V3 is proud to announce that we have entered into an agreement with the Forest Preserve District of Will County to develop a wetland and stream mitigation bank at the Thorn Creek Headwaters Preserve. This project reflects our passion for ecological restoration and the long-term creation of native landscapes and habitat; together, we will create a flourishing and peaceful setting for all to enjoy.
Project overview
Located southwest of the Dralle Road and Old Monee Road intersection in University Park, Thorn Creek Headwaters Preserve is a 426-acre property that is currently used primarily for farming. In order to produce crops, farmland requires extensive use of fertilizer, pesticides, and water; returning this land to its most natural state not only eliminates those strains but also provides vast environmental benefits, including better water quality, enhanced flood protection, and increased biodiversity.
Creating access to green spaces is an important element of social health and wellbeing, improving quality of life for the people and native species who live there. Wetlands are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, offering dynamic environments for fish, birds, reptiles, insects, and plant life to flourish. Each wetland creates a unique habitat specific to the local area, using native organic materials to support growth and development between indigenous species.
In addition, having explorable natural areas throughout communities boosts recreation and makes Will County a welcoming place to live.
Project timeline
The wetland mitigation process takes years to achieve successful transformation of the property through several labor-intensive phases. These include the initial aggressive treatment and removal of invasive species, extensive grading and hydrology, seeding and planting of native vegetation, and finally ongoing monitoring and maintenance to achieve the performance standard as required by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Project goals include:
- 141.16 acres of newly created wetland
- 34.56 acres of enhanced existing wetland
- 1,770 linear feet of Thorn Creek Headwaters Stream Restoration
- 115.99 acres of established native upland prairie and woodland habitat
- A publicly accessible trail circling the mitigation perimeter with educational signage and viewing areas to enjoy the ecology and wildlife
Construction is set to begin during the second half of 2025. With the initial phase of work involving the treatment and removal of invasive vegetation, the property may look barren before the native wetland and upland plants seeds are installed throughout 2026. Finally, there will be active weed control, monitoring of the successful creation of various areas, and ongoing ecological management to ensure performance standards are met and a thriving ecosystem comes to fruition.
Mitigation banking 101
This project will operate as a wetland mitigation bank. When various construction projects such as roadway widening, utility corridors, or private developments cause unavoidable impact to regulatory wetlands, the party impacting the wetlands can compensate for those effects by buying mitigation bank credits in a bank approved and regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The payments for credits financially support the ecological restoration of land that may have been converted to agricultural uses or had simply degraded through the years.
Credits are sold throughout the various phases of the project in accordance with the mitigation bank plan as approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after review from the Illinois EPA, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and public comment period. This typically takes several years, as the site must exhibit proper plant cover, wildlife, and hydrology, all of which take time to establish and flourish.
Partnering with wetland & ecology experts
As an industry leader in ecological restoration and wetland mitigation banking, V3 combines the specialized expertise of restoration ecologists, civil and water resource engineers, construction professionals, and financial analysts. Our Design/Build/Manage approach uses the same team to follow an entire project from design conception through completion, enabling our experts to make the most informed adaptive decisions for an ever-changing natural environment.
This methodology helped us win a 2025 ACEC Engineering Excellence Award for our work on Gray Willows Wetland Mitigation Bank in Campton Township, IL. We turned a 208-acre estate consisting of cornfield, turf, woodland, and creek into native wetland, creating an ecologically diverse natural area for passive recreation and education. Despite having to essentially start from scratch due to its environmental challenges, Gray Willows met performance standards two years early: a testament to our exemplary dedication and expertise.
Work with V3’s Wetland Mitigation experts
We are proud to be partnering with the Forest Preserve District of Will County to return Thorn Creek Headwaters Preserve back to its most natural state possible. Stay tuned for project updates or connect with our team to learn more.