
• Fence installation and construction of vehicle crossings

RES collaborated with USACE and Huddleston-McBride to develop site-specific drainage solutions. We integrated custom valve systems that preserved necessary hydrological connectivity while giving land managers control over water levels.

One notable design adaptation involved reclassifying 30 acres initially slated for Mesic/Wet-Mesic Savanna. Given the site’s hydrology and soil conditions post-restoration, RES recommended and implemented a wet-prairie seed mix, ensuring plant communities would thrive long-term.

Today, Hobart Marsh stands as a beacon of ecological recovery and public engagement. The site is part of the City of Hobart’s Nature District, supporting:

• Public access to natural spaces
• Outdoor education opportunities
• Wildlife habitat enhancement
• Ecological connectivity across the region

A rich mosaic of habitats now span the project area. This includes emergent wetland, oak woods and ravines, mesic prairie, mesic/wet-mesic savanna, and sedge meadows, many of which were once overtaken by invasive species or degraded by agriculture.

Restored using a mix of manual clearing, prescribed fire, targeted herbicide, and native plantings, these habitats are now thriving. Among the ecological highlights, the flourishing population of the rare Green Dragon (Arisaema dracontium) plant is a testament to the site’s ecological revival.

The Hobart Marsh Wetland Mitigation Project reflects RES’s commitment to nature-based solutions that deliver lasting value to ecosystems and communities alike. Through strategic partnerships and a deep understanding of ecological function, we’ve helped return this landscape to a resilient, dynamic, and accessible natural resource.