In 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated the former 800-acre BP Wood River Refinery property in Wood River, Illinois, as one of only five Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) brownfield remediation pilot projects. The initiative is designed to empower states, communities and other stakeholders to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated lands. The Wood River pilot project converted a former unusable industrial land to new uses emphasizing innovative environmental management techniques.

The facility formerly operated as a refinery and gasoline additive manufacturer, although, all structures associated with these processes have been removed. BP has invested more than $70 million in cost effective and environmentally sound alternatives to many of the currently practiced methods of handling contaminated soil. The improved land is getting a new life with open space, recreational areas and commercial uses along with the added bonus of a wildlife sanctuary.

The 30-acre wildlife habitat area is known as Deer Park and includes an ADA accessible walking trail, pavilion and meditation area with an observatory to watch for deer and other wildlife dwelling in the area. The park hosts a large variety of native plants, animals and migratory birds, such as purple martins, eastern bluebirds and tree swallows. Students from nearby Civic Memorial High School have become a vital part of the wildlife management team along with BP employees. Biology students planted a native pollinator garden at Deer Park to further natural plant growth and use for their own studies as well. Interpretive materials are located throughout the area with descriptions of the local wildlife.

Among the innovative approaches used at the site are groundwater management zones and phytoremediation or use of plants with very high tolerance of certain pollutants to remove toxic elements from the soil. In addition, BP has committed to withdrawal of a sufficient amount of groundwater using a pump-and-treat system to ensure no contaminated groundwater flows off-site.

In 2001, BP achieved habitat certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council for these efforts at the site.