Wednesday, March 4, 2026
8:30 AM
Aqua Turf Club
556 Mulberry St, Southington, CT 06479
Automated Mapping of Beaver-Influenced Wetlands
Evan Zocco (University of Connecticut)
Abstract: Beavers have long shaped New England landscapes by damming streams and altering drainage networks. In doing so, they create wetlands that influence floodplain connectivity, surface-water storage, habitat availability, and biogeochemical processes. These changes carry important ecological and social implications, yet beaver-drive wetlands ca be difficult to monitor consistently at landscape scale. In this presentation, we examine a scalable mapping approach to identify beaver-influenced floodplain inundations (BIFIs) using remotely sensed imagery. Examples of mapped beaver wetlands from across Connecticut and their spatial distribution statewide will be presented. Multi-temporal results will show how the density and extent of these wetlands vary through time. This work demonstrates a repeatable method for beaver wetland monitoring that can support landscape-scale assessment, conservation planning, and adaptive management in beaver-modified floodplains.
Bio: Eva Zocco is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on beaver-drive hydrogeomorphic change and the development of automated methods to map beaver-influenced floodplain inundations (BIFIs) using remote sensing and computer vision. He works with multi-temporal aerial imagery and geospatial data to quantify wetland extent, density, and change through time. His broader interests include landscape evolution, ecological mapping, and applying AI to improve monitoring of under-observed biotic drivers.2026 Nationwide Permits and 401 Water Quality Certification
Susan Jacobson & Darcy Winther (Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection) / Charlotte R. Skolnick & Paul M. Silva (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
Abstract: The intent of this presentatio will be to provide a comprehensive overview of the March 15, 2026, Department of Army Nationwide Permits (NWPs) and technology updates related to the Regulatory Request System (RRS). CT DEEP will review Connecticut’s 401 water quality certification of the Corps’ Nationwide Permits with a focus on the thresholds, criteria, and general conditions related to permitting. Bios: Sue Jacobson is a Supervising Environmental Analyst for the Land and Water Resources Division of CT DEEP. She has bee involved with the Department’s coastal management program for 30 years and with the regulation of inland wetland and watercourses for the last nine years. Sue served on her municipal Conservation/Inland Wetlands Commission for eight years. She is a UConn graduate and has a Master’s in Resource Management and Administration from Antioch University New England. Darcy Winther has bee with CT DEEP for over 35 years and is currently the supervisor of the Land and Water Resources Division’s Regulatory Section, East Region, overseeing coastal and inland permitting programs. Previously, she spent 27 years in the Inland Wetlands Management Program, guiding municipalities, stakeholders, and citizens in the administration of Connecticut’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. Darcy holds a degree from the University of New Hampshire and a New England Regional Soil Science Certificate from the University of Massachusetts. Outside of her professional role, she serves on the board of a CT Community Water System and continues her environmental advocacy as a instructor at a nature center, teaching children and caring for the center’s animals. Charlotte Skolnick and Paul Silva are both Senior Project Managers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District Regulatory Division, CT & RI Section. Their responsibilities with the Regulatory Division include the review and evaluation of activities within jurisdictional waters of the U.S., resolution of enforcement activities, field verification of wetland delineations and jurisdictional determinations. In addition to project management, Charlotte also provides support to the district for database management, geospatial tools, and other technology initiatives. Charlotte holds a B.S. in Environmental Geoscience from University of Massachusetts, Lowell. For over 20 years, Paul has worked within the environmental industry performing assessment and remediation for residential, commercial and industrial clients, and managing insurance claims throughout the northeast. Most recently before joining the Corps, Paul worked as the Environmental Manager for the Cape Cod Space Force Station.Funding Spotlight: Opportunities for Connecticut with the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF)
Joanne Throwe (Throwe Environmental)
Abstract: Connecticut communities face growing challenges from climate change and an increasing need to protect critical wetlands and coastal resources. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) offers two major funding opportunities to help Connecticut communities tackle these challenges: the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF).
