SWS Strategic Plan

SWS Mission Statement:

To promote understanding, conservation, scientifically based management, and sustainable use of wetlands.

SWS Vision:

Wetland Science will:
• Form the basis of the public’s understanding of the important functions and values of wetlands
• Advance as a rigorous interdisciplinary body of endeavor and knowledge
• Provide the foundation for management, conservation, and policy
The Society of Wetland Scientists will:
• Strive to be recognized as the leader in wetland science
• Lead the education of wetland professionals and the public regarding wetland science and applications
• Continue to promote the development of wetland science programs around the world, particularly in developing
countries, and to promote diversity among SWS members
• Actively promote the inclusion of sound science in wetland policy and stewardship

SWS Goals, Objectives, and Actions:

GOAL 1: Promote Basic and Applied Wetland Research of High Quality

OBJECTIVE 1.1 Support student research
ACTION 1.1.1 Maintain and expand the SWS Student Grants Program (Student Grants Committee) O (= ongoing)
ACTION 1.1.2 Expand student paper and poster awards (Student Presentations Sub-Committee) O

OBJECTIVE 1.2 Provide forums for identifying basic and applied research gaps
ACTION 1.2.1 Solicit special symposia or workshops to identify research gaps (Reorganized Meeting Committee,
Chapters)’06
ACTION 1.2.1A Communicate results and advocate funding priorities from these symposia to funding
agencies (Wetland Concerns Committee)’06
ACTION 1.2.2 Publish scientific syntheses on wetland topics (Publications Committee) O
ACTION 1.2.3 Promote high quality state-of-the-science symposia, special meetings, and articles (Reorganized Meeting
Committee, Chapters) O
ACTION 1.2.4 Provide a venue for announcing research opportunities and activities by geographic area or by wetland
type (Chapters)’07

OBJECTIVE 1.3 Encourage interdisciplinary and innovative perspectives
ACTION 1.3.1 Hold interdisciplinary symposia during annual meeting (Reorganized Meeting Committee) O
ACTION 1.3.2 Design conference sessions for innovative/emerging science (Reorganized Meeting Committee) O

OBJECTIVE 1.4 Partner with other professional societies
ACTION 1.4.1 Engage organizations representing other professions (e.g., engineering, human health,
socioeconomics) in activities, such as co-hosted technical sessions, that addresses common interests
in wetlands (Executive Board, Chapters) O
ACTION 1.4.2 Promote wetland science at other society conferences (Executive Board, Chapters) O
ACTION 1.4.3 Build on current MOU’s and develop further MOU’s with other professional societies
(Executive Board) O

GOAL 2: Support Wetland Education and Public Awareness of Wetlands

OBJECTIVE 2.1 Develop collaborations with educators to enhance wetland curricula
ACTION 2.1.1 Provide suggested course content outlines (grade school through continuing education) (Education &
Outreach Committee)’10
ACTION 2.1.2 Assist educators in devising innovative courses (Education & Outreach Committee) O
ACTION 2.1.3 Establish an award for educators (Awards Committee and Education & Outreach Committee)’08
ACTION 2.1.4 Establish an award for SWS members who excel in outreach to educators (Awards Committee and
Education & Outreach Committee)’08

OBJECTIVE 2.2 Foster future generations of wetland professionals
ACTION 2.2.1 Promote involvement by under-represented groups (Human Diversity Comm.) (see Action 7.2.3)O
ACTION 2.2.2 Provide a mentoring program for young people at the SWS annual conference
(e.g., career symposium, student mixer) (Education & Outreach Committee) O

OBJECTIVE 2.3 Enhance professional development for wetland scientists and practitioners
ACTION 2.3.1 Provide training classes during Annual Meeting (Reorganized Meeting Committee and Education and
Outreach Committee) O
ACTION 2.3.2 Expand course and training content of website by linking to agencies and training centers (Education
& Outreach Committee)’06

OBJECTIVE 2.4 Provide outreach to non-technical audiences
ACTION 2.4.1 Investigate creation of a non-technical audience magazine (Publications Committee)’10
ACTION 2.4.2 Establish a mechanism for publishing non-technical summaries of research papers (Publications
Committee)’06
ACTION 2.4.3 Offer a webpage on wetlands for a non-technical audience (Education & Outreach Committee)’07
ACTION 2.4.4 Provide information on the web site that summarizes research activities and topics, including
geographic locations (Education and Outreach Committee and Publications Committee) ´09

OBJECTIVE 2.5 Collaborate with groups that communicate with the public
ACTION 2.5.1 Establish MOU’s with organizations involved in wetland communication (e.g., NGOs
such as The Nature Conservancy, government agencies, and other appropriate organizations)
(Education & Outreach Committee, Chapters, and Executive Board)’08

GOAL 3: Provide Forums to Disseminate the Latest Scientific Results

OBJECTIVE 3.1 Maintain and improve SWS publications
ACTION 3.1.1 Evaluate possible changes to the society’s publications, such as initiation of new journals,
reorganization of contents and style of existing journal, and dissemination of journal by different
means (Publications Committee)’05

