2025 Wetland Science Conference
A three-day conference for wetland and water professionals in the Upper Midwest.
February 25 - 27, 2025  ·  La Crosse Center

Registration closed on Thursday, February 20th.

Registration for On-Demand access to conference presentations will become available after March 3, 2025. For only $50 ($40 for WWA members), On-Demand registration includes recordings of conference oral presentations and pdfs of poster presentations; purchasers will get access to this content on March 10, 2025. On-Demand does not include field trips, workshops, roundtables, working groups, or live Q&A with presenters.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate the first ever sell-out of the Wetland Science Conference! If you have any questions, please email conference@wisconsinwetlands.org.


Wisconsin Wetlands Association invites you to the 30th Annual Wetland Science Conference on February 25-27, 2025, in La Crosse, WI. 

Join other scientists and professionals of the wetland and water community of Wisconsin and the upper Midwest to:

  • Share your wetland research, restoration, management, or outreach program;
  • Learn new identification and assessment approaches and techniques;
  • Hear about approaches to incorporating wetlands into watershed & community planning;
  • Discuss the latest in wetland science, planning, and protection issues;
  • Look ahead to the future of wetland science and practices in Wisconsin and the Midwest.

This 3-day conference, which draws upwards of 350 attendees annually, includes a keynote address, organized symposia, topical oral sessions, a poster session, working groups, workshops, and field trips to area wetlands, all of which provide great networking and learning opportunities.

Key Speakers
Key Speakers

Paul Burns, Fisheries Biologist, USDA Forest Service
Pearls on a String:  Recognizing the value intact wetlands and alluvial valleys have within the stream continuum 
Wednesday, February 26, 9:00 am

Kristen Bouska, Research Ecologist, US Geological Survey, 
From Biophysical to Social-ecological Systems: Best practices for building social capacity in the science and practice of watershed conservation
Thursday, February 27, 8:30 am

Sponsors
Presenters

No records found.

Exhibitors

Baxter & Woodman Natural Resources, LLC

Baxter & Woodman Natural Resources, LLC specializes providing maintenance work within naturalized detention basins, wetland mitigation areas, rain gardens, forest preserves, public park areas, and other native landscaping areas.

GAI Consultants, Inc.

Transforming ideas into reality® since 1958, GAI Consultants is an engineering and planning consulting firm specializing in a diverse range of environmental services for energy and infrastructure projects.

Heartland Ecological Group

We provide our clients with professional ecological solutions. We specialize in the assessment, mapping, restoration, and application of regulatory policies related to wetlands, streams, and other natural resources.

HOBO Data Loggers

HOBO Data Loggers offers monitoring solutions that deliver dependable water level and water quality data, empowering you to assess, plan, and implement effective wetland strategies for a sustainable future.

Inter-Fluve

Inter-Fluve works to heal aquatic ecosystems through applied science and engineering.

ISG

Johnson's Nursery

Johnson's Nursery is a wholesale and retail plant nursery that grows local ecotype native plant material, and new to market ornamental material.

Merjent

Merjent is a full-service consulting firm with a long history serving the energy industry. We offer a wide range of environmental, engineering, field, land, and restoration services to our clients.

RES

Saint Mary's University of MN - GeoSpatial Services

GeoSpatial Services (GSS) is a project center at Saint Mary’s that integrates professional services & academic apprenticeships in the areas of natural resource assessment, geographic analysis, and contemporary mapping, specializing in wetlands.

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon) works to protect and improve habitat for birds and other wildlife through land acquisition and management, education, and advocacy.

University of Wisconsin Biodiversity Conservation and Management Program

Earn your master’s degree in Biodiversity Conservation and Management or a graduate certificate in biodiversity science, data management, or conservation leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay – 100% online.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Wetlands Association

We help people and communities care for wetlands. Become a member today!

No records found.

