Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in partnership with the Ten Towns Great Swamp Watershed Management Committee sponsored a wetland field seminar on October 21, 2006.  Jack Donohue, a local environmental consultant and wetland expert, led the Seminar.  Members of several municipal planning and environmental review boards, watershed professionals, and interested citizens participated in the event.  A preliminary classroom session discussing the basics of wetland ecology was held in the refuge's new visitor center (currently undergoing renovation).  National Wetland Inventory (NWI) and soil survey maps were reviewed in preparation for field exercises.  A nearby refuge marsh served as the field training site.  Mr. Donohue demonstrated the collection and interpretation of soil samples.  The group identified and categorized vegetation by wetland dependence and examined hydrologic patterns.  Mr.  Donohue then synthesized the information to demonstrate wetland delineation techniques.  Participants developed a greater understanding of the value and complexities of wetlands and expressed interest in learning more.  Additional Seminars are being planned to meet the growing need for wetland information.