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NAWM
The National Association of Wetland Managers is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1983 to promote and enhance protection and management of wetland resources, to promote application of sound science to wetland management efforts and to provide training and education for our members and the public. Membership is open to anyone who is involved with wetland resources.
The National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) holds eight webinars per year for members. NAWM Member webinars cover a variety of topics encompassing wetland science, policy, program implementation, and legal issues. These webinars, including recordings for past webinars are available to NAWM members.
Not a NAWM Member? Join or Renew
For more information about this webinar series, please contact Laura Burchill at laura@nawm.org or
(207) 892-3399.
If you haven’t used Go To Webinar before or you just need a refresher, please view our guide prior to the webinar here.
View Past NAWM Members' Webinar Series Here
View a List of Past NAWM Members' Webinar Series Recordings Here
Ecology and Conservation of the Nation's Spring Ecosystems
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. EST
NAWM MEMBERS' ONLY WEBINAR
If you are not a NAWM Member - you may Join here.
PRESENTER
- Larry Stevens, Springs Stewardship Institute
ABSTRACT
During this webinar, Dr. Larry Stevens will clarify the definition of spring ecosystems and their emergence, distribution, abundance, and structure. He will discuss the past century of effort to classify springs, and present a simple geomorphological solution to that challenge. He will describe and illustrate their outstanding biological diversity and socio-cultural attributes, including their high level of individuality and complex roles as keystone ecosystems and cultural and economic focal points. He will challenge the audience to consider why, with all of their importance, springs have received so little attention from policy makers and the scientific community. He will conclude with a discussion of a research and conservation path for sustainably managing these remarkably diverse and important, but underappreciated ecosystems.
BIO
Larry Stevens, PhD, is the director of the 501(c)(3) Springs Stewardship Institute (SSI), based in Flagstaff, Arizona and has several decades of research experience in aquatic and riparian ecology. He received his doctorate in zoology from Northern Arizona University in 1989, and has worked for multiple federal agencies and other organizations on topics related to freshwater ecosystem ecology, biogeography, biodiversity and aquatic habitat conservation, and rare species management. With more than 50 years of experience as a whitewater guide in Grand Canyon, he is one of the leading authorities on that world-renowned landscape. He has published more than 150 scientific and popular articles on those topics, as well as several books. He and colleagues founded SSI in 2012 to improve scientific understanding and management of springs as ecosystems.
Certificates of attendance for NAWM's live webinars are free to NAWM members and $25.00 per certificate for non-members. All Certificates must be claimed no later than 60 days from the live presentation. More information.
To view Past Members' Wetland Webinars:
Members You must be logged in.
Nonmembers To view recent Members' Webinars, please join NAWM.
View Past Member' Webinar Series Here
View a List of Past Members' Webinar Series Recordings Here
The National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) formerly the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) collaborated to develop a series of webinars introducing the topic of restoration of aquatic ecosystems through the reintroduction of beavers, the use of beaver dam analogues (BDAs) or restoration designed to attract beavers to an area to contribute to changing hydrology and restoring ecosystem services. The webinar series was planned by a national workgroup of beaver restoration experts and webinars are presented by expert practitioners, managers and researchers working in the field. In 2020-2021, the six-part webinar series covered the basics of beaver restoration and continuing through implementation challenges and ways to encourage beaver restoration projects. The series has been added to our Online Trainings library, available here.
If you haven’t used Go To Webinar before or you just need a refresher, please view our guide prior to the webinar here.
View Past Beaver-related Restoration Webinars
Please check back for future Beaver-Related Restoration Webinars. Thank you.
The Association conducts research and publishes reports, guidebooks, news articles, brochures, white papers, and summaries of findings of symposia and workshops. These are available electronically to all interested individuals and organizations.
Wetland News (Members' Only)
Weekly News of Interest
Listed below are links to news articles that may be of interest to the wetland community. Readers are encouraged to send links to recent articles, publications, and other resources pertaining to wetlands in their local area to Marla Stelk, Executive Director at news@nawm.org and reference “In the News” in the subject.