OBJECTIVE 3.2 Continue to improve the effectiveness of SWS annual meetings and chapter meetings
ACTION 3.2.1 Provide conference guidance to local organizing committees (Executive Board, Business Office, Reorganized
Meeting Committee) O
ACTION 3.2.1A Revise and update Meetings Manual (Reorganized Meeting Committee)’06
ACTION 3.2.2 Make conferences more affordable (Reorganized Meeting Committee) O
ACTION 3.2.3 Encourage research symposia (Reorganized Meeting Committee) O
ACTION 3.2.4 Encourage disciplinary diversity in the meeting program (Reorganized Meeting Committee) O

OBJECTIVE 3.3 Promote technical conferences on wetland science (ranging from local to international venues)
ACTION 3.3.1 Collaborate with other societies on meetings (Board, Chapters) O
ACTION 3.3.2 Provide speakers for other organizations’ conferences (Executive Board, Chapters) O
ACTION 3.3.3 Invite other disciplines to present papers at SWS meetings (Reorganized Meeting Committee) O

GOAL 4: Promote Science-Based Stewardship of Wetlands

OBJECTIVE 4.1 Promote the application of research directly relevant to conservation, management, and sustainability
ACTION 4.1.1 Sponsor appropriate symposia, plenary speakers, synthesis papers (Reorganized Meeting Committee &
Publications Committee) O
ACTION 4.1.2 Develop a publication outlet for papers related to conservation, management, & sustainability
(Publications Committee)’10

OBJECTIVE 4.2 Promote the application of scientific knowledge to conservation, management, and sustainable use
ACTION 4.2.1 Develop white papers (Wetland Concerns Committee) O
ACTION 4.2.2 Develop lists of peer reviewers/experts, coordinating with related organizations (Wetland
Concerns Committee)’07
ACTION 4.2.3 Provide a mechanism for experts to be identified and invited to participate in technical and scientific
advisory committees (Wetland Concerns Committee) ‘07

OBJECTIVE 4.3 Encourage forums to bring wetland research scientists, practitioners, and managers together
ACTION 4.3.1 Offer and support symposia, field trips, workshops, and special meetings, including those that provide
information on basic wetland identification, functions, and values for non-technical audiences
(Chapters) O

OBJECTIVE 4.4 Promote and recognize excellence in wetland science application
ACTION 4.4.1 Create awards for conservation, management & sustainable use (Awards Committee)’07
ACTION 4.4.2 Solicit bulletin articles about successful applications (Bulletin Editor)’06

GOAL 5: Encourage Incorporation of Sound Wetland Science into Policy

OBJECTIVE 5.1 Raise the awareness of SWS members regarding the importance of communicating with policy makers
ACTION 5.1.1 Invite policy makers to participate in the annual meeting (Reorganized Meeting Committee) O

OBJECTIVE 5.2 Incorporate the latest science into new and existing policies
ACTION 5.2.1 Offer workshops for highlighting science that underlies policy development and management,
and explores ways to integrate science into the decision making framework (Wetland Concerns
Committee)’07
ACTION 5.2.2 Increase the involvement of wetland scientists in policy making (Wetland Concerns)
ACTION 5.2.2A Use the AIBS Public Policy office to communicate with policy makers ‘06
ACTION 5.2.3 Create a venue in one of the SWS publications for identifying and discussing relevant wetland
policy issues, new legislation, key court cases, etc. (Publications Committee) ‘06

OBJECTIVE 5.3 Advocate the use of ecosystem and watershed principles and science in policy development
ACTION 5.3.1 Develop white papers on these topics (Wetland Concerns Committee)’07

GOAL 6: Foster the International Scope of Wetland Science and SWS

OBJECTIVE 6.1 Develop and communicate an effective international structure for SWS
ACTION 6.1.1 Develop a framework for international chapters (International Chapter)’05
ACTION 6.1.1A Use the framework to develop additional international chapters (International Chapter) ‘07
ACTION 6.1.2 Add “USA” to the names of current US chapters (e.g. Central USA Chapter) in all communications
(Publications Committee)’05
ACTION 6.1.3 Incorporate and emphasize "international" in references to SWS policies and activities in all
communications and publications (Publications Committee, Board) ‘05

OBJECTIVE 6.2 Promote wetland science in developing countries
ACTION 6.2.1 Solicit endowments to sponsor memberships for scientists from developing countries
(Ways and Means Committee)’07
ACTION 6.2.2 Make the journal available to universities and government agencies in developing
countries (International Chapters)’08

OBJECTIVE 6.3 Maintain worldwide representation in SWS publications and annual meetings
ACTION 6.3.1 Seek high quality manuscripts from outside North America (Publications Committee) O

OBJECTIVE 6.4 Promote the development and co-sponsorship of international conferences
ACTION 6.4.1 Co-host INTECOL Wetland Congresses (Reorganized Meeting Committee)’05

