Project partners have included the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, forest preserve and park districts, conservation groups, and homeowner associations. Funds for the program come from land developers and other private interests who make contributions to the Account to replace wetlands lost to land development. Replacing, or mitigating wetlands is usually a requirement of federal permits required by the Clean Water Act to conduct work in wetlands. Small mitigation projects done at development sites have not been very successful. Through these programs, we can greatly increase the success rate of wetland mitigation projects and support the work of our local conservation partners, while providing a way for land developers to fulfill their permit obligations.
Wetlands are some of the most productive ecological systems in Illinois.
Distinguished by unique characteristics of soils, plants, and hydrology, wetlands types include bogs, fens, marshes, wet meadows, wooded wetlands, and swamps. They provide habitat and food for fish and wildlife. Wetlands, especially the drier types, also hold large amounts of storm water and help control floods. Flooding is less severe in watersheds where the wetlands have been preserved. Wetlands also help maintain water quality in our lakes and streams by trapping and removing pollutants, preventing them from reaching downstream water bodies.