WSSI is proud to announce that ten staff scientists and one regulatory specialist recently received professional certifications from the Society of Wetland Scientist (SWS) Professional Certification Program (PCP) and the North American Benthological Society (NABS) Taxonomic Certification Programme (TCP). Eric Calladine, Amy Connelly, Amy Tobias, and Jean Tufts received Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certifications from the SWS PCP. Beth Clements, Jennifer Feese, Laura Giese, Benjamin Rosner, Jennifer Van Houten, and Carrie Williams received Family-level Taxonomic Certifications (CT) for All Phyla of benthic macroinvertebrates from the TCP. Also, Sean Sipple received a Genus-level Taxonomic Certification (CT) for Other Arthropoda from the TCP.

The SWS is an international scientific organization dedicated to promoting wetland science, education, and management. The SWS produces the top wetland-related journal in the field, Wetlands.

The SWS developed a program for certification of wetland science training and experience, the PCP, which identifies qualified individuals to assess and manage the nation's wetland resources. The PCP received National Accreditation by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards. At the current time, there are no other international or national wetland-specific certification programs. The PWS certification signifies that the academic and work experience of an individual meets the standards expected of a practicing wetland professional. WSSI currently has 13 staff with PWS certifications. Additional information about the PCP, can be found at www.wetlandcert.org.

The NABS is an international scientific organization dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the biotic communities of lake and stream bottoms and their role in aquatic ecosystems. The NABS produces the top aquatic ecosystem journal in the field, The Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

The accurate and precise identification and classification of aquatic fauna provides the foundation for many ecological investigations, including biological assessment and monitoring programs aimed at evaluating the quality of aquatic habitat and the water itself. Thus, high quality taxonomy is crucial to credible ecological studies. Consequently, the NABS developed a certification program for those involved with aquatic invertebrate identification in North America. This program certifies that individuals are qualified to provide accurate and precise aquatic invertebrate identifications. Individuals may be certified either at the Family level or Genus level. WSSI currently has seven staff with Family level certifications and one staff with Genus level certifications. Genus level testing is conducted using microscope identification with actual specimens. The Family level tests are Web based using images and can be taken on line at specified testing centers. WSSI is the TCP test center for Virginia and Sean Sipple is the test supervisor. With seven staff scientists holding Taxonomic Certifications, WSSI is highly qualified to conduct accurate and precise taxonomy for biological stream assessments using benthic macroinvertebrates, which WSSI routinely conducts for stream mitigation monitoring, volunteer stream monitoring, and local government approvals.

For more information, please contact Sean Sipple or Mark Headly.