AQUATIC INSECT ECOLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS – LEVEL 2
Michael Baker Intl and Penrose Environmental
SEPTEMBER 12-15, 2022
About the Level 2 Workshop
Aquatic insects (Benthic Macroinvertebrates) play key roles in many regulatory water quality programs in North Carolina and the Southeast. These insects have been used by regulatory agencies to assess water pollution and trends in stream health since the mid-70’s. Many metrics have been developed to make the use of these data effective and understandable to non-biologists. Benthic insects are proposed as tools for the determination of stream restoration effectiveness and project prioritization by regulatory agencies. Despite the value of this group of organisms in regulatory programs, very little is generally known about these insects as valuable regulatory tools. This workshop series will introduce participants to the ecology and taxonomy of aquatic insects.
Level 2 Workshop is Geared to Environmental Professionals
- Local, State and Federal Aquatic Ecologists; Interagency Review Teams
- Biologists with Environmental Consulting Firms
- Faculty and Students with Aquatic Emphasis
- Managers with Citizen Science Programs
Venue and Lodging for the Level 2 Workshop
The Level 2 Workshop will take place at the Laurel Community Center in Shelton Laurel, NC (https://www.laurelcommunitycenter.org/). Field trips will be geared to local streams, including the Laurel River which is an Outstanding Resource Water and extremely diverse. Lodging will primarily be in Hot Springs and has many options. It is best to reserve a room early as these tend to fill up fast. For travel and visitor information visit www.hotspringsnc.org.
Workshop Schedule
The Level 2 Workshop is primarily a field and laboratory exercise however, we intend also to have several presentations each day. We will have copies of the Morse taxonomic key available for purchase at the workshop for $40. We also recommend that participants are familiar with the Standard Operating Procedures of the NC Division of Water Resources.
For a detailed workshop schedule, click here: AquaticInsectEcologyLevelII_September2022.pdf
Registration Information
Fees
- NCAEP Member Fee - $740
- General - Non-member Fee - $765
- Book Purchase – Clemson University Public Service Publishing - $40 (optional)
- If you are interested in pursuing SFS Taxonomic Certification, please contact the instructors.
Payment Instructions
Registration and online payment can be made at NCAEP.org. If payment by check is preferred, please let NC Association of Environmental Professionals (NCAEP) know via email ncaep.treasurer@outlook.com and mail the check to NCAEP, PO Box #17512, Raleigh, NC 27619. Workshop participation will be limited to 20 people.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Cancellation requests should be sent to NCAEP for processing. Registrants cancelling their registration two (2) weeks or more prior to the event will receive a refund of the registration fee, less a (3%) administrative fee. Registrants canceling between two (2) and one (1) week(s) prior to the event will receive a refund, less a (5%) administrative fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than seven (7) days prior to the event. Registrants may transfer their registration to another attendee with the same membership status (e.g., regular member, government employee member, non-member) at any time. Only one transfer per registration is permitted. Please send an email to NCAEP requesting a substitution.
Severe Weather Cancellation and Refund Policy
In the event of severe weather, this workshop may be postponed or cancelled at the discretion of the workshop instructors. If the workshop if postponed, you may receive a refund if you are unable to attend the newly scheduled date, time, and location. Please contact NCAEP if you are unable to attend the rescheduled workshop. If the workshop is cancelled, you will receive a full refund. If the workshop is postponed or cancelled, the workshop instructors and staff are not responsible for participants not meeting their PDHs or CEUs requirements with their various professional licensing boards.
What to Bring
We will provide the necessary field gear to collect aquatic insects using the protocols developed by the NC Division of Water Resources. Our instructors can also demonstrate collecting protocols from other State regulatory agencies as needed and/or field identification of most aquatic insects to genus.
- Hip Waders
- Raingear
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Water and snacks
- Magnifiers and cameras
Message Regarding Coronavirus – Updated March 2022
It is difficult to say what the status of the COVID-19 pandemic will be in September 2022. The statement below assumes that the status of the pandemic will remain the same as it stands at the time of writing in March 2022.
It is our top priority to look after the safety of our instructors and workshop participants during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This facility is large enough to accommodate the workshop and allow for adequate social distancing. NCAEP will adhere to and update all participants to all state and local health regulations regarding masking and social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be made available to workshop participants. We ask that if you or any member of your household has exhibited COVID-19 related symptoms or received a positive COVID-19 test within two weeks of the start date of the workshop to please notify us and a refund will be issued. If it is determined by the North Carolina Association of Environmental Professionals or the instructors that the workshop cannot safely proceed, participants will be offered a refund, or their registration will be saved for a later workshop when the pandemic situation has become safer.
