Supporting Midwestern conservation and innovation, one collaboration at a time.
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Contact
Rich Hull, Founder
Email: richhull@salixeco.net
Phone: 812-325-4954
Our Services
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SALIX constructs comprehensive floristic inventories using meander surveys and Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) to inform conservation and restoration decisions.
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SALIX conducts rare species monitoring to support conservation planning and responsible development, providing data on population status, habitat condition, and long-term trends.
SALIX supplies vegetation mapping services focused on plant communities recognized by NatureServe, producing classifications to support conservation planning and development review.
SALIX provides avian surveys, including point counts, transect surveys, breeding bird assessments, and migratory stopover evaluations.
SALIX manages invasive plant species including Amur honeysuckle, autumn olive, garlic mustard, lesser celandine, multiflora rose, and wintercreeper.
SALIX delivers environmental GIS services, including map production, data processing, and spatial analysis.
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SALIX conducts ecological monitoring of plant biodiversity using permanent research plots and transect surveys.
SALIX provides land management services including tree planting, native gardening, and forest stand management.
SALIX leads botanical workshops, delivers presentations, and guides avian and botanical field excursions.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support the conservation of Midwestern wildlife by delivering high-quality ecological services and education that foster lasting, positive outcomes through thoughtful, professional collaboration.
About Us
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SALIX Ecological Consulting & Restoration, LLC was founded in 2026 by Richard (Rich) Hull to provide science-driven ecological consulting and restoration services across Indiana.
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Rich is a PhD Candidate in the Reynolds Lab at Indiana University Bloomington, where he specializes in floristics. He brings extensive field experience in Indiana, having completed 48 floristic inventories and documented more than 13,000 plant occurrences, including 246 endangered species occurrences. He has secured over $90,000 in competitive internal and external funding to support his dissertation research and the Indiana University Herbarium, demonstrating his ability to design, fund, and execute rigorous scientific projects.
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His work is grounded in a deep commitment to conservation and wildlife. In addition to botanical expertise, Rich brings experience in avian fieldwork and advanced GIS mapping, supported by graduate training in geography.
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SALIX collaborates with trusted regional partners to expand capacity and expertise when needed. The firm partners with Midwest Biological Survey, LLC on select floristic projects. Midwest Biological Survey is led by Nathanael Pilla, an experienced botanist with over a decade in the environmental consulting industry. SALIX also collaborates with Matt Tomaso on invasive species management and habitat restoration projects. Matt is an experienced conservation practitioner with a background as an avian field technician and former Indiana Department of Natural Resources employee.
Professional Endorsements
"Rich has meticulous attention to detail and botanical thoroughness. At Midwest Biological Survey, we have been more than pleased with our partnership, valuing both his technical expertise and his collaborative professionalism."
-Nathanael Pilla, Owner of Midwest Biological Survey, LLC.
"As a retired biologist from the University of Illinois and now as a Board member of Ouabache Land Conservancy (OLC), I have worked with many scientists over the decades, and I can say that working with Rich Hull has been an exceptionally rewarding experience. Accompanying Rich over the rugged landscape of our preserve was a delightful adventure in learning from a kind, thoughtful teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge of plants and their environments. As a reflection of the respect that Board members of Ouabache Land Conservancy have for Rich as a teacher, as a botanist, and also as a naturalist, he was our first choice to carry out another plant survey for the land conservancy."
-Jim Nardi, Board Member of the Ouabache Land Conservancy
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"Rich is a talented botanist, with years of field experience. He is also a gifted communicator and problem solver!"
-Heather Reynolds, Professor in the Department of Biology at Indiana University Bloomington
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Insurance Coverage
Salix Ecological Consulting & Restoration, LLC carries $1M per-occurrence / $2M aggregate general liability insurance and $1M per-claim / $3M aggregate professional liability coverage to protect clients and projects.​​