Typical Schedule

Tuesday

The official conference kickoff happens on Tuesday evening with a free public welcome program, networking social, and WWA Annual Meeting. Sometimes we also hold workshops, roundtables, or other programming during the day.

Wednesday

This full day of wetland science and programs kicks off with a keynote presentation and continues with concurrent sessions, roundtables, workshops, and working groups.

After five, the networking and socializing continue at a poster session (with a cash bar!) and, new in 2024, Join join us for an evening of activities and fun, including a simple pizza buffet supper, cash bar, barn dancing, cornhole, networking activities, and more.

Thursday

Thursday’s full-day program kicks off with a plenary session and continues with concurrent sessions, working groups, roundtables, and workshops. Thursday afternoon typically features field trips, working groups, and workshops.

Typcal Content

Key speakers

Hear from two key speakers during the morning plenary sessions and a third during the optional add-on banquet and presentation on Wednesday evening. We feature presenters from right here in Wisconsin as well as wetland and water professionals from around the region and nation.

Oral and Poster Presentations

Hear from wetland and natural resource professionals, students, and enthusiasts in concurrent oral sessions, 5-minute “Lightning Round” presentations, and an afternoon poster session. These presentations are submitted through our Call for Presentations and selected by a review panel.

Roundtable Conversations

Roundtable conversations are informal sessions where people with a shared interest can come together to talk about that topic as part of the Wetland Science Conference. They are a great place to bring your questions or challenges to ask others for suggestions or to come up with solutions to shared challenges. Most importantly, they are great places to talk with people who share your interests and build relationships you can draw on after the conference. Roundtable conversations are developed and facilitated by members of the Wetland Science Conference community—what conversation do you want to happen? No pre-registration is required for roundtable conversations.

Working Groups

Working groups are your chance to discuss issues raised during the conference or develop action plans on particular topics. Working groups are developed and facilitated by members of the Wetland Science Conference community and can be held on a one-time or standing basis. Examples of standing working groups include the Tribal Wetland Programs Working Group and the Practitioners’ Working Group. Working group participants must be registered for the conference, however no advanced sign-up is required to participate in working groups. Some working groups may be invite-only.

Workshops

Workshops are your chance to learn and apply new skills and methodologies. Workshops are organized and led by members of the Wetland Science Conference community. Pre-registration for workshops is required and most will entail a nominal fee (usually $20-50). Sign up for workshops when you register for the conference. Note that field workshop fees are non-refundable.

Field trips

These trips are your chance to view and enjoy the natural resources we work to protect, manage, and restore at sites located within about 20 minutes of the conference facility. Field trips will only be cancelled in the event of hazardous weather conditions, so snow, ice, and cold should be expected. This is Wisconsin in February! Field trip participants need to dress accordingly. Pre-registration for field trips is required and will include a nominal fee (usually $10). Sign up for field trips when you register for the conference. Space in each field trip is limited and sign up is first-come-first-served, so register early to make sure you get into your desired field trip. Note that field trip fees are non-refundable.

Networking

While the information learned from presentations is an important part of the conference, past attendees tell us that the networking opportunities provided by a gathering like this are the most rewarding benefit of attending. As a result, we work to make sure we include plenty of time for networking through informal and structured opportunities such as those below. You won’t want to miss these great chances to network.

Conference kickoff social and WWA Annual Membership Meeting

Tuesday evening – free and open to the public

Catch up with your wetland colleagues and friends at this fun event that kicks off the Wetland Science Conference. Hear highlights of WWA’s work during the past year and elect WWA board members during a brief annual membership meeting. The evening also features programming that ranges from movie screenings to wetland trivia.

Poster session and social

Wednesday early evening

Visit the collection of poster presentations on wetland science projects and programs while enjoying conversation and networking with your colleagues and peers.

Networking and social activities

Wednesday evening

Join in for an evening of interactive programming to facilitate networking, learning, and fun. Details coming soon!

Other sessions at the conference, including roundtable conversations, working groups, workshops, and field trips, also provide excellent networking opportunities.