Ecological Restoration

RESTORE YOUR ECOSYSTEM

Ecosystem restoration is the process of reestablishing degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems back to health.

Semper Fi and Ecological Restoration

At Semper Fi, ecological restoration is of utmost importance and requires a patient, adaptive approach. It connects society with nature by engaging in the recovery of degraded, damaged, or destroyed ecosystems. These ecosystems include wetland, prairie, woodland, savanna, and riparian areas.

Semper Fi restores land back to its natural habitat through a variety of practices including, prescribed burn management, removing invasive species, reintroducing native species diversity, selective tree and shrub removal, pesticide application, prairie restoration and ongoing stewardship and management. In addition to restoration, we specialize in the reduction of soil erosion through streambank and shoreline stabilization. Our experienced staff works in collaboration with our clients to plan and adapt our approach for the unique needs of each project.

Clients will have peace of mind knowing that they are meeting equal opportunity goals with a reliable veteran and minority-owned small business that is qualified to get the job done efficiently and without hassle.

Ecological Restoration Services

Invasive species control
Selective woodland clearing
Soil and erosion control
Native seed installation
Native plant installation
Native tree and shrub installation
Prescribed burn management
Stewardship and management
Stream and shoreline restoration
Green infrastructure installation

Current Clients

Forest Perserce District of DuPage County

Division of Transportation - Lake County Illinois

Ecological Restoration Projects

Will County Forest Preserve Habitat Mitigation Forked Creek Habitat Mitigation
1. This project involved the preservation of 40 acres by planting approximately 2,000 native trees and shrubs, enrichment seeding, access route improvement and invasive species control through a variety of methods within the Forked Creek Forest Preserve.
Cook County Forest Preserve Clearing Project Green Lake Savanna Tree Thinning
1. In the winter of 2017, Semper Fi was contracted by the Forest Preserve of Cook County to selective thin tree species on 32 acres of this rare dune and swale ecosystem. Due to the sensitive nature of this site, trees were removed through a combination of hand cutting and specialized low impact forestry equipment. The project was completed in the winter of 2018.
Forest Preserve District of Kendall County Project Henneberry Woods Tree Mitigation and Prairie-Shrubland Restoration
1. Semper Fi was contracted by the Forest Preserve District of Kendall County to restore a 45-acre parcel of agricultural land back to native prairie-shrubland. The project included installation of 1,000 native trees and shrubs, installation of 7,500 native plant plugs, and 45 acres of native seed installation. This project was completed in the summer of 2018.
Waukegan Shoreline Restoration
1. In 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched in an effort to accelerate the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes which contain the largest system of fresh surface water in the world. One of the first Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Shoreline Cities Green Infrastructure projects to be funded was the Waukegan River Bank Stabilization. Semper Fi Land Service completed this project in the summer of 2015, providing a great example of what the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative program strives to fund.
Lake County DOT Wetland Mitigation Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve Wetland Mitigation Bank
1. Semper Fi Land Services was contracted by the Lake County Division of Transportation to restore and expand 70 acres of wetlands at Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve located in Long Grove, IL. The project included drain tile disablement, invasive species removal, tree and brush clearing, native seed installation, native plant plug installation, prescribed burn management, aggregate trail construction, and vegetative management. Construction of this project was completed in the summer of 2018. Vegetative stewardship and management are ongoing.
City of Algonquin Stream Restoration Crystal Creek Restoration
1. Semper Fi Land Services was contracted by the Village of Algonquin to stabilize severely eroded shorelines in various locations along Crystal Creek located near Towne Park in Algonquin, Illinois. A total of 500 linear feet of stream was restored through a combination of stabilization techniques including stone toe, j-hooks, slope regrading and native plant installation. Construction of this project was completed in the fall of 2018. Vegetative stewardship and management are ongoing.

Across a broad spectrum of terrain including wetlands, grasslands, and forests, Semper Fi is in the front line against Reed Canary Grass, Purple Loose Strife, Crown Vetch, and Leafy Spurge to name a few. Some of our client sites include:

Mediwin Grass Land Prairie
Orland Park Grasslands
Powderhorn Lake Forest Preserve
Aurora Landscape Maintenance Stormwater Best Mgt Practice Areas

Project Highlight

2015 Waukegan River Bank Stabilization/Green Infrastructure Project

In 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched in an effort to accelerate the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes which contain the largest system of fresh surface water in the world.
One of the first Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Shoreline Cities Green Infrastructure projects to be funded was the Waukegan River Bank Stabilization. Semper Fi Land Service completed this project in the summer of 2015, providing a great example of what the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative program strives to fund.