Below is the comprehensive directory of this site's documents pertaining
to sustainable growth. The directory consists of the following
five major categories, each of which you may click for more information.
(Note: From any page on the site, you may also select the same
categories from the navigation bar above.) NIPC and Chicago
Wilderness are grateful to their partners who
contributed to the creation of this web repository.
Recent Additions: You can now search
this website. The most recently added documents are
Chicago
Wilderness and NIPC Watershed Inventory and
Living with Wetlands (both in the Water Resource
Protection section). Other additions include Influencing Public Infrastructure Design and Implementation
(in the Biodiversity section), Changing Cost Perceptions: An Analysis of
Conservation Development (in the
Conservation Design section) and Beyond Brownfields Sustainable Redevelopment
(in the Sustainable Development section).
Biodiversity and Natural Habitats
Biodiversity Value of Residential Areas
Protecting Nature in Your Community: A
Guidebook for Preserving and Enhancing Biodiversity
Green Infrastructure Vision Plan
Atlas of Biodiversity
DuPage County Natural Areas Study
Fox River Watershed Biodiversity Inventory
Influencing Public Infrastructure Design and Implementation
Conservation Design
Conservation Design Resource Manual:
Language and Guidelines for Updating Local Ordinances
Changing Cost Perceptions: An Analysis of
Conservation Development
Conservation Development in Practice
Blackberry Creek Alternative Futures
Project
Blackberry Creek Watershed Alternative
Futures Fiscal Impact Study
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Principles for
Protecting Nature in the Chicago Wilderness Region
Sensible Tools for Healthy Communities
Building Sustainable Communities Series and
the Sustainable Development Guidebook
Beyond Brownfields
Sustainable Redevelopment
Natural Landscaping
Source Book on Natural Landscaping for Local Officials
Natural Landscaping for Public Officials:
Design and Management Guidelines
Landscaping Naturally (Video)
Water Resource Protection
Restoring and Managing Stream Greenways: A
Landowner's Handbook
From Stockyards to Spawning Beds: A Handbook of Bank Restoration Designs for
the Chicago River and Other Urban Streams
Stream Biodiversity Protection and
Protection Priorities
A Guide to Stormwater Best Management
Practices
Living with Wetlands
Chicago Wilderness and NIPC Watershed
Inventory
Biodiversity and Natural Habitats
Biodiversity Value of
Residential Areas. This study examined the biodiversity value of 27
urban land parcels and concludes that developed areas play an important
role in preserving biodiversity. Native birds and mammals tend to do well
in urban residential areas, while amphibians and reptiles do well where
ponds, detention basins, and stream corridors exist. The diversity of
animal species present appear to depend largely on the presence of
wetlands, open water (streams, ponds, and detention basins), and a wide
diversity of native vegetation (especially older and larger native trees
and shrubs as well as prairie plants and other smaller vegetation),
indicating that the provision of such features by developers will benefit
biodiversity. Proximity to Illinois Nature Preserves and other natural
areas increase the likelihood that animals will use residential and other
developed properties, indicating that they are part of the continuum of
habitat necessary for animal survival. Local ordinances, such as one
allowing natural landscaping, are important to making these features part
of the developed landscape. Planners and developers working together to
protect and provide habitat features improves the chances that developed
areas will support biodiversity. Recently developed conservation
subdivisions, such as Prairie Crossing, Mill Creek, Hybernia, and the
Sanctuary, incorporated open water into the development designs, which
increased the overall level of biodiversity for these areas. In fact,
improved biodiversity was used as part of the promotional materials for
these developments. (Click here for
more information or here to
return to main document menu.)
Protecting Nature in Your
Community: A Guidebook for Preserving and Enhancing
Biodiversity. This guidebook and slideshow provide guidelines and actions
for local governments to control and manage growth and development in an
environmentally-sensitive manner. The materials present the benefits of
protecting nature (quality of life, aesthetics, recreation, public demand,
economic value, environmental benefits, and spiritual values.) The
materials also present the essential role of local government in the
effort to protect natural resources and the specifics of nine ways local
governments can take action: comprehensive land use planning; compatible
zoning and subdivision regulations; improved stormwater management;
stream, lake and wetland protection; natural landscaping; improved
wastewater management; open space preservation; natural area management
and restoration; and education. The materials present background for these
practices, specific recommended approaches for implementing the practices,
the benefits of doing so, local examples of the practices in use, and
lists of sources to consult for more information. (Click here for
more information or here to
return
to main document menu.)
