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 participants must be registered for the conference, however no advanced sign-up is required to participate in roundtable conversations. Please note that these sessions may be held concurrent with other conference content (working groups, workshops, field trips, and concurrent sessions), so check the conference schedule before you sign up.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Tribal Wetland Conservation: Working with the tribes and wetland conservation in action
Time: 3:20 pm – 4:00 pm
Tribes in Wisconsin and the Upper Great Lakes are playing a critical role with protecting and restoring wetlands and watersheds. Join the Tribal Wetland Working Group and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin for this special conservation that follows up on the symposium sessions held earlier in the day and is intended to facilitate collaboration between the tribes and non-tribal partners.
Facilitators: Alexis DeGabriele (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians), Jessica Jacobson (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Mike Jones (Stockbridge-Munsee Community Ecology Department), and Caitlin Williamson, (Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin)
The Mary Linton Wetland Poetry Session
Time: 4:20 – 5:00 pm
Join us for this annual reading of wetland poetry, initiated in 2014 by wetland scientist, WWA board member, and poet Mary Linton. We recognize the unique connections we make to wetlands and their watery environment that are captured by poetry. Take a moment during this conference to listen to how poets speak to the ecosystem that we more commonly seek to understand through science.
Facilitators: Alice Thompson (Thompson & Associates Wetland Services), Mike Mossman (retired WDNR), and Tod Highsmith (WWA Board of Directors)
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Wisconsin Women in Wetlands
Time: 10:40 am – 12:00 pm
Any conference attendee that currently identifies as a woman is welcome to join this discussion. Topics may include advice from women who are more seasoned, mentoring themes for those new to the field, ways to foster diversity in our work environments, and discussions about striking a work/life balance. The discussion will range from serious to more light-hearted. We hope for participants to include those who have been in the field for decades as well as those who are considering this field for their profession.
Facilitators: Sally Jarosz (WDNR), Sarah Kraszewski (Heartland Ecological Group), and Nicole Staskowski (Stantec and WWA Board of Directors)
Yellow River Hybrid Cattail Control
Time: 10:40 am – 12:00 pm
Hybrid cattail is invasive in many wetlands, lakes, and rivers across all of Wisconsin. Although invasive hybrid cattails are widespread, their management is not well studied in Wisconsin. Studies that have been conducted point out negative effects on water, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, increases in biomass-related sediment, reductions of native plant communities, and decreases in property values. This roundtable is intended to bring together landowners, land managers, researchers, practitioners, and anyone else to share stories of cattail control efforts, successes, and lessons learned.
Facilitators: Phil Sylla and Paul Thompson (Yellow River Protection Conservancy)