Well into its third year, the Wetland Partnership Project is drawing notice from the EPA and Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM). Recently, Matt Meersman, President of the Friends of the St. Joe River, had to opportunity to share what has been learned for the Wetland Partnership Project relative to the St. Joseph River Watershed.

On May 19, 2013, Matt co-presented with Jeanne Christie, Executive Director: Association of State Wetland Managers at the National River Rally conference. Together, they presented on the topic "Understanding and Leveraging State Wetland Programs". State Wetland Programs can be sorted into four major areas of activity: regulatory programs, water quality standards for wetlands, restoration programs and monitoring and assessment programs. Regulatory programs involve issuing or conditioning permits and related activities such as mitigation (replacement of wetlands). Water quality standards for wetlands are the development of standards that provide a framework for wetland regulation. Wetland restoration programs are voluntary programs to restore lost or degraded wetlands. Monitoring and assessment programs evaluate wetland health and can provide the scientific basis for the other three types of wetland programs. The Association of State Wetland Managers works closely with states and interested tribes to support development of comprehensive wetland programs that include all four major areas.

On May 21, 2013, Matt had the opportunity to present once again with Jeanne Christie at an EPA/ASWM sponsored webinar in celebration of American Wetlands Month. Their four-part presentaiton  "State and Regional Wetland Restoration Strategies" can be viewed below:

Part 1: http://vimeo.com/67315802

Part 2: http://vimeo.com/67315803

Part 3: http://vimeo.com/67318378

Part 4: http://vimeo.com/67320328

Matt also gave a presentation to the Middle Grand River Watershed steering committee is interested in doing a similar project and asked Matt to speak to them about ours.