Beyond Rocks and Revetments: Innovative Structures for Coastal Resilience

Chris Bogdan I Shoreline Protection Product Manager

Level: Intermediate

Duration: 1 hour

Type of Course: Webinar - Live

Date: 12th February 2026, 1:00PM MT (USA) | 13th February 2026, 7:00AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time

Large rocks and seawalls are typically used in coastal applications to protect shorelines and prevent erosion. These solutions appear to be strong on the surface given their size and weight, but they can promote erosion in certain scenarios and disrupt the marine environment. The presentation is intended to provide information about living shorelines and the benefits they offer over traditional gray infrastructure solutions.

This presentation will highlight living shoreline installations where an innovative product was used over conventional materials due to site constraints and ecological restoration goals. These products are designed to enhance the performance of wave breaks and sills that are currently being constructed with large rocks. Each installation will outline project objectives, design parameters, and installation approaches.

Learning Outcomes:

• Attendees should be able to define what a living shoreline is. 
• They should be able to explain the functional design of a break water to reduce wave energy and coastal erosion. 
• Attendees will learn there are manufactured options to replace large rocks in breakwater applications along with how these options function.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Conference Confidence: A Young Professional’s Playbook

Amesha L. Morris, Stormwater Knowledge Manager, Acorn EnviroComply LLC
Joe Johnson, Business Development Manager - NZ, PGG Wrightson Turf.

Level: Beginner
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live
Date and Time: 28th January 2026, 2:00PM MT (USA) | 29th January 2026, 8:00AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time

Get a clear, practical game plan for the IECA Annual Conference & Expo—March 1–4, 2026 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. We’ll show you how to maximise learning, build real industry connections, and navigate the Expo with confidence so you leave Fort Worth with momentum—and next steps you can use right away. 

Why this webinar
Conferences can feel overwhelming—especially early in your career. In one fast paced session, we’ll demystify the experience and give you templates, prompts, and a simple, repeatable approach tailored for Young Professionals.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build a personal conference game plan: choose sessions aligned with your goals across education tracks like Erosion & Sediment Control, Stormwater Management, MS4 Management, Wetland/Stream/Shoreline Restoration, and Business & Professional Practice. 
• Confidently start conversations and follow up so you turn introductions into lasting professional relationships.
• Navigate the Expo Hall strategically and capture vendor insights you can act on with your team.
• Convert new connections into post event opportunities (MentorConnect, chapter engagement, project collaboration).

Leave with clear, practical actions
We’ll guide you through three specific conference activities—and how to use each to grow your skills, network, and confidence:

1. Exhibitor Bingo during the Expo Hall Reception. Make meeting vendors intentional and fun. You’ll learn how to set targets, ask smart questions, and track who to revisit so you leave with solutions (not just swag).
2. Participation in the Knowledge Circles: Pick the best circles for your interests, contribute confidently using a three step sharing framework, and turn small group discussions into ongoing peer support.
3. Participation in the IECA MentorConnect: Understand how to opt in, craft a strong ask, and set goals and cadence with your mentor so the relationship delivers real value after Fort Worth.

What to expect

• A lively 45–60 minutes packed with practical examples for YPs.
• Templates you can use immediately (session planner, conversation starters, follow up notes).
• Q&A to address your specific goals for Fort Worth.

Onsite highlights to look for

• Welcome Reception in the Stockyards and Young Professional meetups—great places to put your new networking framework into action. 
• A re-imagined Expo hub with more opportunities to connect and learn on the show floor. 

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Working in Waterways

            

Al Stafford - Clean Water Compliance Unit Manager, Colorado Water Quality Control Division

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - Live
Date: 22nd January 2026, 1:00PM MT (USA) | 23rd January 2026, 7:00AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time

Construction work within waterways can be one of the most challenging types of projects to remain in compliance with various permits and regulations. There may be overlapping and fluctuating permit boundaries, confined workspaces, and complex treatment systems. However, by understanding the different types of permits and how to comply with them, proactive compliance on these challenging projects is achievable!

