University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Wetland Science and Conservation Specialization
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Wetland Science and Conservation Specialization

Explore the Sustainable Management of Wetlands. Examine the role of ecology, policy, and practice for sustainable management of vital wetland ecosystems.

Jeffrey W. Matthews, Ph.D.
Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D.

Instructors: Jeffrey W. Matthews, Ph.D.

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Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.9

(5 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
4.9

(5 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
2 months to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Analyze wetland ecosystems and assess the impact of human activities on their structure and function.

  • Interpret and apply wetland regulations from local to global scales to support conservation and compliance efforts.

  • Develop strategies for wetland restoration, mitigation, and sustainable management through scientific and policy-driven approaches.

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Taught in English
Recently updated!

March 2025

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Specialization - 6 course series

What you'll learn

  • Major components of wetlands, including their formation and hydrology

  • Types of plants and animals that utilize wetland habitats and their adaptations to this environment

  • Structure and function of wetlands and the importance of their ecosystem services

Skills you'll gain

Category: Cultural Sensitivity
Category: Cultural Diversity
Category: Conflict Management
Category: Critical Thinking
Category: Water Resources
Category: Community Outreach
Category: Social Sciences
Category: Stakeholder Engagement
Category: Environmental Issue
Category: Policy Analysis
Category: Environmental Policy
Category: Environment and Resource Management
Category: Natural Resource Management
Category: Governance

What you'll learn

  • How current U.S. laws and regulations govern human impacts on wetlands.

  • The impact that human activities have on wetland ecosystem services and functions.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Land Management
Category: Chemistry
Category: Environment
Category: Water Resources
Category: Biology
Category: Microbiology
Category: Environmental Engineering
Category: Geographic Information Systems
Category: Environmental Science
Category: Natural Resource Management

What you'll learn

  • Recall the steps involved in wetland delineation and the resources available for remote identification.

  • Explain the importance of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation in wetland delineation, and describe the field indicators used in these components.

  • Apply your knowledge to identify and assess field indicators for hydrology, hydric soils, and vegetation in real-world wetland environments.

  • Develop wetland delineation reports, incorporating best practices and addressing problematic situations.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Land Management
Category: Interviewing Skills
Category: Mitigation
Category: Environmental Monitoring
Category: Environment
Category: Water Resources
Category: Environmental Laws
Category: Environmental Issue
Category: Environmental Policy
Category: Environmental Engineering and Restoration
Category: Environmental Regulations
Category: Environmental Science
Category: Natural Resource Management

What you'll learn

  • Apply ecosystem stewardship concepts and technological tools to wetland restoration and conservation.

  • Create a wetland restoration plan capable of restoring or replacing ecosystem services and functions.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Land Management
Category: Community Development
Category: Mitigation
Category: Environmental Laws
Category: Environmental Regulations
Category: Environmental Science
Category: International Relations
Category: Water Resources
Category: Civil Engineering
Category: Environmental Policy
Category: Environmental Engineering
Category: Environment and Resource Management
Category: Natural Resource Management
Category: Governance

What you'll learn

  • Contrast federal, state, and local regulatory roles in wetland conservation, focusing on CWA and WOTUS.

  • Analyze international conservation laws and conventions, including Ramsar, and their link to sustainability.

  • Evaluate wetland management factors, community participation, and resilience strategies against climate change.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Land Management
Category: Environmental Monitoring
Category: Water Resources
Category: Environmental Policy
Category: Geographic Information Systems
Category: Environmental Engineering and Restoration
Category: Environment and Resource Management
Category: Environmental Science
Category: Natural Resource Management

What you'll learn

  • Analyze the social, political, & cultural factors that influence wetland conservation, including the roles of stakeholders, policy, & governance.

  • Evaluate strategies for equitable and culturally sensitive stakeholder engagement in wetland management.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Water Resources
Category: Geospatial Information and Technology
Category: Geographic Information Systems
Category: Environmental Regulations
Category: Environment and Resource Management
Category: Technical Documentation
Category: Research Reports
Category: Environmental Science
Category: Natural Resource Management

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Instructors

Jeffrey W. Matthews, Ph.D.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
1 Course458 learners
Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
5 Courses401 learners

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