NAWM
The National Association of Wetland Managers is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1983 to promote and enhance protection and management of wetland resources, to promote application of sound science to wetland management efforts and to provide training and education for our members and the public. Membership is open to anyone who is involved with wetland resources.
Wetlands: Changing the Narrative Campaign
A multi-year, multi-media campaign to share stories about why wetlands are important through the voices of everyday Americans.
In Wetlands: Changing the Narrative, we’re shining a light on the people who are reshaping our But there is another, more positive reason for embarking on this effort now - momentum. Even though |
Project Trailer |
Stories like these in Tennessee contain powerful messages that speak to the values of those who call Tennessee home. Read Press Release
Please click only once on each video recording to view in the window. |
With the power of cameras and screens to amplify stories like these, we have a golden opportunity to reveal the true importance - and magic - of wetlands to a national audience. |
Our Approach The goal of Wetlands: Changing the Narrative is to bring diverse and hopeful stories about America's wetlands to American audiences through a range of traditional and new media avenues. “Story packages” will be built from single collections of footage, animation, and interviews and will seed programming aimed at those who get their information via tv, streaming, or social media. Campaigns will be launched in locations (regions, states, Tribal lands, localities) where wetland protections are under threat of being weakened or eliminated and where there is an active group of volunteers who are eager to participate in advisory committee meetings and champion the videos tailored to resonate with their community’s values. How To Help If you would like to support this effort and help us reach our fundraising goal of $500k for 2025, please donate today. If you would like us to bring our campaign to your location, please contact NAWM’s Executive Director, Marla Stelk at 207-892-3399 or marla@nawm.org. |
The Team
Wetlands: Changing the Narrative will be led by Marla Stelk and her team at the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM). From her office in Portland, Maine she will lead a group of experienced filmmakers, advocates, and campaigners who together will source, produce, and share these stories across various media. The key creatives on the project are stationed across the country - from the Northeast to the Midwest to the Pacific and understand that every wetland story is both unique and universal…intensely local and part of a much larger picture. Some of the creative partners NAWM has engaged so far include:
Wide Awake Films (Kansas City, MO): For more than 20 years the team at Wide Awake has produced award winning films for television, museums, streaming, and commercial clients. Their clients run the gamut, including PBS, John Deere, The National Park Service, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Platte Basin Timelapse (Lincoln, Nebraska): Since 2011 PBT has used film and multimedia to bring the stories of our nation’s waterways to a wider audience. Known for their timelapse nature photography and keen understanding of river systems and watersheds, PBT stands ready to lend their expertise to whichever watery habitat we choose to film.
How To Help
If you would like to donate to this effort and help us reach our fundraising goal of $500k for 2025, please click the button to the right. |
We invite you to join us for NAWM’s Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting, to be held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) from June 17-20, 2024. This year’s theme is “Filling the Gaps & Embracing Change.” The purpose of this annual meeting is to support state and Tribal wetland program managers, and other wetland professionals as they respond to challenges in the coming year.
DATES
June 17-20, 2024
National Conservation Training Center Final Draft Agenda (Updated 5/7/24 / PDF) Call for Abstracts is now closed.
Sponsor this Great Event! (PDF) Friday, May 24, 202 Sponsorship Deadline
We are accepting Raffle donations.
Standard Registration Rates Late Registration Rate Late Registration Rates |
This Year's Keynote Speaker
WELCOME TO OUR SPONSORS: ![]()
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State/Tribal Scholarship is now closed.
A limited number of scholarships are available to U.S. state and Tribal agency staff to assist those in need to cover travel, lodging and/or registration costs to attend NAWM's Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting. Our intent is to support as many people as possible with the limited amount of funding that we have. If you are able to cover some of your expenses, that will enable more of our colleagues to attend.
Scholarships may be provided to those who are eligible for up to a maximum of $1,000 in expenses. Please note that scholarships are provided as reimbursements for expenses paid - receipts are required for reimbursement. Registration expenses will be waived (versus reimbursed) and will be considered as part of the total scholarship expense amount approved.
