This online course condenses nearly 20 years of authors’ experience into1 hour. The course includes fascinating facts about the history of bioengineering in the West.  Where did the term “Straw Wattle” originate? Answers to the question about “design life” of biotechnical methods lie in understanding successional reclamation?  Plus, this course will offer 4 of the most useful willow methods. For novices to experts, this course is a must for those interested in Bioengineering (AKA – Biotechnical Soil Stabilization).  Understand the guiding principles behind the Biotechnical techniques, the geotechnical benefits, the history, and the many important details necessary for a successful project.  Designers and implementers will improve your success. The techniques covered are applicable to both river and upland settings.  Learn from past projects, proffered with the benefit of time and presented in straightforward manner.  

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify and summarize the concepts of Bioengineering.
2. Summarize the history of Bioengineering.
3. Explain the geotechnical, aesthetic and sustainable nature of the Bioengineering approach.
4. Define the four fundamental and cost-effective methods for implementing willow cutting. 
5. Understand how the number bioengineering and biotechnical methods are very diverse – some are applicable for riparian zones and some are useful upland areas. 

Course Level: Intermediate

At the completion of this course you will receive 1 Professional Development Hour of credit. For any questions on continuing education credit, please contact IECA Education at education@ieca.org

Part one of a two module course about Native Plant Establishment and includes elements and methods for developing a well-thought-out native vegetation establishment program. In this first module, participants will learn why native plants are better than non-natives, what makes a good erosion control species, how to select plant species specific to their regions that can best control erosion and sediment transport, how to develop a suitable seed mixture of species, the pros and cons of different seeding techniques, and methods to ensure the success of your plan. The course is taught by an experienced restoration ecologist with over 35 years’ experience, and countless projects, some of them award winning, under his belt. The course is suitable for beginners to experts, and all will find something of value in the information provided.

Part two of a two module course about Native Plant Establishment. In this second module the focus is on addressing the importance of seeding and planting methods, and soil amending, as well as post planting monitoring. This part of the course will help participants identify and understand how to address various problem soils that are commonly encountered. In addition, monitoring methods are discussed and participants will learn how to prepare a monitoring plan suitable for most jurisdictions. Part Two is taught by the same experienced restoration ecologist with over 35 years’ experience, and countless projects, some of them award winning, as Part One. The course is suitable for beginners to experts, and all will find something of value in the information provided.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Know what seeding and/or planting methods are appropriate for your site
2. Be able to identify a problem soil and know some techniques for addressing the issues
3. Be able to prepare a monitoring plan that will identify problems in establishment
4. Understand why native plants might be required
5. Know what makes a “good” erosion control species
6. Know how to make a seed mixture that will survive your conditions

Course Level: All

At the completion of this course you will receive 1 Professional Development Hour of credit. For any questions on continuing education credit, please contact IECA Education at education@ieca.org

The process of constructing roads and buildings involves heavy equipment grading the land to provide for its new purpose.  By the time construction is complete, the soil has been severely disturbed so that what remains is often a dense, low-fertility material that can absorb little rainfall and which plants find inhospitable.  This course will describe a variety of methods to reverse this conditions and even turn vegetated areas into stormwater absorption zones.  After the problem is defined, the instructor will review mechanical methods to address compaction and a number of amendments that are commonly used.  Recent studies of tillage and amendment effects on infiltration and grass growth will be reviewed to provide evidence of how successful these remediation approaches can be to reduce runoff from built areas.

Learning Objectives:

1. Terminology used to describe soil and soil condition, understanding what "good" and "bad" values are for soil properties.
2. Knowledge of the range of options for soil treatment and the likelihood of success.
3. Understand the effect of tillage, depth of tillage, and amendments on vegetation growth, soil compaction, and infiltration.
4. Understand the benefits of tillage on infiltration.
5. Understand the major factors in successful soil treatment for infiltration as well as factors we have to investigate further.

Course Level: All

At the completion of this course you will receive 1 Professional Development Hour of credit. For any questions on continuing education credit, please contact IECA Education at education@ieca.org

Today, more than ever, we understand the importance of soil health. Soil health is quickly becoming a topic of international concern.  Internationally, lack of soil health negatively effects the quality of life in many countries due to reduced food production, decreased water quality, and increased soil erosion issues.  The effects of poor soil health can be lessened or eliminated through education, awareness, and ultimately the adoption of Soil Health Best Management Practices (BMP). In this webinar, Rhett K. Kerby, M.S. will offer real world examples of soil health identifiers and discuss how Soil Health BMPs can be implemented to improve soil health and reduce erosion.   

