Ecosystem Restoration in the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern
Within the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern (AOC), the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (UWGB) and the City of Green Bay, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) are advancing two major, science-driven habitat restoration initiatives. Though managed separately, the UWGB Complex Project and the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary & Renard Island Nearshore Enhancements AOC Project (BBWS & RI AOC Project) share a common purpose: to design and implement habitat restoration strategies that support long-term ecological recovery and AOC delisting goals.
Understanding the Landscape
Both projects occur within dynamic, environmentally sensitive areas along the freshwater coast that are popular for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing:
- UWGB Complex Project encompasses the Point au Sable Natural Area and Cofrin Memorial Arboretum
- BBWS & RI AOC Project encompasses the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary and nearshore environments of Green Bay
Each location faces pressures such as invasive species, habitat fragmentation, fluctuating and disrupted hydrology, legacy water quality issues, and the need to balance ecological restoration with public use and community values. Success depends on having a clear, accurate picture of existing ecological conditions early in the process.
GEI’s Role: Establishing a Science-Based Foundation
To support restoration planning at both sites, GEI conducted comprehensive ecological surveys to document existing conditions which included:
- Detailed aquatic plant and habitat assessments
- Identification of aquatic macrophytes, including invasive species
- Data collection and mapping of species to inform restoration design and adaptive management planning
- Integration of findings into reports and design plans for both clients
A Significant Discovery: First Detection of Ulva sp. in Wisconsin
During aquatic plant surveys at Point au Sable and the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary lagoons, GEI biologist, Stephanie Cole, identified Ulva sp., an invasive green macroalgae species often called “sea lettuce”. Following early detection and response protocols, findings were immediately reported to the WDNR and were confirmed as the first documented occurrence of the aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Wisconsin.
Why it Matters
The detection of Ulva sp. has important implications for both projects and for Green Bay’s coastal ecosystem as a whole:
- Early detection prevents escalation. New invasive species are far easier and more cost‑effective to manage before they become well established.
- It provides insight into changing environmental conditions. The presence of Ulva sp. may indicate shifts in nutrient dynamics, hydrologic connectivity, or other system drivers.
- It protects restoration investments. Knowing about emerging invasive species early helps ensure that restoration designs do not inadvertently create conditions that support nuisance algal growth.
- It underscores the value of comprehensive surveys. Although Ulva sp. was not a targeted species, GEI’s rigorous, site-specific fieldwork conducted by experienced and well trained staff ensured it did not go unnoticed.
- It enhances adaptive management. Both project teams can now incorporate the invasive species into restoration design and monitoring plans and consider proactive responses if conditions suggest it may spread.
Strengthening Restoration Outcomes
As a result of GEI’s work:
- UWGB and the City of Green Bay now have an enhanced understanding of current ecological conditions at their respective sites.
- Restoration designs are better equipped to account for invasive species pressure, and weather pattern-driven changes.
- Our teams identified potential risks early, allowing for adjustments long before construction begins.
- Both projects remain aligned with long-term AOC recovery goals, informed by up‑to‑date field science.
The identification of Ulva sp. has added an important dimension to both projects prompting additional evaluation, supporting adaptive management, and ensuring that restoration designs anticipate emerging environmental challenges.