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.
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For more information about this webinar series, please contact Laura Burchill at laura@nawm.org or
(207) 892-3399. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
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A Resources-Sensitive Approach to Riparian Management
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT
PRESENTER
- Tracey Miller, University of Kentucky
ABSTRACT
Riparian corridors are considered among the most productive ecosystems in the U.S. because of their influx of nutrients and life-sustaining water resources. Additionally, there is a positive relationship between the condition and function of wetlands and watercourses and the structure of the upland tree canopy. Unfortunately, increases in riparian imperviousness, poor vegetation, and high degrees of disturbance due to land clearing for agriculture and urban expansion are still among the nation’s most widespread stressors to wetlands and watercourses. Nevertheless, averting critical losses in biodiversity is still possible through intensified improvements in wetland management efforts, especially regarding riparian tree canopy density. Past scientific studies concerning silviculture practices in naturalized areas have identified an optimal balance of approximately 50% open sunlight and 50% dappled shade to support stream integrity. However, less information is available on the relationship between riparian tree canopy density and wetland and watercourse integrity along urban-rural gradients.
Using Connecticut’s municipal management system as an example, this webinar will identify optimal relationships between riparian tree canopy density and the integrity of wetlands and watercourses within the milieu of increasing urbanization across the state. The project uses ArcGIS spatial statistics tools and 30-meter landcover data to identify optimal riparian tree canopy density within a 300’ statewide riparian buffer over ten years. The project also illustrates how wetland managers can improve decision-making regarding tree removal on wetland applications by using Google Maps to evaluate existing vs. proposed riparian tree canopy density on site-specific projects as compared with these research findings.
BIO
Tracey Miller is an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Kentucky. Her primary research interests include community environmental planning, ecological land management, and riparian stewardship for enhanced biodiversity. She holds a Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Kentucky. Her doctoral dissertation research focused on filling data gaps that have historically impeded sustainable riparian decision-making at the interface between landscape architecture and wetland management in Connecticut. She was a graduate research assistant in Dr. Marianna Fragomeni’s HEAT Climate Adaptive Design Lab. Their research identified relationships between changes in land use and land surface temperature in Connecticut. The study used WUDAPT (World Urban Database Access Portal Tools) and SAGA GIS to classify Connecticut development patterns contributing to urban heating and extreme climate conditions. The Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation funded the project. She is a licensed landscape architect. Her practice emphasizes sustainable land stewardship.
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
More information and registration coming soon.
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