Welcome to the 2009 SWS-WWA-WBS Joint Meeting Website

WORKSHOPS

The meeting Planning Team is pleased to offer a variety of workshops. Click workshop titles to read about these offerings below. Each workshop will require a registration fee - simply select the appropriate workshop on your conference registration form, and add workshop fee to your registration total, to reserve your slot.

◊ Wetland Gems to Poetic Gems: Celebrating WI Wetlands with Poetry: Sunday afternoon
◊ Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States: Friday morning CANCELLED
◊ Field Data Collection, Mobile GIS and GPS Implementation: Friday morning CANCELLED
◊ ArcPad Mini Bootcamp and GIS/GPS Field Data Collection: Friday afternoon CANCELLED
◊ Northcentral & Northeast Regional Supplement to the '87 Manual: All day Friday

Wetland Gems to Poetic Gems: Celebrating Wisconsin Wetlands with Poetry
Sunday, June 21, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Registration: $50

In 2009, Wisconsin Wetlands Association (WWA) is celebrating Wisconsin's 100 Wetland Gems - high quality representatives of the vast and wonderful wetland riches that are a part of Wisconsin's landscapes. In this workshop, three local poets who also all serve on WWA's Board of Directors will lead a tour of Waubesa Wetlands, a Madison-area Wetland Gem. Instructors Mary Linton (wetland ecologist and amphibian biologist), Alice Thompson (wetland ecologist and restoration biologist) and Tod Highsmith (ornithologist and odonate enthusiast) will discuss the ecology and challenges of an urban wetland, and will also provide plenty of opportunity for Waubesa Wetlands to inspire. After touring Waubesa, participants will settle in at the wetland edge and let wetland nature inspire poetry. We will share some of our favorite nature poetry and work through several writing exercises to facilitate turning Waubesa's inspiration into verse. Participants needn't have experience in either wetland biology or poetry writing to enjoy this workshop. We love to learn from participants at all levels of biological and poetic expertise. No rapping of the poetic knuckles by anyone - just time writing about this Wetland Gem and the organisms that depend on it.

Participants should bring an inexpensive notebook, a couple of writing implements, a favorite nature poem, and a willing heart. Knee boots might give you more freedom and confidence to investigate the wetlands, but an old and expendable pair of shoes would also suffice. Transportation provided; space is limited.

Instructors:
1) Mary Linton, Wisconsin Wetlands Association: Research interests include top predators in fishless wetlands. Poetry published in numerous journals and literary magazines. Led WWA Wetland and Poetry Trip & Workshop in 2006.
2) Alice Thompson, Thompson & Associates Wetland Services: Long-time member of SWS and Certified Professional Wetland Scientist. Owns business for independent wetland consultating, including restorations and conservation planning.
3) Tod Highsmith, Wisconsin Wetlands Association: Writer and editor in the conservation sciences. Poet, birder, and odonate enthusiast. Still seeks the elusive dragonfly, the Ebony Boghaunter.

Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States CANCELLED
Friday, June 26, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Registration: $55

The National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils (NTCHS) oversees all development and revisions to the definition, criteria, field indicators, and technical standard for the identification of hydric soils. The Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States is a compilation of all NTCHS approved field indicators of hydric soils. These field indicators are being adopted for use for all Clean Water Act wetland delineations in the US Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual regional supplements. The focus of the workshop is on the use of Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States. It will focus on general guidance on their use as well as examples of commonly used indicators throughout the country. The workshop will also touch on the definition, criteria and technical standard used in the identification of hydric soils. The course will be taught by lectures, discussion, and an exercise. Course instructors will be Dr. Christopher Smith, National Leader for Technical Soil Services, USDA NRCS Soil Survey Division and chair of the NTCHS; and Lenore Matula Vasilas, Technical Soil Specialist, USDA NRCS Soil Survey Division and member of the NTCHS. For more information contact Lenore Vasilas at 202-720-8692 or lenore.vasilas@wdc.usda.gov.

Instructors:
1) Lenore Matula Vasilas, USDA NRCS Soil Survey Division and National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils member: Ms. Vasilas has worked as a soil scientist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for almost 20 years. For the past 13 years her focus has been on hydric soils. She received a B.S. degree in Environmental Planning from Cook College, Rutgers University and an M.S. degree in Plant and Soil Sciences from University of Delaware. She is currently a technical soils specialist at NRCS headquarters in Washington, DC. She is a member of the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils and the National Advisory Team for the development of regional supplements to the US Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual.
2) Christopher W. Smith, USDA NRCS Soil Survey Division and National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils chair: Dr. Smith has worked as an NRCS soil scientist for 34 years in California, Micronesia, Hawaii, North Carolina, Nebraska, the Baltic States and Washington DC. He received his B.S. in Soil Science in 1976 from California Polytechnic State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in soil science from North Carolina State University in 1985 and 1989 respectively. He has extensive experience mapping hydric soils in the Pacific Basin.

