AMWS is fully committed to the professional development
of our members. As a result,
we offer a variety of workshops on wetland science and regulatory
updates. Non-members are welcome to attend. However, membership is encouraged through reduced workshop rates.
AMWS workshops are recognized for their value: nowhere else will you find top working wetland scientists "giving back" to the profession at such affordable rates. As a result, AMWS members only are offered the limited number of seats during the first two weeks of posting an event.
As an added value of AMWS membership, we also offer social networking opportunities throughout the year with other environmental professionals.
These events generally take place in central Massachusetts, and may include
appetizers and drinks, as well as a speaker.
* * * (Updated 8/31/10)
Photo by Patrick Garner
Instructor Art Allen (EcoTec) at a deep hole featured at the AMWS Advanced Soil Identification
Workshop, held June 22nd & 23rd, in Grafton, Mass.
UPCOMING
WORKSHOPS
Sept. 16, 2010 (Thursday)
Zombie Flowers
Wildcat Reservation, Boxford, Mass.
8:30 a.m.-noon
This workshop will deal with a group of plants formerly known as saprophytes. Many such species occur in the Northeast, having evolved to live commensally with those mycorhizae we're hearing so much about. Evolution has refined the relationship so completely that many of these flowering plants lack chlorophyll entirely and behave much like mushrooms, blooming late in the season and then disappearing for the rest of the year. Indian Pipe, Pinesap, Beechdrops and possibly Spotted Coralroot will be considered, along with anything else that presents itself. Instructed by John Dick (Hancock Associates). CEUs available.
Limited to 8 participants. Cost: $65
Instructor: John Dick (Hancock Associates) is a popular AMWS
instructor and expert.
Contact: administrator@amws.org
Indian Pipe
Photo by John Dick
(TO REGISTER, CLICK "WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM" BUTTON AT TOP OF PAGE)
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9/24/10 (Friday)
Intensive Boots-Wet Bankfull
Berlin & (adjacent) Northborough, Mass.
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This full-day workshop is a rare opportunity to obtain an in-depth look at delineating bankfull properly. In many cases, bankfull establishes the beginning of Riverfront, yet even experts frequently misidentify its location. The morning classroom session will include a viewing of the USDA video, A Guide to Field Identification of Bankfull Stage. Additionally, concepts and application will be discussed in the context of the Wetland Protection Act, along with a review of the 2009 USGS Regional Curves release for Massachusetts.
The afternoon field session --on a nearby river with three distinctly different reaches-- will be a boots-wet field analysis of bankfull. Field work will use Mean Annual High Water field indicators, including vegetation, bank undercuts, staining, point bars and more. The class will discuss river morphology features that apply to bankfull. In addition, a level will be used to determine bankfull in difficult, transitional areas. Hip waders required. Includes morning coffee & pastries; box lunch. CEUs available.
Limited to 8 participants. Cost: $115 AMWS member; $175 non-AMWS member.
Instructor: Patrick Garner, Hydrologist & Sr. Wetland Scientist (Patrick Garner Company)
STATUS: FULL; WAIT LIST
(Cancellations sometimes occur. Please contact administrator@amws.org to be added to the Wait List.)
(TO REGISTER, CLICK "WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM" BUTTON AT TOP OF PAGE)
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October 18, 2010 (Monday) (3rd of 3-sessions)
COE Wetland Delineation Manual Regional Supplement
Hapgood Wright Town Forest
Concord, Mass.
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Corps 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual remains the overall standard for defining federal wetland boundaries under the Clean Water Act. However, regional variation among wetlands can affect the usefulness and validity of any national manual. In response, the Corps and EPA have developed regional supplements.
This workshop will cover the Interim Northcentral and Northeast Regional Supplement to the 1987 Manual and the new, required Corps Wetland Delineation Forms. Originally planned for a morning classroom and afternoon field session, the instructors concluded that participants would gain greater benefit from an all-day field session with a 1:5 instructor/student ratio! Includes box lunch & drink. CEUs available.
