## [From Fens to Floodplains: Novel Applications of LLWW Classification in Wetland and Riparian Areas of the Western US](/portal/wetland-knowledge/events/fens-floodplains-novel-applications-llww-classification-wetland-and) Organization [National Association of Wetland Managers](/organization/national-association-wetland-managers) Location Online Webinar Canada Event Date and Time October 20th, 2026 at 3:00pm EST to October 20th, 2026 at 4:30pm EST [Register Here](https://nawm.org/nawm/nawm-category/future-wetland-mapping-consortium-4.html#wmc102026) **From Fens to Floodplains: Novel Applications of LLWW Classification in Wetland and Riparian Areas of the Western US** **Tuesday, October 20, 2026 - 3:00pm-4:30pm ET** **Presenters** - **Jennifer Jones,** Poject Manager, O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West at University of Montana - **Eric Dressing,** Ecologist and GIS Data Manager, Wetland and Riparian Mapping Program of the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West at University of Montana - **Andy Robertson,** Executive Director of GeoSpatial Services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Abstracts *Jennifer Jones - Introduction to LLWW Classification* The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is an effective tool for quantifying the area and type of wetlands on the landscape, using the Cowardin classification system to characterize vegetation structure and hydroperiod. When combined with the LLWW classification, the supplementary hydrogeomorphic information can be used to inform landscape level functional assessment. This presentation provides an introduction to LLWW, including its background, connection to NWI, and applications. *Eric Dressing – Rp LLWW* The LLWW classification combines the NWI classification with hydrogeomorphic descriptors to assign potential functions to wetland mapping, widely known as NWI+. However, existing LLWW keys do not include riparian areas, leaving a gap in our understanding of the broader landscape, which presents a challenge to resource managers attempting large-scale functional analyses. We present our application of the LLWW classification to riparian areas in the Western US, along with potential functions for these systems. *Andy Robertson – Novel Application of LLWW* As wetland mapping technology advances, there is a growing need to align spatial datasets—such as updated National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) and Hydrogeomorphic (HGM / LLWW) classifications—with the unique ecological, cultural, and jurisdictional priorities of Tribal Nations. Tribal wetland management requires tools that go beyond standard regulatory boundaries to evaluate wetland function, protect critical First Foods and cultural resources, and fortify Tribal environmental sovereignty. This presentation introduces a Translational Ecology framework for wetland mapping—an approach rooted in equal partnership, data co-ownership, deep engagement, and clear communication. Drawing from ongoing collaborative projects with Native Nations (including the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, and Quinault Indian Nation), we demonstrate how modern geospatial modeling and HGM functional classifications are co-developed to serve long-term Tribal stewardship. Bios **![Jennifer Jones](https://nawm.org/images/new/jennifer_jones3003.jpg)Jennifer Jones** is a Project Manager with the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West at University of Montana. As a wetland and vegetation ecologist, she oversees wetland and riparian-related projects and data collection activities in coordination with Federal and State partners. Jennifer has over 20 years’ experience working in the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Intermountain West. Her career has included numerous projects related to wetland monitoring and assessment, with a current focus on developing educational resources and training materials for wetland vegetation and hydric soils. ![Eric Dressing](https://nawm.org/images/new/eric_dressing304.png)**Eric Dressing** is an Ecologist and GIS Data Manager with the Wetland and Riparian Mapping Program of the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West at Universtiy of Montana. He provides technical GIS support, ecological knowledge, and data integrity oversight on multiple wetland mapping projects throughout the West, with a focus on Alaska. With an interest in leveraging GIS techniques, Eric aims to improve the accuracy of wetland mapping and deliver value-added ecological data to State, Federal, and Tribal partners. He is experienced in multiple wetland classification systems and develops automation methods for modeling LLWW, NWI++, and Wetland Function data. ![Andy Robertson](https://nawm.org/images/new/andyrobertsonied.jpg)**Andy Robertson** is currently Executive Director of GeoSpatial Services at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In this role, Andy is responsible for oversight and management of all GeoSpatial Services projects, activities and staff. GeoSpatial Services is engaged in a wide variety of projects across the Lower 48 and Alaska including: Catholic Church properties data driven decision support, wetland inventory and functional assessment, national hydrography dataset updates; stakeholder consultation; and natural resource condition assessments. Andy has been a key partner of the USFWS, working for over 20 years to update legacy National Wetland Inventory data across the nation. He earned a Forest Technology Diploma from Sault College of Applied Technology in Ontario, Canada, a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from the University of Waterloo and completed postgraduate work in forest management at the University of Toronto. He is a board member for the National Association of Wetland Managers, steering committee member for the NAWM Wetland Mapping Consortium, Member of the American Rivers Functioning Floodplain Alliance, President-Elect of the Society of Wetland Scientists North Central Chapter and past chair of the Alaska Wetlands Technical Working Group.