Project Description This project builds upon and joins past efforts to remove invasive species and protect habitat for the many rare plants and animals that live in coastal wetlands near Alpena, MI. Project activities will include locating rare plant and animal habitat; protecting it through removing invasive plants like glossy buckthorn, phragmites, reed canarygrass, and European frog-bit; and creating or improving vegetation from upland down to aquatic sites, thereby improving fish spawning habitat and nesting and hibernation corridors for snakes, turtles, and insects. Through a collaborative approach, a partnership of agencies and nonprofit groups will remove invasive species, plant native buffers, and connect upland and wetland habitat areas for herpetofauna. By working together, the project partners will pool strengths and sustain efforts while preventing these wetlands from becoming degraded over time. The end result will be a resilient natural community connected to an engaged people community. Project Abstract The coastline of Lake Huron in Northeast Michigan is home to rare plants and wildlife, some of which occur only in a few places in the world. These wetlands share several major threats: habitat fragmentation and loss, high nutrient input, and invasive species, which are all linked to each other and combine to degrade ecosystems. By partnering across land ownership, we will be able to work at a larger scale with a common vision to enhance and expand the benefits of past efforts. The outcomes across four priority wetlands and adjacent land include: -Reclaim 250 acres of wetland habitat through invasive species management. -Reconnect 40 acres of reptile habitat complexes. -Restore 100 acres of dune and swale complex by protecting priority habitat. -Reduce nutrient inputs on 1000 shoreline feet. -Showcase native wetlands to visitors and community members. Major project partners are the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, and The Nature Conservancy, with assistance provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Activities will include: Remove invasive plants; Improve native vegetation diversity and reduce nutrient inputs by planting native wetland and coastal plants on 10 sites; Develop habitat restoration plans to increase nesting habitat for turtles and to protect hibernacula for massasauga; Train community members to monitor and maintain projects Locations: Misery Bay, Whitefish Bay, Squaw Bay and Hardwood Point (Ossineke State Park)