Private Conservation Development

One of the first residential conservation developments in Minnesota, this project set a new standard for integrating ecological restoration practices within residential developments. RES designed the development to maximize housing potential while still preserving relics of intact ecosystems on site. The remainder of the rural landscape was restored to native ecosystems including dry prairie, mesic prairie, wet prairie, emergent marsh, savanna, oak woodland, and maple basswood forest. We implemented phased installation and management through the early 2000s.

The development features residential family homes tucked among over 200 acres of native ecosystems and open spaces with a well-used trail system. We designed the project to use minimal road widths, planted cul-de-sacs, reduced land alteration, reduced infrastructure, alternative stormwater management, forest conservation (preserving and expanding the onsite maple-basswood forest remnant). During the project, we used conservation easements and devoted more than half of the site to restored and protected open space. Our team has been managing the site for almost two decades.