POSTER PRESENTER CO-AUTHORS: Rebecca Hillman, Bradly Fumtow (Merjent, Inc.) TITLE: Restoring the headwaters: Early hydrologic and vegetation response in the Little Plover River ABSTRACT: Construction of the Little Plover River Headwater Restoration Project was completed in April 2025. Initial monitoring results of the project offer an early snapshot of how the river and wetlands are responding post construction. Stream monitoring compares current conditions to both pre-restoration conditions and target performance standards to evaluate early progress toward restoration goals. Year One monitoring results indicate that both reaches of the stream have increased functionality from pre-construction conditions and most parameters have met target standards outlined for Year 1. For nearly every parameter that did not meet the target standard, the post-construction functionality score is an improvement over the pre-construction score. Wetland monitoring focused on initial groundwater levels and vegetation establishment, providing insight into early hydrologic response and plant community development. Monitoring data indicate site-wide increases in groundwater elevations attributable to hydrologic modifications, and all monitoring wells have achieved the target hydrology performance standards established for their respective wetland communities. Vegetation monitoring shows early successional species are dominant within the proposed communities. The distribution and abundance of these species is expected to decrease as perennial native species become established. Overall, the stream function has improved significantly as a result of transforming the straight ditch to a meandering stream that is more representative of natural conditions. Wetland monitoring results indicate a progression toward restoration objectives. These findings offer early evidence of system response and help inform adaptive management as the project moves forward. BIO: Stacey Caplan is a Wetland Scientist with 12 years of experience completing wetland delineation and waterway assessments, wetland mitigation bank assessments, design and monitoring, regulatory permitting, rare species habitat assessments, and GIS. Ms. Caplan has managed numerous wetland bank monitoring and management projects including data collection, analysis, reporting, GIS analysis, and IRT coordination.