This committee shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining all SWS awards programs recognizing various categories of outstanding individual and organizational contributions that further the objectives of the Society or advance wetland science. Additionally, a subcommittee of the Awards Committee shall be responsible for developing, and updating, as needed, criteria and procedures for obtaining, evaluating, and ranking student-developed wetland research proposals and selecting the award recipients. The Committee shall have a chair and each award subcommittee shall have a chair and two additional members each, except for the student grants subcommittee, which will consist of at least seven (7) members.

2024 Members

• Amanda Nahlik, Chair
• Siobhan Fennessy, Past Chair

This committee shall be responsible for fostering the exchange of accurate information on wetland science among wetland professionals, wetland educators, and the general public. The Committee shall consist of seven (7) members, including a student, an international member, and at least one member from each main sector (private, government, and academic). Subcommittees can be established, as appropriate, to address continuing activities of the Committee. Subcommittee chairs shall be members of the Committee.

2024 Members:

• Jeff Matthews, Chair
• Amber Robinson, Webinar Subcommittee Co-Chair
• Andrea Stumpf, Webinar Subcommittee Co-Chair
• Whitney Kroschel, Member
• Greg Noe, Member
• Swapan Paul, Member
• David Riera, Member

Sub-Committees

• Consortium of Aquatic Sciences (CASS)
• Nominations
• Webinar
• Wetland Ambassadors

2024 Webinar Subcommittee Members:

• Amber Robinson, Co-Chair
• Andrea Stumpf, Co-Chair
• Louis Mantini, Co-Chair
• Darien Becker, Co-Secretary
• Katie Simon, Co-Secretary
• Liv Haney, Co-Analyst
• David McWhorter, Co-Analyst
• Jason Tucker, Certificates
• Jodie Murray Burns, Interviews
• Roy Messaros, Interviews
• Gordon Shaw, Interviews and LAC
• Sylvina Casco, LAC
• Judith Lacava, LAC
• Arturo Mora-Olivo, LAC
• Angie Quiroga Torres, LAC
• Jennifer Favela, Sponsorships

In collaboration with staff, this committee solicits and reviews initial proposals from SWS Chapters for future annual meetings. If there are no proposals, staff will take the lead on identifying potential locations and dates. The committee will present a motion to the Board of Directors for approval. The success of the annual meetings will be a joint effort among the Future Meetings Committee, Local Program Committee (sub-committee), Board of Directors and Staff. The Committee shall include six (6) members, including one (1) member from a recent meeting committee, two (2) former meeting chairs or elected board members, and three (3) additional members who have attended at least three (3) annual meetings.

2024 Members

• Yvonne Vallette, Chair

2024 Members:

• Rebecca Woodward, Chair

The Committee shall be responsible for maintaining and increasing the membership of the Society and shall take appropriate measures to attract new members. The Committee shall consist of the Secretary-General, who shall be Chairperson, and at least four other members each representing a potential or existing Regional Chapter or Section.

Members

• Kai Rains, Chair
• Cassie Schmidt, Member
• Rob McInnes, Member
• Jay Sah, Member
• Afrah Al-Mahfadi, Member
• Brian Charles, Member
• Leandra Cleveland, Past Chair/Transition Year
• Tyelyn Brigino, Student Member

This committee shall be responsible for issues related to the Society’s publications and electronic forums. The committee shall consist of three editors and four (4) additional members.

2024 Members:

• Keith Edwards, Chair

The committee shall be responsible for matters relating to the financial growth of the Society: 1) outreach and liaison between the Society and private and public organizations and individuals interested in providing financial gifts or endowments to further the educational, charitable, and scientific objectives of the Society; 2) proposing and conducting capital campaigns for the Society; and 3) evaluating and recommending investment strategies for the Society’s endowments; and 4) reviewing and providing oversight of large contracts for major services to the Society.

2024 Members:

• Lori Sutter, Co-Chair
• Jayme Jecker, Co-Chair
• Eric Stein, Member
• Andy Herb, Member

This committee shall be responsible for promoting sound public policy through the development and communication of position papers that are based upon the best available scientific information and for drafting rapid response public statements.

2024 Members:

• Max Finlayson, Chair

SWS’s Wetlands of Distinction is an initiative intended to raise public awareness of wetlands and their many benefits to human health and the environment. To meet this goal, SWS has created a one-stop-shop for information on the biology, ecology, conservation status, and public access for high-functioning wetlands. SWS is also collaborating with the U.S. National Ramsar Committee so this initiative can become a vehicle for identifying and processing future applications for U.S. Ramsar designation.

2024 Members:

• Roy Messaros, Co-Chair
• Jason Smith, Co-Chair
• Colin MacLaren, Member
• Steffanie Munguia, Member and Primary Committee Contact
• Julie Nieset, Member