Both wetland banking and conservation easements effectively do the same thing...you transfer/sell the ecological value to someone that values it, and lock it in

Both wetland banking and conservation easements effectively do the same thing...you transfer/sell the ecological value to someone that values it, and lock it into being a wetland into perpetuity (or some agreed-to number of years). In the case of wetland banking, a developer may purchase the "banking credits" produced by your wetland to offset the destruction of a wetland on their site. Google around for wetland banking or mitigation banking. With easements, you find a local organization (usually a local land trust or nonprofit, but could be a park district or other quasi-governmental agency) that has a defined mission of maintaining wetlands, combating the urbanization of our farmlands, etc. You agree to lock up the wetland portion of your property, they give you cash. I don't know anyone there, but a good start might be your local NRDC office: http://www.nrdc.org/about/chicago.asp http://www.nrdc.org/about/chicago.asp They might also be a good resource if you start playing with wind turbines.