Who Is IECA?
IECA is a nonprofit, member organization that provides education, resource information, and business opportunities for professionals in the erosion and sediment control industry.
What is IECA’s Reach?
Our 2,500 members represent over 30 countries and 22 fields of professional practice. IECA’s diverse membership supplies a unique network of specialists who are capable of solving a broad range of problems caused by soil erosion and its byproduct—sediment.
Why Should YOU Join IECA?
Academic Members of IECA: IECA spoke to member Rebecca Kauten, MPP, CPESC-IT, about the value of IECA membership in her role as senior research associate at the Office of Recreation Resources with the University of Northern Iowa. Here’s what she had to say about why she recommends IECA to her academic peers:
“I often encourage others to become IECA members or renew their memberships. In addition, I encourage these same people to take an active role in their local chapters. The true benefits of membership really take effect when one steps up to serve on a committee, run for an official position, or simply attend one of the chapter or international events. Passive membership probably doesn’t have the same impact. Fortunately I never considered that form of membership an option. Instead, I joined in order to engage with like-minded professionals. And that’s what I’ve done. So far, it’s been a very valuable experience. I learn a lot from my peers—including the fact that I HAVE a lot to learn!”
Consultant Members of IECA: IECA spoke to member Thomas Carpenter, CPESC, about the value of IECA membership in his role at the Carpenter Group. We asked Carpenter what the top benefits for consultants included, and here’s his list:
- Discounts on educational events and products to help you maintain certifications
- Connections to other professionals
- Access to the members-only website with thousands of archived articles
- As a Professional Plus member, the two free webinars per year plus the multiple free Vendor Webinars throughout the year
- IECA member logo for promotional use
- Membership in your local chapter
Engineer Members of IECA: IECA spoke to member Ted Sherrod, P.E., CPESC, CPSWQ, about the value of IECA membership in his role as principal environmental engineer at AECOM. We asked Sherrod what his top member benefit was for his company and professional career. “I often work on projects throughout the US and use the membership directory to connect and collaborate with other erosion and sediment control professionals in that area. Also, the insights that I receive from IECA colleagues are invaluable,” says Sherrod.
Government Members of IECA: IECA spoke to member Charles Riling, Jr., TRETCNO, ABI, CESSWI, about the value of IECA membership in his role as special projects/environmental monitor at WV DOT Division of Highways. We asked Riling what the best membership benefit is that IECA offers to government employees. Here’s what he had to say:
“I originally joined IECA and the Mid-Atlantic chapter as a means to learn as much as possible about erosion and sediment control since West Virginia was starting to embark upon a state NPDES permit program. Since the division of highways is probably the largest land disturbing entity within our state, I had a need to learn as much as possible as quickly as I could. I attend my first MAC Conference in 1997 in Gettysburg, PA, and thought that I had just found a gold mine. The knowledge that I was able to tap into and the networking opportunities and friendships that were starting were priceless. I found out that I wasn’t in this fight alone and had lots of friends from around the region that I could call on. This has and continues to be the most enjoyable organization that I have been a part of from not only a professional standpoint, but a personal standpoint as well. To make a long story longer, I guess the biggest benefit of my membership in IECA as a government employee is the networking—friendship development—and learning from the best from around the globe.”
Manufacturer/Supplier Members of IECA: IECA spoke to member Diane Hitt about the value of IECA membership in her role as president of East Coast Erosion Blankets LLC and Emerald Member of IECA. We asked her how her membership benefits apply to her work. “We are continually advertising in Environmental Connection magazines. We recognize the readers of the magazine look to Environmental Connection for quality articles and current industry events. We find it very beneficial to be included so readers will recognize the company name,” says Hitt.
IECA’s New Learning Management System
In late 2015, IECA introduced the first of many upgrades to its website aimed and enhancing the overall user experience of www.ieca.org. IECA’s previous system pre-assigned usernames and passwords, while its new system allows users to select their own information. “This more secure system will make it easier for members to log into the IECA website and make use of our many resources,” says Scott Johnson, IECA’s IT manager. “Now, privacy and security have been heightened, which will help us move forward to bigger and better things.”
The Transition to New Technology
In early 2016, IECA made a major improvement to its online learning management system (LMS). It is a vital tool, which is now linked directly to IECA’s website and membership login. “This new system has been completely integrated into IECA’s website versus a standalone system meaning users will no longer have a separate login,” says Johnson.
What The Change Means Moving Forward
This has been an 18-month process for IECA and the education staff. Many staff members worked tirelessly on the implementation, design, and testing of the new system.
“After months of hard work I am delighted we are launching our new learning management system,” says Joanna Fetherolf, IECA’s education coordinator. “IECA eLearning will now provide attendees with a user-friendly experience and many additional features, such as a refined search engine, tracking of student transcripts, and access to free member events. IECA is constantly striving to improve our education and this is another step forward.”
“The old LMS was very limited in its scope and capacity,” says Jimmy Eanes, IECA’s education director. “This new system does so many new things to enhance the user experience. Now, our tracking for PDHs and CEUs is far superior. Because our members need this information, this is a critical contribution to their careers and professional development,” concludes Eanes.
Why Is This Change Important?
IECA recognizes that in order to be a relevant platform of providing education, we need to have the tools that will make the learning experience seamless. This change will truly help us be the education cornerstone of the erosion and sediment control and stormwater community.
“We encourage all of our members to try it out. Take a class or two—or three,” concludes Eanes.