Field Data Collection, Mobile GIS and GPS Implementation CANCELLED
Friday, June 26, 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Registration: $70 for SWS or WWA Members; $95 for non-members

This workshop is an excellent introduction and/or update for those that want to better "navigate" the current state of technology for field data collection, GPS mapping and Mobile Geographic Information Systems (GIS) hardware and software.

The course will help you analyze "What are my field data collection goals?". It will cover Pros and Cons of Field Data Collection hardware; evaluating your project's mapping needs and the GPS/location accuracy required; appropriate considerations in selecting a complete field data collection solution; and current/future trends in Mobile GIS/GPS implementation.

This workshop is presentation style and will include some handout materials. Attendees who would like more "hands-on" technology experience are encouraged to sign up for the ½ day afternoon "ArcPad Mini Bootcamp and GIS/GPS Field Data Collection" session. See www.geomobileinnovations.com for more details.

Instructor:
Richard Ash and/or Craig Greenwald, GeoMobile Innovations: Richard Ash has worked in the mobile computer and GIS/GPS field for over 20 years. He frequently implements solutions and trains organizations in GPS and field data collection. Craig Greenwald has worked in the Mobile GIS arena for over 10 years including 7 years with ESRI on the ArcPad development team. He has provided Mobile GIS/GPS training workshops throughout the United States.

ArcPad Mini Bootcamp and GIS/GPS Field Data Collection CANCELLED
Friday, June 26, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Instructors: Richard Ash, GeoMobile Innovations
Registration: $275 for SWS or WWA Members; $325 for non-members

ESRI's ArcPad (http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcpad/index.html) is an industry standard Mobile GIS and GPS mapping application that runs on Windows Mobile PDAs and some manufacturer's integrated GPS devices. If you are looking for a info packed short course on using ArcPad in your projects or simply want to get your feet wet with Mobile GIS field exercises, this "Hands-On" Mini Bootcamp is for you! The Bootcamp covers ArcPad basics, opening maps and viewing data, configuring your GPS receiver (including capture quality settings), and mapping points, lines and polygons with GPS. Field to office workflow strategies will be presented - this will include getting ESRI Geodatabase data into and out of ArcPad.

There will be two "Hands-on" field exercises to enforce the concepts being taught. We will provide an assortment of equipment for folks to use and try out in groups of 2 or 3 people per unit (subject to class size). Have ArcPad already? Students are encouraged to bring their own Mobile devices running ArcPad (please confirm version with instructor in advance). Students are also encouraged to register for the "Field Data Collection, Mobile GIS and GPS Implementation" presentation in the AM but it is not required. See www.geomobileinnovations.com for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the hands-on nature of this course, the Bootcamp course is limited to 15 students per class.

Instructor:
Craig Greenwald and/or Richard Ash, GeoMobile Innovations: GeoMobile Innovations, Inc. specializes in providing our clients with Mobile GIS, GPS, and field data collection technology solutions. Craig Greenwald has worked in the Mobile GIS arena for over 10 years including 7 years with ESRI on the ArcPad development team. He has provided ArcPad training workshops throughout the United States. Richard Ash has worked in the mobile computer and GIS/GPS field for over 20 years. He frequently implements solutions and trains organizations in GPS and field data collection.

Northcentral & Northeast Regional Supplement to the '87 Manual
Friday, June 26, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration: $75

The Northcentral & Northeast Regional Supplement is one in a series of supplements to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual, the development of which is part of a nationwide effort to address regional wetland characteristics and improve the accuracy and efficiency of wetland delineation procedures. The workshop will provide an overview of the contents of the supplement followed by field exercises in the use of the supplement as well as a comparison with the criteria in the Wetland Delineation Manual. The NC/NE Regional Supplement is expected to be posted for mandatory interim use early summer 2009, and this workshop will give users the opportunity to apply the indicators established in the supplement.

Instructors:
1) Steve Eggers, St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Member of National Advisory Team for Wetland Delineation and three supplement workgroups including NC/NE. Instructor for wetland delineation courses since 1992. Co-author of Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin (1997). Certified PWS since 1995.
2) Barbara Walther, St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: 23 years wetland delineation experience in public/private sectors throughout New England, MN/WI. At BWSR, provided training in wetland delineation and regulations and co-authored MnRAM Version 2.0. Served on Peer Review team for NC/NE Regional Supplement summer 2008.
3) Michael Whited, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, MO-10 Region, St. Paul: Soil scientist for over 27 years. Former Chair NTCHS and co-chair New England HS Committee. Instrumental in development of NTCHS/NRCS Field Indicators of Hydric Soils, authored two HGM guidebooks, co-authored chapter in Wetland Soils and involved in development of several Regional Supplements. Taught 50+ sessions on wetland delineation, hydric soils and functional assessment.

QUESTIONS? Please contact Workshop Committee co-chairs Kurt Kowalski (kkowalski@usgs.gov) and Stefanie Nadeau (s_nadeau@sbcglobal.net).

Society of Wetland Scientists

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