- Expanding Wisconsin Wetland Habitat With Coastal Funding For Point Au Sable Project
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Mangrove Loss In Acapulco Likely Worsened The Devastation Of Hurricane Otis
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Coastal Wetland Resilience Through Local, Regional And Global Conservation
- Mosquitoes Defy Droughts By Drinking Blood, Ensuring Survival And Disease Spread
Comment Letters
February 15, 2024 –
NAWM Submits Comments on NY State's ANPRM for Freshwater Wetlands
NAWM submitted comments on New York State’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) 6 NYCRR Part 664, concerning the proposed potential revisions to regulation 6 NYCRR Part 664, governing freshwater wetlands. NAWM supports the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) efforts to update and clarify regulation 6 NYCRR Part 664, pertaining to freshwater wetlands. This Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) is an important step in engaging stakeholders and receiving comments which will help inform the development of amendments to the Freshwater Wetlands Act (FWA). Read letter here.
NAWM Statement on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity
For more than 40 years, the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) has stayed true to its mission to “promote and enhance protection and management of wetland resources, to promote application of sound science to wetland management efforts and to provide training and education for our members and the public.” From NAWM’s inception, one of the goals of NAWM as identified by its first Board of Directors, was to “encourage minority participation in wetland protection, restoration and management.” This goal remains important to NAWM, and we will continue to work on this while also recognizing there is much ground to cover.
The reality of racism in this country is not new – the battle for equality has been fought for decades. As scientists, as humans, we cannot look the other way. Science does not discriminate, nor should we. As our colleagues at the Society of Wetlands Scientists so aptly stated:
“Protection and restoration of biodiversity in the natural world must go hand in hand with celebration of human diversity. Inclusion is the key to success in our broader community, our science, and conservation of the beautiful - yet vulnerable world - in which we live.”
The National Association of Wetland Managers stands in solidarity with all those fighting systemic racial injustice, those grieving lives lost, and those working to build more diverse and inclusive communities. We are ready to be an active partner in the necessary, long overdue change, and we are committed to doing the work it takes to build more diverse, inclusive and equitable communities.
There is a lot of hard work ahead as we face the pain, anxiety, and uncertainty prevalent throughout our nation. Yet, there is also opportunity to do better. This is the time to ask ourselves, how can we, in the wetland science community, promote and provide better opportunities for all people to join our community of practice? The staff and Board of Directors at NAWM hope you will join us in our efforts to build a bridge of inclusiveness, respect, dignity and hope.
MISSION
The mission of the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) is to build capacity for state and tribal members and foster collaboration among the wetland community of practice by encouraging the application of sound science to wetland management and policy, promoting the protection and restoration of wetlands and related aquatic resources, and providing training and education for members and the general public.
VISION
As a result of NAWM’s work, the wetland community has access to and effectively uses sound science, policy, and private/public partnerships to preserve, protect, and restore the nation’s precious and limited wetlands and related aquatic resources.
HISTORY
The National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) was founded by Jon A. Kusler, Esq., Ph.D., and Scott Hausmann in 1983 with two goals — to support state wetland programs and to support national wetland policy reflecting sound wetland science. NAWM has tried to stay true to these goals throughout the years, during the ups and downs of funding and politics. Read more.
Officers
Mark Biddle, Chair
Mark Biddle is a lead wetland scientist with more than 30 years of experience working for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Located within the Watershed Assessment Section, Mark manages the Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program, the Watershed Management Program, Stream Habitat and Biology Program, and the Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Program. Mark has been involved in Delaware’s regulatory and permitting responsibilities for tidal wetlands, subaqueous lands, 401 water quality certification, and drafting legislation and regulations for non-tidal wetlands. His work has involved the Delaware Wetlands Conservation Strategy, wetland restoration, compensatory mitigation and wetland banking, assessing restored wetlands for nutrient assimilation, serving as team leader for Delaware Whole Basin Management, and on various ecological and green infrastructure initiatives. Mark has participated on statewide and regional planning groups and represents Delaware on national wetland mapping and mitigation issues. Mark continues to produce reports on status and changes of Delaware wetlands using updated statewide wetland mapping efforts in partnership with the National Wetlands Inventory. Mark holds degrees in Natural Resource Management and Soil and Water Management and attended both Delaware State University and the University of Delaware.
