Harper College enriches its diverse communities by providing quality, affordable, and accessible education. Harper College, in collaboration with its partners, inspires the transformation of individual lives, the workforce, and society. The College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened September 1967. It is named for Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago. With both academic and community programs focused on gardening and nature, Harper College was seeking an ecological restoration company to assist in providing hands-on experience.
Harper College is passionate about fostering the next generation of ecologists. While our core tasks – stewardship, prescribed burns, and seeding – might seem typical, what truly distinguishes this project is our unique collaboration with the students and professors. We contribute by providing a comprehensive plant inventory, which becomes a valuable resource for ecology classes. Additionally, we’ve aided in a strong community spirit through volunteer days, where Pizzo team members, actively participate in removing invasive species.
The hands-on approach between Harper College and Pizzo & Associates allows students to gain practical experience while contributing to the restoration efforts.
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.
We work with a large variety of public and private landowners on habitat restoration projects of all sizes. We help with everything from installations to ongoing management, which is needed for optimal results.
We invite you to attend our annual Summer Solstice event. A day filled with engaging tours, presentations, industry discussions, and networking focused on ecological restoration and native plants.
