NAWM Members
Members receive weekly issues of Insider’s Edition and bimonthly issues of Wetland News per year. If you are a member already, you may read the latest issue of Insider’s Edition and Wetland News (NAWM’s membership newsletter) by logging in to your Members' Portal. NAWM membership benefits information.
NAWM is looking for photos of our members working in the field—whether inside or outside, regulation or restoration, monitoring & assessment—or mapping & management of wetland resources. We would like to feature photos of wetland professionals doing a wide range of activities in the field of wetland science, policy and management. Please email these photos to Laura at laura@nawm.org for use on the NAWM website and/or in our membership newsletter, Wetland News.
The NAWM membership includes state, tribal, federal, and local wetland managers, regulators, researchers, field scientists, academics, private consultants, and more. These wetlanders work across the United States in a wide variety of wetlands and related aquatic resources. To celebrate the important work that NAWM members are doing, each month NAWM shines the Member Spotlight on one member to learn more about the good work they are doing to protect and restore our wetland resources, how they came to work in wetlands, and how being a member of the Association benefits their work. If you would like to nominate a member for a future Member Spotlight, please reach out to Portia Osborne, NAWM Assistant Director, at portia@nawm.org. View Member Spotlight Archive.
Anne Garwood
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.
If you would like to nominate a member for a future Member Spotlight, please reach out to Portia Osborne, NAWM Assistant Director, at portia@nawm.org.
View Member Spotlight Archive.