Wetland Regulation: Local to Global Perspective

Wetland Regulation: Local to Global Perspective

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Caitlin Bloomer, Ph.D.

Access provided by ExxonMobil

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

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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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.

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 videos Total 57 minutes

Course Overview 2 minutes
Meet your Instructor | Caitlin Bloomer 1 minute
Module 1 | Overview 2 minutes
Federalism and Separation of Powers 10 minutes
Federal, State, and Local Jurisdicitions 7 minutes
Interactions of Entities in Environmental Policy 7 minutes
Origins and Passage of the Clean Water Act 7 minutes
What is WOTUS 7 minutes
State Primacy and Flexibility under the CWA 5 minutes
Who Defines Wetlands? 4 minutes
Delineating Federally Regulated Wetlands 4 minutes
Module 1 | Wrap-up 2 minutes

6 readings Total 60 minutes

Course Guide 5 minutes
Updating Your Profile 10 minutes
Course Glossary 10 minutes
Separation of Powers and Federalism 15 minutes
Special District Governments Manage Natural Resources in Many U.S. Communities 10 minutes
Waters of the U.S. | National Association of Counties 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 40 minutes

Orientation Quiz 10 minutes
Module 1 | Knowledge Check 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates 10 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 videos Total 64 minutes

Module 2 | Overview 2 minutes
Introduction to International Law 6 minutes
Landmark Environmental Cases of the ICJ 7 minutes
Principles of Environmental Law 7 minutes
Key International Conventions 13 minutes
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands 6 minutes
Impact of the Ramsar Convention 5 minutes
Transboundary Wetland Management 6 minutes
Global Trends and Emerging Issues | Climate Change 4 minutes
Global Trends and Emerging Issues | Indigenous & Community Rights 5 minutes
Module 2 | Wrap-up 2 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Course Glossary 10 minutes
Executive Summary | The Global Wetland Outlook 10 minutes
Explore Ramsar Sites 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check 30 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 videos Total 68 minutes

Module 3 | Overview 1 minute
Wetlands and Sustainable Development Goals 12 minutes
Environmental Impact Assessments and Wetland Management 6 minutes
Strategic Environmental Assessments and Wetland Management 5 minutes
Socioeconomic Context 8 minutes
Environmental Justice and Equity 8 minutes
Economic Incentives for Wetland Conservation 9 minutes
Urban Wetlands: Challenges and Opportunities 5 minutes
Murray-Darling Basin, Australia 6 minutes
Loktak Lake Wetlands, India 5 minutes
Module 3 | Wrap-up 2 minutes

3 readings Total 35 minutes

Course Glossary 10 minutes
Drive to protect world's wetlands gains momentum 10 minutes
Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative Policy Brief: National Wetland Policies 15 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check 30 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.