Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Wetlands provide critical habitat for waterfowl, certain mammals and amphibians, reptiles, aquatic insects, fish and birds. Wetlands also provide many different types of benefits for people including clean water, flood and storm surge protection, groundwater storage, biodiversity for better crop production, commercial seafood production and outdoor recreational opportunities. However, wetland managers face a number of challenges in protecting our critical wetland resources, including: sprawl and development pressure; conversion of wetlands into use for intensive agricultural production; confusing Supreme Court cases and legal battles; climate change impacts; invasive species; and a general lack of understanding about the value of wetlands and the benefits they provide for our families and our communities. This is not just a regional or national issue of importance - it is a global issue.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Wetland Mapping Consortium
The Wetland Mapping Consortium, founded in 2008, is an interdisciplinary group of wetland scientists and wetland managers interested in mapping and monitoring wetlands with remotely sensed images and/or using the resultant products to best manage wetland resources. ASWM, a founding member, facilitates the WMC and its Steering Committee which organizes webinars on topics of interest to the consortium.
Natural Floodplain Functions Alliance
The Natural Floodplain Functions Alliance (NFFA) is an affiliation of nonprofit and private organizations, government agencies and individuals dedicated to the protection and preservation of the natural functions of floodplains, including coastal areas.
Where we work
Awards
Jeanne Christie, National Wetlands Award for Education & Outreach 2007
Environmental Law Institute
Jon Kusler, Lifetime Achievement Award 2009
Society of Wetland Scientists
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1) To be a recognized leader in supporting and promoting science-based wetlands conservation, protection and management, and to ensure that state and tribal programs are fully integrated into national wetland policy.
2) To build the capacity of wetland managers and public officials at all levels of government to participate in wetland policy development and to build strong, science-based wetland programs.
3) To educate wetland managers, public officials, and others with regard to current wetland science, policy, comprehensive management, and the use of new technologies and techniques for wetland planning, assessment, restoration, mitigation and program implementation.
4) To more fully integrate wetlands into broader water programs including water quality protection, flood protection, safe drinking water, natural water infrastructure, fish and wildlife management, watershed management, management for severe weather events, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem-based planning.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1) Identify priority needs for wetland research and applied science.
2) Conduct research and studies and publish results online.
3) Encourage the exchange of information among wetland scientists, managers, and policy makers.
5) Conduct open forums, workshops, webinars, conference calls, discussion boards and symposia.
6) Coordinate policy discussions with other state and professional associations/organizations.
7) Provide direct technical assistance to states, tribes and others requesting our assistance.
8) Analyze the implications of proposed policy changes on wetland resources from a variety of perspectives to assist and inform decision-makers.
9) Actively pursue partnerships with federal agencies, tribes, states, nonprofit organizations, the regulated community and other organizations and interest groups.
10) Increase the availability of wetland information, including providing online learning opportunities such as webinars, online training, forums and other opportunities for interested parties to share information and discuss solutions to current issues.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Association of State Wetland Managers has a staff of eight, including an Executive Director, a Senior Legan and Policy Advisor, a Senior Policy Analyst, a Policy Analyst, a Webmaster, a Communications Specialist, an Office Manager and an Accounting/HR Manager. Marla Stelk, Executive Director, has over 25 years of experience working on environmental policy, conservation, outreach, and project management. Donna Downing, ASWM's Senior Legal and Policy Advisor, has over 40 years of legal and policy experience focused on the Clean Water Act. Brenda Zollitsch, ASWM’s Senior Policy Analyst, has over 25 years of experience working on water resource policy, collaboration building and education-related programs and projects. Audra Martin, ASWM Policy Analyst, has over 14 years of environmental work experience including monitoring and assessment, policy review, and project management. Sharon Weaver has managed ASWM’s extensive website since 1990. Office Manager Laura Burchill has worked for ASWM for over 15 years, organizing workshops, providing logistical support for webinars, managing ASWM's membership program, logistics and more. Dawn Smith is ASWM’s Communications Specialist and has 10 years’ experience post-processing and editing ASWM’s webinar recordings. And ASWM’s Accounting/HR Manager, Marti Northover has over 25 years of professional experience in accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, human resources, and systems management. Collectively, ASWM staff form a cohesive team with many years of experience undertaking a wide variety of successful projects to build the capacity of state and tribal wetland programs to protect and conserve wetlands.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since 1983, the primary goal of ASWM has been to build effective state wetland programs. Over the years, ASWM has held multiple meetings and workshops, and published numerous reports relative to wetland science, legal issues and development of wetland programs. ASWM has added to these activities by leveraging online tools to develop a website with extensive information on how to develop and implement state wetland programs and by hosting and recording multiple monthly webinars on diverse topics relevant to the development of state wetland programs and the restoration, protection and conservation of wetlands and related aquatic resources. Although our focus has been on state wetland programs, many of these resources have proven to be transferable and/or useful for tribes and we are actively working to find ways to be more welcoming and inclusive of tribes in the work we do every day.
For more than 35 years, ASWM has developed extensive knowledge and expertise about state wetland programs that is unique. No other organization has the detailed knowledge about state wetland programs that ASWM has. As such, state wetland staff across the country rely on ASWM. ASWM has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to provide timely, useful information to state wetland managers as well as other state associations. In the past decade, ASWM has written a number of reports and legal analyses and has also held workshops on the impacts that the SWANCC and Rapanos Supreme Court decisions have had on CWA jurisdiction.In recent years, ASWM has issued reports and developed web pages to support development of State Water Quality Standards for Wetlands, Wetland Program Plans, §404 Assumption, §401 Certification and Permitting of Voluntary Wetland Restoration Projects.
In addition, ASWM maintains contact lists for broader communities of wetland professionals working in areas such as wetland mapping and wetland restoration. The Association publishes a monthly e-zine (Wetland Breaking News) to over 3,300 wetland professionals around the country. In total, ASWM’s contacts include over 15,800 professionals, including state wetland managers and those they work with, such as the EPA, Corps, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, consultants, nonprofits, academics, tribes, local government and more.
ASWM continues to identify pressing needs, information gaps and opportunities to improve wetland programs and wetland health nationwide. New initiatives include better integration of wetlands into hazard management programs, water quality programs (nutrient and emerging contaminants removal) and environmental markets (water quality trading, mitigation crediting, carbon credits, etc.)
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 08/25/2021
Mark Biddle
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Jill Aspinwall
New Jersey Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Term: 2020 - 2022
Marla Stelk
ASWM
Amy Lounds
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Mark Biddle
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Jill Aspinwall
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Denise Clearwater
Maryland Department of the Environment
Lauren Driscoll
Washington State Department of Ecology
Timothy Rach
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Andrew Robertson
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: