NAWM

Tess Danielson works for the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment in the Regulatory Review Division. Her responsibilities include regulating the District’s wetlands and streams, as well as assisting with wetland monitoring and assessment and leading wetland outreach initiatives.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is the variety. Having several responsibilities keeps it interesting and no part of it becomes too onerous. I love working outside and getting familiar with every wetland we are protecting in the District. It is an extra special field day when we spot more elusive wildlife, like beavers, salamanders, owls, or eagles. It is also nice knowing the next day I’ll be in the A/C away from the mosquitoes.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

Writing my Master’s Thesis was a major pre-professional accomplishment. I am a very slow writer, so it was a painstaking process. It did teach me what I wanted to do next as a young professional, and that I needed a break from research and writing.

What is your favorite wetland species? Why?

It is very basic, but the red-winged blackbird may be my favorite wetland species. Its song is so reminiscent of my time spent in wetlands at the Jersey shore, near my home in the DMV, and in the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana and Florida. When I hear it, I’m reminded of sunny days out in the field.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

My wonder for the water started from family vacations to the beach and school field trips to the Chesapeake Bay, and I knew by middle school that I wanted to be a marine biologist. Science was always the most fascinating subject for me, and an “oceans” class really solidified that. I enrolled in Eckerd College, the premier spot to study marine science (I may be biased). My courses there deepened my interest in ecology and my labs taught me I was more adept at studying plants than live animals. Living in Florida opened my world to mangroves and so I set out to study them. LSU offered a great graduate opportunity, and my research was based in the Florida Everglades mangrove forests. I wanted to continue my career in wetland work because I thought they were so undervalued for such impressive ecosystems.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

I give a presentation to students that participate in DC’s Green Zone Environmental Program, and what I tell them is that there are many sectors that can involve wetlands work. Education, research, recreation or ecotourism, policy, consulting, and regulation are just some of the fields that can have a wetland focus. If you want to work in wetlands, there is more than one way to do it, so find what you like and what you excel at!

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I joined NAWM in 2022 when I started in the Regulatory Review Division at DOEE. I have been a member of other professional networks and have attended the conferences, but they could feel intimidating, and the sessions were not always relevant. I like that NAWM is specific to wetlands but still has a broad collection of wetland professionals from different fields and states and tribes to learn from. The annual meetings are a welcoming place, and the after-session gatherings are a fun and casual way to connect with everyone in the wetland community.

Terry Doss is the Co-Director for the Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute at the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

Who do you work for and what is your current position?

I work for the State of New Jersey, within the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, serving as the Co-Director for the Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute. I lead efforts to preserve, protect and restore the wetlands and other habitats located in the Hackensack Meadowlands.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The favorite part of my job is any day that I get to go out on the water. I much prefer a beautiful sunny day with warm temperatures, but even in winter I love the idea that we are out on the water when few else are out there. Each time we head out, there is an air of anticipation – you never know what new or interesting thing we are going to see in the tidal marshes that line the Hackensack River, but there is always something. Also, experiencing the quiet and solitude of nature, in the chaotic din of the NY-NJ metropolitan area with planes, trains and automobiles whizzing by, is just magical.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

I think one of my biggest professional accomplishments was being able to survive and thrive as a working mother. I’m so proud of my grown sons, and hope they are as proud of me as I am of them. We were always in this together, and I loved bringing them out to the field – my older son was out in the field for a wetland delineation at three months of age and, flash forward many years, my younger son was out planting floating wetlands with me when he was home for college just a few years ago. I never tried to separate my career from my home life, I never thought there was enough time in the day for that luxury, so we had to be in it together.

All these years later, it is amazing to head out to my first tidal wetland restoration site that our team worked on 25 years ago and see how it is flourishing. I remember bringing the boys out there before, during and after the restoration work. Now, 25 years later, the site is amazing – for the first time this year, we heard saltmarsh sparrows out there. I’m proud of that!

What is your favorite wetland, or type of wetland, or wetland species? Why?

I love tidal wetlands, they are like poetry in perpetual motion. They are where the land meets the sea, ever changing, known but yet unknown, settled yet shifting. They allow for expansive views – of the grasses, the sea, the sky, the wildlife. But because they are both land and sea, they are so often misunderstood, mistreated, maligned.

