ORAL PRESENTATION TITLE: Large scale urban river and wetland restoration: The Don River Portlands flood protection project ABSTRACT: The Don River Portlands Flood Protection Project is a $1.2 billion dollar megaproject involving the reclamation of 250 acres of contaminated waterfront property along the Don River in Toronto. The project restored more than a mile of the Don River mouth and included the construction of 120 acres of riparian wetlands, aquatic estuary habitat, and park space in the heart of a major city. The project opened as Biidaasigae Park in July of 2025, the product of more than 30 years of planning and 5 years of active construction. Construction featured lake filling, installation of more than 3,000 pieces of large wood, protection of off-channel and lake-connected wetlands from carp, and installation of more than 1 million native plants. I will discuss the history of the project, the motivation for the design, and the design and construction process from 2015 to 2025. BIO: Marty Melchior has more than 30 years of experience in designing river restoration projects across the US and Canada. His areas of expertise include wildland and urban river design, cranberry bog restoration, dam removal, and fish habitat