EFB / Online Wetland Restoration Techniques Class Syllabus

Transcription

1 EFB / Wetland Restoration Techniques Online Class Syllabus SUNY-ESF College of Environmental Science and Forestry Summer Session II 2015 Wetland Restoration Techniques is a graduate and undergraduate level online class designed to help individuals plan and build naturally appearing and functioning wetlands. The detailed units explain the values of wetlands, how they were drained, factors affecting site selection for restoration, techniques for construction, and how wetlands not performing as planned can be repaired. The class focuses on teaching practical, low cost, and highly effective techniques for restoring wetlands that will require little, if any maintenance. Specific examples from across North America are used to show how wetlands can be built to improve habitat for animals and plants, treat storm water, recharge groundwater, and control flooding. Independent assignments require students to investigate wetlands outdoors. Wildlife, Fisheries, Engineering, Biology, Hydrology, and Landscape Architecture students are welcome to register. The class is taught by Thomas R. Biebighauser, who is actively involved with the restoration of wetlands and streams across North America. The class begins July 6 and ends August 14, Estimated Fees: Online Wetland Restoration Techniques 3- Credits New York State Resident Non Resident Undergraduate $ $2, Graduate $1, $2, The class is open to SUNY-ESF students and those who would like to take the class but are not interested in pursuing a degree at SUNY-ESF. Information on registering for this class as a visiting (non-matriculated) student can be found at In the yellow box at the top right of the page you will see a link to Visiting Student Guide to ESF Courses, and also to the Visiting Student Registration form. You should complete the Visiting Student Registration Form and fax or mail it to Maura Stefl (further instructions and information are contained on the form and in the Visiting Student Guide). You may contact Barbara Newman for more information: Barbara A. Newman Administrative Assistant ESF Outreach banewman@esf.edu

2 Instructor Thomas R. Biebighauser Wildlife Biologist & Wetland Ecologist Wetland Restoration and Training 3415 Sugar Loaf Mountain Road Morehead, KY Phone: (606) Web-site: Credits = 3 Official Course Meeting Dates This is an online class where lessons and assignments may be completed at any time, prior to the due date, to receive credit. Lessons that include reading assignments, PowerPoint Presentations, quizzes, and assignments must be completed according to the schedule in this syllabus, or in advance. The current week s lessons and assignments should be completed prior to the official time of the next week s scheduled lessons. Students can work independently in this class as there are no required group lessons, assignments, or field trips. You should expect this fast-moving class to require a majority of your time to complete. It is highly recommended that you do not schedule vacation or absences while this class is underway. There are a number of opportunities to earn extra credit as part of this course. These optional assignments are posted on Blackboard. Student Learning Outcomes: Through online PowerPoint presentations, readings, and assignments requiring outdoor visits to wetlands students will: 1. Learn how to identify the different types of wetlands. 2. Know the primary values of wetlands of different types. 3. Recognize the signs of wetland drainage and understand the principals of drainage. 4. Know how to select and evaluate sites for wetland restoration and construction. 5. Understand the primary techniques available for building wetlands. 6. Recognize threats to natural and constructed wetlands 7. Identify how to repair failed wetlands. 8. Explain the concepts of wetland spillway construction and maintenance. 9. Understand how to design wetlands for treating storm water, reducing flooding, and improving fish and wildlife habitat. 10. Be able to supervise the construction and planting of a wetland. 11. Outline strategies for developing partnerships and obtaining funding for wetland projects. 12. Understand the permits required to move forward with a wetland restoration project 2

3 Lessons 1) Wetland Restoration and Values a) How wetlands appear b) Why wetlands are wet c) Definition of wetlands d) Various types of wetlands e) Animals and plants found in wetlands Required reading: Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair; Introduction Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Introduction, Chapter 1 PowerPoint s to view: Lesson 1.1 Wetland Restoration and Values Lesson 1.2 Wetland Definitions and Types Quiz 1.1 Due by 6:00 PM on July 11 Quiz 1.2 Due by 6:00 PM on July 11 Assignment 1: Wetland and mosquito inventory (due by 6:00 PM on July 11) 2) Wetland Drainage a) Moving streams b) Digging ditches c) Burying structures & channeling streams d) Filling and contouring e) Recognizing historically drained wetlands Required reading: Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair; Chapters 2-9 Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 2 PowerPoint s to view: Lesson 2.1 Ditching and Filling of Wetlands Lesson 2.2 Buried Drainage Structures Lesson 2.3 Identification of Drained Wetlands Quiz 2.1 Due by 6:00 PM on July 11 Quiz 2.2 Due by 6:00 PM on July 11 Quiz 2.3 Due by 6:00 PM on July 11 3

