12
Vol. 24 No. 6 November/December 2014 In this Issue ASWM’s Christmas List Association News Upcoming Webinars Recent Webinars Staff Holiday Messages ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List Twelve Christmas presents for the Wetland Enthusiasts of All Ages including unique items that are probably not on your list – but could be! by Jeanne Christie Christmas is approaching and it’s time to go shopping for your favorite wetland devotee. Or maybe your loved ones are asking you what you want for Christmas. The wetland elves have combed the country in search of 12 special gifts sure to please. There is something here for every pocketbook and wetland lovers of all ages. 12 Bullfrog Necktie -- $31.95 What’s a tailored suit without a custom tie! Beautiful Bullfrog Neck Tie by Canadian Artist / Designer Kim Hunter. To order, visit www.kimhunter.ca and shop online for many more ties & wildlife gifts apparel & art gifts. 11 Dragonfly Solar Powered String Lights -- $16.99 These multi colored solar-powered decorating lights are perfect for the patio, garden, lawn, Christmas tree, parties, weddings, etc. You can decorate anywhere without dangerous extension cords or need for an outlet. They are charged by sun in the daylight, turn on automatically at dusk and run for about eight hours. No energy cost. These lights are great near the road, around mailboxes or lamp posts - now you’re not limited to nearby outlets. • Powered by a separate amorphous solar panel allowing lights to be placed in shady areas • 20 energy-saving multi-color LEDs with translucent dragonfly covers • LEDs supplied on 17-1/4-feet string, 5-1/2-inch spacing with 8-1/2-feet lead wire from first light to panel Automatically illuminates at dark for up to 6 hours of light per night when fully charged Replaceable rechargeable lithium ion battery Steady and twinkling mode. To order, visit Amazon

ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    2

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

Vol. 24 No. 6 November/December 2014

In this IssueASWM’s Christmas ListAssociation NewsUpcoming WebinarsRecent WebinarsStaff Holiday Messages

ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas ListTwelve Christmas presents for the Wetland Enthusiasts

of All Ages including unique items that are probably not on your list – but could be!

by Jeanne Christie

Christmas is approaching and it’s time to go shopping for your favorite wetland devotee. Or maybe your loved ones are asking you what you want for Christmas. The wetland elves have combed the country in search of 12 special gifts sure to please. There is something here for every pocketbook and wetland lovers of all ages.

12 Bullfrog Necktie -- $31.95What’s a tailored suit without a custom tie! Beautiful Bullfrog Neck Tie

by Canadian Artist / Designer Kim Hunter. To order, visit www.kimhunter.ca and shop online for many more ties & wildlife gifts apparel & art gifts.

11 Dragonfly Solar Powered String Lights -- $16.99

These multi colored solar-powered decorating lights are perfect for the patio, garden, lawn, Christmas tree, parties, weddings, etc. You can decorate anywhere without dangerous extension cords or need for an outlet. They are charged by sun in the daylight, turn on automatically at dusk and run for about eight hours. No energy cost. These lights are great near the road, around mailboxes or lamp posts - now you’re not limited to nearby outlets.

• Powered by a separate amorphous solar panel allowing lights to be placed in shady areas• 20 energy-saving multi-color LEDs with translucent dragonfly covers

• LEDs supplied on 17-1/4-feet string, 5-1/2-inch spacing with 8-1/2-feet lead wire from first light to panel• Automatically illuminates at dark for up to 6 hours of light per night when fully charged• Replaceable rechargeable lithium ion battery• Steady and twinkling mode. To order, visit Amazon

Page 2: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

November/December 2014 2

10 Personalized Frog Wetlands Canvas Growth Chart -- $24.00 Your child grows so quickly, remember every moment with this Personalized Canvas

Growth Chart. This is the growth chart you’ll treasure forever! Marks on a wall will fade with time or be left behind in a move, this canvas growth chart will last a life-time and become a treasured keepsake memory. The chart easily rolls up for storage or transportation and for eventually adding to any keepsake box for your children to treasure for many years to come and it’s personalized at no additional charge with your child’s name. To order, visit Camie Turner Designs.

