Past Meetings

2019 Fall Social FREE EVENT
Date: October 8, 2019 3pm-6pm
Location: 417 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI

2019 Spring Meeting & Social
Date: June 12, 2019: 2pm-6pm
Location: Bell’s in Kalamazoo, MI

MWA 2018 Workshop: Climate Change Adaptation for Wetlands
Date: May 15, 2018
Location: Okemos, MI

Holiday Happy Hour
Date: December 14, 2017
Location: Lansing, MI

2017 MWA Conference “Innovations in Wetland Protection and Management”
Date: September 27-29, 2017
Location: Gaylord, MI

MWA 2016 Fall Meeting
Date: December 8, 2016
Location: Indian Springs Metropark (White Lake, MI)

Avoiding and Minimizing Impacts to Threatened and Endangered Wetland Species

Co-hosted by the Department of Environmental Quality`

• Overview of the State Endangered Species Law
• Overview of the Federal Endangered Species Act
• DEQ screening process
• Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
• Indiana and Northern Long-eared Bat
• Rare Amphibians and Reptiles
• Rare Wetland Communities, Plants, and Insects
• Tour of Grounds – Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Habitat and Hibernacula

MWA 2015 Fall Meeting
Date: September 25, 2015
Location: Ramada of Marquette, Marquette, Michigan

Wetland Science, Management and Policy in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Learn about current research, management, and policy relating to the wetlands of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.   Also, spend the afternoon with MWA exploring wetlands in north central Upper Peninsula.  The meeting is intended for anyone interested in Michigan’s wetland resources including private citizens, land conservancies, environmental organizations, local governments, wetland consultants, and state and federal regulatory agencies.

MWA 2015 Spring Meeting
Date: March 19, 2015
Location: Lyon Oaks County Park, Wixom, Michigan

Building Collaboration for Wetland Preservation, Conservation, and Long-Term Management

Share organizational and management goals, discuss stewardship responsibilities, and explore partnerships in the long-term management, funding, and protection of Michigan’s wetland resources. The meeting is intended for land conservancies, environmental organizations, local governments, wetland consultants, state and federal regulatory and funding agencies, and private funders. The informational/technical sessions from expert professionals will help increase the capacity of land conservancies and local governments to achieve effective collaboration with funding and regulatory agencies.

TRACK I: Current Topics in Wetlands Science

Day 1. Coastal Wetland Monitoring Results
Day 1. Expanding Fish-Based Monitoring of Great Lakes coastal
Day 1. Michigan’s Monitoring and Assessment Strategy
Day 1. Using MIRAM for Accessing Wetlands
Day 1. Utilizing Landscape Level Assessment Data
Day 1. Michigan’s Status and Trends Report (Part 1)
Day 1. Michigan’s Status and Trends Report (Part 2)
Day 2. Adaptation Planning for Local Governments
Day 2. Best Management Practices/Tools for Adaptation
Day 2. Climate Change Adaptation A Five Year Strategy
Day 2. Climate Change in Michigan – Predictions and Adaptations for Wildlife
Day 2. Developing an Effective Approach for Vernal Pools Mapping
Day 2. Local Climate Adaptation for Water Resources
Day 2. Mapping and Visualizing Lake Level Changes for the US Great Lakes
Day 3. Exploration of Wetland-Near Shore Coupling in the Great Lakes
Day 3. Stress Gradients and Coastal Ecosystem Indicators

TRACK II: Update on Michigan’s Wetland Protection Program

Day 1. MDEQ Wetland Mitigation Bank Funding Program-Mitigation Banking Grants and Loans
Day 1. Update on General Permits and Minor Project Categories
Day 1. Update on Michigan’s 404 Program
Day 1. US EPA’s role in the Michigan Wetlands Program
Day 1. USFWS Update
Day 2. After the Fact Evalutaion of Impacts at a Complicated Site
Day 2. Improving Outcomes of Stream Alteration Projects
Day 2. Long Term Management and Stewardship for Mitigation
Day 2. Mitigation Toolbox-Mitigation Plans-Mitigation Monitoring
Day 2. Evaluating Wetland Impacts of the Enbridge Oil Spill
Day 2. Healthy River-Reducing Impacts of In-Stream Structures and Culverts (Part 1)
Day 2. Healthy River-Reducing Impacts of In-Stream Structures and Culverts (Part 2)
Day 2. Preserving High Quality Habitats as Mitigation for Permitted Wetland Impacts
Day 3. Creating Habitat for Amphibians and Reptiles-A Case Study
Day 3. Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Best Management Practices Manual
Day 3. Michigan Herp Atlas Project

TRACK III: Wetland and Watershed Management

Day 1. MDNR Grant Programs for Wetlands
Day 1. Obtaining Nonpoint Source Funding for Wetland Restoration
Day 1. Project Clarity-Restoring the Lake Macatawa Watershed
Day 1. Restoring Green Infrastructure in the Lower Grand River Watershed
Day 1. State and Federal Grant Programs for Aquisition and Restoration of Wetlands
Day 1. Wild Rice-Growing a Collective Movement
Day 2. Coastal Network Restoration at Lake St. Clair Metropark
Day 2. Early Detection and Response of AIS
Day 2. Engaging Farmers in Conservation
Day 2. Lake Erie Coastal Restoration
Day 2. Long Term Management and Stewardship Roundtable
Day 2. MDEQ’s Agricultural Assistance Program
Day 2. New Tools in AIS Management
Day 2. NRCS Wetland Determinations and Certifications
Day 2. State of Michigan Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program
Day 2. Using Hydrogeomorphic Analysis for Project Planning at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Day 3. Honor Yesterday-Engage Today-Build Tomorrow
Day 3. MDNR Programs
Day 3. Partnering for Restoring Wetlands for Waterfowl
Day 3. Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
Day 3. Voluntary Wetland Restoration

MWA 2013 Fall Meeting
Date: November 7, 2013
Location: Woldumar Nature Center, Lansing, Michigan

The Future of Michigan’s Wetland Protection Programs

Focused on the State of Michigan’s legislative changes to Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, and Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of NREPA, which were enacted in July 2013, when the Governor signed Public Act 98 of 2013 (PA98) into law.

Rivet – Wetlands Advisory Council

Pennington – Wetland Mitigation

Mifsud – Herpetofauna BMPs

Millsap – Kalamazoo Oil Spill Impacts

Losee – Aquatic Invasive Spp Mgt

Sallee – New Hydric Soil Indicators

2013 FALL MEETING PRESENTATIONS
AGENDA MWA 2013 Fall Meeting

Michigan’s Wetland Resource Base – Chad Fizzell

Summary Changes to State Wetland Law – Todd Losee

County Drains General Permit Category – Amy Berry

EPA Review of Michigan Program Changes – Peg Bostwick

Agricultural Perspective – Laura Campbell

Science Advisory Board Report – Anne Hokanson

MWA 2012/2013 Winter Meeting
Date: February 11, 2013
Location: Old Town Marquee, Lansing, MI

Michigan Wetlands Association Annual Meeting: A Focus on Conservation
Date: October 22, 2012
Location: RAM Conference Center, Higgins Lake, MI

Thank you to all who joined us to share information about a wide range of wetland conservation activities in Michigan. Effective wetland conservation depends upon the actions of private landowners, non-profit conservation organizations, and an array of local, state, and federal agencies.

Michigan Wetlands Association Annual Conference
Date: August 30 – September 2, 2011
Location: Grand Traverse Resort, Traverse City, MI

The Michigan Wetlands Association held its annual wetland conference on August 30 – September 2, 2011 at the Grand Traverse Resort near Traverse City, Michigan. This conference was co-sponsored by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), with financial support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the NOAA Coastal Zone Program.

PRESENTATIONS:
Barbara Liukkonen
Carl Ruetz
Chad Fizzell
Chris Hoving
Dave Dempsey
Dave Fowler
Dawn Browne
Dianne Martin
Gerald Fisher
Grenetta Thomassey
Haris Alibasic
Heather Stirratt
James Sallee
Jeremy Jones
John Freeland
John Jereczek
Joseph Rivet
Keto Gyekis
Kim Hall
Matthew Cooper
Michael Beaulac
Michael Murray
Michael Pennington
Patrick Doran
Steve Niswander
Todd Losee
Yu Man Lee