Wetland Functional Assessment training in Haines AK

20Sep 2012 by admin

Natural Resource Managers and Practitioners trained in WESPAK-SE

The Chilkoot Indian Association and the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition brought Dr. Paul Adamus to Haines Alaska last week to train 17 participants in the Wetland Ecosystem Service Protocol that he developed specifically for Southeast Alaska.

WESPAK-SE is a rapid functional assessment methodology that is used to generate scores for wetland functions and values. These scores support informed aquatic resource management.

The class learned how to rapidly assess and score 23 functions and values of tidal and non-tidal wetlands in Southeast Alaska. Participants learned how to interpret and use these scores to prioritize wetlands in a watershed or community, as well as evaluate impacts for wetland permit applications, as well as identify ways to enhance specific wetland functions.

[styledbox type=”information” ]”> WESPAK-SE PowerPoint Presentation[/styledbox] [two_columns ]
Classroom session
Chiska Derr, Catherine Pohl, and Richard Chapell discuss a tidal wetland in Haines
Luke Williams, Tim Hockin, Ben Kirkpatrick and Rachel Ford dig soil samples
Sally Anderson and Carol Tuyman complete the field form
Mike Gracz, Dan Schultz and Luke Williams check for wetland plants and soils
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Greg Palmarie walks a tidal wetland
An tool being developed by UAS that holds valuable information and spatial imagery for resource managers and professionals
A Big Clue of a possible wetland- fish on the forest floor-
Rachel from Taiya Inlet Watershed Council successfully fills out the field form
Trainings are fun when you get to go outside and be in the sun!!
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In 2011 WESPAK-SE was calibrated to 32 wetland sites in Southeast Alaska. This initiative was made possible by a partnership between the Southeast Alaska Land Trust and the United States Fish and Wildlife, Juneau Field Office. For more information regarding WESPAK-SE and to download the office and field forms please visit: http://southeastalaskalandtrust.org/wetland-mitigation-sponsor/wespak-se/