Both wetland banking and conservation easements effectively do the same thing...you transfer/sell the ecological value to someone that values it, and lock it into being a wetland into perpetuity (or some agreed-to number of years).
In the case of wetland banking, a developer may purchase the "banking credits" produced by your wetland to offset the destruction of a wetland on their site. Google around for wetland banking or mitigation banking.
With easements, you find a local organization (usually a local land trust or nonprofit, but could be a park district or other quasi-governmental agency) that has a defined mission of maintaining wetlands, combating the urbanization of our farmlands, etc. You agree to lock up the wetland portion of your property, they give you cash.
In the case of wetland banking, a developer may purchase the "banking credits" produced by your wetland to offset the destruction of a wetland on their site. Google around for wetland banking or mitigation banking.
With easements, you find a local organization (usually a local land trust or nonprofit, but could be a park district or other quasi-governmental agency) that has a defined mission of maintaining wetlands, combating the urbanization of our farmlands, etc. You agree to lock up the wetland portion of your property, they give you cash.
I don't know anyone there, but a good start might be your local NRDC office: http://www.nrdc.org/about/chicago.asp
They might also be a good resource if you start playing with wind turbines.