Course Level: All

At the completion of this course you will receive 1 Professional Development Hour of credit. For any questions on continuing education credit, please contact IECA Education at education@ieca.org

This course will focus on the use of native plant materials as the primary and long term solution to limiting excessive erosion on large and small scale projects. Participants will be made aware of seed collection techniques and why select seed species may not be available from year-to-year. Participants will learn the major components of effective vegetation planting plan and how to compliment short term erosion control products to fulfill long term vegetation strategies. The Webinar will tie in available planting methods, conservation practices and erosion control materials into successful rehabilitation/restoration outcomes. Multiple case histories will be presented showing the effectiveness of plant materials to minimize the impacts of excessive erosion following disturbances.

Learning Objectives:

1.  Understand and describe the challenges of seed collection and availability.
2.  Ability to develop an effective planting plan.
3.  Describe how to combine common sense conservation practices, short term erosion products and vegetation (seed) into successful reclamation outcomes.

Course Level: All  

Successful restoration of disturbed land requires a comprehensive and holistic approach. Those overseeing rehabilitation efforts should assimilate and stage several considerations into a working relationship that integrates five fundamentals for successful land restoration. Employing the discipline to work through the discovery sequence of the first three fundamentals – to analyse soils and substrates, pick the right plant materials for the site and select the most cost effective erosion and sediment control techniques, will undoubtedly lead a project in the right direction. 

These fundamentals must be followed by the development of clear and comprehensive construction plans and specifications to effectively communicate the project requirements to contractors and installers. Once construction commences, onsite oversight of acceptable installations must be conducted by qualified inspectors knowledgeable of the site conditions. Then, active rehabilitation sites must be regularly inspected and maintained after each significant precipitation or other potentially damaging events. Inspections should be conducted by qualified professionals whose expectations are consistent with the installer as well as the owner and regulatory entity(s). Failure to systematically execute on any of these fundamentals can undermine the best laid plans of any land restoration project. 

Many disturbed sites offer unique and unpredictable challenges for successful land restoration efforts. Published handbooks or manuals can provide general approaches to land reclamation, but rarely can they address the specific needs or conditions of unique sites. Successful restoration most typically comes from carefully controlled onsite trials and iterative installations to assess efficacy of various treatment combinations. Such treatments must then be refined and customized to develop cost effective plans. Exhaustive research on suitable soil amendments, plant materials and erosion control techniques should be planned and budgeted for – as integral steps in the project progression. 

Several selected case studies from around the world are highlighted – demonstrating diverse climates with contrasting environmental and site conditions will be offered to illustrate the discovery (required information gathering) and implementation (execution) of the five fundamentals for successful land restoration. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will receive detailed instruction regarding the science, practice and implementation for five fundamentals integral to successful erosion control and revegetation. 
2. Attendees will learn how to integrate and stage these fundamentals into holistic and comprehensive rehabilitation plans that entail proper planning and execution.
3. Case studies demonstrating successful implementation of the five fundamentals will provide attendees examples and ideas for consideration on their future projects. 

Course Level: All

Last Updated: August 16, 2017

Vegetation is Nature’s best management practice (BMP) for controlling erosion, yet when we discuss BMPs, we are often focused on structural practices that reduce erosion and/or remove sediment.  This webinar will focus on the important role that vegetation plays in stormwater management during and after construction and will present new guidance developed in Colorado that covers many fundamentals of successful revegetation and could be adapted to other regions.  Dr. Earles will discuss the different hydrologic, physical and biological processes that make vegetation an effective BMP.  Students will leave the webinar with a renewed appreciation for vegetation and the key role it plays in effective stormwater management. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the physical, biological and hydrologic processes that vegetation provides that help to manage stormwater runoff.
2. Learn about the methods and steps to be successful with revegetation from soil testing to amendments to understanding the hydrologic setting.
3. Learn about the benefits that urban trees can provide for long-term/post-construction stormwater management as well as limitations.

Course Level: All