Green Infrastructure Vision Plan.
The green infrastructure vision project produced a set of maps that define
areas where opportunities for protection, expansion, restoration, and
connection of resource rich natural areas exist at the regional scale.
These opportunities follow the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery
Plan recommendations for preservation and enhancement of the region’s
green infrastructure. Green infrastructure is defined as the
interconnected network of land and water that supports biodiversity and
provides terrestrial and aquatic habitat for diverse communities of native
flora and fauna. The maps reflect both existing green infrastructure
(e.g., forest preserve holdings, Illinois Natural Area Inventory sites,
streams, riparian corridors, wetlands, and woodlands) as well as
recommended resource protection areas identified during a Chicago
Wilderness / Metropolis 2020 workshop of local and regional natural
resource experts and other planning professionals. (Click here for
more information or here to
return to main document menu.)
Atlas of Biodiversity. The Chicago
Wilderness Atlas of Biodiversity introduces audiences to endangered
natural communities of the Chicago Wilderness region. The Atlas describes
these endangered communities, how they sustain themselves through
ecological processes, and how natural forces—and people—have shaped them
over thousands of years. It also describes efforts to use land
preservation and ecological restoration to protect and enhance these
communities and where interested people can see them.
(Click here for more information or here to
return to main document menu.)
DuPage County Natural Areas
Study. This study identifies and prioritizes open space in DuPage
County for acquisition and/or preservation. The results of the study are
useful to the planning commission, county and regional planning agencies,
and forest preserve districts and park districts responsible for open
space acquisition and preservation. The study also briefly describes
twenty-two open space preservation tools to guide municipalities and other
land-use decision makers in private sector and non-traditional approaches
to public land acquisition, including dedication as a state preserve,
donation, acquisition, conservation easements, and mutual covenants. While
the work is specific to DuPage County, the methodology of the study can be
adopted by other counties and municipalities for their own natural areas
planning and protection needs.
(Document pending. Click here to
return
to main document menu.)
Fox River
Watershed Biodiversity Inventory. This project (map and dataset)
provides a summary (location, size, significant natural communities,
species, protection status, and management problems) of all known natural
heritage resources in the Illinois portion of the Fox River watershed.
Inventoried sites include: natural community remnants of moderate quality
or better; streams classified as very high or high quality; sites
providing habitat for an Illinois endangered or threatened species;
outstanding geologic features; ecologically special areas providing
habitat for declining or sensitive animal communities; and ecologically
restorable public open space areas and corridors. The results of this
project may be useful for municipalities and developers in the Fox River
watershed identify areas needing protective measures. (Click here
for more information or here to
return to main
document menu.)
Influencing Public
Infrastructure Design and Implementation. Chicago Wilderness
funded an investigation into how respect for biodiversity could influence
public infrastructure design and implementation. In November 2004, NIPC
held a series of presentations, a roundtable discussion, and a charrette
in a half-day workshop format that focused on transportation
infrastructure specifically. The presentations focused primarily on
examples of projects that could in-spire transportation design through
their innovative approaches to an inclusive planning process and a
creative, “thinking out-side the box” suite of design solutions. The
roundtable discussion explored impacts of public infrastructure on
regional biodiversity, both direct and indirect. A design charrette was
held subsequent to the discussion to suggest solutions to biodiversity
concerns that are increasingly a priority in the region. (Click here
for the main document
and appendices,
or here to
return to main
document menu.)
Conservation Design
Conservation Design
Resource Manual: Language and Guidelines for Updating Local
Ordinances. This manual presents model ordinance language and guidelines
to help communities effectively update local plans and ordinances to be
more amenable to conservation design practices for protecting natural
resources in new and existing developments. Examples include providing
buffers for wetlands and streams, minimizing the amount of impervious
surfaces, and clustering home sites together to preserve more open space.
The lack of such guidance is commonly cited as the principle constraint to
permitting good conservation designs in many communities. The manual
explains and presents the economic benefits of conservation design;
explains how to update comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision
ordinances, and other ordinances; and presents principles and practices
for implementing conservation design. Principles and practices covered
include: lot size and density, arrangement of development lots, building
setbacks, natural area protection, natural landscape preservation, natural
landscaping, natural area management, road design, parking lot design,
vegetated swales, walkways and driveways, and managing stormwater. The
manual also provides some information on incentives and financing
conservation design. (Click here for an
executive summary, here for the
full report, or here to return to main
document menu.)