Samantha Vogeler, Vice Chair
Samantha Vogeler has worked for the Kentucky Division of Water since 2015. With a strong regulatory background, she has extensive experience in implementing regulations under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. She is the Supervisor for the 401 Water Quality Certification Section, where she ensures statewide implementation and compliance with the 401 Water Quality Certification Program and serves on the Kentucky Interagency Review Team. Since 2019, Samantha has served on the National Association of Wetland Managers Board of Directors and is currently the Vice Chair. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing sports, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
Amy Lounds, Secretary
Amy Lounds has served as the Section Manager for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Field Operations Support Section in the Water Resources Division for the past five years. The Section is responsible for administering, supporting, and enforcing division programs such as the Wetlands, Lakes and Streams, Great Lakes, Floodplains, Critical Dunes, High Risk Erosion Areas, Dam Safety, and the Coastal Management programs, which includes Michigan’s assumed Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act program. Her duties include managing program staff, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and state-federal agreements, providing program guidance for staff and the public, and resolving complex and controversial technical and policy issues. Amy has worked for EGLE for over 25 years and earlier in her career served as the Wetlands, Lakes and Streams Unit Supervisor and the statewide wetland policy specialist and the administrator of the wetland mitigation banking program. Prior to working for EGLE, Amy worked for the Michigan Department of Transportation doing environmental reviews and permit applications for wetlands, inland lakes and streams, and floodplains. Amy has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Michigan State University and a Maters in Landscape Architecture and Conservation Biology and Ecosystem Management from the University of Michigan. Amy currently lives in Holt, Michigan with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.
Lauren Driscoll, Treasurer
Lauren Driscoll is the Manager of the Wetlands Program at the Washington State Department of Ecology, a position that she has held since 2005. She is responsible for ensuring statewide consistency in the implementation of wetland permitting, technical assistance, and guidance for local wetland regulations. She oversees the wetland compliance program and writes grants for wetland program activities including projects to improve wetland mapping in Washington. Lauren specializes in wetland policy, mitigation options such as wetland banks, In Lieu Fee and advance mitigation, and analyzing federal legislative and executive actions related to wetlands. Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the Evergreen State College where she studied ecology, botany, organic agriculture and computer sciences.
Collis Adams, Past Chair
Collis has served on the Board of Directors of NAWM (ASWM) for many years including several terms as Chair. Collis recently retired as the administrator of the Wetlands Bureau at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and is currently the owner/manager of Adams Environmental Consulting, LLC providing consulting services to property owners, engineers, municipalities, and others. During his tenure at DES he was responsible for all activities relative to the New Hampshire Dredge and Fill Law (NH RSA 482-A) and the Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (NH RSA 483-B). Prior to filling that role, he spent ten years with the DES Alteration of Terrain Program reviewing and permitting stormwater management plans for large scale developments and 5 years with the DES Subsurface Systems Bureau reviewing plans for on-site wastewater disposal systems. As administrator of the wetlands bureau he was instrumental in the implementation of an in-lieu fee program for wetland mitigation and then expanding that program to include streams and their riparian habitats. Before DES, Collis spent six years in private engineering consulting and prior to that, a five-year stint with the New England Division of the Army Corps of Engineers. In 1980 Collis graduated with a BSCE degree in civil/environmental engineering from the University of Massachusetts. Collis lives in Goffstown, New Hampshire with his wife Laura. He has two children, one of each, and is particularly proud that he has instilled in them his same sense of love for the outdoors. Collis particularly enjoys spending time along the varied coastlines of New England. Collis also serves on his local Select Board, Planning Board, and Conservation Commission.
Members At Large
Stacia Bax - Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Stacia Bax is the Environmental Manager in the Financial Assistance Center within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Her section awards loans and grants to wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects across the State of Missouri. Stacia has over 21 years of experience with the department and has also worked most recently with the Section 401 Water Quality Certification Program for over 11 years, Section 402 NPDES program master general permits (industrial stormwater, industrial process water, construction/land disturbance stormwater, and municipal stormwater), and NPDES eReporting Rule. She also has worked with Section 319 Nonpoint Source grants, Water Quality Standards rulemaking, TMDL development, Montauk State Park as a seasonal naturalist, and fieldwork in the beautiful Ozarks of Southwest Missouri.
