Technical Training Sessions and Seminars

A concise summary of classes we have offered in the past may be found on our Wetland Delineation Technical Training Sessions case study page.

Other seminars we have offered include the Quality of Life Planning Initiative^TM Forum .


Basic Wetland Delineation Training

Wetland issues are becoming increasingly important in influencing area land use decisions, as is reflected by the number of state and federal regulations regarding wetlands today. Thus, the ability to recognize wetlands and perform basic delineations is a valuable tool in dealing with wetlands issues.

SER conducted numerous basic delineation training classes in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota from 1993-1996, attracting regulators and consultants alike. We offer individualized instruction (class sizes are limited to 15) and practical field training. This three-day course may be used as one of the prerequisites for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delineator certification.

SER's training staff includes professionals experienced with the natural and regulatory environment of Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metro Area. Our courses emphasize field techniques and relevant regulatory information in order to offer you practical instruction in the science of delineation. This course is invaluable to representatives of Local Government Units, engineers, planners, surveyors, and all others who must deal with wetland issues in the course of their daily work.

Please contact Frank Svoboda if you are interested in having SER teach a delineation course for your organization.

Course Objectives:

• To provide participants with a basic understanding of the principles of wetland ecology
• To provide instruction in the basic criteria used to identify wetlands (soils, vegetation, and hydrology)
• To teach the fundamentals of wetland classification and delineation

• Classify wetland types
• Identify common dominant wetland plants
• Recognize hydric soil characteristics
• Understand elements of wetland hydrology
• Perform basic wetland delineations

Franklin J. Svoboda, Svoboda Ecological Resources. Course Director, 1993-1996.
Frank is the vice-president and principal ecologist of SER. He earned a B.S. in Wildlife Management and a M.S. in Forest Resources and Recreation from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Svoboda has over twenty years of experience in wetland interpretation and evaluation. In this time, he has visited or been responsible for the examination, study, and evaluation of over 4000 wetland basins throughout the country.

Dr. Jim Richardson, North Dakota State University. Taught in 1996.
Dr. Richardson has been a professor at North Dakota State University since 1978. He received a M.S. in geology from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. in soil science from Iowa State University. He has published over 70 referred or reviewed scientific articles and over 50 reports, primarily about hydric soils, shallow ground water movement, landscape and groundwater interactions, and salinization.

Dr. Jim Arnt, North Dakota State University. Taught in 1995.
Jim has a Ph.D. in soils science. He has extensive experience in soil identification, consulting, and geohydrology.


Advanced Wetland Delineation Training

SER has also offered courses in Advanced Wetland Delineation. Our four day course is intended for practicing delineators who are experienced in the application of the 1987 and 1989 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Delineation Manuals. Instruction in problem soils, difficult and uncommon plant taxa, hydrological determinations in drained areas, and intermediate and advanced delineation methodologies is provided. Instructors typically include recognized experts in wetlands in the Midwest. Class size is limited to 30 people.