Working in the Meadowlands really drives this home – all the abuses that have been thrown at the tidal wetlands along the Hackensack River over the past two hundred years, and that continue to be thrown at them. Yet they persist, they thrive, they are resilient, and they continue to provide habitat, protection, recreational opportunities. After giving a presentation on the Meadowlands’ marshes a few years ago at a MAWWG meeting, someone came up to me and said, “wow, the Meadowlands’ wetlands are really bad ass!” And I couldn’t agree more, they are bad ass and that is why they are my favorite.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I knew I liked working outdoors and that I wanted to work and live near the water. I graduated from U of Delaware with a degree in Agricultural Sciences with a focus on Natural Resource Economics, but wasn’t sure where to go with that. A few years later, I went back to Delaware to work on a Masters in Marine Policy, combining my interests in the water, the outdoors and economics. While there, I became interested in the valuation of wetlands, and from there dove deep into the science of wetlands. Every job I had, starting with the National Ocean Service at NOAA and then moving into private consulting, there were always opportunities to get more involved with wetlands and I jumped at every one of them. To expand my knowledge, I took wetland field courses from Environmental Concern and the Continuing Education Program at Rutgers, which allowed me to study under some of the giants in the wetland science field, and I joined and became active in scientific organizations like Society of Wetland Scientists and the Society for Ecological Restoration. The more people I met and spoke with, the more my opportunities expanded.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

Look for opportunities that you think you will enjoy to expand your knowledge and your circle of contacts. Go to conferences, and if there are volunteer activities, sign up. Join non-profit organizations and get involved. Become a member of different scientific societies and assist with meetings, field trips, raising funds, …. There is no magic bullet as to what will stick, so try everything and see what gives you experience while also making you happy.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM (e.g., attended webinars, contributed to project workgroups, attended annual meeting, etc.)?

I believe that I have been a member of NAWM since the early 2000s. In 2001, I attended a meeting on behalf of the Society of Wetland Scientists and met up with Jeanne Christie who was there on behalf of ASWM (now NAWM) and we started talking about connecting the two organizations in a more meaningful way. Eventually, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by both groups to coordinate and collaborate, and I acted as the liaison between the two groups for a while. (Not sure if this MOU is still active.) Even though I was not a “state wetland manager” until 2018, I was able to attend a number of the annual meetings and other events along the way.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

I am most grateful for all of the webinars offered by NAWM. While the in-person meetings are the best way to keep in touch and learn, the constancy of the webinars keeps me in touch with what is going on around the nation on a more day-to-day basis. For example, after the Sackett decision, the discussions on what happens next were especially helpful for us here in the Meadowlands, because even though NJ has assumed jurisdiction for the wetlands of the state, that did not include the wetlands of the Meadowlands. It was helpful hearing from others about the different aspects, experiences and possible actions.

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

My favorite memory was my first NAWM meeting at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. I assume this was sometime in the early 2000s. I had no idea what to expect, and at first it seemed like most meetings. But then, I went to the bonfire. It was an incredible experience and a great way to bring everyone together. Nothing specific, just an all-around great vibe and a great opportunity to relax with many like-minded wetland scientists.

My second favorite memory was sitting with Jon Kusler on a porch somewhere at some point in time after a long day of meetings, and listening to him talk about his vision for wetland science into the future. Being able to have discussions with great minds like Jon Kusler and Jeanne Christie were, for me, amazing opportunities that were only made available through NAWM. 

Anne Garwood works for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Water Resources Division. She is the Supervisor of the Wetlands, Lakes and Streams Unit, which provides statewide program oversight of Michigan’s Section 404 Program, as well as other technical expertise, training, and program development.

What is your favorite part of your job?

This is a tough question, as there are really two things for me: First, I really work with some of the most passionate, intelligent, and committed people anywhere. There are a lot of challenges in our work, but being a part of this amazing team of people really is one of the very best things about my job. My other favorite thing is really just getting to visit and protect amazing wetlands, lakes and streams all across Michigan. I know that my work is genuinely contributing to the people of Michigan, through protecting these important resources, and I am lucky enough to get to explore so many of these diverse wetlands.

What is your favorite wetland? Why?