This presentation will walk through the various types of permits required, and how those permits relate to each other in the field. We will then discuss the different types of documentation required for each permit, and how these documented plans are implemented in the field to achieve proactive compliance through final stabilization. Throughout the presentation, we will look at examples of various types of work in waterways, both exemplary and in need of corrective action.

Learning Outcomes:

• List the types of permits required when constructing in waterways.
• Determine how to comply with permit requirements when constructing in waterways.
• Demonstrate proactive over reactive compliance when constructing in waterways.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Crossing the Threshold: The 2022 CGP for the QSD

Matthew Renaud | Senior Consultant Water Resources | NV5

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On Demand

This webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the significant changes and new requirements introduced by California’s 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP), which goes into full effect after September 1st of this year. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the transition process, including a detailed comparison of current versus new responsibilities for the Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD), updated SWPPP documentation requirements, and best practices for overall project planning and maintenance. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped to identify the key permit changes, understand and apply the new QSD obligations, implement updated compliance strategies to manage stormwater effectively throughout the construction project lifecycle, and navigate the permit transition with confidence—minimizing risks associated with non-compliance. This training is essential for QSDs and construction stormwater professionals aiming to stay current and compliant under the 2022 CGP requirements.

Learning Objective: 

Participants will be able to identify the key changes and requirements associated with California’s new Construction General Permit transition, including current versus new responsibilities for the QSD, SWPPP document requirements, and overall project planning maintenance.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1) Understand the key changes introduced by CGP effective September 1st
2) Identify the new responsibilities and documentation requirements for the QSD
3) Apply updated compliance strategies to ensure effective storm water management throughout the construction project life cycle
4) Navigate the permit transition process with confidence and minimizing risks related to non-compliance.

Hosted by:

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Maintaining Safe Discharge in Severe Weather Events – A Use Case for Incline Plate Settling Tanks

Presented by: Ella Harford, Environmental Advisor, Fulton Hogan and George Everest, Hire Manager, Prime Fluid Management

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On demand

Join our webinar to discover how small-footprint, mobile inclined plate settling tanks (Lamella Clarifiers) can enhance efficiency during rain events, especially when discharging to sensitive natural waterways. 
We'll use the post-cyclone Gabrielle recovery on the main arterial route to northern New Zealand (SH1 at Brynderwyn Hill) as a case study to illustrate their mobility, performance, and ease of deployment. Learn how 100% solar-powered units with advanced monitoring capabilities can support your projects in remote areas. Gain valuable insights into overcoming the challenges posed by remote or hilly terrain. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your project outcomes—sign up today.

Learning Objective: 

• Understanding how contemporary incline plate settling tanks operate
• Understanding of the use case for incline plate settling when space, transit, and economics impact on traditional ESE measures
• Ability to weigh the benefits of ponds and LDBs versus Incline Plate Settling as part of the ESE design and planning process
• Practical insight into handling rainwater in an environmentally sensitive, geographically constrained area

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Sensored Permeable Pavement for Elevated Performance and Reduced Maintenance

Dr. Aaron Fisher VP of Business Development Ernest Maier/PaveDrain

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On Demand

Clay soils are assumed to uniformly and negatively impact the infiltration rates of permeable pavement installed over them. However, real soils are heterogeneous mixtures in which better infiltrating soils predominate in terms of performance. Additionally, real infiltration rates are further augmented by hydrostatic head, and wet conditions present in the galleries under a permeable pavement. When coupled with a next generation permeable pavement (permeable articulating concrete block) that is designed to have delayed clogging, the sensor systems documented values that exceed manual/modelled expectations by an order of magnitude—increasing regulatory credit by a factor of three to four. This additional crediting shifts the value of functioning permeable pavement from “only good when pavement is required” to a “first-choice when developing a site.”