This presentation will provide an overview of these funding programs, which can serve as key resources for the planning, design, and implementation of high-impact projects statewide. Attendees will gain insights into the priorities of both programs, as well as how to strategically pursue grant funds to maximize benefits to coastal resilience and water quality across the Long Island Sound watershed. NFWF Field Liaisons from Throwe will also be available to field questions and discuss lessons learned as part of a project-focused panel discussion. Bio: Joanne Throwe is President of Throwe Environmental. Joanne previously served as a Senior Fellow at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, Co-chair of the US EPA Stormwater Task Force for America’s Water Infrastructure Act, and Chair of U.S. EPA’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board, which is responsible for providing innovative financing recommendations to the EPA Administrator. In 2015, she was appointed Deputy Secretary for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where she helped lead the department from 2015 through 2019. Prior to her appointment, Joanne served as Director at the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, where she worked for 10 years. She also worked for several years at USDA and was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Solomon Islands. Joanne was part of the inaugural Maryland Leadership Program on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion from the University of Baltimore. Joanne received her Master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. She resides in Bristol, RI.Connecticut Wetland In-Lieu Fee (ILF) 2026 Grant Program Update
Anthony Zemba (LANDTECH)
Abstract: A discussion of the ILF Grant Program, which appropriates funds for wetland mitigation projects.
Bio: Anthony Zemba is Senior Environmental Analyst at LANDTECH. He is a Certified Ecologist, Certified Soil Scientist, with extensive experience in environmental assessment/impact statements and mitigation; habitat assessment, restoration, and enhancement; and natural resource conservation planning. Specialties include NEPA compliance, wildlife biology, avian ecology, marine and oceanic island ecology, wetland science, habitat restoration, conservation biology and planning. In this capacity he has served a variety of clients including municipal, state, and federal government sector clients, private clients, Non-profit and Non-governmental Organizations.The Effects of Sediment Addition Depth on Denitrification in Coastal CT Salt Marshes
Michael Lefor Grant Winner 2025 — Carly Shaw (University of Connecticut)
Abstract: Accelerated sea level rise enhanced by anthropogenic activity is drowning coastal salt marshes. Adding sediment to the surface of salt marshes is a emerging adaptation strategy to promote coastal resiliency and reduce flooding frequency. One emerging solution to help salt marshes keep pace with sea level rise is the addition of sediment. Sediment addition projects are becoming more common in New England, but little is know about how this management strategy affects salt marsh biogeochemistry. The objective of Carly’s research is to determine how experimental addition of various sediment depths affects greenhouse gas exchange and denitrification over time, after plant recovery, in a coastal Connecticut marsh.
Bio: Carly Shaw is a MS student in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at UConn. She is broadly interested in coastal biogeochemistry and water quality. Her research involves analyzing salt marsh responses to sediment additions, including changes in greenhouse gas exchange, nitrogen cycling, and plant biomass. Carly received her B.S. i Coastal Environmental Science from Flagler College i 2024. She also worked with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and The Wetlands Institute as a coastal field research intern, where she researched salt marsh ecology and diamondback terrapin conservation.Restoration of Indian Paintbrush in Northwest CT
Les Mehrhoff Grant Winner 2025 — Maria Grace (Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy)
Abstract: Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy (NCLC) continues work on the Connecticut restoration of India Paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea), a native biennial wildflower that once grew throughout New England. I 2025, with support from the Connecticut Association of Wetland Scientists, NCLC and consulting botanist Heather Liljegre of Local Land Consulting conducted two surveys of the study site, looking for both India paintbrush specimens and host plants that play a vital role in the species’ long-term survival. No India paintbrush specimens were found, but abundant host-plant populations were observed throughout the study site. Ms. Liljegre hypothesized that disturbance is a major factor missing from the study site. NCLC staff and Ms. Liljegre developed and conducted disturbance experiments throughout the study area. Plots were established in October 2025, and treatments were applied in November. Locations were chose based o sites that historically supported plants or were in the vicinity of historical populations that still harbor persisting host species. Plots were divided into three sections, each receiving one of three treatments. Follow-up monitoring visits are planned for early spring (April-May 2026) and early summer (June 2026).
