Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium is one of Chicagoland’s most respected cultural and scientific institutions, internationally recognized for its freshwater and marine conservation leadership. Beyond its iconic lakeside campus, Shedd is deeply invested in protecting and restoring the region’s waterways through research, education, and community partnerships. The South Branch Initiative (SBI) is one of Shedd’s most ambitious efforts—an innovative, community-driven program dedicated to reimagining, researching, and rewilding the South Branch of the Chicago River. Stretching southwest from downtown through Chinatown, Pilsen, Bridgeport, and McKinley Park, this corridor offers a rare opportunity to expand learning and recreation, improve ecological resilience, and build long-term biodiversity within an urbanized watershed. The SBI is done in collaboration with many other partners including, Chicago Park District, Urban Rivers, Friends of the Chicago River, and several others.
A3 Environmental Consultants
In summer 2024, A3 Environmental Consultants (A3E) won the request for proposal by the Shedd to serve as Project Manager for the SBI, providing oversight, coordination, and technical expertise to ensure that this complex, multi-partner initiative advances efficiently, strategically, and in full compliance with environmental regulations. In this capacity, A3E guides day-to-day progress, evaluates evolving project needs, and ensures seamless communication across Shedd Aquarium, partner organizations, contractors, community groups, and regulatory agencies.
Bubbly Creek, Infamous History
Gnarly to Nice
Bubbly Creek is the notorious nickname for the South Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago River, a short channel on Chicago’s South Side between the Bridgeport and McKinley Park neighborhoods. Originally part of a wetland system, the creek was dredged and altered in the 19th century as the city expanded. When the Union Stock Yards and surrounding meatpacking plants began dumping vast quantities of blood, entrails, manure, and other waste into the waterway, the decomposition of that organic material produced methane and other gases that visibly bubbled up at the surface—hence the name Bubbly Creek. Its foul state was immortalized in Upton Sinclair’s 1906 exposé The Jungle, which described it as a “great open sewer” of the meatpacking industry. While dumping stopped and infrastructure changed in the 20th century, the creek remained heavily polluted and largely stagnant
South Branch, Chicago River Restoration Management
As the central project management team, A3E’s responsibilities include verifying site conditions and tracking progress across numerous field and restoration activities; identifying risks, scheduling challenges, and delay factors; and overseeing the implementation and maintenance of ecological infrastructure across parks and riverfront sites. This includes detailed coordination with the Chicago Park District on natural-area restoration and interaction with Urban Rivers to track installation, maintenance, and permit compliance for floating wetlands. A3E leads the barge slip removal process—from contractor solicitation through oversight—and manages debris-removal operations to ensure safe practices, environmental hazard compliance, and timely execution.
A3E also supports the installation and ongoing maintenance of litter booms in partnership with Shedd and the Osprey Initiative, ensuring weekly upkeep and integration with broader river-cleanup efforts. Additional responsibilities include managing contracts and vendor agreements, monitoring deliverables and timelines, generating progress reports, maintaining cost tracking in collaboration with Shedd’s financial team, and leading planning meetings, presentations, and public-facing communications as needed.
Ecology, Technically
Beyond project management, A3E contributes technical environmental services to advance ecological restoration and regulatory compliance. These efforts range from monitoring green infrastructure and conservation practices to delineating water features and supporting permit processes. This integrated approach ensures that every project activity—whether terrestrial restoration or floating-island installation—is carried out with ecological sensitivity, regulatory accuracy, and long-term sustainability in mind.
Best Management Practices
A3E’s project approach emphasizes best environmental practices, thoughtful material selection, and minimized ecological disturbance. Heavy equipment activities are restricted during wet conditions, wildlife-sensitive procedures are used when protected species are present, and all construction materials—such as anchors for floating wetlands—are selected to avoid pollution. Sediment control measures follow applicable SWPPP requirements, and debris-removal workflows prioritize recycling of scrap materials, efficient hauling, and reduced fuel use to limit carbon emissions. By organizing lay-down areas near work zones and consolidating disposal trips, A3E ensures that field operations remain both environmentally responsible and cost-effective.
Team Player
In addition to on-the-ground operations, A3E brings a comprehensive understanding of how the SBI integrates with regional planning efforts and related environmental projects. The initiative builds upon the momentum of the Wild Mile, ongoing invasive species management at Ping Tom Memorial Park, and other Chicago River improvement projects. A3E’s leadership helps ensure that the SBI strengthens habitat connectivity, enhances the river’s aesthetic and ecological character, expands recreation opportunities, and aligns with broader goals outlined in the Chicago Park District Master Plan and associated community-driven visions.
Through its role in the South Branch Initiative, A3E is helping shape a transformative restoration effort that reconnects communities with the Chicago River, supports biodiversity, and advances Shedd Aquarium’s mission of conservation, education, and environmental stewardship.
Client: Shedd Aquarium
Location: Chicago, IL
Project: South Branch Initiative (SBI) – (The Infamous Bubbly Creek)
Role: Project Management and Environmental Services
Key Staff: Rebecca Olson – Senior Project Manager;
Ella Iaderosa – Ecological Project Manager;
Colleen Stull – Environmental Project Manager
Duration: June 2024 – Present
Value: $53,000+
