Audubon great lakes and the ohio department of natural resources are proposing to restore a 122-acre willow point wetland complex to recover critical native fish populations impacted by habitat…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a $758,593 Cooperative Agreement to National Audubon Society, Inc. on October 1, 2026, under the Habitat Conservation program (CFDA 11.463) to restore the 122-acre Willow Point Wetland Complex in Lake Erie's Sandusky Bay in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The project will transition the area from turbid open water to a dynamic, vegetated state and restore hydrologic connectivity with the lake to create essential shallow-water nursery habitats for walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge. The restoration specifically supports recovery of Sandusky River walleye stocks, which depend on vegetated coastal nurseries for larval development. The initiative will simultaneously improve water quality by filtering agricultural drainage from nearly 5,000 acres. The work aligns with Great Lakes Fishery Commission goals to rehabilitate connected coastal wetlands and increase submerged aquatic vegetation.

Period of performance runs through December 31, 2029. Place of performance is New York, New York.

Audubon great lakes and the ohio department of natural resources are proposing to restore a 122-acre willow point wetland complex to recover critical native fish populations impacted by habitat degradation in lake eries sandusky BAY. By transitioning the area from turbid open water to a dynamic, vegetated state and restoring hydrologic connectivity with the lake, the project will create essential shallow-water nursery habitats for economically and ecologically vital species, including walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge. This initiative specifically supports the recovery of sandusky river walleye stockswhich rely on vegetated coastal nurseries for larval developmentwhile simultaneously improving water quality by filtering nearly 5,000 acres of agricultural drainage. Ultimately, this high-priority restoration aligns with great lakes fishery commission goals to rehabilitate connected coastal wetlands and increase submerged aquatic vegetation, ensuring the long-term resilience of both commercial and recreational fisheries.