Effective Natural Area Restoration Services Available in Northbrook, Illinois
McGinty Bros., Inc. is your top source for natural area restoration in Northbrook, Illinois and the greater Chicago area. We have many years of experience, a large staff devoted to our natural area projects, and we manage around 100 natural areas in any given year. Several of our staff members have advanced degrees in natural resource fields. No matter if your natural area is large or small, we have the right equipment and capable staff to restore and manage it.
Our native habitat restoration and management services are available to:
- private landowners in Northbrook and surrounding areas
- corporate properties throughout our service area
- county forest preserves
- conservation districts
- park districts
- governmental agencies
- landscape designers and consultants who like to use our services as a supplement to their own services
If you have areas of land that you would like to preserve or restore to its original condition, give us a call. We turn back the time on your natural areas, returning them to the condition they may have been in before they were settled in the nineteenth century. For much of this area, the land used to be prairie. Prairie restoration is a large part of what we do. Instead of performing time machine magic, we use up-to-date technology to achieve restoration. Our process includes:
- herbicide applications before the installation
- soil preparation
- various methods of seeding, including hydroseeding, drill seeding, and broadcast seeding
- herbaceous plug planting
- shrub and tree planting
- selective herbicide applications to control non-native species
- prescribed burning
The Proper Management of Your Natural Areas Restores Your Land's Ecological Value
Our team's knowledge of native plants and ecosystems is put to good use when we restore prairies, wetlands, and uplands. As we envision what your property looked like before it was settled, we take into consideration the amount of degradation that occurred since then. Marshes that have been drained may still contain native wetland flora. Abused uplands may still have some of the good soil that made it a productive forest. A former prairie might retain some of its natural goodness, which means we don't have to start over from scratch.
The McGinty natural restoration team understands how to control, treat, and remove invasive plants that don't belong on your property. We have licensed herbicide applicators on staff, and we own the right equipment to get the job done, even if your natural area is very large. Let us professionally restore your land's ecological value by restoring and maintaining its former natural glory.
Residential and Commercial Properties in Northbrook, Illinois Can Benefit from Our Native Landscaping Services
While we do have experience with wide, open areas of prairie, we don't necessarily need much land to make a positive difference in your local area. Instead of dedicating your entire property to natural area restoration (which would involve the destruction of your buildings), consider a smaller section of your property.
Attract Native Wildlife to Your Property with a Beautiful Native Garden
A native rain garden is planted only with vegetation that grows naturally in your Northbrook area. This draws in native wildlife, such as Monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and other animals, birds, and insects that use native plants for their food or homes. Other benefits of a rain garden include reduced amounts of standing rainwater, less mosquitoes, natural filtering for runoff pollution, and it doesn't have to be watered. This economical natural area is good for your property and for your community's overall ecology.
Allow Your Stormwater Runoff to Drain into an All-Natural Bio-Swale
A bio-swale is a gutter made of native plants. It's generally longer and deeper than a rain garden, and it is especially useful for areas that get a lot of stormwater runoff, such as parking lots and roadways. Our team can design and install a bio-swale that will survive times of drought and times of heavy rain.
Gain the Natural Benefits of a Prescribed Burn
You've seen people in orange vests tending to a burning field or ditch, but do you know why they are doing that? It's called prescribed burning, and it is useful for controlling weedy species, managing built-up vegetation, and promoting the growth of native plants. Our burn crew consists of a burn boss and other professionals who are current Illinois Department of Natural Resource licensed with S-130/S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Training. We know the correct timing for an effective burn. If you have any questions about prescribed burning, please contact us.
Soil Erosion and Sediment Control is a Vital Aspect of Our Natural Area Restoration Services
Soil and sediment are at the bottom of everything we do. Don't let it get away from your natural areas. Our many years of experience in shoreline and stream bank stabilization make us experts on the problem of erosion. Our repertoire of projects includes intensive shore armament projects with a-jacks and rip rap installations. We have also used riffle construction. Less invasive erosion solutions are possible, including:
- brush mats
- coir fiber rolls
- deep-rooted native vegetation
- live stakes
- vegetated geo-grids
Not sure which solution is right for your natural areas? No problem. McGinty Bros. will come over and take a look at the situation for you. We can advise you on the best procedure to keep your soil and sediment in place.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Unique Natural Area
Every natural area restoration project is different. We have a passion for restoring native habitats, and we'd love to have a hand in your project. Contact us, and we'll schedule a free site evaluation. We have more experience in natural area restoration than most other landscaping companies. We would be proud to serve you and the Northbrook area.