9 Mushroom Growing Kit -- $19.99Mushrooms can be quite pricey when purchased at the

supermarket, so think of the return on investment you’ll get on this Grow-Your-Own Mushroom kit by Back to the Roots. Each kit is made of recycled coffee grounds and yields multiple crops of gourmet oyster mushrooms. To order, visit www.backtotheroots.com/shop/mushroom-kit

8 Audubon Shade Grown Coffee, Gourmet Coffee Gift Basket -- $69.99

In study after study, habitat on shade-grown coffee farms outshone sun-grown coffee farms with increased numbers and species of birds as well as and improved bird habitat, soil protection/erosion control, carbon sequestration, natural pest control and improved pollination. While sun-grown systems can have higher yields, the shaded farms easily outperform them in sustainability measurements with the trees providing an array of ecological services that offer both direct and indirect “income/payback” to farmers and the environment. To order, visit www.coffeeconsumers.com. For more information on shade-grown coffee, click here.

7 Busy Beaver Long Ear Flaps Winter Hat -- $19.95Adorable Plush Critter Cap Animal Hat. Long ear flaps can be buttoned together under

the chin to keep out the cold and hugs the ear flaps over the cheeks & chin too! 100% polyester with fleece lining. Plastic eyes. Size is one size fits all...Children to adult! To order, visit Amazon.

6 Busy Buddy Squeeze Meeze Latex Frog Dog Toy -- $10.05

Dogs love the Squeeze Meeze latex toys! These entertaining toys will keep your dog occupied for continuous playtime fun. Squeeze the middle for a great squeak and watch as its features extend or wave. Available in original and junior sizes. To order, visit Chewy.com.

Page 3: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

3 November/December 2014

5 Wetland Pond Kit -- $89.95The world’s first pre-formed pond - folded, rolled and stuffed

into a box! The durability of a plastic preformed pond with the ease of handling a liner. Plastic, pre-formed pond liner comes with a 20 year manufacturer’s warranty. Includes: 210gph Pump Artificial Lily 3 Fountain Heads & accessories Size: 31 gallons Dimensions: 44”L x 32”W x 13”D. To order, visit Amazon

4 Eve’s Snappy’s Bog Seed Kit, Complete Seed Kit to Grow Bog Plants, Unique and

Exclusive Venus Flytrap Designed Planter -- $14.95It is fun to grow Bog Plants from seed with this exclusive and unique Snappy’s Bog Venus Flytrap Designed Planter. Snappy is perfect to teach children about the importance of the wetlands and how growing these plants will help in the prevention of

erosion in a bog atmosphere. Few gardeners are fortunate enough to have a moist spot of ground, much less a true bog. Natural bogs form in glacial lake beds and shallow depressions over hundreds of years. Snappy’s Bog is a specially designed planter to create your own garden bog. The seeds in this kit will germinate and continue to grow for many years. Snappy’s Bog Complete Seed Kit includes Fun & Exciting Venus Flytrap Designed Planter, Terrarium Case, Assorted Bog Plant Seeds, Potting Mix, Instruction Guide, and Beware Snappy’s Bog Sign. To order, visit Amazon

3 Save the Wetlands Doggie Shirt-- $20.95Heads will turn when your handsome hound enters wearing this customized ringer Tee.

Dragonflies signify peace, love and hope. Go to the dragonfly zone, with this design by Hopscotch.

If you are a bird watcher, you will appreciate and admire the beauty of this most fascinating bird.

Made from 100% combed ringspun baby-rib cotton for comfort. Has contrast-colored ribbed binding on the neck, leg holes and bottom seam. Double-needle stitched. For thicker-haired dogs, choose one size larger. To order, visit www.zazzle.com

2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99

Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas Sweaters are pre-owned vintage sweaters bursting with bad taste, regrettable design, and ill-conceived uses of glitter. They’re impossible to miss! Because they are used (thoroughly cleaned, of course), we cannot guarantee the size, color, style, design, or pattern of your Ugly Christmas Sweater. However, the surprise as to what level of unsightliness has been bestowed upon you is half the fun! To order, visit www.vat19.com.

