Learn How To Build Wetlands!
Training Opportunities
Join us at these events to learn how to build wetlands of all different types
2026 Events
We look forward to building wetlands with you!
Create Your Own Wetlands Hands-on Wetland Workshop for Large and Small Landowners
November 5-7, 2026
ARC of Appalachia Highlands Nature Sanctuary 7660 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612
Imagine…outside your back door you hear the chorusing of spring peepers, followed later in the year by the purring of gray treefrogs and the trilling of American toads. You find the mysterious jelly egg-clusters of spotted salamanders. Occasionally, a green heron stalks the rim of the pool, and dozens of species of songbirds take daily baths and refreshing sips of water. But best of all, just when winter begins to thaw, you find yourself bending over the pool of water, empty of thought and lost in time, watching the mesmerizing movements of fairy shrimp. Why simply imagine these wonderful things, when you can actually experience them for yourself? And the good news is, if you own even a quarter of land, you can sow your own field of dreams. If you build it, they will come.
Wetland Design Course
May 10 – July 23, 2027
University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering
Wetland Design (CEE-694-50-4265) is a graduate-level online course that teaches how to design and build naturally appearing, fully functioning wetlands. The detailed units explain the ecological value of wetlands, how wetlands were historically drained, factors affecting site selection for restoration, techniques for wetland construction, and methods for repairing nonfunctioning wetlands. The course emphasizes practical, low-cost, and highly effective techniques for building wetlands that require little, if any, long-term maintenance. Examples from across North America demonstrate how wetlands can be constructed to improve habitat for rare animals and plants, provide water for livestock, manage stormwater, recharge groundwater, and control flooding..
2026 Events
We look forward to building wetlands with you!
Marengo, Indiana
July 30th and 31st, 2026
Wetlands Workshop in Indiana
The Land & Ethic Nature Reserve will host a Wetlands Workshop on Thursday and Friday, July 30–31, 2026, featuring internationally recognized wetland designer Tom Biebighauser. This hands-on event will demonstrate practical, low-cost techniques to create or restore natural and native wetland habitats, including how to identify ideal sites, test soil textures, choose construction methods, select native plants, and guide heavy equipment operators. Ideal for biologists, engineers, wetland professionals, landscape architects, ecologists, and landowners, the workshop also includes guided walks throughout the reserve and a special evening of bat mist-netting with Copperhead Environmental Consulting, a leader in bat ecology and natural resource management. Register today to join this unique opportunity to gain skills, network with conservation professionals, and support healthy wetland ecosystems.
The Society of Ecological Restoration has pre-approved this course for 10 continuing education credits under SER’s Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) program.
