The H2Ohio Wetland Monitoring Program (WMP) was established in 2020 to evaluate the effectiveness of wetland construction, restoration, and enhancement projects supported by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as part of a state-wide water quality improvement program, the "H2Ohio Initiative." The primary focus of the water quality initiative is to minimize recurring harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie and other freshwater ecosystems by mitigating excess nutrient loading. The WMP is led by a multi-university team affiliated with the Lake Erie and Aquatic Research Network (LEARN). Since its inception, the WMP has collected data from over 45 of the hundreds of H2Ohio wetland projects and produced results that directly inform state-wide investments and local strategies in wetland restoration and management to mitigate nutrient loads. Our researchers have engaged with policy makers and practitioners at multiple decision-making levels, from agency directors and members of the governor's office, to state agency staff and local conservation partners and managers. We have collaborated with geographically distributed partners in most of the major watersheds of Ohio in both the Lake Erie and Ohio River basins. Our distributed engagement within a harmonized framework has strengthened the capacity for more effective water quality management by building trust among our stakeholders, investing in data management and documentation standards, and co-creating meaningful communication products. We will outline the strategies employed, tactics implemented, and practical lessons learned in the first five years of the WMP. The WMP is at an inflection point after experiencing a major shift in funding, and we will also preview our map for a future that continues to cultivate monitoring, research, and management. Our experiences demonstrate the necessity of cross-sector collaboration to effectively produce robust, relevant, and actionable freshwater science.