The current work to create wetlands at Ottawa Sands grows not only out of the Ottawa Sands Master Plan but also the 2021 Grand River Coastal Corridor Assessment. Audubon Great Lakes, commissioned by Ottawa County Parks, formulated a comprehensive conservation analysis which evolved into the GRCC Assessment. The GRCC region is home to high quality natural communities in Michigan, nurturing diverse flora and fauna, including rare bird and waterfowl species under conservation watch. Unfortunately, invasive species, urban development, and fluctuating water levels have severely impacted the area, leading to the loss of over 73% of coastal wetland habitat. This decline has adversely affected marsh bird populations and weakened the resilience of Great Lakes ecosystems against environmental changes. The GRCC Assessment emphasized the significance of preserving/restoring the ecological integrity of key natural landmarks in the Tri-Cities, such as Ottawa Sands County Park and Harbor Island.

In line with the GRCC Assessment recommendations and to support the Renew Harbor Island initiative, Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission (OCPRC) secured a $275,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Coastal Resilience Program. This funding will drive the next phase of ecological planning and analysis at Harbor Island and Ottawa Sands. The upcoming project, set to commence this summer, will entail natural features assessments and initial designs for potential ecological improvements at both sites. These enhancements may include the following:

• Additional wetland creation at Ottawa Sands (up to 14 acres)
• Wetland restoration and creation at Harbor Island (Acreage to-be-determined)
• Enhancements for several miles of Grand River shoreline at Ottawa Sands, Harbor Island, the Grand Haven owned dune property along the Grand River, and the Kitchel Lindquist Hartger Dune Preserve
  

  OCPRC has been participating as a partner in the Community Advisory Group that was formed to help guide planning related to remediation and possible revitalization of the Harbor Island (as part of the Renew Harbor Island initiative).