Bio: Maria Grace is the director of stewardship for Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy. She is the former executive director of Sharon Land Trust and also worked for NCLC partner, Housatonic Valley Association, as the New York Watershed Program Manager, building partnerships and running conservation programs within the Ten Mile River watershed. She is a member of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission in the Tow of Salisbury and is also chair of the town’s Conservation Commission. Before relocating to Connecticut i 2014, Maria was the education and outreach manager for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, a conservation organization focused on New Jersey’s endangered, threatened, and rare wildlife. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Stockton College (now University), and a M.A. in Environmental Studies from Montclair State University, where she was a graduate teaching assistant at the New Jersey School of Conservation.Panel Discussion: The Life Cycle of a Project — Challenges and Solutions
Moderators: Joshua Weiss (Stantec) and Brian Golembiewski (CT DEEP)
Bios: Josh Weiss is a professional soil scientist at Stantec who specializes in wetland delineation, field data collection and documentation, rare and endangered species surveys and habitat characterization, construction inspection, and permitting. He also has expertise in geographic informatio systems (GIS). Josh manages environmental projects for local, state, and federal entities and has a thorough understanding of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA), having worked on numerous environmental impact statements and environmental assessments. Josh is the immediate past president of the Connecticut Associatio of Wetland Scientists (CAWS) and currently serves as Treasurer. When not at work, Josh is a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Simsbury.
Brian Golembiewski has bee a DEEP employee for 35-plus years, with expertise in the regulation of inland and tidal water resources. Currently, he is a Supervisor of the Land & Water Resources Division Enforcement Section and serves as the Commissioner’s designee on the CT Siting Council. Brian graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences from UConn Storrs and is a soil scientist.Site Assessment Using Molecular Genetic Techniques to Confirm Rare Plant Identification
Dr. Brian Connolly (Eastern Connecticut State University)
Abstract: Plants found on a site occasionally do not cleanly fit the morphological boundaries found in botanical references, and regional or state experts are unable to definitively identify the plant. In cases such as these DNA or molecular genetic techniques can be employed to help place the individuals found on site within a species, this talk will briefly cover a few cases where DNA was used to separate rare species from non-regulated ones. Bio: Dr. Brian Connolly has a Ph.D. from the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at UConn. He served as the Massachusetts State Botanist for six years and is currently an Associate Professor of biology at Eastern Connecticut State University, he also works independently as a botanical consultant.Design Higganum Cove Superfund Site & Ecological Restoration
Bill Kenny (William Kenny Associates, LLC)
Abstract: Higganum Cove in Haddam, CT was a industrial hub from the 1670s through the 1980s, hosting diverse mills, including sawmills, textile, and oakum factories. Following a devastating 1989 fire, the site underwent significant environmental remediation, including wetland and upland habitat restoration, and has been redeveloped into a nature park and public amenity. The project overcame a number of challenges related to the rich cultural and ecological history of the site, the significant past contamination, and remediation health and safety protocols, as well as many of the typical ecological restoration design challenges. Bio: William L. Kenny is a Wetland Scientist, Soil Scientist and Landscape Architect and the owner of William Kenny Associates LLC, a firm that provides Landscape Architectural and Ecological Consulting services, and the owner of NATIVE LLC, a native plant nursery. He has more than 35 years of experience in landscape architecture and ecological restoration, serving as lead designer, project manager, collaborating design professional, or construction contractor on a wide range of public and private projects.Permitting Dealing with Rare Species: Tips and Strategies for a Successful NDDB Determination
Matt Arsenault (Stantec)
Abstract: Stantec’s Senior Ecologist and Botanist Matt Arsenault will lead a discussion on the coordination process with the Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) that is critical to the successful DEEP permitting of a larger project. We will discuss proactive pre-screening methods, strategies and insights for initiating a formal NDDB filing, and addressing requests for additional information. The presentation will also address potential deficiencies to avoid and key elements of the NDDB determination to be aware of (e.g., expiration dates). The presentation will draw upon our practical experience gained through many years of successful NDDB consultations. Bio: Matt Arsenault is a Senior Ecologist, Botanist, and Professional Wetland Scientist for Stantec Consulting and leads botanical survey and vegetation assessment and monitoring services for projects throughout the northeaster U.S. His work includes surveys for threatened and endangered species, habitat assessments, species protection and mitigation plans, incidental take permitting, and long-term vegetation monitoring. He has a B.S. in Botany from the University of Maine.Construction Challenges and Solutions to Planting 1,300 Trees on Steep Slopes
Patti Burns (Davey)
Abstract: This ongoing project involves the post-remediation ecological restoration at a former industrial facility that is situated along the banks of the Hudson River in Rensselaer County, New York. The installation work focuses on planting 1,300 trees and installing erosion control measures. DRG was subcontracted by the remediation contractor using the site plans that were prepared by a reputable environmental engineering firm and approved by NYSDEC in 2017 — eight years before remediation started. Rather than a focus on the nuts and bolts of tree planting, this presentation shares the experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders in order to implement a already approved restoration site plan, in order to achieve optimal restoration results and a safe work environment. Bio: Patti Burns is a Professional Wetlands Scientist and Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner, and she holds a certificate in Ecological Collaboration and Conflict Resolution. Patti oversees Davey Resource Group’s New England area wetlands and ecological projects. She brings stakeholders together to resolve land use issues surrounding wetlands and natural areas. Patti has managed ecological restoration from analysis to design, permitting, installation, construction oversight, monitoring, and maintenance i the northeast. She has provided expert testimony, taught principles of ecological restoratio at Temple University, served o NJ’s Wetlands Mitigatio nCouncil, and played a pivotal role in conserving 1,695 acres of NH greenways. She received a B.S. in Natural Resource Studies from UMass Amherst and a M.S. in Forest Science (Soils) from Michigan Technological University.Maintenance Mechanical (Chemical-Free) Management of Invasive Plants
Coli Bennett (Swamp Yankee Earthcare)
Abstract: This presentation examines the opportunities and limitations of managing invasive plant species without the use of herbicides, with a focus on real-world application in Connecticut. The primary objective is to equip participants with a practical understanding of mechanical and non-chemical control strategies, emphasizing when these approaches are effective, where they fall short, and how they can be integrated into long-term management plans. Case studies from Connecticut will be used to illustrate both successful management efforts and common challenges, including labor demands, repeated follow-up requirements, unintended ecological impacts, and site-specific constraints. By highlighting lessons learned from on-the-ground projects, the presentation will move beyond theory to provide actionable insights. Bio: Coli Bennett is a tireless advocate for the natural world, blending his experience as a master naturalist with his role as a dedicated forest manager. With a profound love for nature and the outdoors, Coli has devoted his adult life to helping others and is most passionate about protecting and preserving our environment. His deep commitment to environmental stewardship drives his work, as he strives to ensure the health and sustainability of ecosystems while fostering a greater appreciation for nature among othersRestoration Creating Native Meadows Using Native Plants
Peter Picone (CT DEEP)
Abstract: Restoring native plant diversity is challenging but rewarding. Mr. Picone will share his experience restoring a abandoned corn field at Robbins Swamp WMA with native vegetation and creating a ecotone. He will touch o the tools, techniques, and strategies used in the restoration process, which included managing invasives, and planting natives (as seeds, plugs, and bare root). Bio: Peter Picone is Senior Wildlife Biologist at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division, Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, in Burlington, CT. He oversees wester district wildlife management areas and state land agricultural agreements; provides technical assistance in enhancement of wildlife habitat, specializing in the use of native plants and managing invasive non-natives; publishes guides and technical literature to educate the public about habitat and wildlife management; gives presentations using a variety of visual media; posts educational content on social media and other communication channels; conducts field research and surveys; supports deer and beaver nuisance control; and collaborates with other natural resource professional i related fields. He is a graduate of UConn with a B.S. in Renewable Natural Resources.Detecting Northern Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata subsp. lithuanica) in the Connecticut River with Satellite Imagery