Great Lakes coastal wetlands, of all kinds, are my favorite wetlands. I focused for a number of years on coastal wetlands, specifically, and was lucky enough to visit hundreds of coastal wetlands, on all of Michigan’s bordering Great Lakes and connecting waters. There are a variety of coastal wetland types including coastal fens, marshes, drowned river mouths, etc., but they are all amazing. Visiting these wetlands is unlike other site visits, because of the fish, birds, and overall coastal aesthetic. Definitely my happy place.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

When I was working on my undergraduate degree at Michigan State University, I applied for some student assistant positions with the state. I applied for them in a variety of divisions and areas (water, air, waste, etc.) but ended up getting hired for a position in the wetlands program, and realized quickly it was a great fit for me. Following my student position, I was hired as a seasonal contractor doing wetland delineations, and then finally got a permanent position in a District Office reviewing permit applications. I’ve been in the program ever since.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

All of us who work in wetlands management - including regulators, consultants, restoration groups, academics, advocacy, and others – are actually working together, even when it seems like we’re all separate. My advice would be to try anything in the wetlands field, even if it’s outside of your comfort zone. We all make a difference, and can find ways to work together. Even if you’ve got experience in research, and that’s your comfort zone, take opportunities if they arise in advocacy or regulatory.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I have been a NAWM member since 2011. I have attended many webinars and several annual state and tribal meetings. I participated in some past workgroups including the Assumption workgroup. I have presented in several NAWM webinars on Michigan’s 404 Program and wetland monitoring, and I participated on a panel discussion for one of the past NAWM annual meetings.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

The newsletters and webinars.

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

Hiking along the trails at NCTC.

Dave Goerman works at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in the Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands’ Division of Wetlands, Encroachments, and Training, where he is a Water Program Specialist.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I am actively engaged in advancing the state of restoration science through facilitating research, development of design approaches, and making recommendations to project sponsors as part of the permit approval process. More recently I have begun developing our own large-scale restoration projects, which provides the ability to push the boundaries of restoration science.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

I think I take pride most in being able to facilitate a lot of advances getting done. Getting the program’s aquatic resource Level 2 Rapid Assessment procedures published final is one, getting the modeled wetland mapping and restorable lands would be another. Most recently getting the Level 2 Geomorphon mapping done is another one, it’s going to provide baseline data on looking at watershed alterations and relating other resource data possible.

What is your favorite type of wetland? Why?

Restored floodplain wetlands. I like them because they have an initial flush of plant diversity, and they keep changing over the next few years as the species find their preferred micro-habitats.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

I had applied mostly for the jobs under the water pollution biologist class, and most were in the wetlands and waterways permitting program, but honestly at the time, I did not know wetland regulations existed! I was one of the last people hired into the program when they decentralized the permitting across the state. I like to say I got the cat’s meow job as I would later learn. That’s why I have stayed in it for so long.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

I would highly recommend they take the time to become more interdisciplinary. Learn some more about geosciences like geology, hydrology, geomorphology, not just wetland ecology. I’ve learned more insights about wetlands by learning about these other disciplines.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I have been a member off and on since the late 1990’s as part of ASWM state membership. Unfortunately, our agency did not always pay our membership dues so we would get dropped here and there. I do attend webinars occasionally and have contributed on a few workgroups and attend the annual meetings when I can.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

The like-minded people! The connections that are made through the meetings I think are my favorite part of being a member.

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

Having a few drinks and conversation around the fire pit.

Etinosa Igunbor is a research assistant at Old Dominion University and a recent recipient of the Jon A. Kusler Student Scholarship Award.

What is your current position?

Currently, I serve as a research assistant at Old Dominion University, where I am partnering with other professional and research institutions to conduct applied research on coastal wetland restoration, with a focus on vegetation and soil characteristics changes over time, and the ecological performance of living shorelines in the Chesapeake Bay. My research integrates geospatial analysis, field monitoring, and modeling to advance resilience-based shoreline management. Previously, I served as a Forest Conservation Officer at the Edo State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability in Nigeria, where I led policy and field-based initiatives in forest and wetland conservation. I also head the LEAD Sustainability Team in Western Colorado University, which I founded to drive institutional climate strategies and environmental sustainability programs.

What is your favorite part of your work?

My favorite part of my work is engaging directly with diverse stakeholders, scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and local communities through research, education, and advocacy. I find great purpose in translating scientific findings into actionable insights that inform wetland policy and restoration practice. Whether in the field, the lab, or a public forum, I’m passionate about building bridges between science and society to advance environmental resilience.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

One of my most significant professional accomplishments was developing a spatially explicit model to estimate carbon sequestration potential in restored wet meadows, which was accepted for presentations at several national and international conferences. The model integrated field data, soil analysis, and geospatial tools to quantify climate mitigation benefits of wetland restoration. This work not only contributed valuable insight to the science of ecosystem services but also demonstrated the practical value of restoration investments. I believe this innovative contribution played a key role in earning me the Jon Kusler Award for the National Association of Wetland Managers meeting in 2025, recognizing my unique contribution in wetland science and policy.

What is your favorite type of wetland?

Wet meadows are my favorite wetland type because they are small yet critically important ecosystems. They play a disproportionate role in carbon sequestration, water retention, and biodiversity support, despite often being overlooked in larger conservation narratives. My connection to wet meadows deepened during the development of a carbon sequestration model for restored sites, an experience that underscored their value in climate mitigation and landscape resilience. Their quiet complexity and ecological significance continue to inspire my research and advocacy.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

I began in the field of landscape restoration while serving as a Forestry Officer in Nigeria, where I witnessed firsthand the ecological and social importance of forested wetlands. That experience sparked my interest in wetland processes, leading to graduate research in the U.S. on carbon sequestration, wetland restoration, and shoreline ecology. Today, I combine international field experience with cutting-edge research to improve wetland management.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

I would say start with curiosity and build interdisciplinary skills, especially in ecology, GIS, environmental modeling, and science communication. Wetland work spans science, policy, and community engagement. Get involved early through volunteer projects, fellowships, and professional networks like NAWM. Seek more collaboration, mentorship and never underestimate the value of real-world experience combined with academic rigor.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I’ve been a member of NAWM since 2024. I actively engage in webinars, technical training, and use NAWM’s resources to support my research and stakeholder engagement. I am currently pursuing opportunities to contribute to project workgroups focused on coastal resilience and restoration monitoring, where I can bring both field and policy experience.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

NAWM’s ability to convene professionals across sectors is its greatest strength. It serves as a trusted platform for accessing technical tools, policy guidance, and collaborative learning. For someone like me working across continents and disciplines, NAWM offers both relevance and reach connecting research to real-world wetland outcomes.

Anna Kamnyev works for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency where she manages the state’s program regulating fill impacts to wetlands, streams, and lakes.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I get to work closely with the natural resources and our stakeholders to maintain clean water in the state.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

Passing Ohio’s first set of stream rules for CWA Section 401 permitting and mitigation.

What is your favorite wetland or wetland species? Why?

I love all wetlands for their unique functions and biodiversity; many species make me giddy but these 4 come to mind first: Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra), and Turtlehead (Chelone glabra).

How did you end up working in wetlands?

I started work in wetlands as a volunteer board member for the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association in Dayton, Ohio and went into consulting from there.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

Know your plants and soils and the reasons why wetlands are protected.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I have been a member for about 3 years now and have attended many webinars, presented at one, and have attended one annual meeting so far.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

The access to valuable resources provided by NAWM and networking with other wetland professionals.

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

Attending the annual meeting in Stevenson, WA.  

Laura Lapierre is the Wetlands Program Manager for the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Seeing the tangible positive impact my group has made on the Vermont landscape, whether it’s seeing a fence line separating a development from the wetland buffer or a restoration project filled with native plants and wildlife. I love knowing that the many small successes add up across the landscape.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

Getting seven new wetlands designated with Class I protections. Before the program had the ability to initiate rule changes, there were only three wetlands with the state’s highest level of protection.

What is your favorite wetland species? Why?

One of my many favorite wetland species is Carex leptalea, it is so tiny and sweet. It was the first really small sedge I keyed out by myself and I loved the discovery of it and its habitat.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

In school, I was most interested in biodiversity. Wetlands are the best places to study biodiversity! I ended up studying sedge niche partitioning in grad school and found out I could make a living studying and managing wetlands.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

Join your local wetland organization and volunteer. It’s a great way to see the different directions you can take with wetland work and networking.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I’ve been a member for 11 years. I’ve attended many of the annual coordination meetings, contributed to a workgroup or two, and have presented and attended NAWM webinars. 

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

Getting out of my state silo! I love seeing what other states and tribes are up to, feeling their struggles and successes, and receiving appreciation of our collective work. This puts wind back in my sails to continue the push to protect and manage our wetland resources. 