Changing Cost Perceptions: An
Analysis of Conservation Development. This analysis provides communities,
planners, developers, and builders with comparisons of the economic costs
of designing and building conservation versus conventional developments,
primarily as it relates to stormwater management practices. The objective
is to help these audiences understand that the costs of conservation
development practices, which are perceived to be higher than those of
conventional development practices, are often competitive to conventional
development and in a number of cases result in significant cost savings
for the developer. The study examines real world developments as well as
hypothetical developments. The study assesses costs associated with a
variety of practices including: site preparation (clearing and grading);
lot clustering; stormwater, sewer, and water supply infrastructure
installation and maintenance; landscaping installation and maintenance;
and paving (roads and sidewalks). Examples of cost savings for
conservation practices: $3700 per lot in Mill Creek (primarily from
stormwater management construction costs and site preparation); $2500 to
$3300 per lot in a Bielinski Homes development (stormwater management
construction); $1,375,000 overall savings ($2000 per acre) in Prairie
Crossing (stormwater management, curb and gutter, paving, sidewalks, and
landscaping); and $3900 per acre for the Tellabs campus in Naperville
(site preparation.) (Click here for
more information, or click here to
return to main
document menu.)
Conservation Development in
Practice. This guidebook on conservation development is intended to
illustrate design principles, best management practices, and site design
strategies for conservation development and is directed towards those
making development and design decisions. Conservation development relies
on a more distributed stormwater management approach that utilizes the
entire landscape to mimic natural hydrologic processes. The guidebook
illustrates the impact and interrelated nature of conservation design at
the site, subdivision, municipal, and watershed scale. It also presents
the benefits and cost implications of using practices such as cluster
design, green roofs, bioswales and raingardens, native landscaping,
permeable paving, infiltration techniques, and naturalized detention basin
design. The guide also presents conservation design templates side-by-side
with conventional designs and a conservation design checklist for
watershed, municipal, neighborhood, and individual landowner scales.
(Click here for
more
information or here to return to main
document menu.)
Blackberry
Creek Alternative Futures Project. This project compares conservation
and conventional site designs and evaluates their impact on biological
health, protection of aquatic habitat, and impacts on flooding and streambank erosion at the site and watershed scale. The project presents
the benefits of using viable, conservation-oriented options to
municipalities and counties making development, site design, and land use
decisions. This project has three components: model site design templates
to protect water resources; a conservation-based land use scenario for the
Blackberry Creek watershed to protect water resources; and an assessment
of the hydrologic impact of conservation site designs. Results indicate
that using conservation design techniques results in improved hydrology
and physical and biological conditions in streams and wetlands. The
project report presents graphic model site conservation design development
templates for commercial / industrial uses, three densities of residential
use, agriculture, and sites containing streams and wetlands. The project
also reports basic statistics regarding lot size and other site details,
and the results of the stormwater modeling used to evaluate the difference
in runoff response between the templates. The following practices were
used in the conservation design templates and described in detail
regarding definitions, applicability, benefits, and design considerations:
planning and zoning (conservation development, open space and natural
greenways), stormwater best management practices (bioswales, filter strips
and level spreaders, green roofs, naturalized detention, porous pavement,
rain barrels and cisterns, rainwater gardens, and vegetated swales), and
native landscaping. The project concludes that using combinations of these
practices can reduce stream flashiness, low flows, and flooding at the
site and watershed level. (Click here for
more information or here to
return to main
document menu.)
Blackberry Creek Watershed Alternative Futures Fiscal Impact Study.
This project analyzes fiscal impacts of planned development within the
Blackberry Creek watershed under two alternative development scenarios
(conventional versus conservation design practices as described in the
Blackberry Creek Watershed Alternative Futures Analysis) for the
municipalities in the watershed. Between the two alternatives analyzed,
conventional development imposes a higher public cost (greater fiscal
impact) than conservation development. Development following conservation
design principles is more cost effective for a community because fewer
resources are required to support service delivery to, and infrastructure
for, natural areas which are preserved under the conservation scenario.
The study also found that in order to realize the greatest potential
public cost savings, the clustering of development should be focused in a
compact and contiguous form locating development contiguous to existing
development and infrastructure as possible. (Click here for
more information or here to
return to main
document menu.)
