The Allouez Bay Lake Superior coastal wetland complex in Superior, Wisconsin is a crucial coastal wetland for many species of declining birds, fish, and other wildlife. While there is still a diverse community of native plants and wildlife, this wetland is being degraded by non-native species, including invasive cattail (Typha angustifolia and Typha x glauca). Audubon Great Lakes (AGL) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) are leading a project with approximately a dozen other partners to restore degraded habitat for marsh birds, fish, and other wildlife in Allouez Bay in which invasive cattail was originally mowed and excavated in late 2024 to diversify the structure of the large coastal wetland to increase hemi-marsh conditions. Mowed areas and exposed excavated spoils were seeded with custom native seed mixes. The response of the wetland was monitored in 2025 and 2026 by continued vegetation and avian monitoring, partner team site visits, and drone regular imagery. Adaptive management is occurring to maintain and improve restorations, including follow-up cattail cutting with hand tools in 2025 and grinding cattail with a forestry mowing head and additional hand tool cutting in 2026. The poster showcases the wetland response, including both encouraging, and undesired yet unsurprising developments. Lessons learned and next steps for the project are also discussed.
