Institute for Wetland & Environmental Education & Research


Course Descriptions


WETLAND DELINEATION: CORPS MANUAL AND REGIONAL SUPPLEMENT
Hybrid - Online (Zoom) and In Field
Online Dates: Aug 16 - 19 Field Dates: Sept 21 - 22

This course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in the field applying the methods and getting critiqued by the instructor and their peers. Taught by Ralph Tiner, a regional expert in plant identification, hydric soil recognition and wetland delineation, you will learn how to analyze vegetation patterns, recognize hydric soils and separate them from nonhydric soils –essential skills for wetland identification and boundary delineation. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts and methods in lectures and through field exercises. Background and foundational material is covered through online lectures and videos, followed by two days in the field applying the methods – learning how to determine the presence or absence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology indicator and to use these indicators to identify and delineate wetlands following federal methods. The instructors will demonstrate sampling techniques and guide students through the steps in conducting wetland delineations. Students will work in groups to identify wetlands and delineate their boundaries. Their work will be evaluated by the instructor and their peers.

Focusing on the use of the Corps Wetlands Delineation manual and the latest regional supplement there will also be a discussion of key differences between this manual and state methods, where appropriate. The fee includes all course materials – the Corps of Engineers manual; the regional supplement; Regional Wetland Plant List, and additional information relevant to making wetland determinations plus a hardbound copy of "Wetland Indicators" (Tiner, 2nd Ed. 2017) – a college textbook providing a comprehensive review of the science behind wetland delineation, various delineation methodologies, and aids to wetland identification.

-This course is designed for students with the ability to identify wetland plants. A separate two-day online wetland plant identification course is offered on Thursday & Friday, July 29-30. Fee $400 for students lacking such skills or who want to brush up on their plant identification skills. There is a $50 discount if you take both classes.
- Appropriate for required hours toward the Society of Wetland Scientist’s Professional Wetland Scientist certification program (www.sws.org).

COURSE FEE includes all course materials - textbook "Wetland Indicators" by R.W. Tiner (2nd Ed, 2017), 1987 Corps Wetlands Delineation Manual, Regional Plant List, Regional Supplement and various handouts.

Instructor: Ralph Tiner

$1,100.00


PLANT IDENTIFICATION: WETLANDS AND THEIR BORDERS
Online
Online Dates: July 29 - 30

This two-day online (Zoom) course introduces students to plants common in and around Northeast wetlands. Freshwater wetland species and upland border species are emphasized. The instructor will guide students through easy-to-use keys in his Field Guide to Nontidal Wetland Identification and Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. In addition to learning to use these valuable guides, the instructor will give helpful hints for plant identification. Plant characteristic of the region’s freshwater wetlands (e.g., marshes, wet meadows, bogs, shrub swamps, floodplain wetlands, hardwood swamps, and evergreen forested wetlands) will be covered. This course provides a good foundation for learning how to identify the region’s characteristic freshwater wetland plants as well as an opportunity for those who want to sharpen or refresh their plant identification skills.

(NOTE: This course is conducted “live” by the instructor and not a self-guided series of taped lectures.)

$400.00



Online Registration will be available on our new website end of June.
If you would like to sign up now, please just contact IWEER and we'll be happy to make your reservation over the phone.

CONTACT: Barbara Tiner: 413-441-3708 | Barbara@WetlandEd.com