Page 4: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

November/December 2014 4

1 ASWM Individual Membership and hat -- $70.00 If you haven’t renewed your membership, please celebrate the holidays with

us by doing so. We are very grateful to you for your past support. We hope that you value your membership and are looking forward to more interesting newsletter articles, reports, webinars, and weekly updates in 2015. Your membership dues support our work to educate and support wetland conservation, protection and management. Please help us and join ASWM for another year. Wetland fashion gurus (you know who you are!) know that no field visit to a wetland is complete without the official Association of State Wetland Mangers hat. Made of 100% cotton with the ASWM logo, this hat is the perfect complement to your waders/binocular/field pack dress combo. It even provides protection against sun, light rain and regurgitating waterfowl (although if you are planning to visit a cormorant rookery you are going to need a lot more protection). To order via PayPal, click here. To order via check or credit card, click here.

On behalf of all of us here at ASWM we wish you a wonderful holiday season. Stay safe. Stay warm. And keep doing the wonderful work you

do to protect and conserve wetlands!

Please note: This article was written for your enjoyment and in celebration of the holiday season. ASWM is not affiliated with nor does the organization benefit from the sale of any of the items listed above except for the hat and membership which are purchased directly from ASWM.

Purchase with Check/Credit Card: $70

Purchase with PayPal: $70

Page 5: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

5 November/December 2014

Association News By Jeanne Christie, Executive Director, ASWM

There are many things I love about the Christmas Holidays. One of the things I love most is Christmas carols - good carols, old carols, good collaborations, bad collaborations. I listen to everything. As soon as Thanksgiving passes, I pull out my Christmas collections, find a Christmas station on the radio and get tickets to many of the around town Christmas activities that include music. One of the highlights this year was a play I had never seen before, put on at the City Theater in Biddeford Maine. It was “The Great American Trailer Park Musical.” First produced in 2004, it has been described by critics as “More fun than a Chair-throwing Episode of Jerry Springer Set to Music.” It takes place at a trailer park in Florida complete with pink flamingoes, tacky Christmas decorations, large quantities of beer, imminent eviction threats, and a resident ‘Scrooge’. I have to admit that many of the songs - “Road Kill”, “Flushed Down the Pipes” – were new to me. But it was a great show and I will add it to my ‘Christmas List’ along with the Nutcracker, A Christmas Story, and the musical White Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

Membership Renewal Time We hope you will continue your membership with the Association of State Wetland Managers in 2015. I’d like to thank those of you who have already renewed your membership for continuing to support ASWM and encourage those who haven’t renewed to do so. If you have a question about the status of your state’s membership: please contact Laura Burchill or call her at (207) 892-3399. To renew, please click here.

Webinar SuccessCurrently ASWM has recorded and posted over 70 recorded webinars on its website. A complete list can be found here. When we started hosting webinars a couple years ago, we were very gratified to draw groups of 30-40. That number has been increasing steadily and late this summer we began seeing over 100 people sign up for some of the webinars. Then we began the wetland restoration series and participation skyrocketed. In October over 700 people signed up for the wetland restoration planning webinar. We are very excited at the interest in this subject and hope to continue to find topics that are important to a large number of wetland professionals. If there are issues you are interested in, or if you are interested in making a webinar presentation yourself, please contact us by e-mailing Jeanne Christie.

Construction Underway: ASWM Website Revisions Early in 2015ASWM’s website is getting cluttered with an overabundance of information and we are planning a clean-up operation at the start of 2015. While we will be keeping reports, webinars, and information created for the site by ASWM, we will be removing many links to dated news stories and reports. We’ll also be reorganizing to make it easier to navigate and find useful information.

