Introduction to Wetland Identification

Last Held: June 6, 2013
9:00am - 5:00pm (Check in time: 8:30am)

Next offering scheduled for October 17, 2013.

Virtually all activities conducted in and around wetlands are regulated – from excavating underground storage tanks to soil compaction for paving a driveway or patio to pruning of overgrown vegetation – and violators are subject to hefty penalties and fines from the NJ-DEP.

Knowing if a wetland is on your property or a site on which you work is incredibly important! But how do you determine if a wetland is present?

Why not educate yourself? Take our class to get the basic tools you need to identify a wetland’s presence. Once you make a determination, you will know if you need to go further and hire an environmental professional to evaluate the site and assist you with the permit process.

In this one-day combination classroom and field course, a nationally recognized wetlands expert will review the skills you need to identify freshwater wetlands and their boundaries and introduce you to wetland plant identification and soil recognition. You will learn:

You’ll also find out how to access and use government maps in order to identify wetlands on your property, on lands you may be interested in purchasing or on properties on which you conduct environmental, landscaping or other site development or remediation work. You’ll even get you a simple introduction to the practice of wetland delineation (the technical skill of determining a wetlands precise boundaries) --- all in one day!

For those interested in advancing their wetland knowledge, this course will provide the essential background material needed for further study in the step-by-step regulatory and delineation techniques covered in the Methodology for Delineating Wetlands course.

This course is eligible for continuing education credits toward the Society of Wetland Scientists’ Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) Certificate Program.

View Required Textbook
View Featured Topics
See the Recertification Credits offered for this program
Meet the Instructor
Download Brochure (PDF)

Photos from a Wetland Identification Class

In Search of Swampland: A Wetland Sourcebook and Field Guide (Second Edition) [ISBN 0813525063], Ralph W. Tiner - $30
You may purchase this textbook on your own or through our office with your registration.

Basking Ridge, NJ

Sorry! Registration is not currently available.

Would you like to be notified when the next offering is scheduled?
Here are 3 convenient ways to be added to our mailing list:
1. Click here to join our mailing list (please reference "Introduction to Wetland Identification" or Course Code EH0102) 
2. Call us at 732-932-9271
3. E-mail us at ocpe@njaes.rutgers.edu

All of the courses offered by the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education are approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for tuition reimbursement through the GI Bill. For more information about the GI Bill, click here.

Featured Topics

• Wetland Definitions and Concepts
• Wetland Functions and Values
• Introduction to Wetland Regulations
• Wetland Hydrology Indicators
• Wetland Vegetation – Hydrophytic Plant Indicators
• Wetland Soils – Soil Colors, Hydric Soil Indicators
• Wetland Types – Wetland Classification, Wetland Maps
• Review of Wetland Plant Characteristics
• Field Exercises:  wetland plant identification, hydric soil recognition, wetland hydrology indicators, wetland delineation (simple steps)

The June 6, 2013 offering of this course has been approved for the following credits. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

ATTENTION HEALTH OFFICERS AND REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS: Participants who complete this education program will be awarded 5.00 NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs)

Certified Public Works Manager (CPWM) - 3 Technical, 3 Management

Landscape Architects (NJ) - Pending

Landscape Architects (NYS) - 4.0 hr CL; 2.5 EA

Land Surveyors (NJ) - Pending

Land Surveyors (NY) - 6 Hours

Professional Engineer (NJ) - 6 Continuing Professional Competency Credits

Professional Engineers (NY) - 6 Hours

Society of American Foresters - Pending

Society of Wetland Scientists - Credits will be prorated based on 15 hours of instruction being equivalent to 1 semester hour. For example, a 36 hour wetland delineation course will equal 2.4 equivalent semester hours.