4 Assignment 2: Identification of Drained Wetlands (due by 6:00 PM on July 18) 3) Designing wetlands a) Slope considerations b) Watershed size c) Groundwater elevation determination d) Soil texture identification e) Working in fields f) Working in forests g) Working in urban areas h) Construction technique selection Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair; Chapters 10, 11 Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 3 PowerPoint s to view: Lesson 3.1 Wetland Design Quiz 3.1 Due by 6:00 PM on July 18 4) Construction of wetlands using the surface water technique a) Site identification b) Ridge locations c) Valley locations d) Groundwater dam construction e) Compacting clay as a liner Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair; Chapter 12, 14 Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 4 PowerPoint s to view: Lesson 4.1 Construction of Wetlands Surface Water Technique-Ridge-top Areas Lesson 4.2 Construction of Wetlands-Surface Water Technique- Riparian Areas Lesson 4.3 Construction of Wetlands- Surface Water Technique-Compacted Clay Liners Lesson 4.4 Blue Lake Wetland Restoration Project Quiz 4.1 Due by 6:00 PM on July 18 Quiz 4.2 Due by 6:00 PM on July 18 Quiz 4.3 Due by 6:00 PM on July 18 Quiz 4.4 Due by 6:00 PM on July 18 4

5 5) Construction of wetlands using the groundwater technique a) Site identification b) Within existing forested areas c) In fields and on rangeland d) Where groundwater dams are needed Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair; Chapter 13 Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 5 PowerPoint s to view: Lesson 5.1 Construction of Wetlands Groundwater Technique Quiz 5.1 Due by 6:00 PM on July 18 6) Construction of Wetlands Liner Technique a) Building at schools and in urban areas b) Changing blacktop roads to wetlands c) Building in forests and fields d) Irrigation systems Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair; Chapter 15 Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 7 PowerPoint s to view Lesson 6.1 Construction of Wetlands Liner Technique Quiz 6.1 Due by 6:00 PM on July 25 Assignment 6: Design a Wetland (Due by 6:00 PM on July 25) 7) Wetland spillways and water control structures a) Spillway design & construction b) Preventing and controlling head-cuts c) Stream restoration concepts and spillway design d) Values and problems with water control structures e) Installation of water control structures Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 12 5

6 PowerPoint s to view Lesson 7.1 Wetland spillways Lesson 7.2 Water Control Structures Lesson 7.3 Sumter National Forest Wetland Restoration Program Assignment 7: Wetland Spillway Design (due by 6:00 PM on July 25) Quiz 7.1 Due by 6:00 PM on July 25 Quiz 7.2 Due by 6:00 PM on July 25 Quiz 7.3 Due by 6:00 PM on July 25 8) Contracting and heavy equipment a) Heavy equipment selection b) Contract types c) Contract specifications d) Contractor selection e) Contract administration f) Construction Bonding Power Point s to view: Lesson 8.1 Heavy equipment Lesson 8.2 Contracting Quiz 8.1 Due by 6:00 PM on July 25 Quiz 8.2 Due by 6:00 PM on July 25 Midterm Exam The Midterm Exam will be available beginning at 6:00 PM on July 25, The exam must be completed by 6:00 PM on August 1, The exam will cover PowerPoint Lessons , related Homework Assignments, and associated required readings in Wetland Drainage, Restoration and Repair, and Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide. The best way to prepare for the Midterm is to stay current with the required textbook readings, PowerPoint lessons, and Quizzes. The Midterm Exam includes multiple choice, multiple answer, and essay questions that must be completed. The essay questions are worth 100-points each. Responding to the essay questions will require an understanding of the materials provided, and organization. Your answers to the essay questions should be 150 or more words in length. You will be given a maximum of 3-hours to take the exam, which is open-book. The midterm exam must be completed in one session, it cannot be stopped and resumed at a later time and date as what Blackboard says). You will be able 6

