Woodland Recycling and Disposal Facility

About the Program
WM's Tri-County Landfill facility located in South Elgin, Illinois, covers approximately 46 acres. The site is a capped landfill and former superfund site with mostly grassland and some wetland habitat. The site is located in a mixture of rural suburban areas. The team actively manages the grassland to support wildlife and monitors the wetland for native species.

Practices and Impacts

• The capped landfill has become an ideal site for grasslands that the team mows periodically in an attempt to suppress woody species establishment. This grassland habitat provides the basis for an ecosystem that supports many of their projects focusing on native species.
• The boundary areas of this parcel of land also support wetlands that the project team hopes will host frogs, snakes and other wetland species. To support this goal, the team has installed PVC pipes to attract and house frogs and has placed cover boards on the ground to provide protection for snakes. Additionally, with the proximity of the grassland habitat, the two together can support an even greater diversity of local species, by providing both forage and water sources.
• To support local bluebird populations, the site features bluebird boxes that the team monitors during the breeding season. Boxes are maintained once per year. 
• A purple martin house is located on-site to encourage purple martins to nest in the habitat. The team monitors the house throughout the breeding season.
• Habitat for raptors such as the red-tailed hawk are located within the old landfill property. Rotational or seasonal mowing of grasslands, as well as added brush piles, promotes use by small mammals that are prey for raptors. Perches were added to the grassland for the raptors to use.
• Ten wood duck next boxes are located on the property within the wetland area. The goal is to encourage the historically endangered, but now stable, duck population to thrive locally.