Instructors: Corps of Engineers & EPA
Limited to 24 participants. Cost: $75
Photo courtesy of 5/21/10 workshop participant David Gorden (EBI).
STATUS: FULL; WAIT LIST
(Cancellations sometimes occur. Please contact administrator@amws.org to be added to the Wait List.)
NOTE: DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND, AN ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP MAY BE SCHEDULED FOR SPRING, 2011.
(TO REGISTER, CLICK "WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM" BUTTON AT TOP OF PAGE)
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November 4, 2010 (Thurs.)
Eel River Headwaters Restoration Project 
Plymouth, Mass. & Environs
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The restoration of the Eel River headwaters is one of the most ambitious coastal restoration projects in New England. Completed in 2010, it has radically transformed a once ecologically-barren cranberry bog into high-quality river and wetland habitat with public access. This project was partnered with the Mass. Div. of Ecological Restoration, the Town of Plymouth, the USFWS, NRCS, American Rivers, Mass. DEP, The Nature Conservancy and Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, and may be used as a template for other restorations, large and small.
Project highlights include:
*Restoration of wetlands in 40+ acres of former cranberry bog,
including creation of the rare Atlantic White Cedar swamp ecosystem;
*Restoration of 1.25 miles of coldwater habitat by stream channel and floodplain reconstruction;
*Removal of barriers to fish passage, including a dam, undersized culverts at two road crossings and water
control structures from the cranberry growing operation; and
*Mitigation of legacy pollutants from agricultural activities through sediment removal and management.
We’ll begin the workshop indoors with a brief presentation by the Div. of Ecological Restoration about the project’s ecological goals, engineering and design process, and construction logistics. This will include discussion of a range of wetland and river restoration techniques, plus dam removal, stream channel reconstruction, fill removal and wetland planting.
We’ll then tour the site, beginning at the downstream end where the dam was recently removed. We’ll continue upstream through a variety of restored stream and wetland habitats, culminating in a large Atlantic white cedar swamp restoration at the headwaters of the Eel River.
Note: The tour will be on foot. Participants should come prepared to walk on uneven terrain. Some of the tour may be on ground that is wet and/or muddy, so knee boots may be appropriate.
This is an unusual opportunity limited to 18. CEUs available.
Instructors: Alex Hackman and Jeremy Bell (Mass. Div. of Ecological Restoration)
Cost: $50 AMWS member, $75 non-AMWS member
(TO REGISTER, CLICK "WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM" BUTTON AT TOP OF PAGE)
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11/12/10 (Friday)
AMWS Annual Meeting
Emerging Wildlife Issues in Massachusetts Wetlands
Warren Conference Center, Ashland, Mass.
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This year's AMWS Annual Meeting features emerging wildlife issues resulting from climate change and new state and federal regulations. Topics include recent legal cases, vernal pools, watersheds, the Mass. General Permit, BioMap2 and MassWildlife's Linking Landscapes initiative. Also included is an exploration of wildlife's ability to adapt to new habitat, and the Mass. Dept. of Fish & Game's consideration of climate change in land stewardship practices.
AMWS is honored to present Commissioner Mary Griffin, of the Mass. Dept. of Fish & Game, and keynote speaker Scott Jackson, of UMass-Amherst and one of the state’s leading wildlife scientists and educators, who will propose additional wildlife protection by limiting activities in significant habitat buffer zones. Other speakers include Glenn Wood, Esq. (Rubin & Rudman), Karen Adams and Dan Vasconcelos (USACOE), Patrick Garner (Patrick Garner Co., Inc.), Jon Regosin (NHESP), Henry Woolsey (NHESP), Andy Finton (The Nature Conservancy), Mike Jones (NHESP) and Tim Dexter (MassHighway).
AMWS members who have not participated in any of the 2010 AMWS workshops are encouraged to attend. The rest of you need no encouragement--you know that these meetings offer stimulating presentations, networking opportunities, a fun raffle, photo contest awards* and the fabulous luncheon buffet! CEUs available.
*See July, 2010 AMWS newsletter for details.