7 to review the correct answers to the Midterm, your answers, your score and feedback after everyone in the class have taken the Midterm, and the essay questions have been graded. 9) Techniques for restoring wetlands of different types a) Emergent wetlands b) Ephemeral wetlands, tree roots and compaction c) Forested and shrub wetlands d) Peat land wetlands e) Springs Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 6 Power Point s to view: Lesson 9.1 Spring Restoration Lesson 9.2 Restoration of Ephemeral Wetlands Lesson 9.3 Restoration of Wet-Meadow Wetlands Lesson 9.4 Restoration of Forested and Shrub Wetlands Quiz 9.1 Due by 6:00 PM on August 1 Quiz 9.2 Due by 6:00 PM on August 1 Quiz 9.3 Due by 6:00 PM on August 1 Quiz 9.4 Due by 6:00 PM on August 1 10) Wetland vegetation a) Establishing trees, shrubs, and wildflowers b) Controlling nonnative plants c) Managing for specific plants d) Organics & large woody debris Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair; Chapter 16 Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 8 Power Point s to view Lesson 10.1 Establishing Vegetation Lesson 10.2 Planting Wetlands Lesson 10.3 Reed Canary Grass and Wetland Restoration Assignment 10: Wetland Identification and Planting (due by 6:00 PM on August 1) Quiz 10.1 Due by 6:00 PM on August 1 7

8 Quiz 10.2 Due by 6:00 PM on August 1 Quiz 10.3 Due by 6:00 PM on August 1 11) Designing and building wetlands for specific purposes a) Wildlife and Fish habitat b) Rare species of Amphibians c) Storm water and Flood Control d) Groundwater recharge e) Livestock use Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 9 Power Point s to view Lesson 11.1 Devin s Ditch Storm-water Wetland Project Lesson 11.2 Wildlife Habitat Improvement Lesson 11.3 Wetlands that help Livestock Lesson 11.4 Building Wetlands to Benefit Rare Amphibians Quiz 11.1 Due by 6:00 PM on August 8 Quiz 11.2 Due by 6:00 PM on August 8 Quiz 11.3 Due by 6:00 PM on August 8 Quiz 11.4 Due by 6:00 PM on August 8 12) Government permits a) Section 404 b) Section 401 c) Floodplain d) Storm water e) Archeology f) Endangered Species a. Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 10 b. Developers Go Green for Suburban Stormwater Management by Margaret Buranen. Stormwater, March/April 2014, Pages 24-35, c. Power Point s to view and a Required Reading: Lesson 12.1 Government Permits and Approvals for wetland projects Lesson 12.2 Wetlands for Treating Stormwater and Reducing Flooding 8

9 Lesson Architects of the Swamp by John Carey, Scientific American, December 2013, pages Quiz Due by 6:00 PM on August 8 Quiz Due by 6:00 PM on August 8 Quiz 12.3 Due by 6:00 PM on August 8 13) Wetland maintenance, repair, and renovation a) Strategy for inspection b) Threats to natural wetlands c) Repairing failed wetlands d) Stopping erosion e) Reducing the need for maintenance f) Improving habitat for fish and wildlife Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair; Chapter 17 Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 11 Power Point s to view: Lesson 13.1 Wetland Inspection and Maintenance Lesson 13.2 Wetland Renovation and Repair Assignment 13: Wetland Inspection (due by 6:00 PM on August 14) Quiz 13.1 Due by 6:00 PM on August 14 Quiz 13.2 Due by 6:00 PM on August 14 14) Funding wetland projects a) Preparing the project proposal b) Identifying and working with partners c) Developing a nonprofit organization d) How to find funding e) Strategies for success Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair: Chapter 18 Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide; Chapter 13 PowerPoint s to view: Lesson 14.1: Partnerships and Funding for Wetland Projects Quiz 14.1 Due by 6:00 PM on August 14 9

