Basic Plant Identification
A page within Wisconsin wetland science workshops
Basic Plant Identification
July 7–9, 2026 | La Crosse, Wisconsin
Prairie Springs Science Center | Room 1008
431 East Avenue N., La Crosse, WI 54601
About the workshop
Join us for a practical and informative three-day workshop focused on the essentials of wetland plant identification. You will gain a solid understanding of taxonomy, plant structure, and the effective use of plant keys for identification through comprehensive classroom lectures. Laboratory work with fresh materials will complement and reinforce classroom learning. This workshop, designed for beginners, provides the opportunity to enhance your skills in a straightforward and engaging environment.
Course topics
Participants are introduced to the process of identifying wetland and aquatic plants using technical keys. Workshop activities include:
- An introduction to plant keys and plant key structure
- Basic plant structure and morphology
- Woody (trees and shrubs) plant identification
- Herbaceous plant identification (with emphasis on rushes, sedges and grasses)
Classroom/lab work will be hosted at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. You will also have the opportunity to travel to field sites in the La Crosse area.
| Registration Type | Fee |
| State & government agencies, non-profit organizations, tribal agencies | $604 |
| Private employers | $788 |
Registration includes
In-person instruction, lunch each day, parking*, and textbooks
*Attendees will be emailed a coupon code to register for campus parking approximately 2 weeks before the event.
Cancellation policy
Substitutions welcome. Full refund less $50 processing fee two weeks prior to the event, no refunds thereafter. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to ex@uwlax.edu.
Privacy policy
Registration implies permission for photos, publicity and inclusion in a participant list, unless Graduate & Extended Learning is notified in writing prior to the program: ex@uwlax.edu.
UWL Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
1.8 CEUs/18 contact hours
Continuing Education Units are a means of recognizing and recording satisfactory participation in non-degree programs. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) awards one CEU for each 10 contact hours in a continuing education experience. Actual contact hours are recorded. CEUs are offered at no additional charge, through UW-La Crosse. UWL CEUs fulfill continuing education requirements for many professionals, agencies and organizations. Professional associations may have specific licensing requirements. Individuals should contact their licensing association before assuming UWL CEUs will fulfill all requirements. Certificates are emailed within two weeks of the conclusion of each program. You may request duplicate CEU certificates in writing to ex@uwlax.edu.
Basic Plant Identification Workshop
La Crosse, Wisconsin
July 7–9, 2026
|
Time |
Session Description |
|
8–8:30 a.m. |
Registration |
|
8:30–8:45 a.m. |
Introduction |
|
8:45–10:15 a.m. |
Plant Structure and Nomenclature |
|
10:15–10:30 a.m. |
Break |
|
10:30 a.m.–Noon |
Introduction to Plant Keys |
|
12–1 p.m. |
Lunch (provided) |
|
1–3 p.m. |
Families of Wetland Trees and Shrubs |
|
3–3:15 p.m. |
Break |
|
3:15–5 p.m. |
Keying Practice (Trees and Shrubs) |
|
Time |
Session Description |
|
8–10:15 a.m. |
Families of Herbaceous Wetland/Aquatic Plants |
|
10:15 a.m. |
Depart for field trip |
|
Noon–1 p.m. |
Lunch (provided) |
|
2:45–3:15 p.m. |
Return to campus from field trip |
|
3:15–5 p.m. |
Keying practice |
|
Time |
Session Description |
|
8–10 a.m. |
Grass, Sedge, and Rush Families (with Keying Practice) |
|
10–10:15 a.m. |
Break |
|
10:15–11:30 a.m. |
Invasive Species (sight ID) |
|
11:30 a.m.–Noon |
Additional Plant ID Resources, Wrap-up, and Training Evaluation |
|
Noon–1 p.m. |
Lunch (provided) – participants free to take lunch for the road or eat in lab |
Notes:
- This workshop will include classroom, hands-on and field components
- Lunch is provided each day
- Bring a water bottle and computer (optional)
Lodging:
A limited block of rooms are available at a special rate for workshop participants.
Courtyard La Crosse Downtown/Mississippi Riverfront
500 Front St. South
La Crosse, WI
- Last Day to Book: June 9, 2026
Please reserve your overnight accommodations early as there are a limited number of special rates available. Once a room block has filled and/or after room block expiration date, reservations received are subject to space availability and at prevailing room rates. - $110/night (plus sales and room tax)
Please refer to the hotel's website or contact them directly for check-in and check-out times, services and amenities, directions, parking/shuttle service and other hotel information.
Steve Eggers
Steve Eggers is a senior ecologist and Professional Wetland Scientist with the Regulatory Branch of the St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has specialized in Clean Water Act jurisdiction, wetland plantcommunities, wetland delineation, compensatory mitigation, and impact assessment of projects in waters/wetlands. Since 1994, he has served as lead instructor for Regulatory IV (wetland delineation) training sessions in Minnesota and Wisconsin for Tribal, Federal, state and local agency staff. Steve is a member of both the National Advisory Team for Wetland Delineation and the National Technical Committee for Wetland Vegetation. He co-authored Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin (1987, 1997, 2011) now in its third edition.
Adam Schneider
Adam Schneider is an Assistant Professor of Biology at UW-La Crosse. A plant taxonomist and evolutionary biologist by training, he has over ten years of experience teaching courses in general plant biology, taxonomy, and identification. He also maintains the UWL herbarium and has an active research program specializing in parasitic plant systematics and phylogenomics.
Location
Prairie Springs Science Center, Room 1008
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
431 East Avenue North
La Crosse, WI 54601
Parking
You will receive a confirmation email with parking information approximately 2 weeks prior to the event. You must register your vehicle using the instructions in your confirmation email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend? updated
This beginner workshop is intended for engineers, planners, scientists, resource managers, local and tribal officials, environmental professionals and others interested in understanding of wetland plant identification.
Last modified: 12/01/2025
How will we get to field sites? updated
Participants will need to travel by car to field sites during the in-person portion of the class. Carpooling is encouraged to the extent possible. Participants will also have to walk a short distance (<0.5 miles) to reach field sites in some cases.
Last modified: 12/01/2025
Accommodations updated
This workshop includes a field trip to practice plant identification, a key skill for environmental professionals. The field trip includes physical challenges, known and inherent risks, as well as unknown/unanticipated risks which could result in serious physical, mental or emotional injury. This includes navigating uneven and difficult terrain, extreme heat and weather conditions, insect bites and stings, poison ivy, and other potentially hazardous conditions. Due to the unique learning objectives of this workshop, accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure essential learning outcomes of this workshop. Participants who have concerns about participating in the field trip are also free to opt out of doing so, and their CEU calculation will be adjusted accordingly.
Last modified: 12/01/2025
Do you offer any other wetland-focused workshops? updated
Yes, we will offer these additional wetland workshops in 2026.
| Date | Workshop |
| March 11, 2026 | Critical Insights for Wetland & Waterway Professionals |
| June 5–July 16, 2026 | Wetland Delineation - La Crosse, WI |
| June 16–18, 2026 | Grasses, Sedges, & Rushes |
| June 19–July 30, 2026 | Wetland Delineation - Siren, WI |
Last modified: 12/01/2025