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

Being a part of the capacity building workgroup. We all have capacity issues and it felt great to problem solve the issue and provide guidance for other wetland managers.

What is your favorite wetland, or type of wetland, or wetland species? Why?

All wetlands are so uniquely beautiful. I love stomping around in my hip waders in the tidal flats amongst the marsh wrens and their carefully woven cattail nests. I find great pleasure in a forested wetland that is barely recognizable as a wetland if it were not for the swamp lanterns and buttressed tree roots, hiding pools of high ground water. My favorite has to be the peat bogs that have become a spiritual respite for me. The quiet is incredibly spiritual. I am able to connect with why I do this work between mounds of sphagnum moss, cranberries and the fragrant dusky smell of Indian Tea.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

I used to go hiking a lot. I liked to identify the plants. I went back to school at the ripe age of 30 and studied botany at the University of Washington. Learning about policy, the Clean Water Act and the scientific underpinnings provided the bait and I was hooked. Thanks to people like Kern Ewing, Linda Storm, Estella Leopold, and Sarah Cooke just a few of my mentors who went before me. As I hope to share with a Quinault Youth who will carry the torch into the next generation.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

Volunteer. Shadow Professionals. Come prepared, with questions “what do you like/not like about your work and why?”, “What would you do differently?”, How did you get here?”. There are so many avenues to take. Get excited, and don’t do anything for the money. It won’t make you happy. It never has.

How long have you been a member of NAWM?

I was a member of the ASWM (Association of State Wetland Managers), before they became NAWM. Approximately 2018.

How have you participated in NAWM (e.g., attended webinars, contributed to project workgroups, attended annual meeting, etc.)? 

I have attended webinars, annual meetings and have presented a webinar or two for the group.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

The webinars, the recorded webinars that are available to members, the workshops and the trainings.

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

“Changing the Narrative” the unveiling. There is so much more we can do through social media and education for the non-wetland person.

Karen Menetrey works for Rio Grande Return, a 501c3 non-profit organization that specializes in low tech process-based restoration for riverscapes and other ecosystems unique to the arid southwest.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My job title is Director of Ecological Opportunities, which reflects my optimism and enthusiasm for supporting all aspects of our organization’s work. We primarily conduct on-the-ground restoration projects, but we are increasingly more involved in water planning, advocacy and policy. My favorite part of my job is organizing volunteers and teaching them to build beaver dam analogs in high elevation headwater streams. The hydrologic response is so immediate and satisfying! Volunteers understand how reconnecting the floodplain and creating wetlands creates a healthier riverscape, and there is innate pleasure derived from building with wood and sediment in a stream.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

My biggest professional accomplishment was managing the New Mexico River Stewardship Program at the New Mexico Environment Department for 12 years, through periods of time when funding was insecure. With dozens of dedicated partners, the program completed about 80 river and wetland restoration projects. It was recognized as a successful program when recurring state funding was authorized in 2023 (NM Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund) and is now a securely staffed program with increased annual funding.

What is your favorite wetland, or type of wetland, or wetland species? Why?

My education was in geology and ground water hydrology. Professionally, I journeyed from protecting ground water, to restoring streams and wetlands, to cleaning up ground water contamination, then back to streams and wetlands. Wetlands intrigue me because they occur at the intersection of surface and ground water. I have two favorite wetland types: 1) beaver-dominated wetlands because they are so dynamic and biodiverse, and 2) ciénegas (desert springs) because water-rock interactions create unique water chemistry and plant assemblages that can result in beautiful oases.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

My advice to someone wanting to get involved in wetlands is to learn about wetland plants, recreate near wetlands, and do field work, whether it is volunteer or paid work!

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I have been a member of NAWM consistently for four years. My favorite benefit is the annual meetings. I enjoyed presenting, being on panels, connecting with wetland scientists from around the country, and seeing wetlands in West Virginia, Nebraska, and Washington during the annual meetings. I’m also enjoying being a mentor in the MARSH Mentor program.

Tonie Mitchum works for the City of Albany, Georgia, as a Planner II and was a 2025 recipient of the
Jon A. Kusler Student Scholarship Award.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

My biggest professional accomplishment so far is becoming a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM). Although the test was difficult, it was great to see that my studying paid off and I get to make an impact in the community that keeps people and properties safe, and I directly benefit from my work because I live in the 100-yr floodplain. As a person with an environmental science background who enjoys policy, this type of work is right up my alley! Floodplains and wetlands go hand in hand.

