Laurel Blackwell brings a unique blend of industrial, agricultural, and ecological experience to her work in environmental restoration. She began her career at Ford Motor Company, where she gained valuable insight into sustainability and operational systems, before co-managing Finicky Farms, a hydroponic vegetable farm that deepened her hands-on experience with plant cultivation and care from seed to harvest.

Now at GEI Consultants, Laurel works across a range of restoration projects, with experience in shoreline stabilization, habitat enhancement, and ecosystem restoration throughout the Great Lakes region. Her work focuses on restoring natural function to degraded landscapes while balancing ecological goals with community needs and long-term resilience.

With a background that bridges industry, agriculture, and ecology, Laurel is especially passionate about helping the public connect with restoration work and embrace the value of healthy, natural systems.

TSN Conference 2026

January 23rd, 2026 (Friday) // 3:10 pm – 4:10 pm // Room 103 // Restoring River Resilience: Habitat Restoration on Delaware, Horseshoe, and Clark Islands in the Maumee River // The Maumee River, a vital waterway in the Great Lakes Basin, has long faced ecological challenges due to sedimentation, habitat loss, and anthropogenic disturbances. In response, a comprehensive island restoration initiative was undertaken on Delaware, Horseshoe, and Clark Islands, three critical natural features within the river corridor. This presentation outlines the implementation and monitoring phases of this multi-site restoration project, highlighting collaborative efforts among government agencies, local stakeholders, and ecological experts. Key project components included invasive species removal, native vegetation reestablishment, bank stabilization, and in-channel habitat enhancements designed to support native fish, mussel, and bird populations.