SYMPOSIUM PRESENTER CO-AUTHORS: Hillary Thompson, Annika Poitras, Alicia Ward (International Crane Foundation) TITLE: Whooping crane nest site selection in Wisconsin wetlands ABSTRACT: The reintroduction of Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) in Wisconsin as part of the Eastern Migratory Population began in 2001 with the release of captive-reared juveniles at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In 2011, project partners established additional reintroduction sites in eastern Wisconsin to reduce nest abandonment associated with avian-feeding black flies. While Whooping Crane nest site selection at Necedah NWR has been studied previously, we aim to describe and compare habitat characteristics at all breeding areas throughout Wisconsin and assess how wetland habitat influences hatching success. We measured habitat characteristics at 67 nests in 7 counties between 2021-23 and compared used nest sites to random locations to assess nest site selection. Preliminary results indicate that Whooping Cranes chose nest sites in open areas with high visibility and a low density of woody vegetation. This study will provide guidance for wetland management and selection of release sites for captive-reared cranes. BIO: Nicki Gordon grew up in northwest Ohio and earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Bowling Green State University. She completed her master's degree in wildlife ecology at UW-Madison, focusing on predator occupancy on the breeding grounds of the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes.