Education & Training Opportunities
At NHACC we offer guidance and training to our conservation commissioners on a variety of issues including conservation funding, developing natural resource inventory, and many other topics. We help educate our members with programs like the on-line Lunch & Learn presentations, Regional Roundtables and our electronic newsletter, NHACC Enews.
NHACC & NHDES Wetlands Training Program Series
Winter Spring 2023
Wetlands are among the most biologically diverse, productive, and unique habitats on earth. No part of our landscape provides so many benefits at so little cost to the public. Wetlands play a role in flood control, water quality maintenance and improvement, groundwater discharge and recharge, shoreline stabilization, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and education.
The NHACC believes that a comprehensive training program developed by NH DES staff and certified wetlands scientists can improve the permit review process for both applicants and commissioners, while successfully protecting critical wetlands.
The training is designed as a seven-part series of programs that include 5 online training sessions and two in-person workshops. The Zoom programs will be recorded and available to registrants. We encourage participants to attend all seven programs to fully benefit from the progression of topics and skills. Commission members who attend all seven programs will be sent a certificate of completion in recognition of their commitment to protecting wetlands. Please email Barbara@NHACC.org for registration information.
Session 1
Introduction to Wetlands Identification
Friday, January 27, 2023
Rick Van de Poll, CWS, and Barbara Richter, NHACC
This introductory program will help participants become familiar with resources and terminology used in wetlands identification. The recording of this program is on our YouTube channel.
Session 2
Wetlands Laws and Clarification of Local, State, and Federal Jurisdiction
Friday, February 24, 2023
Sandy Crystall, CWS and Rick Van de Poll, CWS
This session will provide an overview of the federal, state, and local regulations and will help conservation commission members determine what agency has authority in each jurisdiction. The recording of this program is on our YouTube channel.
Session 3
NH DES On-line GIS Mapping Tools
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
12 to 1:30 pm presented Zoom
Stefanie Tetreault, NH DES
This session is an introduction to several NH DES online GIS mapping products. Wetlands Permit Planning Tools are available to commission members for desktop site review and screening. Participants will learn how to use online mapping tools to gather information and interpret data. Participants are required to view several of the online tool prior to the class in order to become familiar with the options available online.
Session 4
DES Rules and How the Permit Review Process Works
Friday, March 31, 2023
12 to 1:30 pm presented on Zoom
Sandy Crystall, PWS, and Mary Ann Tilton, NH DES
This session will provide a more in-depth look at the different types of wetlands permits and what information you should expect to see with each application. This training will help conservation commission members better understand their role in the review process and understand the different types of wetlands permits.
Session 5
Introduction to Wetland Assessment -- Classroom Foundation
Friday, April 14, 2023, 12 to 1:30 pm presented on Zoom
Sandy Crystall, PWS and Mary Ann Tilton, NH DES, and Rick Van de Poll, CWS
Wetlands provide many benefits to people and wildlife and it is important to be able to determine what the highest values are in each individual wetland in order to protect their integrity. This program will review wetlands benefits from session one and provide additional information. The online classroom learning will focus on water quality, ecological integrity, and wildlife values provided by wetlands. Participants will learn the various methods of wetlands identification and how to collect data prior to a site visit.
Session 6
Introduction to Functional Assessment -- Field Study
1:00- 4 pm Friday, May 19 Concord
Mary Ann Tilton, NH DES, Mark West, CWS, Marc Jacobs, CWS, Rick Van de Poll, CWS and Sandy Crystall, PWS
The field study session will focus on learning how to visit a site and identify basic wetland functions and values. Wetlands provide many benefits to people and wildlife and it is important to be able to determine what the highest values are in each individual wetland in order to protect their integrity. Each individual site has measurable physical features and ecological values that can be prioritized for protection. The program will provide participants with the opportunity to visit a site and learn what to look for in order to identify basic functions and values.
Session 7
How to Review Plans and Create an Effective Review Process
Friday, June 2, 2023 1:00- 4 pm
Forest Society Conservation Center
Sandy Crystall, PWS and Mary Ann Tilton, NH DES, and Barbara Richter, NHACC
The final session of the series will focus on the intake of wetlands permits, the administration of the process, and how commissions can be more efficient and effective in their response to NH DES. This in-person program will provide case studies and examples for participants to review in order to learn how to interpret application and field information.
Handbooks and Guidance Documents
We publish the Handbook for New Hampshire’s Municipal Conservation Commissions, and the NH Municipal Conservation Fund Guidebook. We keep our members up-to-date with monthly E-newsletter with a current list of training opportunities. We provide wetlands guidance documents and sample templates for policies and procedures. Contact the NHACC office if you are looking for examples from other conservation commissions.