What is your favorite type of wetland? Why?

My favorite type of wetland is either a blackwater swamp or bottomland hardwoods. It is cool to live in Georgia where we have the largest blackwater swamp in North America which is the Okefenokee (also one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia). It is a certified dark sky park, and I love to camp there! The second largest swamp in Georgia, the Chickasawhatchee, is right outside of my city. I enjoy being able to go out and explore these areas and take in all the beautiful biodiversity. It gives me a greater appreciation for where I live and what I do.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I have been a member of NAWM since 2024! I try to attend as many webinars as I can (and soon plan to take the hydric soils course), I have attended an annual meeting and participate in the NAWM outreach and communications committee.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

I love being able to learn new things and bring it back to the office to share with my colleagues and just people in my day-to-day life. It is also great being able to connect with such awesome people who share similar professional and personal interests with me!    

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

My favorite NAWM memory is having the wonderful opportunity to be selected as Kusler Scholar and attending the 2025 State/Tribal/Federal Coordination meeting in Stevenson, Washington. It was my first time in the Pacific Northwest, and I was in awe at the landscape! The presentations given at the conference were amazing and the lesson of being resilient like salmon is something that still sticks with me today. I can’t wait to head to Shepherdstown in April!  

Katie Morgan, PWS, EP is the Director of Natural and Cultural Resources at Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. She also serves on NAWM’s Finance Committee.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is teaching, training, and mentoring junior staff in wetlands fieldwork. It’s incredibly gratifying to see their skills grow and their confidence build over time. Whether it’s guiding them through the intricacies of wetland delineation, helping them interpret regulations, or watching them take ownership of projects, I take pride in knowing I’m contributing to their professional development. It’s rewarding to see how their growth not only benefits our team but also strengthens the quality of the work we deliver.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

One of my biggest professional accomplishments has been building the wetlands practice at Partner from the ground up. When I first started with Partner, there was no formal wetlands program—it was just my passion for wetlands and a vision. Through hard work, persistence, and a passion for wetlands science, I laid the foundation, gradually growing it into the nationwide practice it is today.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch something I started from scratch become such a vital part of what we do at Partner. Along the way, earning my Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification and becoming a Certified Wetland Scientist in Lake County, IL were pivotal milestones. They not only strengthened my expertise but also helped solidify the credibility of the practice I worked so hard to build. Seeing the impact of our work across the country has been an amazing journey and one of the highlights of my career.

What is your favorite wetland species?

My favorite wetland species is the American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). I’m captivated by its stunning bark and massive leaves—there’s nothing quite like the way it sheds its bark each year, leaving behind a beautifully painted trunk that looks like a natural masterpiece. Another fascinating aspect is that many American Sycamores are hollow, which makes them perfect nesting habitats for various wildlife species. It’s amazing how this tree plays such an integral role in both the ecosystem and the landscape’s beauty.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

Growing up, I always wanted to be a marine biologist. I was fascinated by water and everything that lived in it, but I had no idea the world of wetlands even existed. In college, I followed my passion for fish and water, diving into any class or research opportunity I could find that focused on freshwater or saltwater habitats.

It wasn’t until my first job in the consulting industry that I discovered wetlands as a career path. One of my first assignments was assisting with fieldwork at a large wetland mitigation bank in the Tennessee River Valley. I still remember measuring piezometers and taking hydrology readings—it was fascinating to see how everything connected, from the soil to the water to the plants. That project was my ‘aha’ moment.

From then on, I sought out every chance to work in wetlands, eventually training in wetland determinations and delineations. That first experience sparked a passion that has shaped my career ever since.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

If you’re interested in getting started in wetlands work, my advice is to dive in wherever you can and stay curious. If you are still in college or have the opportunity to take classes in plant identification, soil science, or hydrology they will help immensely. Volunteering is also a great way to gain experience and build connections. Join local conservation groups, participate in restoration projects, or assist with community science efforts like wetland monitoring programs or BioBlitz. Internships or entry-level jobs in environmental consulting or natural resource management can provide hands-on experience, which is invaluable in this field. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek mentorship from experienced professionals—many of us are passionate about sharing our knowledge and helping others grow. Field experience is especially important, so take every opportunity to get outside, whether it’s assisting with wetland delineations, monitoring projects, or restoration efforts. Finally, pursue certifications like the Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or local certifications when you’re ready—they not only enhance your expertise but also open doors to more advanced opportunities.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

