This three-day intensive workshop will provide wetland regulators and consultants with practical information and experience in using the 2014 update to the rating system for wetlands in western Washington. It is specifically designed for those who will be using the rating system in the field. You will gain a working knowledge of topics such as the hydrogeomorphic classification of wetlands, how to separate wetlands into units for rating, and how to answer all the questions on the field form. The purpose of the class is to provide you with knowledge so that you can fill out the rating form on your own. You will receive a copy of the rating system manual.

It is important that you already have some experience and/or education in delineating wetlands and identifying natural wetland features such as outlets, boundaries of basins, vegetation classes, and some ability to distinguish between different plant species.

This course will include three virtual sessions (3/3, 3/4, and 3/12) and one solo field visit. The virtual lecture sessions will be hosted on Zoom on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM) and Thursday, March 4, 2021 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM). From 3/4/2021 to 3/11/2021, each participant will visit two field sites on their own. The sites are located at the Woodland Creek Community Park in Lacey, WA and Capitol Lake Interpretive Park in Olympia, WA. You should plan to spend 4.5 hours at the field sites in total. After visiting the field sites, you will be required to submit your findings to a survey that will be provided on 3/4. As follow up to this, the instructor will host a virtual post-field site visit session on Zoom on Friday, March 12, 2021 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM). During this session, the instructor will answer questions and go over the expected findings from the field visits.

Tech check held on 3/1, 9am-9:30am, or 3pm-3:30pm.

Please note that all three virtual sessions (3/3, 3/4, and 3/12) and the solo field session are mandatory for obtaining your certification for the rating system (9.5 CM AICP Credits/CEP Points)
 
Link to rating system:
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/1406029.html

Instructors: 

Dr. Amy Yahnke is the senior wetland ecologist for the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program at the Washington State Department of Ecology. She holds a Certificate in Wetland Science and Management, BS in Environmental Horticulture, MS in Forest Resources, and PhD in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. She has studied wetland ecology within the contexts of amphibians, invasive plants, and stormwater management. Dr. Yahnke has experience teaching a wide range of environmental topics to audiences of all ages.