Jon A. Kusler Student Scholarship Competition is now closed.
The Jon A. Kusler Student Scholarship Award was created in 2020 to honor the legacy of the late Dr. Jon A. Kusler, Esq., NAWM’s founder and one of the most influential thinkers of our time regarding wetland and floodplain science, policy, and law. Jon paved the way for wetland and floodplain protection around the world, challenging us to think beyond the norm – to find new and innovative ways to solve some of our most pressing environmental issues. This competitive award funds all expenses* for one or more U.S.-based students to attend the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination (STFC) Meeting and is open to any student with a declared major in wetland (or other aquatic resource) science, policy, law, or a related field in either the undergraduate or graduate level.
FIELD TRIP THE FIELD TRIP IS FULL; PLEASE JOIN THE WAIT LIST WHEN REGISTERING
Thursday, June 20, 2023 – 1:30pm – 4:30pm.
Altona Marsh Visit
West Virginia DEP and TNC will lead us on a tour of the Altona marsh complex.
The marsh complex is composed of 6 different aquatic resource types including a marl fen and marsh composed or rare plant populations. TNC in conjunction with WVDNR is currently managing the location for spotted turtles and rare plant population habitat. During the site visit you will have the opportunity to observe various wetland/aquatic resource types including a marl hardstem bulrush fen, marl marsh, goldenrod wet meadow, swamp/marsh mosaic, silver maple swamp and beaver influenced open water area. We plan to have an NRCS soil scientist at the site to discuss marl/peat soil types and formation. The location will also provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss beaver establishment best practices, invasive species control, and the balance between species and conflicting habitat requirements. We hope that you will be able to join NAWM and WVDEP for this opportunity to visit this unique West Virginia wetlands complex.
We plan to carpool from NCTC to visit this site. Lunch will be served in the dining hall prior to the field visit.
The visit will involve hiking and wet locations so please bring appropriate footwear along with water, bug repellent, sunscreen, and any other items you may need for the field. If you have any special needs or specific concerns, please let us know.
See Registration Rates above for Field Trip cost.
January 8, 2024 - April 19, 2024 | Full refund | |
April 20, 2024 - May 17, 2024 | 50% of Registration Refunded | |
After May 17, 2024 | No Refund | |
Any time before May 17, 2024 | You may substitute the name on your registration, but you must notify NAWM of the change. |
The National Conservation Training Center (NCTC)
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
Phone: 877-706-6282 or 304-876-7900
ROOM RATE
Single Room Rate is $201 per person per night (includes $20 per night sustainability fee and meal plan). Participants who lodge on-site must participate in the NCTC Meal Plan that begins with dinner on the day of check-in and ends with lunch on the day of check-out. Credit for missed meals is not given. Please call NCTC for reservations and mention that you are part of the NAWM room block. Please note, NCTC does not have any rooms available for the night of Friday, June 21.
Deadline for room reservations is Friday, May 17, 2024. After this date please call NCTC for room availability.
COMMUTER INFORMATION
Guests who lodge off-site or commute should check in at the front desk upon arrival. For meals: you may elect to take meals a la carte or purchase a lunch pass. Cost for meals: Breakfast: $17.00; Lunch: $18.00; Dinner: $34.00. Meal plan is $74.00. Credit for missed meals is not given. Late arrivals and early departures may be accommodated with advance notice. More information on meal plans can be found here.
LOCATION INFORMATION
The National Conservation Training Center, or frequently referred to as NCTC, is located just 60 miles or just over 1 hour outside the Washington DC metropolitan beltway. They are part of the Shepherdstown, West Virginia community also known for the nearby state university just down the road. They are located closest to the Washington Dulles International Airport, but many customers also use Baltimore/Washington International and Reagan National (DC) Airport.
