POSTER PRESENTER: http://tinyurl.com/2024WSC-Joshi CO-AUTHORS: Julia Noordyk, Coastal Communities Specialist, UW Sea Grant and Daniela Beall, Sustainability Coordinator, UW-Green Bay TITLE: Conceptual design for urban ecology restoration, community engagement, and education at Ken Euers Nature Area ABSTRACT: Ken Euers Nature Area, located near the heart of Green Bay, stands as a vital sanctuary not just for a diverse array of migratory birds, anurans, and other Great Lakes wetland species, but also for the local community. The dike impoundments at Ken Euers offer a unique opportunity for the public to experience the bay’s coastal wetland habitats. These diked wetlands provide refugia for native species like the yellow-headed blackbird and pied-billed grebe during low water periods. Recent restoration in and along lower Green Bay have enhanced bird sightings and increased the value of Ken Euers as an accessible recreational spot for birdwatchers, anglers, kids, and nature enthusiasts. Thus, as part of my research assistantship with the Wisconsin Sea Grant and UW-Green Bay Office of Sustainability, I developed a conceptual design to convert the valuable coastal edge of Ken Euers Nature Area from a concrete parking lot to an immersive green space. The multifunctional design incorporates prairie areas and native trees for pollinators. It also includes green infrastructure, such as permeable paving and wet meadow buffers, to provide stormwater treatment solutions. Public amenities such as a bird observatory, outdoor classroom, fishing access, and canoe launches were added to enhance public engagement with the surrounding wetlands. This conceptual design thus aims to demonstrate the transformation of a concrete coast edge into a thriving habitat. This revitalized space not only encourages community engagement but also provides educational opportunities about wetland ecosystems. By doing so, it plays a crucial role in urban ecological restoration. BIO: Suprima Joshi is a graduate student in environmental science and policy at UW-Green Bay. As a research assistant at Wisconsin Sea Grant and UW-Green Bay Office of Sustainability, she developed a conceptual design for Ken Euers Nature Area. She is a waterfront enthusiast with an earlier master’s degree in urban design. She has interned at Riverlife, Pittsburgh and worked on Bagmati Riverfront, Nepal.