2025 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference

AUTHORS:  Kara Tvedt, Missouri Department of Conservation; Frank Nelson, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT:  Missouri has lost over 90% of its historic wetlands. Hence, many native aquatic and wetland plants have diminished over the last 200 years. At the same time the eutrophication of waterways and water bodies has increasingly led to more frequent harmful algal blooms across the state. One nature-based option for integrated watershed approaches is the strategic incorporation of reintroducing native wetland plants. In urban settings, where armored banklines and fluctuating water levels may prevent the opportunity of shoreline plantings, floating treatment wetlands may be considered. Although a growing number of cities in Europe and U.S. have been using this “green” solution to improve water quality, not all attempts are successful and can prevent the adoption and expansion of these strategies elsewhere. The Missouri Department of Conservation has been trouble-shooting potential hurdles, such as plant establishment and herbivory to increase success and implementation rates. The agency has also been experimenting with floating island designs that are plastic-free to account for the growing concern about plastic pollution and PFAS. This presentation will highlight our collaboration with partners and lessons learned from this pilot work.