TRAVEL TO NCTC | |||||
Driving Directions/Map | Washington Dulles Airport | ||||
Reagan National Airport | Baltimore-Washington International Airport | ||||
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Shuttle Service is only available for arrivals from Dulles Airport to NCTC. The cost is $100 per person for one way or round trip. You may reserve a time for the shuttle when making your room reservation by calling the Hotel Reservations office at 304-876-7900 no later than 14 days prior to the start of the event. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
Shuttle Schedule from Dulles to NCTC for Sunday, June 16:
Depart Dulles 1:00 p.m. ET - Arrive NCTC: 3:00 p.m. ET
Depart Dulles 4:00 p.m. ET - Arrive NCTC: 6:00 p.m. ET
Depart Dulles: 7:00 p.m. ET - Arrive NCTC: 9:00 p.m. ET
Shuttle Schedule from NCTC to Dulles for Friday, June 21:
Depart NCTC: 1:30 pm. ET - Arrive Dulles: 3:30 p.m. ET
Depart NCTC: 4:30 p.m. ET - Arrive Dulles: 6:30 p.m. ET
More detailed Shuttle Information can be found here.
Shuttle Cancellation Policy: All participants, including FWS and partner employees must cancel their shuttle reservations no later than 48 hours prior to the start of the event. Otherwise, you will be charged the full shuttle cost. Note: Rates are subject to change.
CARPOOL
Carpool Sign Up. Add your name as a driver or join a carpool.
MAPS
Google Maps: Mapping websites have a difficult time locating NCTC using their mailing address. However, Google Maps will show you how to get to the NCTC entrance via 100 Col Shepherd Rd, Shepherdstown, WV 25443, USA.
NCTC FACILITY
General Information: Phone, Hours, Dining, Day Care, Service, Gym
NCTC: Points of Interest, USFWS Conservation Library, USFWS Conservation Museum and Archives, Vallen Comrades Memorial Wall, Elm Grove Overlook, Butterfly Garden
Facility Activities: Birding, Fishing, Hunting, Hiking, Running, and Photography
THINGS TO DO IN SHEPHERDSTOWN |
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Shepherdstown Visitors Center Jefferson County WV Chamber of Commerce Berkeley County WV Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events For more local activities, visit the Friends of NCTC website. |
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Recreation, Entertainment, Attractions Antiques and Flea Markets |
This Year's Keynote Speaker
Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality
Brenda Mallory is the 12th Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the first African American to serve in this position. As Chair, she advises the President on environmental and natural resources policies that improve, preserve, and protect public health and the environment for America’s communities. She is focused particularly on addressing the environmental justice and climate challenges the nation faces while advancing opportunities for job growth and economic development. Chair Mallory has decades of experience in both the private and public sector, including spending nearly 20 years at the Environmental Protection Agency and CEQ, serving in a number of senior roles. In Chair Mallory’s first stint at CEQ as the General Counsel, she helped shape many of President Obama’s signature environmental and natural resource policy successes.
Now, as Chair, she is advancing President Biden’s ambitious climate and environmental justice agenda. Chair Mallory was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Yale with a double major in history and sociology and then from Columbia Law School as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.
Read Brenda Mallory's full bio here.
MEETING MATERIALS
Agenda with Presentations - (Updated 7/10/24) Speakers, if you would like to send links for materials, webpages, etc. (describing your work) to share with other meeting participants, please email them to Sharon at sharon@nawm.org. NAWM Publications NAWM Resources
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
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Predicting and Mapping the effects of the Sackett Decision
Held Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. ET
The 2023 Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA is the most recent change to the scope of the Clean Water Act through its shrinking of federal jurisdiction over streams and wetlands. In the decision's wake, several states, organizations, and researchers have been developing predictive geospatial tools to map future possibilities for the extent of "Waters of the United States". This webinar featured presentations of ongoing prediction efforts in two states, Wisconsin and New Mexico, as well as a recently published national model to support future policy and regulatory frameworks.