In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and son (and two dogs) hiking, camping, and kayaking as well as archery, scouting activities, and watching her daughter play college volleyball and son with shotgun sports. In her spare time, Stacia loves to read, cook and bake (pies are her favorite), explore new places, and craft fiber arts (knitting and crocheting namely, though she has a loom she would love to learn to weave on). She lives in Central Missouri.
Denise Clearwater - Maryland Department of the Environment
Denise Clearwater has worked in Maryland’s wetland programs since 1986. She has a background in developing and implementing programs in wetland regulation, wetland training, and mitigation, as well as managing special projects for grants and program improvement and assisting in policy development. She has represented the Wetlands and Waterways Program in the Maryland Department of the Environment on numerous interagency work groups for regulatory, wetland monitoring, restoration, preservation and stream health and is a past co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Program Wetland Work Group. She is also a member of the Society of Wetland Scientists. Denise has a B.S. in zoology from the University of Maryland and an M.S. in wildlife management from Frostburg State College (now University).
Andy Robertson, GeoSpatial Services at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Andy Robertson is the Executive Director of GeoSpatial Services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In this role, he is responsible for oversight and management of all GeoSpatial Services projects, activities and staff. GeoSpatial Services is engaged in a wide variety of projects across the Lower 48 and Alaska including wetland inventory; National Hydrography Dataset updates; spatial data development; and, natural resource condition assessments. Andy has a diverse background in spatial information systems, watershed planning, wetland inventory, forest management, environmental impact assessment, desktop and server system support and database administration. He is a Registered Professional Forest Technologist (Alberta, Canada) and has experience leading natural resource projects for both private sector companies and public agencies across Canada and the United States including the Department of Interior, United States Army Corp of Engineers, NOAA, and the Department of Agriculture. Andy has a Forest Technology Diploma from Sault College of Applied Technology in Ontario, Canada, a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Waterloo and has completed postgraduate work in forest management at the University of Toronto. He is also a steering committee member for the Wetland Mapping Consortium and is co-chair of the Alaska GeoSpatial Council Wetland Technical Group.
Bill Ryan - Oregon Department of State Lands
Bill Ryan is the Deputy Director at the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) leading the Aquatic Resources Management Program which is responsible for implementation of Oregon’s Removal-Fill and Wetlands Conservation Laws. Prior to joining the DSL in June of 2010, Bill enjoyed 14 years at the Oregon Department of Transportation performing environmental compliance work including wetlands delineation and mitigation, mitigation banking, regulatory streamlining and process improvement. Bill started his professional career in Southern California in 1989 providing environmental planning and habitat restoration expertise for various planning and engineering firms. Bill has been a member of NAWM (ASWM) for nine years. He also serves on the Board of the Oregon Public Management Association which provides networking and low-cost training opportunities for managers and aspiring managers in public service. Bill has an undergraduate degree in Geography Ecosystems Management from UCLA and a master’s in Biology from California State University, Fullerton. His master’s thesis topic was a study of succession in the alluvial scrub plant community following flood events in the Santa Ana River, California. In his spare time Bill enjoys hiking, camping, travel, skiing, singing acapella madrigals with the Sherwood Renaissance Singers and reading a good book.
Mary Ann Tilton - New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Mary Ann Tilton is the Assistant Wetlands Bureau Administrator with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), Wetlands Bureau. Mary Ann oversees wetlands permitting and assists in overall wetlands bureau natural rescue management. She has been with NHDES for over 30 years in various management and supervisory positions. She helped develop the Wetlands Enforcement program and supervised wetlands compliance for 17 years. She has served as the Assistant Administrator since 2005 and oversees state wetlands rules development, program development, and wetlands permitting. She is the recipient of an EPA Merit Award (2019) for development of a Wetlands BMP, multi-year rules initiative, and development of stream crossing rules. She holds a BA degree in Botany and Zoology from Connecticut College, MS in Zoology from University of Rhode Island, and a JD from UNH Law School (formerly Franklin Pierce Law Center), and is a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) and member of the Society of Wetland Scientists. She lives with her family in Concord, NH and enjoys biking, hiking, skiing, and birding, and exploring amazing wetland habitats.
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Publications
The Association conducts research and publishes reports, guidebooks, news articles, brochures, white papers, and summaries of findings of symposia and workshops. These are available electronically to all interested individuals and organizations.