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Principles for Protecting Nature in the Chicago
Wilderness Region. This six-page brochure presents eight principles to
help guide local governments and developers in the planning and design of
new development and redevelopment projects to protect and enhance nature
as an integral part of the development process. Rather than present
technical and how-to information, the brochure presents concise
descriptions of principles and general ways to implement them. The
principles include: infill, compact and contiguous development and
redevelopment where infrastructure exists; planning to locate development
to minimize impact to natural resources; enhance streams, wetlands and
lakes for habitat, recreation and aesthetics; protect and connect open
space; manage stormwater and water resources wisely; minimize changes to
natural landscape conditions and features; actively manage natural areas;
and consider social and economic impacts of development decisions.
(Click here for
more information or here to return to main
document menu.)
Sensible Tools for
Healthy Communities. This decision-making workbook for local
officials, developers, and community leaders is designed to help
communities assess development information presented to them and make the
right decision based on the overall merits of the request in the context
of the community’s needs. The workbook includes worksheets that planning
or zoning commissioners can customize with community data. In five
areas—comprehensive plans, annexation, zoning, subdivisions, and site
planning—the workbook describes the typical decision-making situation and
offers questions to ask the applicant or developer, questions to ask
regarding community reaction and consultation, and questions for
discussion among public officials. It also presents guidance for ways to
improve projects to meet the community’s objectives for development and
better achieve sensible growth outcomes. (Click here for
more information or here to
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document menu.)
Building Sustainable Communities Series and the Sustainable Development Guidebook. The
Building Sustainable Communities Series is a set of 14 factsheets that
introduce the philosophy of sustainable development and 13 principles and
practices that local governments can use to create more sustainable
communities. Practices include agricultural land preservation, air quality
protection and improvement, building green infrastructure, community
character and historic preservation, conservation development, creating
livable communities, energy efficiency and green buildings, reusing built
environments, strengthening local economies, sustainable sites and natural
landscapes, transit-oriented development, water resource protection, and
workforce housing. Each factsheet briefly describes the practice and why
it is important, presents ideas for implementing the practice, provides
stories of successful practice implementation, and a list of resources for
finding more information. The Sustainable Development Guidebook is a
richly illustrated summary of the Building Sustainable Communities series
of factsheets, with some additional photos and case studies. (Click here
for more information or here to
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document menu.)
Beyond Brownfields
Sustainable Development. This report summarizes ideas
generated during a one-day design workshop to create a long-term vision
for the Fox River waterfront near downtown Aurora that currently includes
a brownfield, commercial uses, and park land. This project was initiated
and funded by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the United
States Environmental Protection Agency and coordinated by the Northeastern
Illinois Planning Commission. Workshop lead and facilitation was provided
by Farr Associates with assistance from Teska Associates, Tetra Tech EMI,
and the Center for Neighborhood Technology. The Aurora Regional Fire
Museum generously provided the facilities for the workshop. The contents
of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the
funding agencies. (Click here to
download
the report or here to
return to main
document menu.)
Natural Landscaping
Source Book on Natural Landscaping
for Local Officials. This handbook for local government officials,
land owners, and citizens (and others involved with landscaping) is
intended to guide them in implementing natural landscaping. The handbook
explains the basic principles and benefits of natural landscaping;
demonstrates the feasibility of using natural landscaping successfully in
the region; provides information regarding the ways that local officials
as community leaders can encourage the use of natural landscaping;
identifies ways to avoid pitfalls that could result in poorly implemented
natural landscaping; describes tools and techniques (the "how to" of natural
landscaping) including follow-up maintenance; presents case studies; and
provides direction to other sources of information and expertise. The
handbook also provides plant lists, sample ordinances to allow natural
landscaping, a single page fact sheet on natural landscaping, Illinois EPA
burning permit information, and installation and maintenance costs. (Click
here for more information or here to
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document menu.)
Natural Landscaping for Public Officials: Design and Management
Guidelines. This guidebook promotes natural landscaping to key groups
and property owners and those responsible for planning and undertaking
landscaping activities. The guidebook introduces installation and
maintenance considerations to those who have chosen to install a natural
landscape to ensure the integrity of the original design intent. The guide
presents proper site assessment and design, plant selection, site
preparation, plant installation, long term maintenance techniques, and
information on controlling invasive plants and weeds. Sources of plant
materials and installation specifications and details are presented. This
guide is a companion to and expands on installation and maintenance
techniques described in Natural Landscaping for Local Officials: A Source
Book. (Click here for
more information or here to return to main
document menu.)
Landscaping Naturally (Video).
