Awards & Grants
Wetland Leadership and Mitigation Design Awards
The Wetland Professionals Association is sponsoring an awards program. The WPA Awards Committee encourages you to consider potential nominees. Awards will be offered in two categories: leadership and mitigation design.
Leadership Award - for initiative and leadership in the advancement of wetland science and policy in Minnesota.
Rating factors will include the development of new ideas or techniques in wetland science, policy or regulation; success in getting new ideas or techniques recognized, accepted and implemented; and credibility, integrity and professionalism.
WPA Mitigation Design Award - for creativity and quality in the design and construction of created or restored replacement wetlands. Rating factors will include the quality of the analysis supporting the design concept, sensitivity to landscape factors, aesthetics and ecological integrity; quality of plan presentation (narrative, graphics, specifications); and quality of implementation (erosion control, re-vegetation, adherence to plan).
Specific requirements for nomination submittal include a narrative submittal for the leadership award, with citations or explanation of the nominee's contribution to wetland science. Leadership nominations should come from someone other than the nominee. For the design award, submittal requirements will likely include a copy of the plan submitted for approval (with all identifying labels removed, although self-nominations are acceptable), photos of the project documenting its success, and a narrative summary of why this project deserves the award.
While newer projects may be at a disadvantage for not having as much time to develop as older projects, any project can be nominated. Since the review of the nominations will occur outside of the growing season, a site visit by the awards committee should not be relied upon to show the subtle amenities of the nominated project.
Travel Grant Information - The Wetland Professionals Association (WPA) is offering travel awards for wetland science-related presentations at professional conferences. Presentations should focus on research or other efforts that advance the science, management, or policy of wetlands in Minnesota.
The WPA Board of Directors will consider travel awards for poster sessions or oral presentations. These awards will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The annual limit will be $750 to fund one or more professionals or students with a limit of one award per person per year.
The maximum award per person is $375. Travel awards may be used to fund travel, registration, and/or lodging expenses. Awardees must provide receipts for their expenses. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for these awards:
1. Must be a WPA member in good standing for the previous two years which includes the year of the application;
2. Must acknowledge the Wetland Professionals Association in the presentation; and,
3. Must be willing to set-up and break-down the WPA presentation board at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Any additional costs incurred for displaying the WPA promotional materials will be covered in addition to the travel award.
Applicants should submit the following material at least 60 days before the conference:
1. An abstract or description of the presentation;
2. The location and dates of the conference and a contact name, address, and phone number of the sponsoring entity; and,
3. An itemized list for the amount requested.
4. Write a newsletter article or present a summary at a WPA Forum.
Qualifying applicants must submit the required information to the current WPA President. Submissions may be by e-mail, fax, or mail. Applicants can expect a decision from the WPA Board 45 days after the Board receives the application. Decisions of the selection committee are final. The committee reserves the right to withhold the award if suitable candidates are not found or if funds are not available. |
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