Field trips are optional, pre-registration is required unless space available.
Included with Federal Government registration; all others pay fee.
Field Visits are a signature element of the Environmental Markets Conference, taking place during the first two days—April 27 and 28.
These immersive experiences offer attendees a firsthand look at regional innovations in environmental practices.
Interested in hosting a Field Visit? Reach out to the EMC Team via email.
All times subject to change
Hosted by Mitigation Resources of North America
90-minute drive
Description: The goal of the Battle Ridge Mitigation Bank is to restore, enhance, and preserve self-sustaining, functional streams and wetlands to mitigate for lost functions due to unavoidable off-site impacts. Within the Site, MT proposes to perform Priority 1, Buffer Enhancement, and Preservation on all appropriate stream channels and re-establishment, rehabilitation, and enhancement on various wetlands. Numerous streams and stream segments were identified on the Site that flow only during high flow events due to past logging activities. These streams include channels that were dammed by slash piles and woody debris, impounded by logging roads, and/or impaired by heavy equipment trafficking. Contributing to the watershed impairments are a number of filled or collapsed culverts along the main access road surrounding the Roger’s Creek main stem valley. Therefore, MT will reconnect these channels to the downstream watershed and restore longitudinal connectivity from logging roads. The Resource Improvement Summary table below shows the resources to be improved through the proposed mitigation Project. The total project is approximately 934 acres; with a permanent Conservation Easement on approximately 325 acres of land, which is composed of stream and wetland buffers with a minimum of 75 feet.
Hosted by Corblu Ecology Group and Native Forest Nursery
60-minute drive
Two-stop tour of Native Nursery and Conasaugu Bend Mitigation Bank
Stop 1: Native Nursery Tour
Native Forest Nursery which produces over 6 million bare root seedlings and 500,000 potted plants annually many of which are provided to mitigation and restoration providers annually. Given the many variables that affect the performance of plant material, including factors outside the control of practitioners such as permit and weather delays, the tour will provides examples of methods to reduce these risks and support consistent delivery of high-quality material to project sites. Practitioners will gain a deeper understanding of nursery stock quality, size specification, available stock types, available hardgoods to protect from animals, etc., including a full array of options available in the industry at large and discussing various practitioners’ experiences with different stock types under varying conditions. They will learn what constitutes good plant material with specific emphasis on plant vigor, soil media and other attributes that lead to improved survival and growth of plant material on project sites. For example, the simple addition of biochar and worm castings into our potting media have had marked impacts on the overall health and vigor of our plants and we will discuss the “why” behind these factors and highlight the benefits these materials have to offer for better survival and growth. And finally, we can discuss industry standards for material handling and have discussion over the benefits and pitfalls associated with material storage and handling.
Stop 2: Conasauga Bend Mitigation Bank
The Conasauga Bend Mitigation Bank (CSMB) is a 62-acre riverine wetland bank located adjacent to the Conasauga River in northwest Georgia. The bank, approved in 2020, was one of the first wetland mitigation banks permitted under the Savannah District’s new 2018 SOP. The 2018 SOP included a major shift in vegetation growth and diversity performance standards, which were carefully considered in the project design and implementation. The site was planted with both bareroot and containerized seedlings from Native Forest Nursery and is currently in the sixth year of post-construction monitoring (2026). This site visit will include a tour of the project and discussion of lessons learned from the various site preparation, maintenance, and adaptive management activities that have been employed to achieve performance metrics for vegetation.
Hosted by Barge Design Solutions, C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
Description: An urban wetland enhancement and preservation project located within city limits. The effort reflects a unique and effective partnership, demonstrating meaningful ecological and community benefits.
(All times subject to change and may vary between 7:30 am – Noon)
Hosted by VW and The Conservation Fund
60-minute drive
Buses will depart Convention Center at 7:30 a.m.
Description: In support of its sustainability goals, Volkswagen made a philanthropic contribution to The Conservation Fund for multiple projects in the Chattanooga area. With this support, The Conservation Fund acquired and transferred three parcels totaling 1,500 acres to the Cherokee National Forest.
During this field visit, we will explore Sugarloaf Mountain Park to see firsthand the impact of this investment. Time permitting, we’ll also stop at the Chilhowee Mountain Overlook for a scenic view of the project area and possibly take a short hike to Benton Falls.
Hosted by Naturion
60-minute drive
Description: Stream restoration project, located in Van Buren County, Tennessee. Opportunity to see a newly constructed, in year 1 of monitoring project. The project’s key objectives including providing a floodplain connection by lowering bank height ratios (BHRs) to less than 1.2, thereby promoting more natural floodplain storage and overbank flood flows; 2) Improve bedform diversity by increasing scour pool to pool spacing and depth variability and livestock exclusion; 3) increase native species riparian buffer vegetation density/composition along streambank and floodplain areas that are a minimum 50-foot-wide and 210 stems/acre after the monitoring period; 4) improve aquatic habitat and lateral stability through the addition of in-stream cover and native woody debris; 5) site protection through a 20.03-acre conservation easement that will exclude any future livestock and protect all streams, wetlands, riparian buffers, and aquatic resources in perpetuity; and6) improve water quality by reducing farm-related non-point source pollution and in-stream sediment contribution, primarily through the cessation of intensive agricultural activities, and the stabilization of eroding streak banks.
Hosted by USACE Nashville District
20-to-30-minute drive
Description: Under construction, one-of-a-kind mega project by USACE. The replacement lock project consists of a new 110-foot by 600-foot lock. The replacement project began in 2004, with a total cost approaching $1 Billion and an expected completion date February 2031.
What EMC Provides:
What Hosts Provide:
*Opportunity for sponsors with field trip hosts first-in-line.
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