We Restore Nature
We can transform your property to show the benefits of natural landscapes. Providing long-term cost savings for property maintenance and landscaping needs.
Ecological Restoration
We're Experts in Restoring Habitats
Founded in 1988, Pizzo & Associates is one of the Midwest’s largest ecological restoration firms with over 170 industry awards. We have the experience and know-how to restore natural environments.
Natural Landscapes
Beautiful Habitats the Way Nature Intended
Creating spaces filled with flowers, songbirds, and pollinators while helping to reduce tick and mosquito populations because natural predators are supported by native ecosystems. Naturally beautiful landscapes have a direct impact on overall land values.
We provide long-term cost savings by reducing the need for mowing, irrigation, and fertilizers while increasing the value to pollinators and other wildlife. From permitting and design, through installation and maintenance – we have a solution to help with all ecological restoration projects.
Additional Benefits Using Native Plants
Reduce traditional maintenance labor and costs with lower maintenance programs for the native area.
One of the major advantages of donating a conservation easement is that it helps pass land on to the next generation, by reducing estate taxes.
Native plants help to collect pollutants and filtrates them out reducing algal blooms which also emit unpleasant odors.
Native plants slow the velocity of water to allow increased absorption and filtration around a storm basin helping to maintain & ensure proper function.
Native buffer is a long term solution with deeply rooted native plants up to 15′ into the soil stabilizing it and preventing erosion.
Stewardship
How We Are Different From Traditional Landscapers
On the other hand, stewardship emphasizes the responsible management and care of natural landscapes with a focus on ecological health and sustainability. Stewardship aims to create landscapes that not only look beautiful but also support biodiversity, provide ecosystem services, and promote environmental resilience.
Environmental Restoration
Healthy Habitats Benefit Both Nature and People
Erosion Control
Stormwater Systems & Basin Management
Stormwater basins are important because they help prevent flooding, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and protect the environment by controlling and treating stormwater runoff.
Using native plants helps to hold the soil in place due to their deep roots (24”-15’). Native plants are dynamic and can adapt to the changing seasons, making it a favorable long-term solution. In addition, native plantings are much more cost effective compared to other methods of maintaining proper function.
Prescribed Fire
Controlled Burns Are Preferred Over Mowing
A burn removes dead plant material and darkens the soil by creating ashes and charred material, allowing the soil to warm earlier in the spring. This extra warmth extends the growing season by days or even weeks. Many species of plants produce more flowers in the year immediately following a burn.
Every burn crew leader is an Illinois Certified Prescribed Burn Manager and all our crew members have had National Wildfire Coordinating Group firefighting courses.
Fall & Winter Preparation
Invasive Brush Control & Removal
A critical need in helping with ecological restoration. The key to successful brush control lies in how it’s cut, how it’s disposed of, and how re-sprouting is managed. All these factors have a lasting impact on the overall success of the project.
Winter is an optimal time to tackle these woody menaces. Without the clutter of a full bloom, we can get in there and effectively clear and control these invasive species. By focusing on woody clearing during the colder winter months, we can make the most of the growing season to control herbaceous species and woody re-sprouts, giving them the best chance to thrive.
Are we a match?
We work with a large variety of public and private landowners on projects of all sizes. Projects start at $7,500 and ongoing management is needed for optimal results. Native plants take up to 3 years to begin to thrive after seeding and typically 5 years for large, full prairies. Using plugs instead of seeding will greatly expedite the process and can sometimes reduce the time in half.
Municipal
- Local Government
- Forest Preserves
- Park Districts
Property Managers
- HOA’s
- Condominiums
- Venues
Outdoor Spaces
- Hospitals
- Corporate Campuses
- Universities
Estates
- Private Estates
- Landowners
- Land Trusts
We have 4 locations with over 15 field crews allowing us to service the entire Midwest with a majority of our projects being located in:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- and more…
Do you have a project that needs our expertise?
Complete the form below or call us at (815) 495-2300.