ORAL PRESENTATION CO-AUTHOR: Madeline Opie (GEI Consultants, Inc.) TITLE: Beneath the surface: Designing wetland restorations to protect crayfish and snake habitat ABSTRACT: Wetland restoration projects often emphasize hydrology and vegetation but may overlook the fine-scale habitat features that support wildlife. At Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a wetland restoration project included the design and implementation of a shallow pool as part of a 237-acre restoration project within the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC). The intent of the restoration was to increase wetland extent and habitat diversity while maintaining ecological functions critical to burrowing crayfish and the snake species that rely on their burrows for overwintering and refuge. Protecting these subsurface microhabitats became a key design consideration as the project sought to expand habitat without degrading existing use areas. Field investigations mapped active burrows, and spatial analyses in ArcGIS Pro identified high-density clusters that informed excavation limits and slope refinements; these geospatial methods are highlighted in a related poster at this conference that complements this presentation by focusing on data analysis approaches. Construction sequencing and timing were planned to reduce disturbance to overwintering individuals and promote recolonization following excavation. I will highlight the design evolution, agency coordination, and adaptive strategies used to balance restoration objectives with species-specific needs. By going “beneath the surface,” the project demonstrates how spatial data and ecological insight can guide habitat expansion that supports both biodiversity and resilience. BIO: Mari Olson is a project manager and wetland ecologist at GEI Consultants. She specializes in wetland delineation, habitat restoration, and endangered species assessments across the Midwest, integrating ecological science with practical design to restore resilient, wildlife-supporting habitats. She has a bachelor's degree in wildlife ecology from UW-Madison.