A Path to Resilience: Restoring Kewaunee’s Marshland Walk and Wetlands

The City of Kewaunee is embarking on an ambitious effort to restore the Marshland Walk, a beloved city-owned boardwalk that was severely damaged by flooding in 2020. This project is not just about rebuilding infrastructure; it represents a broader commitment to ecosystem restoration, community access to nature, and long-term coastal resilience. Through our Coastal Resilience Community Impact Project (CRCIP), Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) is playing a key role in helping the City navigate the funding, planning, and implementation of this effort.

The Need for Action

Pictured: Dead ash trees along Marshland Walk

The 2020 flooding underscored the need for investment in climate-resilient infrastructure. In response, the City of Kewaunee commissioned an amendment to their 2019 Harbor Master Plan to guide the restoration and protection of key public assets. With the amendment formally approved in 2023, Marshland Walk was prioritized based on strong community input, its ecological value, and its role in local tourism and recreation.

The site itself is part of an 810-acre wetland at the mouth of the Kewaunee River, adjacent to the City Campground and Kewaunee Landing boat launch. Once a thriving freshwater marsh teeming with wildlife, much of the native habitat has been degraded by flooding, aggressive and invasive Phragmites reeds, and the destructive Emerald Ash Borer beetle (EAB), which has decimated our region’s ash trees. Restoring this habitat and reopening the boardwalk will create a community asset that enhances recreation, education, and ecological health.

Goals & Long-Term Vision

The Marshland Walk restoration aims to:

• Rebuild the 1,350 foot boardwalk using climate-resilient and accessible design 

• Reconnect the boardwalk to the Ahnapee State Trail and Ice Age Trail

• Build recreational amenities such as a fishing pier, birdwatching benches, and educational signage

• Provide opportunities for community involvement in conservation efforts

• Restore 65 acres of native marsh habitat to support local and migrating fish; bird nesting and feeding; and improved water quality in the Kewaunee River and Lake Michigan

In the bigger picture, this project supports the broader goals outlined in the Kewaunee Harbor Master Plan, including improving coastal resilience, enhancing local tourism, and fostering a deeper connection between residents and their natural surroundings.

Partner Roles & LNRP’s Coastal Resilience Community Impact Project (CRCIP)

Pictured: Project partners visit Marshland Walk. From left to right: Hilary Chen (Water Now), Caroline Koch (Water Now), and Augie Kinjerski (City of Kewaunee Marina)

This project wouldn’t be possible with coordination and cooperation between various groups. The City of Kewaunee serves as the site owner and primary project lead, securing funding and overseeing implementation. American Rivers has contributed environmental valuation insights, co-presented the project to city leadership, and highlighted the project’s significance in their Lake Michigan Funding Resiliency Dashboard.

LNRP is supporting the City of Kewaunee as part of our larger Coastal Resilience Community Impact Project (CRCIP). We developed this initiative because many small coastal communities lack the internal resources to pursue large-scale restoration projects. LNRP fills this gap by providing expertise in grant writing, project management, and partner coordination, ensuring that vital environmental projects move forward.


For the Marshland Walk project, LNRP has already:

• Presented to the city council along with American Rivers to secure project endorsement

• Identified potential grant funding sources

• Wrote grant applications for the City’s submission

• Coordinated site visits with funding agencies

• Assisted in updating project designs and budget estimates

• Served as a liaison between the City and nonprofit partners such as American Rivers, Water Now Alliance, and One Water Econ

Amy Lentz, LNRP Director of Projects, emphasized the significance of this effort: “Municipalities know they need to invest in their infrastructure because climate change is going to continue causing damage, but they often don’t have the resources to prioritize it or do it effectively. This leaves them resorting to band-aid solutions for years while costs increase and climate impacts worsen. LNRP’s upfront investment in this project will help the residents of Kewaunee protect a public property, both ensuring it’s available for recreational use and improving the health of the ecosystem well into the future.”

Current Status & How to Get Involved

The City is currently seeking funds to complete the restoration design phase, which will include opportunities for public input. Future engagement efforts will involve forming a Friends of the Kewaunee River group to advocate for and implement ongoing restoration and community stewardship.

Interested residents can reach out to Amy Lentz at amy@lnrp.org to get involved, and stay tuned for upcoming public input opportunities once funding is secured. 

Through continued community support and intentional partnerships, we can restore the Marshland Walk as a treasured community natural area. The project’s ongoing success demonstrates the power of collaboration in building momentum for climate resilience along Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan coast.