Au Sable Professional Short Courses

These 5-day courses provide dedicated training and certificates in vocationally relevant skills for environmental professionals, college faculty, college students, and community members.

June 3 - 7, 2024

Wetland Delineation & NCNE Regional Supplement Training

This course presents an overview of wetland ecosystem processes, values and legislation with an emphasis on application of the 1987 Army Corp Manual for Wetland Determination and Delineation as well as the Northcentral & Northeast Regional Supplement.  Targeted at current and aspiring environmental professionals, students will learn to evaluate and quantify soils, hydrologic status, and vegetation in a variety of wetland ecosystems including bogs, emergent marshes, forested wetlands, and to apply standard tools developed by the US Army Corp of Engineers to assess wetland extent and habitat quality.  Students who successfully meet the standards listed below will be awarded a certificate in wetland delineation. All of the professional requirements were approved by the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program as verified by the Society's Professional Short Course Pre-Approval Panel. Email Heath Garris (heath.garris@ausable.org) for more details.

August 14 - 18 2023

2023 Aquatic & Wetland Plants

Identification of aquatic and wetland plants (both in the field and using keys in the lab), augmented by lecture topics including: phylogenetic affinities, diversity, and morphological and anatomical adaptations to the aquatic environment, adaptations for sexual and vegetative reproduction, and more.

2023 Invasive Species Management

Identification and management techniques for controlling problematic invasive species in the Midwest: Students will explore the theory of biological invasion, adaptive management, and techniques for eradication and control. Includes training and experience in proper pesticide application in sensitive ecosystems.