Assumption Subcommittee FACA on Assumable Waters AnticipatedThe Association of State Wetland Managers, Environmental Council of States and Association of Clean Water Administrators have communicated to the EPA Office of Water that greater clarity is needed concerning which waters are assumable under the Clean Water Act. As a result EPA is planning to organize a Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) Subcommittee to address this issue. It is anticipated that there will be a notice published in the Federal Register early in 2015 inviting nominations for membership on the FACA subcommittee. Nominees will be asked to provide some information regarding

Join or Renew Here

Page 6: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

November/December 2014 6

their technical experience on this topic and to demonstrate they represent an interest group with a stake in identifying assumable waters. When all the nominations are in, EPA will select subcommittee members with the goals of ensuring balanced representation, geographic diversity, and expertise of individuals among other factors. The optimum committee size is generally 20 to 25 members. Travel costs will be covered to formal meetings. States or tribes interested are encouraged to contact ASWM, ACWA and/or ECOS to share their interest. The selection of committee members will be made by EPA after the nomination deadline closes.

The New World of Wetlands: Dealing with Shifting Landscapes, Laws and Climate, March 24-26, 2015,

near Shepherdstown, West Virginia.We invite you to attend ASWM’s Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting. The purpose of this annual meeting is to support state and tribal wetland program managers, federal agencies and other wetland professionals as they respond to challenges in the coming year. Every year brings new concerns and new opportunities. Topics for this year’s workshop include

• Assessing Secondary/Cumulative Impacts of Major Individual Permits

• Improving Wetland Restoration/Mitigation success• Proposed Changes to Clean Water Act Jurisdiction:

Next Steps• Celebrating 40 Years of the National Wetland

Inventory: Anticipating the Future• Ensuring Consistency Between the Clean Water Act

and the Farm Bill• Developing Model Language for Water Quality

Standards for Wetlands• Wetlands of International Significance: the purpose

and process of nominating wetlands under the International Ramsar Treaty

• Beaver Re-introduction into the Montane West• Planning for Extreme Weather Events in Wetland

Programs• Climate Change: the Role of Monitoring and

Assessment

• The health of the Nation’s wetlands: Improving wetland decision-making using monitoring and assessment data

• State Wetland Programs Status and Trends 2000-2014

For more information about the workshop including registration and hotel reservation information click here.

This meeting is by invitation only so save the link above because you will not find information about the meeting on the ASWM web pages. We do this to ensure we have plenty of room for ASWM members including state and tribal participants along with representatives of federal agencies, interest groups, nonprofit organizations and members of the academic community. If you would like to invite another individual or organization, please let us know by responding to this e-mail.

For all questions, please contact me (Jeanne Christie) (agenda content, speakers and scholarships). or Laura Burchill (registration and logistics) via e-mail or at (207) 892-3399.

Page 7: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

7 November/December 2014

FY15 Budget Passed by Congress and Signed by the PresidentThe Senate passed the $1.1 trillion spending package on 12/13 and President Obama signed it into law on 12/16. The budget funds the government through September 2015. EPA’s total budget was cut by $60M and Agency staffing was decreased to its lowest level since 1989. Funding to the Wetland Program Development Grants remained at the same level as last year: $14.66 million. The bill did include a rider requiring the withdrawal of the Interpretive Rule that was issued concurrently with the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule. The bill did not contain a rider addressing the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule. A recent article in Agri-pulse “EPA Eyes Spring for Clean Water Rule, Unsure of Replacing Measure of Farm Exemptions” provides some information on what might happen next:

McCarthy said the agency hasn’t decided whether to replace a separate measure, an interpretive rule that provides standards for farming practices that are exempt from the pollution law’s Section 404 permitting requirements. The fiscal 2015 omnibus spending bill that cleared Congress last weekend will strike down the interpretive rule, which was opposed both by farm groups and environmentalists.

“We haven’t even had that discussion” about whether to replace the interpretive rule, “but I want to make sure that we listen to the agriculture community about how we provide advice in a way that it’s understood and it adds value,” McCarthy said. “The interpretive rule clearly didn’t make that mark even though it was well intended by USDA and EPA. Congress heard that and I heard that as well.”

