2025 MAWS & MAPSS Annual Field Workshop

Deciphering Soils, Vegetation, and Protected Natural Resources on Unique Glacial Landforms in the Heart of Maine's Katahdin Region: Utilizing Lidar Analysis and Boots on the Ground to Achieve Greater Accuracy and Efficiency

MAWS (Maine Association of Wetland Scientists) and MAPSS (Maine Association of Professional Soil Scientists) are excited to announce a two-day natural resources field workshop in the Katahdin region this September 3 - 4.

The event will take place at the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) and will feature a variety of field stations focused on glaciated soils and complex wetland related determinations.

Whether you're a seasoned soil and wetland scientist, a botanical enthusiast, or a newcomer ready to start learning in the field with other professionals, this workshop will equip you with the tools and field techniques and familiarize you with the standards of practice and the Federal and State regulatory statutes required for successful work.

Wetland determinations and delineations will emphasize jurisdictional determinations, keying out hydric soils using the Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States -A Guide for Identifying and Delineating Hydric Soils, Version 9.0, 2024 and the Field Indicators for Identifying Hydric Soils in New England, 2018, and utilizing the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Northcentral and Northeast Region, 2012 and the Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual, 1987.

This workshop will provide hands on experience with:

• Identifying Potential Vernal Pools (PVPs)

• Shoreland Zone (SZ) starting point determinations,

• Stream determinations,

• FACU wetland determinations, and

• Determining the Seasonal High-Water Table (SHWT).

Event details and highlights:

When: September 3 & 4, 2025

Where: New England Outdoor Center (NEOC), Millinocket, ME

Schedule of Events:

September 3: Self-guided visits to field stations followed by an evening banquet dinner and presentation by Professor Tom Lowell on the glacial geology, landforms, and parent materials of the Millinocket region.

September 4: Morning buffet breakfast followed by in-depth field visits and group discussions.

Lodging: Attendees are responsible for their own accommodations. Discounted rates at NEOC will be available until early August, and there are plenty of lodging and camping options nearby.
More info and registration details will be shared in late July.

CEUs will be provided at the conclusion of the conference.

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)!

We hope you can join us for this hands-on learning opportunity in one of Maine’s most scenic regions

Special thanks to New England Outdoor Center, Acadian Timber, and C.C. Dorion Geological Services for supporting this event!