10 Assignment 14: Build a wetland in a box (due by 6:00 PM on August 14) Final Exam The final exam will be given online, and will be available beginning at 6:00 PM on August 7 and must be completed by 6:00 PM on August 14, The final exam is cumulative and includes multiple choice, multiple answer, and true and false questions that must be completed. The Final Exam does not include essay questions. You will be given a maximum of 3-hours to take the exam, which is open-book. The final exam must be completed in one session, it cannot be stopped and resumed at a later time and date as what Blackboard says). You will be able to review the correct answers to the final exam, your answers, your score and feedback after everyone in the class have taken the final exam, and the essay questions have been graded. Textbooks Required: Thomas R. Biebighauser, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair, Lexington, KY, University Press of Kentucky, May be ordered from the University Press of Kentucky: Biebighauser/dp/ /ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=8-1&keywords=wetland+drainage+restoration+and+repair Thomas R. Biebighauser. Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide. Upper Susquehanna Coalition, 186 pages, 2011 May be ordered from: nical%20guide Guide/dp/ /ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= &sr=1-1&keywords=wetland+restoration+and+construction+a+technical+guide These books should be ordered well in advance of taking the class. Amazon carries these books, but is often out of stock. Please do not wait until the last minute to place your order. Assigned Reading should be completed prior to the next weeks scheduled lesson. One can expect the information contained in the assigned readings to be included in the quizzes, Midterm Exam 10

11 and the Final Exam. Blackboard will note if specific readings are not tested on in quizzes and exams. Quizzes are posted on Blackboard for each PowerPoint lesson. The quiz should be taken following the completion of the required readings for each lesson, and after reviewing the respective PowerPoint lesson. Taking quizzes is an excellent way to earn points for your letter grade. To receive credit for taking a quiz, the quiz must be completed by the due date and time listed in the syllabus and on Blackboard for that quiz. You will have 20-minutes to take each quiz. The quizzes are open book. The quizzes will disappear from your view and not be available for taking or reviewing after the due date and time. Extensions will not be given for taking quizzes. The purpose of the quizzes is to give you incentive for staying on schedule with the lessons and assignments. Each quiz must be must be completed in one session, it cannot be stopped and resumed at a later time and date as what Blackboard says. Assignments must be completed and received by tombiebighauser@gmail.com by the due date and time listed in the syllabus and on Blackboard to receive credit. Assignments will be graded with full credit being given to work that is complete and responds fully to the guidelines and questions posted on Blackboard. Assignments will be accepted up to 3-days after the due date; however, the score received will be reduced by 30-percent for each day that the assignment is late. You are asked not to upload your completed assignments to Blackboard. The due dates for assignments are listed on the syllabus, and on Blackboard. Each assignment must be in Word format. Your name must be listed on each assignment. The actual computer file name for each assignment must contain your name and assignment number. Include your last name and assignment number in the subject line of each message. The photos included in each assignment must be reduced in size using software such as Google Picasa. The maximum file size for each assignment should be 4MB or less. Instructor Modifications: PowerPoint Lessons, Reading Assignments, Quizzes, and Assignments will generally be posted by the instructor two or more weeks in advance of the scheduled lesson date. Material may be added or modified by the instructors up to two weeks prior to the date of the next scheduled class. However, errors will be corrected when found. Questions: is the preferred way of asking questions of the instructor. Students should e- mail Tom Biebighauser tombiebighauser@gmail.com with their questions, and can expect a reply to their within 24-hours. Assignments will generally be graded and returned within 48- hours. Students may also phone Tom Biebighauser at between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm EST. Grading: % = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D, <60 = F The final letter grade for the course is based primarily on the total number of points earned for the semester. Additional points may be earned by completing extra credit assignments, extra-credit questions on exams, and field trips offered during the semester. Extra credit points will be added to the total number of points you have earned for the course to improve your letter grade. Extracredit assignments may be submitted at any time prior to their due dates. Extensions will not be given for Extra-Credit assignments. 11

12 Approval Needed for Duplication All of the PowerPoint Lessons, Resources, and Assignments relating to this class are copyrighted by Thomas R. Biebighauser. Students are not allowed to duplicate or share these materials electronically or in printed form without advance approval in writing from Thomas R. Biebighauser. About the Instructor Tom Biebighauser has restored over 1,700 wetlands in 21-States and 2-Canadian Provinces, assisting thousands of private landowners and agency personnel with the design and construction of wetlands for improving wildlife and fish habitat. He teaches practical, hands-on workshops across North America where participants learn about wetland restoration and drainage by becoming involved in the design and construction of naturally appearing and functioning wetlands. Tom has developed highly successful and inexpensive techniques for restoring and repairing wetlands on mined land, steep slopes, mountain ridges, large valleys, in timber sales, and at schools. He s written three books about restoring wetlands A Guide to Creating Vernal Ponds in 2003, Wetland Drainage, Restoration, and Repair in 2007, and Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide, in