This hands-on restoration workshop is for individuals to learn practical, low- cost techniques to design and build wetlands that specifically provide habitat for Midwest amphibians. Attendees will learn how to select appropriate locations, test soil texture, choose the best construction technique, work with equipment operators, and establish native wetland plants.
A contractor will use a large excavator to create a wetland on-site during the wetland workshop. Supplemental instruction in wetland soils, hydrology, wildlife and vegetation, along with an engaging PowerPoint presentation on the principles of wetland construction are included.
Tom Biebighauser, primary instructor, has over 48 years of wetland and stream restoration experience and has built over 3,650 wetlands and streams in 26-States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico. He teaches practical wetland restoration workshops around the world where participants learn about restoration by becoming involved in the design and construction of natural-appearing and functioning wetlands for rare species. He’s written 4 books about wetland restoration techniques and instructs graduate-level courses on the topic at two Universities. Tom has received 44 awards for his contributions to wetland restoration, including the National Wetlands Award for Conservation and Restoration in 2015. You can view videos he has produced showing how to build wetlands here.
Who should attend? Students, biologists, foresters, hydrologists, engineers, landscape architects, and restoration ecologists. No need for wetland experience to attend.
Cost for Students: $175
Cost for Professionals: $400
Register online here
Accommodations: Participants are responsible for their own accommodation and meals. There are hotels near the intersection of McGalliard Ave. and Bethel Ave. near the work site.
Wetland Restoration and Construction - A Technical Guide, book by Thomas R. Biebighauser, will be available for sale (Venmo accepted for payment)
For more information, please contact John Taylor
Please dress to be outdoors! Participants will need:
- Water bottle
- Hard hat
- Safety vest
- Work gloves
- Protective eyewear
- Leather or rubber boots
- Lunch/snacks each day (fast food restaurants available nearby)
- Camp chair (recommended)
2026 Ball State University Wetland Construction Training Agenda
For safety, all personnel attending the training must wear a hard hat and high visibility vest or shirt.
October 24 (Saturday)
7:45am: Meet at the Ball State University Cooper Farm Property: 5800 West Bethel Avenue, Muncie, Indiana, 40.227111° -85.453583°
8:00am: Construction begins on Wetland
• Safety discussion
• Introduction and orientation to the property
• Discussion with heavy equipment operator about building the wetland
• Wire flags are used to mark the perimeter of the wetland to be built.
• Plastic ribbons are used to mark any trees and shrubs to be removed by heavy equipment
• Excavation and analysis of soil texture by layer in a deep test hole dug by the excavator.
• The excavator is used to dig the core trench and basin for the wetland.
The following hands-on activities will take place during construction when there is time:
• Use of dual sided grade rod and laser level to design and build wetlands.
• Soil texture analysis and wetland construction.
• Construction of groundwater dams.
• Control of head-cuts using soil, rock, and wood
• Spillway design and construction.
• Maintenance of natural and constructed wetlands.
• Native plant identification and establishment.
4:00pm: Break for dinner
6:30pm: How to Build a Wetland That Will Last Forever Presentation by Tom Biebighauser. Location at BSU-Biology – maps and directions will be provided
October 25 (Sunday)
8:00am: Meet at the Wetland Construction Site to continue wetland construction
The following hands-on activities will take place during construction, as there is time:
• Seeding and planting the new wetland.
• Placement of large wood debris.
• Controlling invasive plants
• Review of common wetland and aquatic plants and pant material sources
• Rough and loosen technique for controlling erosion and establishing native plants
• Designing wetlands for rare species
• Participants design one or more wetlands that may be built in the future.
Notes: The times listed are estimates. This construction of one or possibly two wetlands may go faster or slower than planned. Tom Biebighauser and other instructors will be onsite providing technical guidance for building the wetlands. They will use a laser level, tripod, and dual sided grade rod to monitor all phases of wetland construction. Plan to attend the training and work, even if there is rain. Work and training will be temporarily suspended for safety if lightning is detected.
Emergency contact numbers:
Tom Biebighauser Cell Phone: 606-356-4569 John Taylor Cell Phone: 765-760-2084