This short (12 minute) video promotes the use of natural landscaping,
especially by larger landowners such as corporations, institutions, park
districts, school districts, and other units of government. The video
highlights the benefits of natural landscaping for biodiversity; cost
savings for site preparation, landscape installation, and maintenance;
improved aesthetics; better air and water quality; and opportunities for
environmental education and making the connection between people, animals,
and habitat. The video also provides regional case studies and interviews
and provides arguments that refute common misconceptions about natural
landscapes (pests and allergies). (This content is still pending.
Click here to
return to main
document menu.)
Water Resource Protection
Restoring and Managing Stream Greenways: A Landowner's Handbook. This
handbook is intended for all landowners, including municipalities and
developers, whose property includes streams and rivers. The book presents
low-cost, ecologically sensitive techniques for restoring and managing
stream corridors to preserve and enhance natural functions, reduce stream
degradation, improve beneficial use for people and wildlife, and reduce
costly damages to property from erosion. Improved management can reclaim
streams for aesthetics, water quality, aquatic life, and recreational
uses. The handbook presents information on the characteristics and
function of natural streams and stream corridors and how appropriate
management techniques can improve stream conditions. Recommended
management techniques include streamside landscaping and buffers, stream
channel maintenance, and streambank stabilization, instream habitat
restoration, and accommodating recreational trail access. Information
presented includes rationale and benefits, design, installation, and
maintenance, plant lists, materials, costs, local examples, and where to
go for more information. (Click here for more
information or here to return to main
document menu.)
From Stockyards to Spawning Beds: A Handbook of Bank Restoration Designs for the Chicago River and other
Urban Streams. This handbook is for property owners, developers, and
city planners involved in development projects along the Chicago River, as
well as other citizens and community organizations outside the Chicago
region that have an interest in restoring industrialized and/or degraded
riverbanks. The illustrated handbook presents a vision and concept designs
for redeveloping the river edge in a naturalistic fashion that will
enhance biodiversity, habitat, aesthetics, and stability, as well as city
residents’ understanding of and involvement in biodiversity initiatives.
Restoration, naturalized streambank solutions, bioengineering techniques,
creating overlooks, wildlife habitat restoration, floating islands, a list
of recommended native plants, and sources of additional information are
all included. (Click here for
more information or here to return to main
document menu.)
Stream Biodiversity Protection and Protection Priorities.
Approximately 96 streams and 213 lakes are within the Chicago Wilderness
region of Illinois. Each of these waterbodies has a unique watershed
boundary that can be mapped to help delineate important water resource
areas for biodiversity protection and recovery planning. The results of
this assessment were used to create a map of watersheds and the priority
for protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement. This map is
useful for municipal officials and developers interested in the integrity
of the local watershed in which they work. (Click here for a
map or here to
return to main
document menu.)
A Guide to
Stormwater Best Management Practices. Developed by the City
of Chicago but applicable to many other metropolitan areas, this guide is
intended to be a first step in addressing the challenge of better managing
our water. Specifically, it provides guidance to developers, residents,
and other community members on methods to protect our water resources by
reducing the amount of stormwater draining into the sewer system and local
waterways. Stormwater runoff from developed land causes a number of
problems when it is not effectively managed. Excess stormwater can cause
basement and street flooding, as well as overflows that are harmful to
nearby rivers and lakes. Where stormwater is discharged directly to
waterways, it degrades water quality. This guide presents
several practical site design and drainage Best Management Practices for
residential, commercial, and industrial developments. (Click here
for the document or here to
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document menu.)
Living with Wetlands: A Handbook for
Northeastern Illinois. This 28-page booklet was developed by
the Wetlands Initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Chicago Field Office) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
(Chicago District). It is intended to help residents of the region
understand and enjoy the wetlands that surround them. Such
understanding can lead to an increased willingness to be responsible
stewards of these natural area. The handbook describes how
these amazing ecosystems at work—purifying water, holding floodwaters,
providing homes to all kinds of wildlife. Wetlands increase the value and
enjoyment of our homes and neighborhoods. (Click here for the
document or here to
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document menu.)
Chicago
Wilderness and NIPC Watershed Inventory. The Northeastern
Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) produced a watershed inventory of the
Chicago Wilderness Green Infrastructure Vision Area, as approved by the
Chicago Wilderness consortium, for the Linking Watersheds 2005 conference.
There were two phases undertaken to complete this project:
Conducting a comprehensive inventory of the Green Infrastructure Vision
Area by collecting information on the existence, date, type and status of
watershed plans, and using the inventory information to create a map to be
distributed at the conference to involve more watershed groups in the
area. (Click here for the
document or here to
return to main
document menu.)
