UPDATE: If you are having trouble logging into the Zoom meeting or didn’t receive the link in a previous email, contact Todd Losee at mwapresident@miwetlands.org as soon as possible. Please include your PayPal receipt in your email message.  

Name of Class:  Wetland Delineation Training  PART ONE  – Four Half Days of Virtual Classroom Learning

Dates: April 19-22, 2021

Time(s): 8:00am – 12:00pm

Instructors: Todd Losee, James Sallee, Keto Gyekis, Michael Pennington

Cost: $200 (MWA members), $250 (non-members)

Class Description:

This is a 4-day, mornings only, course covering all aspects wetland delineation focusing on the procedures outlined in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 87 Manual and the Northcentral and Northeast and Midwest Regional Supplements.  The course will spend significant time on the criteria necessary to meet the wetland delineation standards for Wetland Hydrology, Hydric Soils, and Hydrophytic Vegetation. Participants will learn all aspects of wetland delineation including how to properly complete the Wetland Data Form.  This is a Part One of a two-part course.  MWA is expecting to offer Part Two of this training to include a field component  in the fall of 2021 (pending current COVID-19 mandates) to participants of the Part One training for an additional fee.  Should Part 2 be offered in the fall, only participants of Part 1 will be allowed to attend Part 2. At the time of registration, you will need to indicate if you are interested in Part 2. This will allow MWA to plan the needed courses (please note that Part 2 will have limited spaces).

Instructor Bios:

Todd Losee – Todd has over 23 years of experience delineating wetlands while working in the public and private sectors.  Todd served on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Supplement Development Committees for both the Midwest and Northeast Northcentral Supplements.  Prior to his current job as a private wetland consultant, Todd served as the state’s expert in wetland identification and managed the EGLE’s Wetland Identification Program and the development of the Michigan Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands (MiRAM).  He has served as an expert witness in administrative, criminal, and civil wetland court cases; and he has completed hundreds of wetland delineations particularly at some of the most technically difficult and controversial sites.

Michael Pennington Michael Pennington is the Wetland Mitigation Specialist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) Water Resources Division.   Michael serves as the program administrator for EGLE’s Wetland Mitigation Banking program and provides assistance to staff on complex wetland mitigation issues.  Michael also provides wetland education and training, and he plays a pivotal role for the division by providing technical and regulatory guidance for the best protection and management of the state’s wetland resources.  Before working for the EGLE, Michael managed MDOT’s Wetland Mitigation and Wetland Banking Programs for 14 years.

James Sallee – James is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist with over 23 years of experience working in Michigan’s wetlands.  James currently works as a wetland consultant conducting wetland delineations and hydric soil reviews throughout Michigan. James led a research project on difficult hydric soils of Michigan that resulted in additional hydric soil indicators being developed and included in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supplements.  James also spent several years as the EGLE’s Wetland Specialist focusing on hydric soil identification.  James has testified as a hydric soil expert in various administrative, criminal, and civil court cases.  James also participated in the National Wetland Condition Assessment.

Keto Gyekis – Keto manages the Wetland Identification Program for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).  He travels throughout the state, from urban centers in southern Michigan to the western end of the Upper Peninsula, conducting wetland delineations and inspecting consultants’ delineations.  He conducts wetland jurisdictional determinations for the EGLE and assists staff with the wetland permit application review process and enforcement issues.  Prior to EGLE, Keto had worked as a field ecologist for a consulting firm, delineating wetlands throughout Michigan and in three other states.  He has maintained certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist.  Keto was a co-developer of the Michigan Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands and has led several trainings on wetland function and values and wetland delineation.

PAYMENT – You will be directed to pay by Paypal after you send your booking. If paying by mailed in check, enter the coupon code CHECKPMT to save your spot. If we do not receive your check by April 7, 2021 your spot in the training will no longer be held.

Class Cancellation Notification

Five (5) days prior to the start of class, participants will be notified of a cancellation.  The MWA Treasurer will refund 100% of the fee received to participants.

Cancellation Policy for Attendees

• Any attendee can transfer, at any time, their spot in the class to another person with no financial penalty
• Cancellation prior to14 days of the class is eligible for 100% refund of class fees
• Cancellation from 1-13 days of the class is eligible for 50% refund of class fees
• Cancellation within less than 1 day of start of the class (including during the class) is not eligible for any refund (0%), however the spot can be transferred to any other person.

Bookings