GOAL 7: Ensure that the Growth and Evolution of SWS are Sustainable

OBJECTIVE 7.1 Increase the visibility of SWS
ACTION 7.1.1 Investigate possible name changes to promote inclusiveness and international scope, for instance
“International Society for Wetland Science” (Board) ‘09
ACTION 7.1.2 Develop a communications arm for the society to coordinate media outreach (Executive Board, Wetland
Concerns Committee)’06
ACTION 7.1.2A Identify appropriate spokespeople for wetland science (media outreach) (Wetland Concerns
Committee)’07
ACTION 7.1.2B Develop press releases for significant articles (Publications Committee & Wetland Concerns
Committees)’06
ACTION 7.1.3 Take advantage of free ad space (e.g., in BioScience) (Secretary-General) O
ACTION 7.1.4 Develop a public relations training workshop for the annual meeting (Wetland Concerns
Committee)’07
ACTION 7.1.5 Arrange press conferences during the annual meeting (Reorganized Meeting Committee) O
ACTION 7.1.6 Produce an SWS promotional CD/video (Membership Committee)’09
ACTION 7.1.7 Redesign the website for attractiveness and utility (Publications Committee)’05
ACTION 7.1.7A Create a members-only intranet (Publications Committee)’06

OBJECTIVE 7.2 Increase ethnic diversity of the wetland science community
ACTION 7.2.1 Reach out to under-represented groups in carrying out local, regional, national, and international SWS
meetings (Reorganized Meeting Committee & Human Diversity Committee & Chapter Chairs) O
ACTION 7.2.2 Market job section of website to under-represented groups (Human Diversity Committee)’05
ACTION 7.2.3 Market student funding programs, including the NSF Undergraduate Fellowship for Underrepresented
Groups and SWS Student Grants (Grant PI, Human Diversity & Student Grants Committee)O
ACTION 7.2.4 Establish regional links with institutions that serve under-represented groups (Chapters)'07
ACTION 7.2.5 Establish a program to continue mentoring undergraduate students from under-represented groups
who have been supported in SWS programs (Human Diversity Committee) ‘07
OBJECTIVE 7.3 Increase and diversify the Society’s membership
ACTION 7.3.1 Conduct member drives regularly (Membership Committee)’05
ACTION 7.3.2 Incorporate membership into non-member annual meeting registrations (Reorganized Meeting
Committee) O
ACTION 7.3.3 Survey non-renewing members regularly to find out why they did not renew (Membership Committee) O
ACTION 7.3.4 Establish new membership categories that would attract professionals outside traditional wetland
science disciplines (Membership Committee)’05

OBJECTIVE 7.4 Ensure value of membership remains high
ACTION 7.4.1 Establish a process for creating disciplinary sections (e.g. hydrology, vegetation, wildlife,
biogeochemistry) (Board and vote of membership)’09
ACTION 7.4.2 Survey the membership regularly on their opinions of membership value (Membership Committee)’06
ACTION 7.4.3 Describe how dues support member services during each Annual Meeting (Executive Board) O
ACTION 7.4.4 Communicate the value of membership to members via all media outlets (website, the bulletin, annual
dues notices, email broadcasts) (Membership Committee) O

OBJECTIVE 7.5 Promote, celebrate, and support membership involvement in the governance of the society
ACTION 7.5.1 Publicize the work of members through the bulletin (e.g., photos, announcements, awards)
(Publications Committee) O
ACTION 7.5.2 Publicize involvement opportunities (Publications Committee, Chapter Chairs) O
ACTION 7.5.3 Examine the mission and structure of each SWS committee to ensure its energy and capacity are equal
to its task (Board) O

OBJECTIVE 7.6 Increase student involvement (members and nonmembers)
ACTION 7.6.1 Provide forums to help students network (Reorganized Meeting Committee, Student Representative to the
Board)’06
ACTION 7.6.2 Select student representative for chapter boards and Board of Directors (Executive Board)’05

OBJECTIVE 7.7 Increase income
ACTION 7.7.1 Increase current sources of income
ACTION 7.7.1A Reevaluate investment strategies, including the use of a professional financial management
firm (Ways and Means Committee)’05
ACTION 7.7.1B Review dues rates annually (Executive Board) O
ACTION 7.7.2 Seek new sources of income
ACTION 7.7.2A Develop non-technical, subscription-based magazine (Publications Committee)’10
ACTION 7.7.2B Identify new endowment opportunities develop marketing strategy for all endowments
(Ways and Means Committee)’06

OBJECTIVE 7.8 Balance expenses with income
ACTION 7.8.1 Establish a policy for matching expenses with specific income streams for both programs and
operations (Ways and Means Committee)’05
ACTION 7.8.2 Establish a policy for matching the income and expense for any new programs and funding requests
(Ways and Means Committee)’06
ACTION 7.8.3 Establish a policy for effective use of the endowments (Ways and Means Committee) ‘06

OBJECTIVE 7.9 Maintain effective governance and operations
ACTION 7.9.1 Evaluate governance structure and efficiency periodically (Executive Board)’05
ACTION 7.9.2 Evaluate operation structure and efficiency periodically
ACTION 7.9.2A Evaluate business management services (Executive Board) O
ACTION 7.9.2B Investigate the need for and cost of an Executive Director (Executive Board)’08
ACTION 7.9.2C Evaluate publication services (Publications Committee) O
ACTION 7.9.2D Evaluate services provided by AIBS (Executive Board) O