INTRODUCTION
- Ian Grosfelt, National Association of Wetland Managers [PRESENTATION PDF]
PRESENTERS
- Joe Shapiro, University of California, Berkeley [PRESENTATION PDF]
- Tom Bernthal, Wisconsin's Green Fire [PRESENTATION PDF]
- Andy Robertson, GeoSpatial Services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota [PRESENTATION PDF]
ABSTRACTS
Joe Shapiro, University of California, Berkeley
We assess which waters the Clean Water Act protects and how Supreme Court and White House rules change this regulation. We train a deep learning model using aerial imagery and geophysical data to predict 150,000 jurisdictional determinations from the Army Corps of Engineers, each deciding regulation for one water resource. Under a 2006 Supreme Court ruling, the Clean Water Act protects two-thirds of US streams and more than half of wetlands; under a 2020 White House rule, it protects less than half of streams and a fourth of wetlands, implying deregulation of 690,000 stream miles, 35 million wetland acres, and 30% of waters around drinking-water sources. Our framework can support permitting, policy design, and use of machine learning in regulatory implementation problems.
Andy Robertson, GeoSpatial Services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
New Mexico, one of the largest semi-arid states in the US is highly dependent on surface hydrology. From drinking water and cultural ceremonies to acequia farming and outdoor recreation, clean water supports all aspects of life in New Mexico. Water is a precious resource everywhere, but its importance is magnified in New Mexico’s arid climate.
The 2023 Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA has the potential to remove federal Clean Water Act protections for many New Mexico waters. This presentation discussed efforts to quantify this potentially catastrophic impact and highlight the practical and political uncertainties which make such analyses challenging.
BIOS
Joseph S. Shapiro is Associate Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, in Agricultural & Resource Economics and the Department of Economics. He also serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Political Economy, Co-Editor of the Journal of Public Economics, Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and Research Associate at the Energy Institute at Haas. His research agenda focuses on three general questions: (1) How do globalization and the environment interact? (2) What have been the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity impacts of environmental and energy policies over the last half century, particularly for water, air, and climate pollution? (3) How important are the investments that people make to protect themselves against air pollution and climate change? Shapiro has received an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, Kiel Institute Excellence in Global Affairs Award, and Marshall Scholarship. Shapiro holds a Ph.D. in economics from MIT, Masters degrees from Oxford and LSE, and a BA from Stanford.
Andy Robertson is currently Executive Director of GeoSpatial Services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In this role, Andy is responsible for oversight and management of all GeoSpatial Services projects, activities and staff. GeoSpatial Services is engaged in a wide variety of projects across the Lower 48 and Alaska including: wetland inventory; National Hydrography Dataset updates; spatial data development; and natural resource condition assessments. GeoSpatial Services has been a key partner of the USFWS and has been working for over 18 years to update legacy National Wetland Inventory data across the nation. Andy is a steering committee member for the NAWM Wetland Mapping Consortium, a NAWM Board Member and is past-chair of the Alaska GeoSpatial Council Wetland Technical Working Group.
Please click only once on each video recording to view in this window.
View Past Wetland Mapping Consortium Webinars
PDF List of Past Wetland Mapping Consortium Webinar Recordings
View Upcoming Wetland Mapping Consortium Webinars
Thank you to our Generous Sponsors!
Egret Sponsors
To address the effects of a changing climate, The Pew Charitable Trusts considers multiple policy areas to help lawmakers safeguard their constituents and communities. Pew experts produce research, identify best practices, work alongside state and local leaders to create resilience plans and policies, safeguard habitats that help slow climate change, and target resources to vulnerable communities.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that supports State and local governments in the design, construction, and maintenance of the Nation’s highway system (Federal Aid Highway Program) and various federally and tribal owned lands (Federal Lands Highway Program). Through financial and technical assistance to State and local governments, the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for ensuring that America’s roads and highways continue to be among the safest and most technologically sound in the world.
Meristem, a collaboration, an extension of your team, your vision, your project. We specialize in wetlands, native plants, permitting, mitigation banking, endangered species, hard work, and consistent communication.
Kingfisher Sponsors
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If you would like to become a Sponsor of our Annual Meeting, please see information here.
