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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Educare is a not-for-profit school that is dedicated to early childhood learning for low income families in West Chicago, Illinois. The LEED-certified facility was built in 2012 and has a comprehensive stormwater management program. Native Landscape Contractors, LLC was awarded the vegetation installation and management contract of a newly constructed one acre wetland and bioswale feature in 2013.

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PROJECT GOALS:

Focused on public awareness and community education, the goals for this project were to create a functional stormwater management system, provide an aesthetically pleasing greenspace for the community, and enhance wildlife habitat. As a stormwater best management practice (BMP), the constructed bioswale and wetland systems help to filter pollutants and aid in ground water recharge.

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PROJECT SCOPE:

The project consisted of installing upland prairie and wetland native seed mixes. A total of 2,000 native plugs were installed between the stormwater basin and the bioswale. Maintenance began immediately following installation, including mowing and spot herbicide applications. The basin vegetation has been accepted by DuPage County and received permit signoff on schedule in 2015.