Olson Ecological Solutions LLC

02/29/2024

We’re happy to be partnering with Region 1 Planning Council and several other partners on their Watershed Education and Outreach project, funded in part by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 319 Grant Program. In addition to conducting outreach and disseminating information about non-point source pollution issues in the region and best management practices (BMPs) for addressing such issues, the project will involved two example BMPs located within the Buckbee Creek Watershed and the South Fork Kent Creek Watershed.

We have completed the planting and management plans for one of these BMPs designed for Park-er Woods and are eager for the project to break ground! We will also be assisting with the plant installation for both projects. If you are interested in joining in as a volunteer for one or both of the planting days for these projects, or simply want to know more about the project and non-point source pollution issues, visit the link below!

Best management practices for water quality improvement

02/28/2024

2023 was a great year for us at OES! We worked on a total of 37 different projects last year, 17 of which are still ongoing. Check out some highlights from our year below.

Of those 37 projects, 20 included aquatic resource delineations with our partners at Tallgrass Restoration and A3 Environmental where we assessed over 500 acres of land to delineate approximately 33 acres of aquatic resources including wetlands, waterways, and other water bodies. As part of our data collection for wetland delineations, we took 127 data points and conducted 94 floristic quality assessments.

We helped 7 clients apply for local, state, and federal permits to ensure their projects complied with all applicable law and regulations related to aquatic resource impacts.

We helped the Rockford Park District and Region 1 Planning Council apply for and secure Illinois EPA Section 319 grants that will develop green stormwater infrastructure to showcase in 2024.

We wrote and continued providing maintenance guidance for native planting and stewardship plans at 8 sites to implement over 49 acres of native plantings that naturally filter stormwater, stabilize streambanks, and provide habitat for pollinators.

We worked with landowners to develop 4 conservation easements to protect over 313 acres of natural and agricultural land with the Natural Land Institute (NLI). We also helped NLI apply for and secure Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation grants to acquire and protect over 56 acres of land. We also completed a strategic conservation plan for NLI, with support from NLI staff and a steering committee, which will ensure they are mission effective and support their efficiency in protecting precious natural resources in northwestern Illinois.

We worked with engineers to stabilize streambanks and ravines and to create wetlands, naturalized sediment basins, and vegetated filter strips for four clients that were constructed this year, and we designed two other similar projects that will come to fruition in future years. The projects constructed this year are estimated to keep 220 tons of sediment, 420 pounds of nitrogen, and 200 pounds of phosphorus out of our streams and lakes.

We continued our water quality monitoring of Levings Lake for the Rockford Park District (RPD) to analyze how our other completed and ongoing green stormwater infrastructure projects with the RPD have improved water quality and mitigated algae blooms in the lake.

Our restoration technicians completed native habitat restoration activities on 45 different Cook County sites and participated in 26 prescribed burns on those sites along with our friends at Tallgrass Restoration.

We hired 7 new seasonal restoration technicians including 3 who stayed on full time.
Lastly, we’d like to say thank you to our partners as well as all of our employees and clients for making this happen.

Cheers to 2023, let's hope for a productive and restorative 2024!

10/15/2022

Levings Lake’s stormwater-filtering wetland is ready to plant! Want to help?

Volunteers are planting 7,500 native seedlings. Just show up dressed to get your hands in the dirt. Bring your friends! Bring your gloves, trowels, or whatever gardening tools you like, or just bring yourself.

Dates and Times:
- Tuesday Oct. 18 9-12
- Tuesday Oct. 18 1-4
- Wednesday, Oct. 19 9-12
(if there’s still work to do)

Place:
Levings Park, Rockford, IL
1420 S. Pierpont Ave.
Rockford, IL

See you at Levings!

10/07/2022

OES recently helped the Natural Land Institute protect 85 beautiful acres adjacent to their Conklin Preserve along the Pecatonica River in northwest Illinois. The floodplain forest and wetland habitat is now over 380 acres! A conservation easement on private land was used to proect the land with funds from the Illinois Clean Energy Communty Foundation and the Carleton family.

09/23/2022

Levings Lake constructed wetland is underway!

04/02/2022

POSITION SUMMARY: Our ecological restoration team cares for natural areas mostly in the northern
Cook County (Chicago region), positively impacting habitat and open space. The Seasonal Restoration
Technician (Technician) is part of this team and provides ecological restoration services focused on the
control of invasive species, mostly by selective herbicide application to targeted species growing among
native plants. The team consists of staff members of Olson Ecological Solutions (OES) and a prime
contractor. This is a seasonal position, typically April through October. Students with a summer schedule
within this range are encouraged to apply.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS: The Technician reports to the Restoration Crew Leader of OES and
takes direction from the Foreman of the prime contractor other than OES.

QUALIFICATIONS- Plant identification
- Small tool and equipment operation- Be enthusiastic, courteous, cooperative, positive, and a team player
- Must be 18 years or older

CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
- Be able to obtain and maintain a Pesticide Operator’s/Applicator’s license in multiple states (most
likely Illinois, Indiana, and/or Wisconsin)
- Hold and maintain a state issued driver’s license free from suspension or revocation

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Work requires exposure to disagreeable conditions; be willing and able to work outdoors on
uneven terrain and in adverse weather and wetness conditions
- Work 30-35 hours per week, 4-6 days per week depending on weather and work load
- Required to meet at work sites with personal vehicle
- Use of personal protective equipment is required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The Technician must be able to perform the essential duties of this job as
described below at the direction of the Crew Leader or Foreman. This list is not exhaustive.
- Control invasive species, including:
- Herbicide application (backpack sprayer)
- Grass/field mowing
- Brush cutting, piling, and removing
- Assist prescribed, controlled burning
- Implement erosion control measures- Install native plant materials (plugs, seed, bare root)
- Use small hand tools, gas-powered tools, and machinery (e.g. chipper, ATV, chainsaw, w**d
whacker, walk-behind mower)
Olson Ecological Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
An application form can be found at www.olsonecosolutions.com.
Please submit your questions, application form, and resume to [email protected].

04/02/2022

We are hiring for our 2021 seasonal ecological restoration crew!

Please join our team to receive plenty of fresh air and exercise while making a meaningful impact on our environment.

See olsonecosolutions.com for more information.

04/02/2022

We are hiring our 2021 seasonal ecological restoration crew! If you want to spend your summer outdoors in nature, join our efforts to protect our prairies and woodlands from invasive species. Please see www.olsonecosolutions.com for more information.

03/15/2022

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/ancient-prairie-home-to-endangered-bees-and-rare-plants-may-soon-be-razed-by-airport/ar-AAV3cx5?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&fbclid=IwAR2IFEDr_JPnlYmU_HsZan07LduuiFX6ETfaD5iw7X633ZAqo8gDN89MIKo

A growing group of people are fighting to save a rare Illinois prairie from imminent destruction.

10/25/2021

Sponsorship of GreenTown is an affordable way for you to share your expertise and profile your products and services while generating new contacts and reinforcing existing relationships. No other event provides you with the opportunity to spend invaluable one-on-one time with key customers and prosp...

09/15/2021

The bees have been loving our native plantings all year. Asters are some of the only native plants blooming late season, and we are witnessing their importance. They are alive with bees!