Wetland Delineation Intensive
Includes review of the NEW Corps of Engineers Regional SupplementsUW Bothell
Instructors: Dianne Sheldon, M.Ed., PWS, Elizabeth Binney Ph.D, PWS, and Liza Palazzi, M.S., CPSS, PWS
The wetland delineation course is recommended for all professionals who want to become competent in conducting wetland delineations per the standards established by the Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Manual. From this course, you will understand how to identify and delineate wetlands according to the procedures and standards used in the Corps 1987 Manual and new Regional Supplements (Western Mountains, Valleys and Coast, and the Arid West supplements).
The course is designed and taught by three expert practitioners in the field of wetland ecology, delineation, and soils. Our instructors have decades of field experience in the Pacific Northwest. This course is appropriate for working professionals and students. The course can be used as credit towards the Society of Wetland Scientist Professional Certification Program.
All aspects of wetland delineation science are thoroughly covered: hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils. Through fieldwork and classroom instruction you'll learn regional field indicators, technical criteria, delineation procedures, and disturbed areas guidance, as well as how to recognize problem areas.
Research findings show that mitigation projects continue to not perform as expected. So what can you and your design team do to assure greater success for restoration projects for upland and aquatic habitats? Some of the common mistakes found in those under-performing projects include poor designs that overlook existing and future site conditions, inappropriate goals and objectives for the chosen site, plans that don’t translate into a constructable project, and poor construction and maintenance practices.
In this course you will:
- Learn how to delineate wetlands with new guidelines described in the new COE regional supplements for WA state areas
- Learn how to properly identify and describe wetland hydrology, plants and soils
- Learn how to use technical guidance documents
Course Topics
- Wetland hydrology, plants and soils
- Current regulations and guidance
- Best available science information
Who Should Attend
Landscape architects, wetland ecologists, biologists, stream ecologists, engineers and anyone wanting to learn or refresh their wetland delineation skills will find this course of value. This course will provide the basic level of training someone would need to delineate wetlands.
Faculty
Dyanne Sheldon is an accomplished field naturalist with 21 years of professional field experience in the habitats of the Pacific Northwest, plus five years professional field experience in the upper Midwest. She has assessed habitat impacts to both terrestrial and aquatic systems, and she has designed and overseen the installation of her firm's restoration projects for over a decade.
Elizabeth Binney has worked in the ecological consulting field and has done ecological research in the Pacific Northwest since 1986. As a consultant, she specializes in wetland delineation, wetland mitigation, permitting on the local, state, and federal levels, and habitat restoration for the private and public sector. Dr. Binney has taught courses in general biology, general ecology, and biostatistics, as well as one-week summer session short courses in wetland delineation and wetland assessment for Western Washington University and Portland State University. She is president-elect for the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program and the Washington Native Plant Society. Dr. Binney received her Ph.D. in plant ecology from the University of British Columbia.
Lisa Palazzi is president and the principal scientist of Pacific Rim Soil & Water, Inc., and has been providing soils and hydrology assessment services to private and public sector clients since 1991. Ms. Palazzi has both a B.S. and an M.S. in Soil Science. Ms. Palazzi is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and a Certified Professional Wetland Scientist, is a member of the Soil Science Society of America and sits on the Council of Soil Science Examiners (writers of the certification exam), is a member of the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (past PNW Regional Director and past Secretary-treasurer of the PNW Chapter), the Washington Society of Professional Soil Scientists (past Secretary-treasurer), the Society of Wetland Scientists, and the Washington State Environmental Health Association.
What is Included
Morning coffee and field trip transportation. Lunch is not included in the course fee. There are inexpensive lunch options at UW Bothell. The instructor will discuss lunch stop options with students during field trips.
Registration Fee
October 26-30, 2009; $940 on or before 9/28/2009
$990 thereafter
April 12-16, 2010; $940 on or before 3/15/2010
$990 thereafter
Additional Materials Fee
$40 for course notebook and CD
Course notebook and CD includes the Corp's 1987 wetland delineation manual, 2008 regional supplements, lecture notes and field handouts. The course notebook and CD ROM provide students with extensive reference materials for use as valuable on-the-job resources.
Continuing Education Units
Course participants will earn 3.8 CEUs upon successful completion of this course. The CEU is a nationally recognized measure of participation in a noncredit continuing education program that meets established criteria for increasing knowledge and competency.
Additional Information
The specific location of this course, parking information and a map will be provided with your registration confirmation letter.