10 Minutes With Ty Garmon
Each issue, IECA honors one outstanding member who has shown dedication not only to the organization, but also to the erosion and sediment control industry. We honor these members to show gratitude and support for all their accomplishments. This issue, it is our pleasure to feature a South Central chapter board member, Ty Garmon, LEED AP.
Garmon is the national sales manager for CBI Systems and has been heavily involved with IECA for four years. His go-get-’em, personable attitude makes him a well-liked professional in the industry.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your professional experience?
A: I have been in the industry for the last four years. I was approached by some close friends with Carroll & Blackman Engineering in December of 2011 regarding a separate endeavor they had started in stormwater compliance. CBI Systems was developed to help MS4 operators manage the data they are collecting for their reporting requirements. I started with the company in January of 2012 and have been working with MS4s all over the country implementingwww.MS4web.com, which is our software solution for MS4 data management.
Q: Tell us about your work style.
A: My work style is “If there’s battery left on my phone, I’m working!” Seriously, my style is sales through education and problem solving. I want to make sure our clients understand how our software works and in turn I want to understand what they are doing to stay in compliance so we can create a win/win scenario where what we have to offer properly matches up with not only their compliance needs but how they go about accomplishing those objectives.
New Member-Published Book: Erosion Control and Land Restoration
IECA is proud to announce that another one of its members has a newly published book. Erosion Control and Land Restoration was written by Pablo A. Garcia-Chevesich, Ph.D.
Originally from Chile, Garcia-Chevesich is constantly involved in research/development projects in several parts of the world. With a B.S. degree in Forest Engineering, a Master’s in Watershed Management, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from the University of Arizona, Garcia-Chevesich is a researcher, professor, consultant, and expert witness in the field of watershed management. He has a strong focus on hydrology, erosion/sediment processes and control, land restoration, and climate change mitigation from the natural resources management perspective. Garcia-Chevesich is an IECA Western States chapter board member and the US Ambassador for UNESCO’s International Sediment Initiative.
He originally started writing the book back in 2007, while he was taking care of his ill father in the hospital. “I had the night shift,” says Garcia-Chevesich. His inspiration to write the book spun an experience he had trying to research Spanish literature related to erosion and sediment control. “I realized that there was nothing in Spanish, so I wrote a book in that language. However, later on I noticed that the literature in English was also very sparse, except for some manuals or research books, and there were few books covering the whole area,” he says. Several years later, and “with the support of some IECA members,” he attributes, he was finally able to write his “encyclopedia” of erosion and sediment processes and control.
He admits that although it’s not his first book—he has authored and co-authored 11 books in English and Spanish—”this one is one of the more comprehensive and enlightening.” He intended this book to serve as a handbook, field manual, and a reference guide to write project/grant proposals. It is his hope that this book is used by anyone dealing with natural resources management, alterations in the soil-water-plant relationship, or the application of engineering principles to restore eroded or altered land—”that is, researchers, professors, students, consultants and other professionals,” says Garcia-Chevesich.
Available in English and Spanish, this book is “a great resource for undergraduate, graduate, and short courses focused on soil conservation, erosion/sediment control, and land restoration practices in many countries worldwide,” he says.
By purchasing this book, you are contributing to the SOIL Fund of the International Erosion Control Association, which provides worldwide resources for land restoration projects that benefit poor communities. You can find Erosion Control and Land Restoration on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.
More About the Author
Pablo A. Garcia-Chevesich has a special passion for education and helping others through teaching and training. “Mankind is currently facing three main issues: global warming, overpopulation, and soil erosion and desertification. My area of expertise is on the third one, and the best way to solve the issue is to teach others how to recover degraded land. Worldwide an area equivalent to 36 football fields is lost every minute due to erosion and desertification processes, so I can’t do this on my own,” he says.
Garcia-Chevesich plans to continue to write and publish more. In fact, the generous contributions of the International Sediment Initiative of UNESCO have helped him in leading an international effort to write a book on how various countries are dealing with sediment management. “I invite all IECA members to contribute if they want,” he concludes.
Going on three years, EPA Region 4 and the Southeast Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) Region One are hosting their annual Municipal Wet Weather Stormwater Conference. The two-day conference will be jam-packed with relevant, hot-topic presentations given by the industry’s very brightest! This year’s event will be held at the Holiday Inn Nashville Airport on May 16–18. With up to 14 professional development hours (PDHs) up for grabs, you won’t want to miss it!
Date
May 16–18, 2016
Meeting & Parking Location
Holiday Inn Nashville Airport
220 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37214
Professional Development Hour Value
Up to 14 PDH credits can be earned
Pricing
- Pre-Registration (before April 15, 2016)
Both Days: $225.00, Single Day: $120.00 - Standard Registration (after April 15, 2016)
Both Days: $250.00, Single Day: $140.00
To save big, you must pre-register by May 6, 2016. Onsite registration will be available.
Presentation Topics
- Integrated or watershed-based permitting
- Sustainable development, low-impact development, and green infrastructure
- Total maximum daily loads and watershed implementation plans
- Stormwater funding, program management
- Legal, ordinances, and regulations
- Public education and outreach
- Erosion and sediment control
- Evaluation of stormwater practices and devices
- Inspection methods and technologies
- Stream evaluation, restoration, and monitoring
Call for Presentations
If you’re interested in submitting an abstract, the deadline is March 31. Visit www.ieca.org/ms4call.
To Register
Registration is already open! Visit www.ieca.org/ms4 to register. Prices will increase after April 15.