FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Greetings and Happy New Year! We all should be looking forward to 2021 for any number of reasons. Of particular note, a vaccine is being administered and with an effective vaccination program we hope to close the door on the COVID pandemic, although the virus may remain an major issue given the way some folks have responded to the crisis and will likely address vaccination. If wetlands and Mother Nature could speak, they and she might say they are hopeful for improvements in the way they will be treated with a new administration Ralph Tiner coming into power in the United WSP Editor States and also by the prospects of more global action to climate change. Unfortunately despite our best efforts, wetlands will remain a target for development around the globe given civilization’s motivation to convert them for economic gain. We’re still a good ways from building a strong and lasting environmental ethic in most modern societies. In our October issue, you got a glimpse of the efforts some groups and individuals are taking to improve public awareness and concern for Latin American wetlands. The Society’s initiative to advance a Universal Declaration of Rights for Wetlands is a major step in addressing concern for wetlands globally (see article in this issue). In this issue, we include the proceedings from our December virtual conference (i.e., abstracts from many presentations) and a note on the 40th Anniversary awards, along with articles dealing with the rights of wetlands and Pennsylvania’s Quakertown Swamp (a SWS Wetland of Distinction), reflections of Indian scientist Dr. Nepal Chandra Nandi, a tribute to Professor Brij Gopal (who just passed away), and a commentary on use of plastics in wetland delineation. Steve Eggers contributed to our Notes from the Field section by providing many beautiful images of wetland plants in the Upper Midwest of the US and accompanying text. I thank all who have contributed to this issue and to our 2020 issues. I also want to recognize and thank Kristin McGuine for her exceptional work with the design and layout of WSP during the past few years. This e-journal provides an opportunity for Society members and others to write about their projects, experiences, and concerns for wetlands. I look forward to receiving material for the rest of our 2021 issues. In the meantime, best wishes to you and yours for 2021. Happy Swamping! n 2 Wetland Science & Practice January 2021
CONTENTS Vol. 38, No. 1 January 2021 ISSN: 1943-6254 2 / From the Editor’s Desk 4 / President’s Message 5 / SWS News 8 / 40th Anniversary Awards 9 / SWS Webinars ARTICLES 10 / Universal RIghts of Wetlands: Further Perspectives on Shifting the Paradigm to Restore the Human-Wetland Relationship through a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands M. S. Fennessy and others 19 / Wetlands of Distinction: Pennsylvania’s Quakertown Swamp R. Messaros 21 / Reflections from Indian Scientist Dr. Nepal Chandra Nandi Interview by P. Sarkar 24 / Applied Wetland Science Has a Plastics Problem K. Harrelson 26 / Notes from from the Field PROCEEDINGS FROM THE 2020 VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OF WETLAND SCIENTISTS Wetland Connections Over 40 Years December 1-3, 2020 33 / PLENARY PRESENTATIONS • A History of Wetland Connections: Reaching In and Reaching Out • Wetlands wise use: Reframing for multiple worldviews • History of wetland science: role of the journal Wetlands and insights from wetland leaders 34 / SYMPOSIA • Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on wetland education: Overcoming challenges and making connections using online and distance learning • Applied Wetland Biogeochemistry: Informing Restoration and Management • Overcoming: Wetland Research in Unprecedented Times