The spending bill is silent on the bigger, politically charged issue of the proposed rule that would re-define what areas are regulated under the Clean Water Act as “waters of the United States.” Republicans have made clear that they will attempt to block the rule when they take control of the Senate next year. There is already broad support in the House for killing the measure.

For the full article click here. The appropriations bill also included a rider with a prohibition on the U.S. Army Corps requiring Clean Water Act 404 permits for activities in irrigation ditches and farm ponds.

Army Corps of Engineers Receives New Biological Opinion on the 2012 Nationwide PermitsThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that it received a final biological opinion from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries on the nationwide permits that were reissued on Feb. 13, 2012, and went into effect on March 19, 2012. The biological opinion was issued on Nov. 24, 2014, and it concludes the re-initiated programmatic consultation on the Endangered Species Act that began in July 2012 between USACE and NOAA Fisheries. This biological opinion replaces NOAA Fisheries’ earlier biological opinion issued in February 2012. The two agencies re-initiated programmatic consultation to consider information that was not previously contemplated by NOAA Fisheries in its February 2012 biological opinion.

This biological opinion does not affect current Department of the Army permits, including previously verified nationwide permit activities and permittees who have not yet completed construction of an

Page 8: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

November/December 2014 8

authorized activity. Also, previously authorized activities complied with the Endangered Species Act through activity-specific evaluations and consultations and are not affected by this opinion.

Information on the 2012 nationwide permits, including the biological opinion dated Nov. 24, 2014, is posted to the USACE Web site.

Obama Administration Releases Final Principles, Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Investments in Water Resources The Obama Administration today released final Principles, Requirements and Guidelines (PR&G) for Federal investments in water resources, marking the first update to these important guidelines in more than three decades. In addition to helping cut costs and accelerate project approvals, the modernized PR&G guides Federal agencies to support water infrastructure projects with the greatest economic and community benefits. To view the updated Principles, Requirements and Guidelines, click here.

Guidance on Considering Climate Change in NEPA Reviews and Conducting Programmatic NEPA ReviewsAs part of an ongoing effort to modernize implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act and promote effective and transparent environmental reviews, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today released updated draft guidance for Federal agencies on how to consider greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of climate change in their NEPA analyses, as well as final guidance on conducting programmatic NEPA reviews. These measures will increase the efficiency of environmental reviews and help agencies make informed decisions that are sound investments of taxpayer dollars and good for American communities.

The guidance:• Encourages agencies to draw from their experience

and expertise to determine the appropriate level (broad, programmatic or project- or site-specific) and type (quantitative or qualitative) of analysis required to comply with NEPA.

• Focuses analysis on the projects and actions with the greatest impacts by providing a reference point of 25,000 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions

on an annual basis below which a quantitative analysis of GHG emissions is not recommended unless it is easily accomplished.

• Counsels agencies to use the information developed during the NEPA review to consider alternatives that are more resilient to the effects of a changing climate; and

• Advises agencies to use existing information and science when assessing proposed actions, and highlights tools and methodologies that are available to them for conducting their analyses.

Mid-Atlantic Stream Restoration Research RFP OutThe Chesapeake Bay Trust (the Trust), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a request for proposals for its Restoration Research Grant Program. The goal of this grant program is to answer several key restoration questions. It is the hope of the funding partners that answering these questions will ultimately lead to increased confidence in proposed restoration project outcomes, clarification of the optimal site conditions in which to apply particular restoration techniques, information useful to regulatory agencies in project permitting, and information that will help guide monitoring programs. While research is needed in the realm of many different restoration practices, this year’s opportunity is dedicated to key restoration research questions that focus on stream practices, as opposed to traditional stormwater management in the upland or other restoration practices. Deadline: March 19, 2015 at 5 pm. For more information, click here.

Page 9: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

9 November/December 2014

Recently Recorded ASWM WebinarsThe Association of State Wetland Managers hosts and records 3-5 webinars

each month. Below are some recent presentations. For more information on future and past webinars, click here.