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Existing EPA CWA Resources/Trainings
Overview/General
- Clean Water Act Section 106 Tribal Guidance – includes chapters on grant requirements, program development, monitoring program development/implementation (including summary table [Table 6] of common parameters), programmatic reporting requirements (including a summary table [Table 10] of reporting deliverables), program expansions - additional activities & regulatory authorities, and other funding options.
- Watershed Academy – a variety of online learning modules (see especially the water law section) and webcast recordings.
- 2023 WOTUS rule revision webinars/trainings – video recordings and pdfs of presentation slides
Regulatory & Non-Regulatory Approaches (including Water Quality Standards):
- Handbook for Developing and Managing Tribal Nonpoint Source Pollution Programs Under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act – a practical and accessible guide for tribes that covers how to develop a nonpoint source assessment report and management program, activities eligible for funding under CWA section 319, and successfully implementing a watershed-scale restoration project.
- NPS Program Sample Training Curriculum for Tribal Staff – “a list of tasks and training resources available to ensure you quickly become versed in the requirements and duties of a Nonpoint Source team member.”
- 2023 Tribal Nonpoint Source Webinar Training Series – a six-part series, each recording is approximately 90 minutes.
- Tribal Nonpoint Source Programs: Working to solve water quality problems – a report highlighting several examples of tribal nonpoint source pollution control work conducted under CWA section 319
- Water Quality Standards Handbook – a compilation of EPA’s guidance on WQS for states, tribes, and territories to use in developing and implementing water quality standards (WQS)
- TAS for the Water Quality Standards Program: Frequently Asked Questions provides answers to questions regarding the TAS for WQS application process, and TAS for the Water Quality Standards Program: Procedural Steps for Tribal TAS Applications resource outlines the steps for tribal TAS applications. A TAS Application Template for Water Quality Standards and Water Quality Certifications is available to help Tribes apply to EPA for TAS for these programs.
- EPA’s Model WQS Template for Waters on Indian Reservations can serve as a foundation for Tribes seeking to develop their own WQS. This template provides basic language covering the primary elements of WQS that a Tribe can adopt directly, while allowing a Tribe to add or modify language to align with their own water quality goals. EPA’s Tribal/State Human Health Criteria Calculator generates a customized numeric human health criteria table.
- Wetland Water Quality Standards provides an overview and information on developing and using WQS for wetlands. EPA’s Templates for Developing Wetland Water Quality Standards can be used for developing these standards.
- Key information on EPA’s Final Rule - Treatment of Indian Tribes in a Similar Manner as States for Purposes of Section 303(d) website includes factsheet, FAQ, and application template
Monitoring and Assessment (including data management):
- For compiling WQ assessments: Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology and the Tribal Assessment Modules on EPA’s Ambient Water Monitoring and Assessment website for more information on Water Quality Assessments including exercises to practice assessing data against thresholds and WQS.
- Developing a Tribal Water Quality Program Monitoring Strategy supplement – “The Tribal Section 106 grant award includes three programmatic reporting deliverables, one of which is a Monitoring Strategy. This document addresses in more detail the development of a Water Quality Monitoring Strategy.”
- Protecting Waters and Wetlands in Indian County: A Guide for Developing Tribal Wetland Management Programs – a guide for tribal natural resource managers interested in developing a tribal wetland program, including wetland monitoring and assessment activities; this guide also includes case studies that provide examples of wetland protection and management activities
- The Tribal Assessment Modules on EPA’s Ambient Water Monitoring and Assessment website have more information on Water Quality Assessments, including examples and technical guidance. Module 1- Understanding Water Quality Standards; Module 2- Overarching Considerations in Assessing Water Quality; Module 3- Assessing Data for Specific Water Quality Parameters; Module 4- Analyzing Data to Determine Use Support for Water Quality Assessment Reports.
- EPA’s Quality Assurance Project Plan Development Tool - includes a template and model, and supplemental technical information (statistical methods, recommended WQ criteria - under module 4).