I joined ASWM in 2018 and started attending webinars (especially the soil training modules) right away. I attended my first in person annual meeting in 2023 and have since become a finance committee member.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

My favorite part of being a member of NAWM is the community. It's incredible to connect with like-minded professionals who share a passion for wetlands. The training and learning opportunities are always valuable, keeping me up-to-date on the latest in wetland science. What I truly appreciate, though, is being part of an organization that’s making a real difference in the field. It feels good to contribute to something so impactful.

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

My favorite NAWM memory has to be from the 2023 annual meeting in Nebraska. After a full day of sessions, we gathered around a campfire and shared stories about our most exciting days in the field, about goats and how they’re surprisingly awesome for managing invasive species, getting to know everyone, discussing the nitty gritty of the new (at that time) HUD regulations regarding EO 11988 and EO 11990, and quizzing one of the experts on plants that I get stuck on in the field – they were so helpful and now I will always remember the differences between a swamp magnolia and southern magnolia.

Peter Ryan, PWS Emeritus, recently retired from the Oregon Department of State Lands where he worked as the Department’s Wetland Ecology Specialist.

What was your favorite part of your job?

Working with the Department’s Wetland Ecology (WE) staff to respond accurately and quickly to wetland questions and determination requests from the public. The WE staff like helping folks!

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

Serving as the Department’s Wetland Ecology Specialist for 6 years.

What is your favorite wetland, or type of wetland? Why?

This is a hard question in Oregon. We have so many great wetlands in the state. Brackish and freshwater marshes and tidal woodlands along the coast, wetland prairies and vernal pools in our inland valleys, poor fens and bogs in the mountains and coast, and large alkaline wetlands and playas on the east side of the state. But if I had to choose, I suppose it would be the all the wetland types in the Willamette Valley because that is where I grew up and first discovered my love of plants and how fun it is to delineate wetlands.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

As most, my path to wetland work was a winding one. It started by earning an undergraduate degree in Botany, graduate degree in Forest Science, serving as a forester with the Peace Corps, working five wonderful years with the US Forest Service followed by seven years as a natural resource consultant in forestry and wetlands, and ending with twenty years of service with the Oregon Department of State Lands’ Wetlands Program. My 18-year-old self had no idea what was going to come next

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

Do what you love, and the rest will follow.

How long have you been a member of NAWM? How have you participated in NAWM?

The Department has always had staff that are active members in NAWM. The great information NAWM provides through webinars and meetings is routinely shared with all interested staff.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

Hands down my favorite benefit has been access to NAWM’s excellent Members’ Webinar Series followed closely by NAWM’s “Wetland News” newsletter, both of which are great resources for keeping up with a rapidly developing science.

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

Having the Department’s Deputy Director for Operations, Bill Ryan, serve as a NAWM’s Board Member.  

Thank you to Peter for sharing your experiences and being a part of NAWM! And congratulations on your retirement!

What is your favorite part of your job?

Working with like-minded Clients who want to do something creative with their property along the lines of preservation, enhancement, and creation/re-establishment.

What is one of your biggest professional accomplishments?

Starting my own business and working with an amazing Team!

What is your favorite wetland type or wetland species? Why?

I have many... but I love wet prairies within the Slash Pine / Longleaf Pine habitat of East Central Florida. Pinguicula (Butterworts), Sarracenia (Pitcher Plants), Polygala (Milkworts), and Hypericums (St. John's Worts) are among my favorites.

How did you end up working in wetlands?

A friend suggested I apply at a consulting firm in Central Florida 30 years ago.

What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started in wetlands work?

If you love the outdoors, you're not tied to a clock, and snakes, gators, mosquitos, heat, cold don't bother you... everything else will work itself out.

How long have you been a member of NAWM?

Off and on for many years.

How have you participated in NAWM?

Sponsored events and attended them on occasion.

What is your favorite benefit of being a member of NAWM?

We get to support a group of folks that look for ways to protect, enhance, educate others about wetlands of all types in many different ways.

What is your favorite NAWM memory?

Simply being a part of this journey with other like-minded individuals.