Members’ Wetland Webinars Series Wetlands Supplement: Incorporating Wetlands into Watershed Planning - Kerryann Weaver, Life Scientist, US EPA Region 5This recording will be available soon.

ELI and The Nature Conservancy’s Watershed Approach Handbook: Improving Outcomes and Increasing Benefits Associated with Wetland and Stream Restoration and Protection Projects - Nicholas Miller, Science Director, The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin; Mark Smith, Deputy Director of the North America Freshwater Program, The Nature Conservancy; Jessica Wilkinson, Senior Policy Advisor for Mitigation, The Nature ConservancyView recordings here. (login required)

Wetland Mapping Consortium Webinars Series

State Offsite Methods for wetland determinations in the Prairie Pothole Region of IA, MN, ND and SD – Jason Outlaw, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service This recording will be available soon.

Variable Width Riparian Areas Mapping: a Robust GIS Approach – Sinan A. Abood, USDA Forest ServiceView recordings here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Mapping Standards & Requirements – Rusty Griffin, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

View recordings here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Improving Wetland Restoration Success Project Webinars

Atlantic Coast Coastal Marshes and Mangrove Restoration – Robin Lewis, Lewis Environmental Services, Inc. & Coastal Resource Group, Inc.; John Teal, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

(Scientist Emeritus); Joseph Shisler, ARCADIS; Jim Turek, NOAA Fisheries Restoration CenterView recordings here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

How to Prepare a Good Wetland Restoration Plan – Richard Weber, NRCS Wetland Team, CNTSC; Tom Harcarik, Ohio EPA, Division of Environmental & Financial Assistance; John Teal, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Scientist Emeritus); Lisa Cowan, Professional Landscape Architect, Studioverde; Mick Micacchion, Midwest Biodiversity Institute

View recordings here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

A History of Wetland Drainage: How They Pulled the Plug – Tom Biebighauser, Wetland Restoration and Training View recordings here: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Natural Floodplain Function Alliance Webinars Series

The Impact of Wetland Drainage on the Hydrology of a Northern Prairie Watershed – Dr. John Pomeroy, Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan

View recordings here:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Page 10: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

November/December 2014 10

Members’ Wetland WebinarsHow to Use Video to Communicate a Science MessageJanuary 28, 20152 Part Webinar Part 1: 12:30-1:30 pm ET Part 2: 3:00-4:30 pm ET Presenter: Karen L. McKee, Ph.D, Scientist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey

For more information and to register, click here.

Future Members’ Webinar Topics:• Wetlands as tools for TMDL compliance• Connections between wetlands and fracking • Restoring springs, findings from a recent study on

Massachusetts wetland vegetation• How to turn ponds into wetlands• Integrating wetland and stormwater management• Lessons learned from the Staten Island Bluebelt Project• Climate change planning for wetland managers

Wetland Mapping Consortium WebinarsMapping With Ecological Site DescriptorsJanuary 21, 2015 – 3:00 pm ETPresenter: Richard A. Weber, P.E., Natural Resources Conservation Service For more information and to register, click here.

Natural Floodplain Functions Alliance Webinars

Rooftops to Rivers: Lessons Learned from Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Successful Floodplain Management ProgramJanuary 6, 2015 – 3:00 pm ETPresenter: Ronald D. Flanagan, CFM & Principal Planner, R.D. Flanagan & Associates, LLC For more information and to register, click here.

EPA Adaptation Workbook: Lessons Learned in San Juan Bay, Puerto RicoMarch 3, 2015 – 3:00 pm ETPresenter: Michael Craghan, Climate Ready Estuaries Program, U.S. EPAFor more information and to register, click here.

Improving Wetland Restoration Success WebinarsTemperate and Tropical/Subtropical Seagrass RestorationJanuary 20, 2015 – 3:00 pm ET Presenters: Robin Lewis, Lewis Environmental Services, Inc. & Coastal Resource Group, Inc. and Mark Fonseca, CSA Ocean Sciences For more information and to register, click here.

