Screening and Prioritization for Riverscape Restoration

Use GIS and riverscape network models to identify, compare, and prioritize opportunities for conservation and restoration.

Online · November 9–12, 2026 · 1 graduate credit or 1.5 CEUs · Registration open

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Course Overview

Course Number	Format	Dates	Credit	Cost
WATS/CEWA 6629	Live online	November 9–12, 2026	1 Graduate Credit (1.5 CEUs)	Standard Tuition or $330

Who Should Attend

This advanced short course is designed for restoration practitioners, natural-resource professionals, graduate students, and GIS users who want to apply riverscape network models to project planning. Participants should already be comfortable working in GIS. Previous LTPBR coursework is helpful but not required.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Access, interpret, and analyze Riverscapes Network Model outputs using QGIS and the Riverscapes Data Exchange.
Use GIS and database queries to summarize riverscape characteristics and restoration opportunities across large geographic areas.
Develop and apply screening criteria based on factors such as land ownership, flow type, physical setting, and restoration objectives.
Use reach typing and condition metrics to compare riverscapes and assess their potential for conservation or restoration.
Create a prioritized list of potential restoration sites and clearly justify the criteria and evidence used to select them.

Prerequisites

Students are recommended to be proficient in GIS (See: getting started in QGIS for self-paced; see USU's Geospatial Collective for more formal training options).

Instructor of Record

Joe Wheaton, Professor of Riverscapes, Utah State University

Office Hours - By appointment this semester.

Schedule

Class	Time	Days	Location	Dates	Instructor(s)
Online - Google Meet	9:00 am - 12:00 noon; 2:00 to 4:00 pm	Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu	Google Meet	Nov 9-12, 2026	Professor Joe Wheaton , Jordan Gilbert, and Philip Bailey

Registration

Matriculated USU Students: Register via Banner
Continuing Ed/Professional Students: CEWA

Fees

Matriculated Students: pay standard USU tuition. No additional fees.
Continuing Education Students: $330 (includes $45 CEU processing fee).

Course Resources

The course will use:

Main Course Resources Page

The main page for course materials and resources is on the QRiS Website.

QRiS & QGIS

Riverscapes Studio plugin to QGIS will be the software used in this course.

note

We will NOT be using Canvas for this class. All communication outside of class time will be on our Advanced LTPBR Series Community on the Riverscapes Consortium. Assignments will be submitted by sharing your Riverscapes Studio Projects and as posts in our community.

Community Resources

These communities from the Riverscapes Consortium are great places to ask questions, connect with colleagues and share your work.

Advanced CEWA LTPBR Series Community

The community for connecting with others in this class and the advanced series of Advanced LTPBR courses. This is in lieu of Canvas.

Riverscapes Studio Users

Community of QRiS Users. Stay up to date on latest releases, webinars, trainings, ask questions and share your work.

LTPBR of Riverscapes - Practitioner Community

This community is intended to facilitate exchange between practitioners of LTPBR anywhere in the world.

Textbook

LT-PBR Manual

The 2019 Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes Design Manual (Free/Required). Focus on Chapter 3 of the Design Manual.

Pocket Guide

A LTPBR Pocket Guide to take with you into the field (Optional)

Course Grading

Pass / Fail Grading based on completion of project assignment and participation. Simple: do the work - pass.

University Policies

USU policies apply, including:

If you experience barriers or need accommodations, please reach out to the instructor or DRC as early as possible.