May 6, 2004

The Department of Environmental Quality is pleased to announce Michigan Wetlands: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Wetlands Protection Act, being held at the new Water Studies Institute at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City on May 20-22. This conference is open to the general public and will bring together a variety of interest groups, not only to recognize Michigan’s landmark wetland legislation, but to share up-to-date ideas on wetland protection, restoration, and management.

Conference co-sponsors include the DEQ, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, and Northwestern Michigan College.

“We will join the nation in celebrating American Wetlands Month in recognition of the gifts that wetlands offer to our natural world and to our human communities,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “This year has special significance to the DEQ because 25 years ago, Michigan’s Legislature passed the Goemaere-Anderson Wetland Protection Act cementing Michigan’s role as a national leader in wetland protection and management.”

Wetland professionals from around the state and country will speak on Great Lakes coastal wetlands, wetland protection, wetland restoration, wetlands and Watershed planning, wetland preservation, landowner stewardship, local wetland protection, the natural history of wetlands, wetland monitoring, and wetland education. Along with classroom presentations, Geographic Information Systems will be demonstrated, local field trips will be conducted, and a teacher resource room and exhibitor booths will be open throughout the event.

Thanks to the generosity of financial contributors, the three-day conference fee, which includes snacks, lunch on Friday and Saturday, workshop materials, and entrance to the exhibitor booths and resource rooms, is offered at the low price of only $100. Special pricing to include the Friday banquet, Saturday field trips, and one- or two-day registration is available.

Register online at www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops (click on “Upcoming Workshops”). For registration information, contact the Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278, or e-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised May 6, 2004 by Pat Watson