Summer Weidma (Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Office of Invasive Aquatic Species)
Abstract: The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (CAES OAIS) has surveyed freshwater systems in Connecticut since 2004, discovering norther hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata L.f. Royle) in the Connecticut River i 2016. Since then, norther hydrilla has spread to at least 11 waterbodies in the region, posing significant ecological and recreational threats due to its rapid growth, high adaptability, and ability to outcompete native vegetation. Traditional survey methods to map hydrilla, such as point-intercept surveys, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly for a area as large as the Connecticut River. This study investigates the use of satellite imagery and Random Forest classificatio to develop a more efficient monitoring technique. Using September 2019 satellite imagery, vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI, NDWI, MNDWI) were calculated and used in a Random Forest model to predict hydrilla, no hydrilla, and terrestrial. While the model effectively distinguished land from aquatic vegetation, further refinement is needed to improve hydrilla detection and reduce overclassification. Bio: Summer Weidman: Summer Weidma is a Research Technician II and Lake Manager Associate at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species. She has nearly a decade of experience leading statewide surveys to monitor invasive aquatic plants, specializing i field identification, distribution mapping, and geospatial analysis. Her work supports the development of effective management strategies for hydrilla and other invasive species by combining rigorous field data collection with advanced mapping tools. I addition to her applied research role, Summer is pursuing a Ph.D. in Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut, where her research focuses on applying remote sensing technologies to improve detection and monitoring of invasive species, specifically hydrilla.A Citizen Scientist Program for Monitoring Kettle Lakes and Ponds
Heidi Cunnick (Cornwall, CT Lake Task Force)
Abstract: The Northeaster United States is dotted with fluvioglacial landforms know as kettle lakes and kettle ponds. These kettles, formed ~15,000 years ago in the wake of the receding Laurentide ice sheet, are frequently today beloved sites of recreation, picnicking, swimming, and skating. Despite the plentitude of these lakes, and their importance to our communities, they are rarely monitored for the state of their health. This is unsurprising give the relative scarcity of professional limnologists, the cost of having the kettles monitored on a regular basis, and the lack of training available for citizen scientists who want to develop their own monitoring program. In the eleventh hour, whe a lake’s health is visibly in decline, and professional help is called in, it is often too late to intervene except at tremendous expense. Cornwall, CT has take a different approach to protecting its own community lake, Cream Hill. It is a approach that could be take by more towns that are interested in protecting their lakes’ health but are stymied by financial concerns. By developing a volunteer lake monitoring protocol, and monitoring lake health parameters, concerning issues can be addressed early and communities can be educated as to how to care for their lakes. When professionals are called in, their analysis of the lake conditions benefits from the existence of a temporal dataset, and the resulting intervention is likely to be less expensive.
Bio: Heidi Cunnick has bee chair of the Cornwall, CT Lake Task Force (LTF), created to monitor the health of Cream Hill Lake, since its formation in 2013. She has a Masters degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science from Lehigh University. Three times or more a year, the Lake Task Force samples the Cream Hill Lake’s water column for temperature, pH, clarity, levels of dissolved oxygen, and a slate of nutrients. Samples are sent to UConn for nutrient analysis and results are analyzed with simple statistical techniques. The Lake Task Force presents findings to the town and lake club on an as-needed or as-requested basis.
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CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF WETLAND SCIENTISTS |