ORAL PRESENTER CO-AUTHORS: Clay Frazer, Native Range Ecological, LLC; Andrea Weissgerber, Eco-Resource Consulting, Inc.; Jennifer Rutten, Glacial Lakes Conservancy TITLE: Restoring wetland biodiversity at the Willow Creek Preserve ABSTRACT: The Willow Creek Preserve is an approximately 143-acre nature preserve in the City of Sheboygan owned and managed by the Glacial Lakes Conservancy. The Preserve contains a diverse assemblage of kettle-moraine floral and faunal community types with more than 60 acres of wetlands, including Willow Creek and an ancient oxbow of the Sheboygan River. Like many urban preserves, it suffers from invasive species, prior land use issues, and impaired biodiversity. We performed extensive field and office studies following methodology developed for the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern to assess biodiversity losses and restoration potential. This identified 57 impaired fish and wildlife species, 48 of which had recovery potential. Most of these impaired species, including state- and federally-listed species, had been overlooked in prior property assessments and were revealed only by performing a biodiversity assessment. We completed Checklists of Species of Local Conservation Concern for birds, mammals, fishes, herptiles, and crayfishes and mapped plant communities to support the greatest biodiversity. We then completed a restoration and land management plan focusing on restoring recoverable fish and wildlife species and appropriate native plant communities. This plan differs from typical land management plans in having a more holistic approach to addressing biodiversity and recognizing a right to life for all beings on the landscape. In comparing our processes to more “typical” assessments, we will address cost/time estimates for process components and the need for improving standards and BMPs for biodiversity assessments. BIO: Gary Casper conducts research throughout the western Great Lakes Region with a recent focus on bioacoustics. He is currently director of biodiversity programs at the Mequon Nature Preserve, owner of Great Lakes Ecological Services, and an associate scientist with the UW-Milwaukee Field Station. His latest publication is a Field Guide to Amphibian Eggs and Larvae of the Western Great Lakes.