In changing climate, more frequent and intense rain events challenge cities with older infrastructure due to rain events exceeding the capacity of older stormwater management systems. In recent years, extreme storms (up to 20 centimeters) have impacted metro Detroit, Michigan, overwhelming a regional collection system designed to handle just over 3 inches in 24 hours. These events resulted in catastrophic surface flooding and significant human and ecological hardships. One climate adaptation strategy being considered for the region is to integrate large-scale nature-based solutions to buffer the current stormwater management system. Since 2024, a transdisciplinary team from University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and Limnotech, Inc. have been collaborating with community-based advisors to develop climate adaptation strategies to integrate large-scale nature-based solutions with existing gray infrastructure systems to mitigate flooding in southeast Michigan. Effective climate adaptation strategies must store or transport excess water to mitigate flooding, but these solutions could also provide the opportunity to implement habitat features that co-benefit fish and wildlife species in the region. To help meet this need, we interviewed experts from academic institutions, agencies, and non-governmental organizations to identify species that are ecologically, socially, and/or culturally significant that may be likely to benefit from habitat improvements created by nature-based solutions. For each species, we then conducted a literature review to clarify their habitat requirements, and then associated those habitat features with design elements for managing stormwater. Our approach presents a systematic protocol that is transferable to other coastal regions and reduces barriers to implementation by engaging with community stakeholders and providing designers of nature-based solutions habitat requirements for priority species within their region.