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View All Course OfferingsApr 28th - Apr 29th, 2026
Test
$5.00
Registration is Closed
Apr 27th - Apr 28th, 2026
Test
$5.00
Registration is Closed
This course is designed primarily for beginners. Learn about the different types of wetlands in Ohio, the functions they perform, their values, and the shared characteristics needed to be classifed as wetlands.
MBI recognizes that wetlands can be a somewhat amorphous concept for many natural resource professionals and others interested in the environment who are not formally trained or experienced in wetlands. Therefore, we have developed a one-day course focusing on the basic characteristics that make a wetland a wetland. The course gives participants a clear perception of how wetlands can be separated out from other parts of the landscape without the need to have extensive technical expertise in wetland plants, soils, and hydrology. “Introduction to Wetlands” is designed for those who want to learn to identify wetlands, about the varying types of wetlands, and the values they provide, but do not necessarily have the need to collect the large amounts of specific data necessary to establish and support the exact wetland boundaries needed in wetland permitting processes. If you would like to have confidence in identifying wetlands, understanding their ecology, and knowing the general extent of their footprints, this course is for you.
The first half of the day will be in the classroom learning simple ways to separate out wetlands from the areas that contain them. This will include ways to identify the major wetland plant communities and hydrology sources, and how although wetlands have common characteristics, they do not all look the same. We will discuss the importance and range of ecosystem functions and services provided by wetlands, and will cover a brief overview of the wetland regulatory processes.
The afternoon will be spent at local wetlands to further illustrate and enhance the concepts presented in the classroom and to ensure that participants become comfortable in their skills to identify wetlands and their approximate boundaries. We will visit differing types of landscapes containing wetlands and by the end of the day participants should develop a high degree of confidence in their wetland identification abilities. Participants will receive a certificate documenting successful course completion.
*This course is certified by the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program.
Our Reviews
Joshua P.
I recently completed this course and was thoroughly impressed. The content was well-structured and directly applicable to real-world fieldwork. I left feeling genuinely confident in my ability to apply the ORAM scoring methodology in the field. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to sharpen their wetland assessment skills or those first starting out in the field.
Lindsey S
The Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) training significantly enhanced my ability to assess and document stream quality accurately and comprehensively. Mr. Rankin’s expertise, combined with his genuine scientific curiosity, created an engaging and highly effective learning environment. During the classroom portion of the training, he provided thorough explanations of each metric, including the rationale behind them and the supporting scientific data. The field component was equally valuable—evaluating streams alongside an expert and applying the concepts in real-world settings reinforced and clarified everything we had learned the previous day. The experience was both educational and enjoyable, and I look forward to future opportunities to learn from the talented team at MBI.
Anonymous
The training was great! The field portion was especially great
Allie E
Thorough, great practice and good mix of hands on vs in classroom training
Anonymous
Fantastic! The training did a great job of preparing me to identify and analyze all the various conditions that can be present in a headwater stream, and
Lisa B
MBI's PHWH course made me more comfortable and confident assessing primary headwater streams and using the HHEI to score streams.
Kristy S
The content of the course was perfect for the projects that our company completes
Rick N
Excellent, fun and educational
Nick V
I thought it was very well done and covered all ORAM caveats.
Michael R
MBI's ORAM course is extremely in-depth and provides clarity for some of the more objective assessment criteria, as well as a great experience in the field.
Mitchell M
This training directly touched on all the topics within the ORAM form with which I had questions about, and provided me with the necessary tools to more accurately score wetlands.
Hannah C
I felt the content and scope were very relevant to learning and understanding ORAM methodology.
Hannah C
I thought Brian was an excellent instructor. I do not feel there should be any changes. He gave the group may opportunities to ask questions as well as test our knowledge. Everything was very valuable for me.
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