Site History
The Long Island Marsh Offsite Mitigation Area (LIMOMA), developed in partnership with The Mosaic Company, is located within the greater Jacks Branch–Long Island Marsh Focus Area in DeSoto County – a region recognized for its ecological significance, water resource protection, and critical wildlife connectivity. Historically influenced by agricultural land use and altered hydrology, the site is now being restored through offsite mitigation to re-establish native wetland and upland habitats and improve natural ecosystem function. The project plays an important role in protecting regional water quality and hydrologic integrity within the greater watershed, while contributing to the Florida Wildlife Corridor by enhancing habitat connectivity for imperiled and native wildlife. Through strategic restoration and native habitat creation, LIMOMA will provide long-term ecological benefits including wildlife habitat, water filtration, aquifer recharge support, and increased landscape resilience.
Property Preparation
Earthwork and site preparation efforts at LIMOMA focused on achieving engineered grade specifications to support planned wetland and upland restoration areas. Activities included excavation and fill placement to meet design elevations, demolition and removal of legacy structures, and completion of required fence installations to secure and define the mitigation area. This preparatory work ensures the site is properly configured for restoration and long-term ecological performance.
Herbicide Pre-Treatment & Maintenance
Pre-treatment herbicide applications and continued maintenance efforts help prepare the site for successful ecological restoration by controlling invasive and nuisance vegetation prior to planting and hydrologic restoration. This proactive management supports the creation of diverse wetland and upland habitats designed to improve ecosystem function, increase native biodiversity, and provide critical habitat for wildlife across the landscape.
Contract Growing & Littoral Plant Harvesting
A strategic plant production and harvesting plan has been developed to support habitat installation at LIMOMA. Bare root wetland species are being responsibly harvested from approved donor sites to provide mature, locally adapted littoral material for rapid establishment, while all additional native plant stock is being contract grown across Earth Tech Environmental’s two nursery locations to ensure quality, consistency, and timing. By synchronizing plant availability with site preparation and zone completion, the project can maintain installation efficiency while improving overall restoration success.
Native Habitat Creation
Native habitat creation at this site is centered on restoring ecological integrity through the establishment of diverse wetland and upland plant communities that directly benefit native wildlife. Through the installation of regionally appropriate native grasses, sedges, rushes, shrubs, and canopy trees, the project will improve hydrologic function, stabilize soils, increase biodiversity, and rebuild natural habitat structure. This restoration will create a resilient mosaic of functional ecosystems that provide essential forage, cover, and breeding habitat for wildlife while strengthening long-term ecosystem health and landscape connectivity.
$13,089,428
Total Contract Value
±4,746,643
Plants to be Installed
±600
Wildlife Species Benefitting From This Project
1,059.3
Total Acreage
Featured Projects
Mosaic – Long Island Marsh Offsite Mitigation AreaJune 24, 2026 - 5:49 pm
Collier Rod & Gun Club at the PreserveAugust 29, 2023 - 3:12 pm
Babcock RanchFebruary 25, 2020 - 5:09 pm
