Land & Ethic Nature Reserve proudly welcomes internationally recognized wetland designer, Tom Biebighauser to conduct this hands-on workshop aimed at demonstrating practical, low-cost techniques to create or restore natural and native wetland habitats.

Participants will learn to select the best locations, test soil texture, choose appropriate construction techniques, work directly with heavy equipment operators, and select and establish native wetland plants. The workshop is intended for biologists, ecologists, engineers, landscape architects, and wetland professionals.

Aside from the wetland design and install process, the workshop will also include several breakout sessions in which experts in the fields of ornithology, freshwater ecology, chiropterology, native habitat restoration, prescribed fire, and soil science will be on hand to lead field trips amongst the reserve’s diverse layout.

More about Tom and Wetland Restoration & Training, LLC can be found at: http://www.wetlandrestorationandtraining.com/

BONUS - Guests who arrive on Wednesday, July 29th are invited to a special presentation of “WETLAND RESTORATION TECHNIQUES”. The presentation will serve as a primer for the work that the participants will be applying during the span of the workshop. The presentation will be held from 7-9 PM in the conference room of the Hampton Inn Corydon. Discounted rates are being offered by Hampton Inn Corydon to accommodate early arrivals.

The workshop will take place on July 30-31st, 2026 at Land & Ethic Nature Reserve located at 7373 E Hogtown Rd Marengo, IN 47140. The reserve is located just 43 miles (roughly 50 minutes) from Louisville International Airport. Please be sure to email Jeff Kennedy at jeff@ouiskarunfarm.com after purchasing your ticket(s) to provide a list of attendees from your organization and to receive the itinerary when it is completed. Please also mention whether or not you will be attending the presentation on July 29th.

Planned Breakout Sessions

Cassie Hauswald - Conservation Program Lead - The Nature Conservancy “Beavers = Biodiversity”

Matt Williams - Bird Program Lead - Sam Shine Foundation “Birds of the Riparian Corridor”

Amanda Hayden - Ecological Restoration Practitioner - Rx Land Care - “Native Habitat Restoration & Prescribed Fire”

Steve Samoray - Senior Wildlife Biologist - Copperhead Environmental Consulting – “Assisting in the Recovery of Threatened & Endangered Species”

SPECIAL BONUS - Thursday, July 30th from 9 PM till Midnight, Steve and the team from Copperhead Environmental Consulting will deploy mist nets amongst the reserve in hopes of documenting native bat species. Participants will get up-close and personal with these highly beneficial mammals that frequent our night sky. To date, Land & Ethic Nature Reserve has documented nine of Indiana’s thirteen bat species by way of acoustic monitoring.

Workshop does not include food or lodging. Land & Ethic Nature Reserve is 17 miles (roughly 25 minutes) from the city of Corydon which features many amenities.

Participants are also responsible for providing their own hard hats and high visibility vests which are required attire.

Discounted lodging is available at the newly renovated, Hampton Inn Corydon located at 2455 Landmark Ave Corydon, IN 47112. The discount is extended two additional days for those that want to arrive early (Wednesday, July 29th) and leave late (Saturday, August 1st).

The link for the discounted rate can be found at: https://group.hamptoninn.com/rm0om8 or you can call (812) 738-6688 and request a room(s) in the block of “Wetlands Workshop”. For your added convenience, a scannable QR code is featured in the photo section on this page.

Planned breakout sessions and speakers are subject to change.