Agenda
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Meeting Rooms AB (Zielke) Organized by Trout Unlimited Driftless Area Restoration Effort (Register at https://tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Driftless-Area-Stream-Restoration-Symposium-2025-103150)
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Meet at Conference Center Main Lobby at 1:20 pm to depart by bus Leader: Chuck Lee Sponsored by USDA-NRCS
Meet at Conference Center Main Lobby at 1:20 pm to depart by bus Leaders: Abbie Church and Levi Plath Sponsored by Emmons & Olivier Resources
Meet at Conference Center Main Lobby at 1:20 pm to depart by bus Leader: Tim Miller Sponsored by Wisconsin Public Service Foundation
Location: Meeting Room E Instructor: Liandra Skenandore Sponsored by Wisconsin Coastal Management Program
Location: Meeting Room D Instructor: Leigh Fredrickson Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited
Location: Meeting Room G Instructors: Ryan O'Connor and Pat Trochlell Sponsored by Alliant Energy
Location: Meeting Room F Instructor: Samantha Foster Sponsored by Native Range Ecological
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Explore the many great restaurants and cafés that downtown La Crosse has to offer!
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Riverside Ballroom ABC, Riverside Hallways, and Meeting Rooms A-G Sponsored by Fund for Lake Michigan
9:00 AM - 10:20 AM
9:00 AM - 10:20 AM
Location: Riverside Ballroom BC Speaker: Paul Burns, Fisheries Biologist, USDA Forest Service Pearls on a String: Recognizing the Value Intact Wetlands and Alluvial Valleys Have within the Stream Continuum Sponsored by Westwood Professional Services
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room E Swap books you no longer need to offer to another wetland professional/enthusiast! Help make sure the next generation has access to the classics to build their library.
10:20 AM - 10:40 AM
10:20 AM - 10:40 AM
Location: Riverside Ballroom A and Riverside Ballroom Hallways Sponsored by Sterling Site Access Solutions
10:40 AM - 12:00 PM
10:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room F Moderator: Allison Willman Sponsored by Merjent
Location: Meeting Room G Facilitators: Josh Brown and Emily Hack, Wisconsin DNR
Location: Meeting Room AB Moderator: Erin O'Brien Sponsored by the James E. Dutton Foundation, Inc. and a Mosaic Momentum grant from the Water Solutions Fund
Location: Meeting Room CD Open to all Moderator: Caitlin Williamson Sponsored by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: Riverside Ballrooms BC Interact with exhibitors and fellow attendees during the lunch hour. Sponsored by Oneida Nation
1:30 PM - 2:50 PM
1:30 PM - 2:50 PM
Location: Meeting Room AB Moderator: Melinda Knutson Sponsored by TRC
Location: Meeting Room F Moderator: Jason Granberg Sponsored by BioApp
Location: Meeting Room CD Open to all Moderator: Mike Jones Sponsored by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room G Facilitators: Kyle Magyera and Jennifer Western Hauser Sponsored by a Mosaic Momentum grant from the Water Solutions Fund
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM
2:50 PM - 3:20 PM
Location: Riverside Ballroom A and Riverside Ballroom Hallways Sponsored by Wisconsin Flowgate & Drainage
3:20 PM - 4:20 PM
3:20 PM - 4:20 PM
Location: Meeting Room F Open to all Facilitator: Tracy Hames Sponsored by Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
3:20 PM - 5:00 PM
3:20 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room AB Moderator: Meredith Thomsen Sponsored by Baxter and Woodman Natural Resources
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room F By Invitation Only Facilitator: Mike Jones Sponsored by the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation
4:20 PM - 5:00 PM
4:20 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room G Facilitators: Alice Thompson, Tod Highsmith, and Mike Mossman
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Riverside Ballroom Hallways Sponsored by UW - La Crosse
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Riverside Ballroom BC Sponsored by Stantec
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Location: Riverside Ballrooms BC Kristen Bouska, Research Ecologist, US Geological Survey From Biophysical to Social-ecological Systems Sponsored by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Meeting Room G Moderator: Sara Strassman By invitation only due to space limitations; please contact Peter to ensure invited participation. Information and registration: email peter.jonas@tu.org
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Location: Riverside Ballrooms BC Moderator: Tracy Hames Sponsored by Davey Resource Group
10:15 AM - 10:40 AM
10:15 AM - 10:40 AM
Location: Riverside Ballroom A and Riverside Hallways Sponsored by GAI Consultants, Inc.
10:40 AM - 12:00 PM
10:40 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room CD Moderator: Dreux Watermolen Sponsored by J.F. Brennan Company, Inc.
Location: Meeting Room F Facilitators: Phil Sylla and Paul Thompson
Location: Meeting Room E Facilitators: Sally Jarosz, Sarah Kraszewski, and Nicole Staskowski
Location: Meeting Room AB Facilitator: Taylor Finger Sponsored by We Energies Foundation
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: Riverside Ballroom BC Sponsored by Heartland Ecological Group
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room G Facilitator: Sara Strassman By invitation only due to space limitations, please contact Peter to ensure invited participation Information and registration: email peter.jonas@tu.org
1:30 PM - 2:50 PM
1:30 PM - 2:50 PM
Location: Meeting Room CD Moderator: Travis Olson Sponsored by GEI Consultants, Inc.
Location: Meeting Room AB Moderator: Taylor Finger Sponsored by NES Ecological Services
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room E Facilitators: Kaley Simonis and Matthew Knickelbine
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Meeting Room F Instructor: Paul Skawinski Sponsored by Thompson & Associates Wetland Services

The Wetland Science Conference is proudly hosted by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, a statewide non-profit dedicated to the protection, restoration, and enjoyment of wetlands and associated ecosystems through science-based programs, education, and advocacy. We envision a state where wetlands are healthy and plentiful and support ecological and societal needs, and where citizens care for, appreciate, and interact with these natural resources.

Connect with us!



Wetland Science Conference Cancellation Policy

All sales are final and no refunds are available.
No refunds will be given for conference registrations as oral presentation session recordings will be available on-demand following the conference. If you are not able to attend the in-person conference and you notify us in writing no later than two weeks prior to the first day of the conference, we will refund the difference between an in-person conference registration and an on-demand-only registration. No refunds of conference fees will be made in the case of non-attendance or less than two weeks’ notice. Substitutions will be accepted. Field trips, workshops, and on-demand registration fees are non-refundable as we have fixed costs for running these sessions (e.g. instructor costs, bus rental) that we cover through the fees we charge for them.

Thank you for understanding our need for this policy. Please call 608-250-9971 if you have any questions.