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Wetland Regulation: Local to Global Perspective

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Wetland Regulation: Local to Global Perspective

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D.

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Some related experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Contrast federal, state, and local regulatory roles in wetland conservation, focusing on CWA and WOTUS.
Analyze international conservation laws and conventions, including Ramsar, and their link to sustainability.
Evaluate wetland management factors, community participation, and resilience strategies against climate change.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is available as part of

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

This course explores wetland conservation through legal, ecological, and policy perspectives. Learners will examine the regulatory roles of federal, state, and local governments, with a focus on the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Waters of the United States (WOTUS). Global conservation efforts, including the Ramsar Convention, will be analyzed in relation to sustainability objectives. Through case studies, learners will assess factors shaping wetland management, the role of community participation, and adaptation to climate change. The course also evaluates engineering-based and hybrid solutions for enhancing wetland resilience. By the end, learners will develop a critical understanding of wetland conservation challenges and strategies in both U.S. and international contexts.

Module details

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. Following the orientation, you will begin Module 1. This module explores the roles of federal, state, and local U.S. governments in wetland conservation, highlighting their distinct regulatory authorities. It traces the history of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the evolution of the "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) definition. Learners will gain an understanding of how federally regulated wetlands are identified and the legal frameworks guiding their protection.

What's included

12 videos6 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

12 videosTotal 57 minutes

Course Overview2 minutes
Meet your Instructor | Caitlin Bloomer1 minute
Module 1 | Overview2 minutes
Federalism and Separation of Powers10 minutes
Federal, State, and Local Jurisdicitions7 minutes
Interactions of Entities in Environmental Policy7 minutes
Origins and Passage of the Clean Water Act7 minutes
What is WOTUS7 minutes
State Primacy and Flexibility under the CWA5 minutes
Who Defines Wetlands? 4 minutes
Delineating Federally Regulated Wetlands4 minutes
Module 1 | Wrap-up2 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Course Guide5 minutes
Updating Your Profile10 minutes
Course Glossary10 minutes
Separation of Powers and Federalism15 minutes
Special District Governments Manage Natural Resources in Many U.S. Communities10 minutes
Waters of the U.S. | National Association of Counties10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Orientation Quiz10 minutes
Module 1 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes

This module examines the role of international law in advancing environmental conservation efforts. It explores the legal and ecological significance of key conservation conventions, with a particular focus on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Learners will evaluate the successes and challenges of Ramsar in promoting wetland conservation worldwide, emphasizing its impact on biodiversity and sustainable development.

What's included

11 videos3 readings1 assignment

11 videosTotal 64 minutes

Module 2 | Overview2 minutes
Introduction to International Law6 minutes
Landmark Environmental Cases of the ICJ7 minutes
Principles of Environmental Law7 minutes
Key International Conventions13 minutes
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands6 minutes
Impact of the Ramsar Convention5 minutes
Transboundary Wetland Management 6 minutes
Global Trends and Emerging Issues | Climate Change4 minutes
Global Trends and Emerging Issues | Indigenous & Community Rights5 minutes
Module 2 | Wrap-up2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Course Glossary10 minutes
Executive Summary | The Global Wetland Outlook10 minutes
Explore Ramsar Sites10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

This module explores the critical connection between wetland conservation and global sustainability objectives, such as climate resilience and biodiversity preservation. Learners will evaluate the diverse factors influencing wetland management across different ecological, cultural, and socio-economic contexts. Through case studies, the module contrasts the successes of wetland management initiatives, highlighting the role of community participation in achieving sustainable outcomes.

What's included

11 videos3 readings1 assignment

11 videosTotal 68 minutes

Module 3 | Overview1 minute
Wetlands and Sustainable Development Goals12 minutes
Environmental Impact Assessments and Wetland Management6 minutes
Strategic Environmental Assessments and Wetland Management5 minutes
Socioeconomic Context8 minutes
Environmental Justice and Equity8 minutes
Economic Incentives for Wetland Conservation9 minutes
Urban Wetlands: Challenges and Opportunities5 minutes
Murray-Darling Basin, Australia6 minutes
Loktak Lake Wetlands, India5 minutes
Module 3 | Wrap-up2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 35 minutes

Course Glossary10 minutes
Drive to protect world's wetlands gains momentum10 minutes
Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative Policy Brief: National Wetland Policies15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

This module focuses on the need for adaptive strategies in wetland management to address human pressures and the impacts of climate change. Learners will assess engineering-based and hybrid solutions designed to enhance wetland resilience in changing environments. Through case studies from various regions in the United States, the module provides a critical evaluation of innovative approaches to wetland adaptation and their effectiveness.