SYMPOSIUM PRESENTER CO-AUTHORS: Melissa Gibson and Allison Willman, WDNR TITLE: New rapid floristic quality assessment tool ABSTRACT: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has recently completed development of a Level 2 Rapid Floristic Quality Assessment (RFQA) tool. The intent of this new tool is to collect wetland vegetation condition information quickly and consistently throughout the state for various purposes ranging from regulatory permit reviews to conservation planning. This tool was designed to assess the condition of dominant wetland flora for Wisconsin’s commonly-occurring wetland communities. The RFQA should be used by wetland professionals (or those familiar with dominant plants) but does not require the user to be an expert botanist. The audience will hear about the development of the RFQA, the basic methodology of this assessment tool, and an introduction to the field forms. The tool is based off the Level 3 Timed Meander Survey protocol but is simplified in a manner that doesn’t require the user to be an expert botanist. BIO: Sally Jarosz has worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) for 13 years as a wetland ecologist in various roles. Currently, she serves as the WDNR wetland monitoring and assessment coordinator in the Water Quality program.