Workshops and Events
MAWS and MAPSS Fall Workshop
MAWS and MAPSS Fall Natural Resources Field Workshop
Join us for the joint MAWS-MAPSS natural resources and soils field workshop.
Whether you're a seasoned soil and/ or wetland scientist, or a newcomer interested in growing your field skills, this workshop will help to equip you with the tools, knowledge, and field techniques needed for successful work.
Soil test pits throughout the site will showcase a variety of parent materials and drainage classes, wetland determinations in active and former agricultural will help challenge and sharpen your skills as delineator. Additionally, there will be a short field introduction to the New England Functional Wetland Assessment Method (NEWFA).
The event will take place at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm and will feature a variety of field stations focused on soils and complex wetland related determinations.
This workshop will provide hands on experience with:
Identifying hydric soils,
Confidence with wetland determinations, and
An introduction to NEWFA in the field.
Event details and highlights:
When: September 9 2026
Where: University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm 52 US Route 202, Monmouth , ME
Schedule of Events:
8:30 Registration opens
9:00 - 12:30 Workshop - three field stations
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch (bring your own lunch and chair)
1:30 - 3:30 Open discussion of the day’s topics
CEUs will be provided at the conclusion of the workshop.
We're also looking for volunteers to help with field stations—if you’re interested, please reach out to the MAPSS President Rod Kelshaw (rodney@flycatcherllc.com) or MAWS President Dave Brenneman (dave@flycatcherllc.com)!
2026 Fall Field Workshop
Join us for a one day workshop deciphering soils and protected natural resources at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth.
MAWS & MAPSS 2026 Annual Meeting and Winter Conference
MAWS & MAPSS 2026 Annual Meeting and Winter Conference
2026 MAWS & MAPSS Joint Annual Meeting and Winter Conference
Note: Registration ends March 24 at 4pm!
Join us for a day of learning, networking, and collaboration at the MAWS (Maine Association of Wetland Scientists) and MAPSS(Maine Association of Professional Soil Scientists) joint annual meeting. This year’s meeting will take place on Thursday March 26 at the University of Southern Maine (USM) Portland Campus.
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 8am - 4pm
Location: University of Southern Maine – McGoldrick Center for Career and Student Success, 35 Bedford Street, Portland, Maine
Highlights of the Program (more details to come):
Regulatory Updates: from state and federal agencies
Theme:Past, Present, Future – exploring the evolution of natural resource management in Maine
Panel Discussion: Founding members and friends of the organization share insights from the early years of consulting and regulation in Maine.
There will be opportunities for professional networking, vendor exhibits, and poster sessions. Reach out to me if you are interested in being a vendor or submitting a poster.
Winter Twig ID with Dr. Eric Doucette
Join us this February at the Viles Arboretum to sharpen your winter plant identification skills with renowned botanist Dr. Eric Doucette! Shout out to FB Environmental for sponsoring this event!
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time: 8am - 3pm
Location: Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital St. Augusta, ME 04330
Instructor: Dr. Eric Doucette is the State Botanist for the Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP), where he is responsible for rare plant inventories, maintaining and updating the RTE plant list, and general ecological surveys. He holds a PhD in plant systematics from the University of Maine and served as an associate professor of biology at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he taught courses in botany, field botany, and conservation biology.
Program overview:
Arrival and coffee
Winter twig ID lecture
Indoor guided keying of specimens
Lunch
Outdoor field walk to identify twigs in their natural setting. (If severe weather occurs, specimens will be collected and the workshop will be held indoors.)
What to bring:
Warm layers + whatever you need to stay comfortable for a few hours outdoors in February
Something to take notes with
A hand lens
Enthusiasm for winter plant ID
Lunch is pack your own!
Please note: We are unable to offer refunds for cancellations.
