The Hardwick family - brothers John, Mike and Bob Jr., sister Suzie, and mother Mary Ann - strive to be good stewards of the land, as their involvement with the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) shows.

The family owns and farms more than 4,000 acres in Cass and Schuyler counties, much of it adjacent to the Illinois and Sangamon Rivers. They became interested in enhancing wetlands about the time the Farm Service Agency introduced the Illinois CREP.

With the ultimate goal of improving the health of the rivers, the family decided to enroll 400 acres in the Illinois CREP. Much of that acreage was dedicated to Wetland Restoration, with a smaller amount to Hardwood Tree Planting.

The Hardwicks designed their wetlands with different levels through out and built in water control structures. By controlling the level of water, they can expose different areas and allow new vegetation to emerge. Today, the former cropland is home to a variety of wetland-dependent plant and wildlife species. Waterfowl use the restored wetlands for both feeding and nesting sites, and deer, wild turkey, and doves are common.

The family also has land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program with contracts implementing Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds, Wildlife Habitat, and Filter Strips

In recognition of the Hardwicks work, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have named them Illinois Wildlife Landowners of the Year.

Since enrollment in Illinois CREP, what was once cropland now features marsh, moist soil plants, and waterfowl nesting and feeding areas.

Ponds, control structures, and dry dams installed with the assistance of CREP and other partners have resulted in a wildlife haven.

The Wetland Restoration through Illinois CREP has become habitat for thousands of ducks, geese, and swans

The Hardwick family was named 2003 Illinois Wildlife Landowner of the Year for their successful wetlands restoration.