Project Design and Consultation

• Landscape Design
  We design plans for prairie, woodland, and wetland landscapes. Our projects range from small backyard habitats to large multi-zoned corporate landscapes. We recommend native plant species based on naturally occurring native plant communities. We create seed mixes tailored to meet soil and hydrology requirements, project objectives and budget.

• Site Assessments
  Native Connections evaluates soil and hydrological conditions, assesses properties for wildlife habitat, and provides recommendations on management and restoration.

• Botanical Inventories
  Data derived from surveys are essential in determining management options. Our botanists offer comprehensive botanical inventories in which all species on the property are documented and natural communities are delineated. We also conduct Threatened and Endangered species assessments.

• Wildlife Surveys
  Our biologists survey sites for breeding and/or migrating bird species, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and dragonflies. We offer recommendations that will enhance habitat on your site.

• Land Management Planning
  We create management plans complete with maps and species lists. We will assess your property, identify areas of exceptional value as well as areas of concern and will recommend procedures to enhance or restore the property.

• Ecological Monitoring
  Monitoring of wildlife and plant populations aids in evaluating the effectiveness of management and/or restoration efforts. We monitor restored or remnant habitats using various techniques including transects, quadrats, avian point counts, etc.

Project Implementation

Native Seed and Plant Installation
Native Connections offers professional installation of native seed, plugs, trees and shrubs. We use specialized equipment designed to accurately meter out and place native seed at the required depth. Site preparation and post-installation management are essential to the success of an installation. Native Connections will eradicate existing vegetation prior to installation and will mow and/or burn the area after installation, if desired.

Types of Installation include:

• Ecological Restoration
  We strive to enhance our crate native plant communities with a full diversity of species utilizing local genotype for our restoration projects. Although our ecological restoration designs may be attractive, they are not necessarily driven by aesthetics, but by emulation of natural ecological conditions. Native Connections also provides land management practices such as prescribed burning and invasive species control.

• Native Landscaping
  Native Connections designs and implements native landscaping plans for prairie, woodland and wetland landscapes. We work with large corporations, municipalities, residential and commercial land developers, golf courses and homeowners.

• Wetland Mitigation
  We work with engineers to restore or create wetlands in order to fulfill state wetland protection regulations. We implement specirfications rquiring seed, plug and tree installation and can install erosion blankets and silt fences if needed.

• Stormwater Management
  We offer design and installation services that will manage the stormwater on your site. Rain gardens or detention basins consisting of deep-rooted native plants will allow the water to infiltrate on site before it reaches storm drains, rivers or lakes.

• Wildlife Habitat
  You will attract birds, butterflies, amphibians and small mammals if you landscape with native plants. They seek out native habitats for food and shelter.

• Streambank and Shoreline Stabilization
  We plant native seed, plugs, shrubs and trees that will naturally filter pollution, prevent erosion and will help restore the natural beauty of streams and shores.