ECIMN CE Seminar "Shifting Boundaries: Wetland Conservation in a Changing Landscape" by Dr. Bloomer
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Continuing Education Seminar "Shifting Boundaries: Wetland Conservation in a Changing Landscape"
Date: June 16, 2025
Time: 7 pm
Location: Champaign Extension Auditorium
801 N Country Fair Dr. Champaign, IL
Zoom: Link provided in your registration confirmation email
Presenter - Dr. Caitlin Bloomer, Teaching Assistant Prof, Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois
Summary:
Why are wetlands so important—and why are they suddenly so vulnerable?
Wetlands are among the most ecologically valuable and threatened ecosystems in the United States. This talk will explore why wetlands matter—from their role in biodiversity, flood control, and water purification to their cultural and economic importance. We will peer into Illinois’ rich wetland history and examine the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have dramatically narrowed protections. We will also discuss how local efforts and public engagement can help fill the gap. Whether you love birding in marshes or just want to understand the headlines, this is your chance to get up to speed on one of the most vital—and threatened—ecosystems around.
Presenter Bio – Dr. Caitlin Bloomer is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
She delivers the online graduate certificate in Wetland Science and Conservation through the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at UIUC. Her research has centered on burrowing crayfish, their responses to wetland management, and how their burrow systems can influence wetland biodiversity.
Should you require accommodations or have questions, please contact Melissa Berg at mkberg3@illinois.edu as early as possible.