- Example Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for Monitoring of Surface Water – an example based on a fictitious Northern California tribe planning to conduct water quality monitoring on a river system within tribal lands.
- EPA Region 10 Tribal QAPP Guidance and Template - includes examples for a water monitoring project to help the reader understand, generally, how a QAPP is written; please consult with your EPA Project Officer before using this template to ensure it is suitable for your project.
- Water Quality Data Upload with WQX – factsheets, user guides, best practices reports, video tutorials
- ATTAINS resources for users (tutorials, trainings, fact sheets) – online data submission/access
- Guidance on Systematic Planning Using the Data Quality Objectives Process - provides information on how to apply systematic planning to generate performance and acceptance criteria for collecting environmental data, including examples/case studies.
- Guidance for Data Quality Assessment: Practical Methods for Data Analysis - demonstrates how to use data quality assessment in evaluating environmental data sets and illustrates how to apply some graphical and statistical tools (e.g., statistical analysis and verification tests).
Resources from EPA Regions in the Southwest U.S.
- The Southwest Tribal Clean Water Act Training is targeting tribal communities in all or parts of EPA Regions 6, 8, and 9; here is a map of EPA Regions
- Website for the Region 6 Tribal Program
- Website for the Region 8 Tribal Affairs Branch
- Website for the Region 9 Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC)
- EPA Region 9 has a webpage for Tribal Clean Water Act Programs and Grants in the Pacific Southwest that includes program and grant information and contact information for appropriate EPA staff
- Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (TCTACs) are supported by EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. These regional technical assistance centers provide free training and other assistance to build capacity for applying to and managing grants, as well as other areas of technical assistance. TCTACs in the Southwest U.S. include:
- South Central Environmental and Energy Justice Resource Center (serving EPA Region 6)
- International City/County Management Association (serving EPA Region 8)
- Western Environmental Science Technical Assistance Center for Environmental Justice (serving EPA Region 9)
- Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice (serving EPA Region 9)
Additional Useful Resources (Not from EPA)
- The National Tribal Water Council (NTWC) developed A Guidebook for Developing Tribal Water Quality Standards to assist tribes in developing a water quality standards program under tribal legal authority. NTWC held a webinar on the guidebook in January 2023.
- The Tribal Exchange Network Group (TXG) works to support tribal management, analysis, and sharing of environmental data. The TXG provides free trainings, online resources, and technical assistance.
This calendar provides a place to share upcoming U.S. wetlands and water resources events. Note that the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) has set up this calendar for information sharing purposes only. NAWM does not endorse the listed events.
If you have additions or corrections to this list of trainings, please contact Sharon at sharon@nawm.org.
Please note, all times listed below are Eastern Standard time.
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Nov 13WEBINAR In Person & Online NAWM2 Test Street Portland ME 1:00 p.m. sharon@nawm.org Test Calendar of Events 1Mon. 13 Nov, 2023 - Tue. 14 Nov, 2023
November
Calendar of Events
This calendar provides a place to share upcoming U.S. wetlands and water resources events. Note that the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) has set up this calendar for information sharing purposes only. NAWM does not endorse the listed events.
Event listing information:
- As a NAWM Member, there is no charge to have your membership's organization event listed.
- Non-members will be charged a $100.00 fee per listing for an event.
- If you are not a NAWM member and would like to join, please join here.
- Your event will be listed for 60 days.
March 10-11, 2025 Richmond, VA |
Wetland Restoration and Training LLC: Wetland Restoration Workshop | More Information | ||||||||||||||||
March 13-14, 2025 Nassawadox, VA |
Wetland Restoration and Training LLC: Wetland Restoration Workshop |
More Information | ||||||||||||||||
March 26, 2025 Dunedin, FL |
MERISTEM Training: Intracoastal Islands Plant Class | More Information |
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Publications
The Association conducts research and publishes reports, guidebooks, news articles, brochures, white papers, and summaries of findings of symposia and workshops. These are available electronically to all interested individuals and organizations.