Playa and Rainwater Basin RestorationFebruary 17, 2015 – 3:00 pm ET Presenters: Rich Weber, NRCS Wetland Team, CNTSC and Ted LaGrange, Nebraska Game & Parks CommissionFor more information and to register, click here.

Pacific Coast Wetland Restoration March 17, 2015 – 3:00 pm ET Presenters: Charles (“Si”) Simenstad, University of Washington and John Callaway, University of San FranciscoFor more information and to register, click here.

Vernal Pool Restoration - How to Restore the LandscapeApril 21, 2015 – 3:00 pm ET Presenter: Mick Micacchion, Midwest Biodiversity InstituteFor more information and to register, click here.

Prairie Pothole RestorationMay 19, 2015 – 3:00 pm ET Presenters: Sue Galatowitsch, University of Minnesota and Carter Johnson, South Dakota State UniversityFor more information and to register, click here.

Riverine/Riparian Wetland Restoration June 9, 2015 – 3:00 pm ET Presenters: Rich Weber, NRCS Wetland Team, CNTSC and Larry Urban, Montana Department of TransportationFor more information and to register, click here.

Future Restoration Topics:Peat land restorationLID wetland “restoration” in urban landscapesNovel ecosystems and restoration

All ASWM Webinar Information can be found here.

Page 11: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

As the longest nights come to a close, we look forward to the return of light. May your days be filled with laughter, purpose, and abundance.

May your nights be filled with warmth & wellbeing. Merry Christmas to all and to all, a Happy New Year!

- Dawn Smith

Holiday Messages from ASWM Staff

11 November/December 2014

Season’s Greetings to our entire ASWM family wherever you may be! Wishing you an abundance of friends, happiness, and fun this holiday season. May your heart be full, may your spirit be light, and may your wetlands be healthy and prolific! Best wishes for another fantastic trip around the sun in 2015!

- Marla Stelk

Wishing you all the joys and happiness of Christmas now and throughout the New Year. - Sharon Weaver

The Holiday Season is a time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. I feel very privileged to be able to work to protect and conserve wetlands, such a special and unique part of the Nation’s natural resources. I feel very fortunate to work with so many wonderful people like you who amaze and inspire. Thank you for all the wonderful work you do! - Jeanne Christie

Page 12: ASWM’s 12 Days of Christmas List2 Charmingly Atrocious Old-school Christmas Sweaters -- $17.99 Deck your torso in an ugly sweater, fa la la la la, la la la la. Our Ugly Christmas

Copyright Association of State Wetland Managers, November/December 2014

Board of Directors

Collis Adams Chair

Kenneth Murin Vice Chair

Mark Biddle Secretary/Treasurer

Debra Baker

Denise Clearwater

Andrew May

Doug Norris

Bill Ryan

ASWM Staff

Jeanne Christie Executive Director

Jon Kusler, Esq. PhD. Founder

Peg Bostwick Senior Policy Analyst

Brenda Zollitsch, PhD. Policy Analyst

Marla Stelk Policy Analyst

Dawn Smith Communication Specialist

Steve Palmer Bookkeeper

Laura Burchill Program Assistant

Sharon Weaver Webmaster

Many Thanks to Our Members & Donors

Thank you for renewing your membership and for your continued support of ASWM.

To renew your membership for 2015, please click here.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible end-of-year donation, please click here.

November/December 2014 12

I have greatly enjoyed getting to meet so many of you this year --- either in person, through remote work groups or on the other end of telephone interviews and conference calls. I am grateful for all the learning, colleagueship and friendships that have come from my work at ASWM over the past 12 months. If there is one thing I have observed in this position, it is that what you do in your work for wetlands matters (A LOT). I truly appreciate your efforts and partnership and look forward to working with you in 2015! Until then, peace and happiness to you and yours this holiday season. - Brenda Zollitsch

Holiday Messages continued

Wishing you and your family all the warmth this Holiday Season has to offer. Have a wonderful Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and joy.

- Laura Burchill