134th Street and Highland-Junction Mitigation

This ecological restoration initiative transforms a degraded 20-acre parcel within the Calumet Prairie Nature Preserve into a thriving, biodiverse habitat. Designed in collaboration with NIPSCO, the project focuses on both ecological uplift and species protection, with a particular emphasis on habitat enhancement for the State-endangered spotted turtle.

The project includes the installation of 11.5 acres of native wetland seed and the planting of approximately 4,620 native wetland plugs, tailored to support local pollinator species and wetland ecosystems. A comprehensive long-term management strategy is in place, including:

Invasive species control

Prescribed fire treatments

Marsh master operations

Selective woody vegetation removal

The project incorporates active monitoring and protection measures for the spotted turtle, ensuring suitable conditions for this sensitive species throughout the restoration process. By leveraging a suite of nature-based solutions, this project demonstrates a robust model for ecological restoration and species conservation in high-value wetland environments.