The 2025 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 Wetland Program Virtual Meeting was held on October 14-15, 2025. The online sessions was an opportunity for Tribes and States in Region 5 who are engaged in wetlands protection issues and current and past Wetland Program Development Grant (WPDG) recipients to share wetland program updates and showcase recent WPDG projects. The National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) provided logistical and facilitation support.
Agenda and Speakers
Presentations
Day 1 (October 14, 2025)
EPA’s Enhanced State and Tribal Program Overview, Nicki DeWeese, EPA Region 5
National Wetlands Conditions Assessment Update, Mari Nord, EPA Region 5
Regional Monitoring Network in R5, Katie Quesnell, EPA Region 5
Eye of the Beholder: Perception of Natural Beauty of Wisconsin Wetlands, Ben Beardmore, Wisconsin DNR
Evaluation of Alternate Wetland Assessment Methods in Ohio, Jeff Boyles, Ohio EPA
Establishing Wetlands as an Agricultural Management Practice in Wisconsin, Erin O’Brien, Wisconsin Wetlands Association
Day 2 (October 15, 2025)
Region 5 Tribal Wetlands Working Group Updates, Mike Jones, Stockbridge-Munsee Community
Improving Wetland and Stream Connectivity, John Saltanovitz, Michigan EGLE
Mercury Concentrations in Peatland vs. Non-Peatland Tributaries of Red Lake, Tyler Orgon, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
Weaving Wetland Knowledge at SMSC: Using Cultural Inputs and Geospatial Tools for Improved Stewardship, Ferin Davis Anderson, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Wisconsin Mitigation Guidelines Update, Chelsey Lundeen, Wisconsin DNR
Using Desktop Resources to Complete the New WI/MN Wetland Functional Assessment Method, Sally Jarosz, WI DNR, and Ken Powell, MN BWSR
For More Information
If you have questions, please contact Portia Osborne with NAWM at portia@nawm.org.