VWMP VOLUNTEERS VISIT THE WALNUT CREEK WETLAND CENTER IN RALEIGH TO LEARN ABOUT ASSESSING WETLAND QUALITY

Patty Cervenka • July 28, 2022

For our July activity for the VWMP, Project Manager, Amanda Johnson demonstrated how the NC WAM can be used to evaluate the condition of a wetland. This volunteer activity included a review of the NC WAM manual, preliminary desktop analysis, and a visit to the Walnut Creek Wetland Center in Raleigh, NC on the morning of July 23, 2022.

NC WAM Manual

To use the NC WAM in any official capacity, one must go through the training class (3 days of training and an exam) to become certified as trained. This activity was for demonstration and research purposes. The latest version of the NC WAM manual can be found here: NCWAM Manual | NC DEQ.

Objectives

The objectives of this volunteer activity were to:

Become familiar with the purpose of NC WAM and how it may be used
Practice using the NC WAM assessment form
Develop an understanding of what factors may affect the condition and health of a wetland

We are looking forward to the upcoming VWMP activities including a visit to the new Carolina Wetlands Association office to review some of the data we have collected so far and our wetland monitoring site visits in September. For more information on the pilot Volunteer Wetland Monitoring Program, visit the VWMP Webpage.

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Visit the Volunteer Resource Page for more information on the Volunteer Wetland Monitoring Program.

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