Course Overview

This course satisfies the requirements for basic wetland delineation training as specified by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and certification programs in many states and professional associations. Learn the technical guidelines for wetland delineations; field indicators of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology; methods for making jurisdictional determinations; and methods to apply in difficult situations.

Basic Wetland Delineation is a hybrid course: online lectures followed by your choice of a 2-day or 3-day field practicum. Both options meet USACE guidelines and the requirements of many state and professional certification programs. Where it’s offered, we strongly recommend the 3-day option. Past participants consistently asked for more time in the field with instructors, so the third day adds more practice in increasingly complex field situations with a smaller class size than the first two days.

2-Day Field Training: 36 contact hours (20 lecture + 16 field)
3-Day Extended Field Training (recommended): 44 contact hours (20 lecture + 24 field), offered at select locations

The online lectures are divided into two parts. Part 1 (about 12 hours) must be completed before the field practicum. Part 2 can be completed afterward. You can review the lectures as often as you like for one year. Curriculum Overview (PDF)

Successful completion requires the online lectures plus participation in one complete in-person field training (2-day or 3-day). Scroll down for dates, locations, and topics covered. Registration can be completed with payment via credit card, check, or purchase order.

2-Day Field Training  |  More Information (PDF)
Online lectures teach you how wetland delineation works; the field training is where you learn to do it. Day 1 opens with instructor demonstrations: how to collect vegetation, soil, and hydrology data, analyze it on the spot, and recognize evidence of seasonal wetness. Then you’ll practice in small groups at wetland and upland sites, with your instructor working alongside you as you draw conclusions about each indicator. Day 2 moves to new sites, including some with disturbance. Your group collects the data and makes the calls while instructors review your findings, question your sampling choices, and help you settle where the boundary falls. You’ll leave having made the same decisions a working delineator makes on every site.

3-Day Extended Field Training  |  More Information (PDF)
This option includes everything in the 2-day training plus a third day at new field sites, usually with a smaller group and more one-on-one time with your instructor. Day 3 goes deeper on soils: characterizing soil layers, practicing soil texturing, and keying out additional hydric soil indicators. You’ll work through a problem situation, such as a grazed pasture, that commonly trips up new delineators. You’ll also spend more time using hydrology and landscape position to refine the boundary when vegetation alone isn’t enough. Participants and instructors consistently tell us the extra day is worth it. You’ll leave with a clearer grasp of the delineation process, more confidence in your field calls, and data ready for agency review.

Resources:  Field Packing List   

Recommended Plant Identification Courses (Optional)

While not a prerequisite, you will gain so much more in the BWD field session if you have spent some time honing your basic plant ID skills. Our Plants of the Wetland Boundary (PWB) online courses are designed for nonbotonists that want to improve their delineation skills. To help participants strengthen their plant identification skills and be better prepared for the field portion of the Basic Wetland Delineation (BWD) course, a discount is available for those who register for both the Plants of the Wetland Boundary and Basic Wetland Delineation courses in the same year.

To receive $100 off your registration for a regional PWB course when taking a BWD course in the same year, add both to your WTI cart and enter the following coupon code: “BWDPLANT100” upon checkout. You can take all three regions currently available for just $1,150! Learn about individual regional courses by clicking the buttons below, or click here to purchase our 3 region bundle (includes Northeast, North Central, Southeast).  You can also browse all of our plant identification courses here.

Frequently asked Questions

Register for this course by selecting a field training location below. Registration includes online lectures, downloadable course materials, and your selected 2-Day or 3-Day field training. Where offered, the 3-Day Extended option is listed directly below its matching 2-Day session.

These dates and locations are also offered as a 2-Day or 3-Day Refresher Course for those who have had a full, basic wetland delineation course (at least 32 hours) from WTI or another provider. Click here to learn more.

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