LIGHTNING ROUND PRESENTER CO-AUTHORS: Kyle Magyera, Jennifer Western Hauser, Stephanie Rockwood (Wisconsin Wetlands Association) TITLE: The importance of state agency collaborations ABSTRACT: Wisconsin Wetlands Association’s policy priorities emphasize building the enabling conditions needed to implement wetland conservation across the state. While our legislative work may have the highest profile, in recent years we have also invested heavily in building collaborations that help state and local agencies integrate wetland priorities into existing programs. I will share the objectives of our state agency program work, provide a high-level overview of projects, and invite reflection on how these efforts translate into more opportunities for the wetland professional community to plan and implement successful projects. BIO: Erin O’Brien joined the staff of Wisconsin Wetlands Association in 2004. Her current work focuses on strengthening state laws and regulations governing wetland management, building capacity to help integrate wetland conservation into state-sponsored programs, and providing support to communities interested in restoring wetlands to solve problems.