Places > Wilson Ranch Preserve and Restoration

Wilson Ranch Preserve and Restoration

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Project Type
Non-Bank Project
Location
Florida | Polk County
Project Size
Wetland: 400 AC
Solution
Biodiversity, Climate Adaptation & Flood Resilience, Stormwater Management & Water Quality
Ecological Setting
Floodplains, Grasslands, Prairies, & Upland Forests, Streams

CONTACT

Ansley Tilley, PE

M: 305.342.3330

The Wilson Ranch Preserve and Restoration project, a P3 grant-funded project, is situated on 400 acres of historic ranchlands in Polk County. These lands have been modified for over a century for cattle operations and production.

Situated in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States since 2010, the Wilson Ranch Reserve holds immense significance. The project area’s restoration is poised to make a notable impact on flood resilience and ecological preservation and contribute to the sustainable growth of Polk County.

RES will lead the planning, engineering, design, and permitting of the project, following industry and regulatory standards. Construction of the project will be conducted in coordination with skilled team members. New native plantings and long-term monitoring and maintenance will be performed by our restoration technicians, including significantly improving native species coverage and removing widespread invasive species. Continuous monitoring, lasting ten years, will track flood storage, water quality, and success criteria for wetlands and streams. Maintenance and operation will extend for 15 years, securing the project’s long-term success.

RES is designing the project to achieve the following key objectives under the Wilson Ranch Preserve and Restoration project:

  • Enhanced Flood Resilience: Restore nearly two miles of a heavily manipulated stream and engineer its reconnection to a rehabilitated floodplain. This restoration will optimize the capture of excess flows in the area where the Peace Creek and Saddle Creek converge to form the headwaters of the Peace River.
  • Preservation of the Peace River: Safeguard the delicate salinity balance of the Peace River, a vital resource that supports Charlotte Harbor—an estuary and gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. Charlotte Harbor is home to several endangered species and sustains commercial and recreational harvesting of shrimp, crabs, and fish. Additionally, it has long served as a critical water supply for the people within its watershed.
  • Water Quality Enhancement: Implement a RES-designed wetland treatment system to reduce nutrient contribution from flows entering the Peace River after flows have attenuated across the project area.
  • Habitat Restoration: Contribute to habitat restoration efforts for various wildlife species adversely affected by the significant regional growth observed in Polk County since 2010.