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the real performance (infiltration rate) of real soils
• Understand the value of having permeable surfaces that have delayed clogging cycles
• Understand how elevated performance of permeable pavement can result in additional credit useful when meeting stormwater compliance goals.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Innovative Materials for the Protection of Overflow Earthen Weir Structures in the Sensitive Headwaters of the Everglades System

Adam Pierce, Engineering Business Manager, Solmax

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On Demand

This south-central Florida case study examines the construction and protection of 40 different overflow weirs designed to reduce hydraulic stresses as the flow enters a series of culverts conveying water to the other side of a containment roadway berm that parallels the Kissimmee River basin. Protection of the weirs is critical to the performance of the structures themselves and the stabilization of the unpaved roadway berm. Specified with 8-inch concrete blankets, the project engineer revised the weir protection measures to a high-performance turf reinforcement mat (HTPRM) coupled with 3-foot-long engineered earth anchors with flexible tendons for a permanent tie down connection. This presentation will discuss the environmental benefits gained by switching from a traditional solution to a nature-based engineered solution, including but not limited to a reduction in carbon footprint, promotion of vegetation carbon sequestration, improved water quality and groundwater recharge, all at a reduced cost. A driving concern, with respect to material selection for this project, was improving water quality to the downstream Everglades system, the largest tropical wilderness in North America, which has also been recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Where and how these materials are being utilized continues to evolve as they are stabilizing and protecting infrastructure in ways that TRMs and HPTRMs have not before. It is important to continue long-term monitoring and inspection of these types of projects to evaluate their effectiveness and provide better guidance on the threshold of where these materials are appropriate. This discussion will also include innovations in the manufacturing and design of these materials, something many people are unaware of.

Learning Outcomes:

• Knowledge of recent HPTRM manufacturing innovations regarding design life and fire retardance. 
• Awareness of new applications where these materials are being utilized. 
• Reminder that all projects need to be followed up on to evaluate effectiveness and understand lessons learned from all perspectives including owner, contractor, manager, practitioner, or citizen.

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Identifying Section 402 NPDES Construction Stormwater Discharge Points

Kevin Hood, Senior Project Manager, PBS Engineering and Environmental

Level: Beginner
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On Demand

The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) administers Federal and state regulations requiring construction site operators to manage their stormwater and to obtain a Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSWGP) on sites one acre and larger. The permit requires the construction site operator, to designate a CESCL certified individual to conduct stormwater discharge monitoring and reporting. The purpose of these requirements is to reduce and prevent soil, dirt, and other common construction pollutants from washing off the site and reaching streams, rivers, and other local water bodies. In this presentation we will review the process for identifying appropriate construction site stormwater discharge monitoring points necessary to maintain compliance with requirements set forth in the SWPPP and CSWGP.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identification Stormwater Discharge Points
• Modification of Discharge Monitoring Points as construction progresses
• Discharge Point Field Identification and SWPPP Documentation Requirements

Hosted by:

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

Morphing from a caterpillar into a butterfly - Creating your development plan to transform into a well-rounded ESC specialist.

Janine Koppel, Environmental Officer, NSW Soil Conservation Service

Level: Beginner
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On Demand

An ESC specialist requires knowledge in areas other than ESC to provide the best advice. But it is often challenging to know what knowledge to attain and how. Janine shall delve into the other areas of knowledge essential for an ESC specialist. Attendees can glean which areas they are deficient in and create an individual professional and personal development plan to become a fully rounded ESC specialist, and where to source reliable and unbiased factual information.

Hosted by:

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.

A new way to tackle disturbed soils

Mr Paul Storer, MSc, CPAg, FAA | Consultant Soil Microbiologist | EnviroStraw Pty Ltd

Level: Intermediate
Duration: 1 hour
Type of Course: Webinar - On Demand

Spotlighting a new system that enhances microbial health and activity in disturbed soils, this webinar will examine soil analysis in a case study – demonstrating how soil health can be built using a specific suite of beneficial microbes with non-leaching mineral fertiliser. 

Educating the erosion and revegetation industry on the ways in which soil microbes can significantly enhance outcomes on disturbed soils, the webinar will look at how the system can reduce erosion by building soil carbon, and stabilise dispersive soils with the use of glomalin and calcium. This webinar is ideal for attendees working with disturbed soils at construction sites, mining sites and roading projects.

Hosted by:

This event is worth one (1) Professional Development Hours.

IECA is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth. Through a process of peer review and content selection standards, we ensure that our content is robust, relevant, and aligned with industry standards.  We respect the authority of certification organizations to evaluate and accept professional development activities according to their criteria, acceptance of professional development credits is at the discretion of your certifying organization.