JFNew has a long history as a leader in our field with innovative design solutions. These solutions are often the result of a very good idea backed by research. Additionally, JFNew has been at the forefront of bringing ideas from other regions to the Midwest. Examples include:
Natural Wastewater Treatment Systems - The natural wastewater treatment system at the JFNew Native Plant Nursery is one of the oldest and best studied systems in the Midwest. The combination of JFNew's understanding of the capabilities of plants and engineering has allowed us to find the limits of natural systems and understand their potential. 
This understanding is the result of extensive research on different native plant species and their treatment capabilities. This understanding has been further supported through the monitoring of over 30 natural treatment systems with pollutant streams ranging from household waste to landfill leachate to industrial contamination.
Stormwater treatment - Similarly, JFNew has applied our understanding of plants to stormwater treatment systems. Our belief is that water quality can be substantially improved from the incorporation of natural treatment systems when compared to typical stormwater treatment methods. This has been proven through several systems, including the series of systems along northern Indiana's Juday Creek; the County Jail Facility in Valparaiso, Indiana; Coffee Creek Center in Chesterton, Indiana; and the Belemy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia County, Michigan. In addition to the water quality benefits and the improved aesthetics, we have also shown these systems can be a cost effective alternative to standard methodology.
Shoreline and streambank stabilization - JFNew was recently awarded a contract from an agency of the federal government to develop a demonstration project for a national conference. The demonstration project showed four different bioengineering methods for stabilizing a degraded streambank. 
The intention was to show federal property managers natural solutions to restore streams that are also cost effective.
Our bioengineering methods for stabilizing lakeshores have also been studied and displayed as alternative solutions. JFNew worked with a large utility company to incorporate seawall alternatives for a large reservoir originally constructed as a cooling water source for a power generating station. The new residential development around the reservoir was negatively impacting the water body. JFNew worked with the utility company to obtain a grant to develop the four different stabilization alternatives on a total 400 feet of shoreline. In addition to providing a full-scale model for property owners to observe, JFNew developed a brochure explaining the project and providing a cost comparison of the different techniques and more traditional techniques. The results of the demonstration project have been published in Land and Water.
Exotic species control - One of the greatest threats to native species is the invasion by non-native and exotic species. JFNew has been active throughout the Midwest to address this issue. We work with many federal, state, and city entities to selectively apply approved herbicides to invasive plant species. In many of these areas, we work closely with the entity to monitor the success of the treatment and determine if modifications are necessary for future control. We have also worked with several private/public partnerships to raise and release Galerucella calmariensis L. beetles to control Purple Loosestrife.