Cost: $125 AMWS member, $175 non-AMWS member
Contact: administrator@amws.org
(TO REGISTER, CLICK "WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM" BUTTON AT TOP OF PAGE)
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NOTE: ALL AMWS WORKSHOPS HAVE LIMITED SPACE. IF YOU DO NOT
RECEIVE REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION, YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED!
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(Not an AMWS member? See "Join" section on this website!)
AMWS
WORKSHOP POLICY:
(1)
All fees are due in advance of workshop. Should you require
reimbursement by your employer, an invoice will be provided
upon request.
(2)
There are no refunds for cancellations. When possible, a portion of your fee will be applied toward another workshop. Substitutions are fine, as long as the difference between member & non-member fees is paid, and there is no one on the Wait List. If you find that you cannot make the workshop, please contact AMWS so the Wait List can be tapped or the instructor can work around your absence!
(3)
Registration is only guaranteed when you are given confirmation
by email or regular mail. Do not assume you are registered otherwise.
Workshop participants often receive box lunches or supplies
that are not ordered in excess. Additionally, the instructor/participant
ratio must be maintained for optimal learning.
(4)
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. A waiting
list will be maintained.
(5)
CEUs are usually available from the certifying authority. All
participants are given a Certificate of Attendance.
NOTE: CEUs have been approved by the N.H. Joint Board of Licensure & Certification for all 2009 AMWS workshops. See http://www.nh.gov/jtboard/nsceu.htm
AMWS
ALSO LISTS ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOPS OFFERED BY OTHER GROUPS that
may be of interest to our members. Mention of a particular conference, course, or company does not imply endorsement by AMWS. Please see below:
2010 Wetland-related Seminars from Humboldt Institute
Aug 29 - Sep 4 Flora of Coastal Habitats and Islands of Maine Glen H. Mittelhauser
Sep 26 - Oct 2 Integrated Ecological Restoration of Rivers and Streams (tuition: $695) John Munro
Descriptions of seminars may be found at http://www.eaglehill.us/programs/nhs/nhs-calendar.shtml
Information on lodging options, meals, and costs may be found at http://www.eaglehill.us/programs/general/application-info.shtml
There is an online application form at
http://www.eaglehill.us/programs/general/application-web.shtml
Syllabi are available for these and many other fine natural history training seminars on diverse topics.
For more information, please contact the Humboldt Institute, PO Box 9, Steuben, ME 04680-0009.
207-546-2821. Fax 207-546-3042
E-mail - mailto:office@eaglehill.us
Online general information may be found at http://www.eaglehill.us
NATURAL HISTORY SEMINARS
In support of field biologists, modern field naturalists, and students of the natural history sciences, Eagle Hill offers specialty seminars and workshops at different ecological scales for those who are interested in understanding, addressing, and solving complex ecological questions. Seminars topics range from watershed level subjects, and subjects in classical ecology, to highly specialized seminars in advanced biology, taxonomy, and ecological restoration. Eagle Hill has long been recognized as offering hard-to-find seminars and workshops which provide important opportunities for training and meeting others who are likewise dedicated to the study of the natural history sciences.
Eagle Hill field seminars are of special interest because they focus on the natural history of one of North America's most spectacular and pristine natural areas, the coast of eastern Maine from Acadia National Park to Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge and beyond. Most seminars combine field studies with follow-up lab studies and a review of the literature. Additional information is provided in lectures, slide presentations, and discussions. Seminars are primarily taught for people who already have a reasonable background in a seminar program or in related subjects, or who are keenly interested in learning about a new subject. Prior discussions of personal study objectives are welcome.
Humboldt Field Research Institute and Eagle Hill Foundation
PO Box 9, 59 Eagle Hill Road, Steuben, ME 04680-0009 United States
Phone: 207-546-2821, FAX: 207-546-3042, http://www.eaglehill.us
Publishers of three science journals.
Northeastern Naturalist:
www.eaglehill.us/nena
Southeastern Naturalist:
www.eaglehill.us/sena
Journal of the North Atlantic:
www.eaglehill.us/jona
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If
you have an event to list, please contact
AMWS Administrator
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