Online Conference Information >> Conference homepage >> Conference Program >> Banquet: In Search of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker >> Registration Information >> Accommodations >> Sponsors and Exhibitors >> Connected IPAW Conference on Feb. 4 >> Call For Presentations >> About the logo artist Announcing WWA’s 11th Annual Wetland Science Forum! Save the dates February 2-3, 2006 for Wisconsin’s Wetlands: Biodiversity and Threats, to be held at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison. Stay tuned to this website for more details.

PLENARY SESSION: Thursday, February 2, 9:00 am - 12 noon

Theme Overview
The conference will open with an introduction to our theme, Wisconsin's Wetlands: Biodiversity and Threats. Don Reed, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and Jim Meeker, Northland College, will give an overview of wetland biodiversity and threats to wetlands by community types and by geographic regions in Wisconsin.

Keynote Address
Using Remote Sensing and GIS to Proactively Invigorate Wetlands Regulation Enforcement and Compliance
Charles Costello, Section Chief of the Wetlands Mapping Program of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, has developed a project to detect changes in wetland acreage using remote sensing, image processing and GIS. This project has produced a new successful initiative to detect illegal wetland fills and to enforce wetland protection regulations in Massachusetts. Charles will give an overview of the project and discussion how other states, governmental entities and environmental groups can benefit from adopting all or portions of the MA system. He will also preview new technologies on the horizon that will further enhance wetlands protection.

About the Keynote Speaker
Charles Costello has been the Section Chief of the Wetlands Mapping Program of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for fifteen years. In this position he has developed a large scale digital mapping database of the state’s wetland resources. During the last few years, Charlie has developed a project to detect wetlands changes using remote sensing, image processing and GIS. This project has produced a new successful initiative to enforce wetland protection regulations in Massachusetts. Several states have expressed interest in developing a similar remote sensing strategy. Charlie also heads a summer months project to accurately map and monitor the coastal underwater submerged aquatic vegetation resources for the state. He has been the recipient of the USEPA Environmental Merit Award for his work in wetlands mapping and enforcement. In his leisure time, Charlie likes to frequent wetlands and stream areas to flyfish for trout and salmon and hunt grouse with his pointing dogs (no gun). He is a lifelong student of natural history and is a serious conservationist.

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