Principles of Aquatic Plant Management
Self Paced ELC course
Sponsored by: Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources
Date: Oct 31, 2025 11:45 AM to Dec 01, 2026 11:45 AM
This course is designed to offer all of the CEUs required for renewal of aquatic pesticide applicators.
Module 1: Aquatic Plant Identification (2 hours)
• Learn identifying characteristics of 38 common aquatic plants in Georgia.
• Distinguish vascular plants from algae and distinguish between submerged, emergent, and floating plants.
• Separate plants that are beneficial from plants that are aggressive or invasive.
• Learn the benefits that some plants provide and the problems that some plants cause.
Module 2: Aquatic Plant Management Techniques (1 hour)
• Define physical, chemical, and biological control and discuss pros and cons of each management technique.
• Discuss Grass Carp and the regulations associated with their use in Georgia.
• Discuss chemical use and the special considerations that must be accounted for when using herbicide in an aquatic environment.
Module 3: Aquatic Herbicides (2 hours)
• Learn specific herbicides available for use in aquatic environments and what plants they are likely to control.
• Learn the post-treatment water use restrictions, formulations, and some of the available trade names for different aquatic herbicides.
• Discuss the parts of an herbicide label.
• Learn different methods of applying herbicides to aquatic environments.
• Learn about appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
Module 4: Developing Appropriate Aquatic Plant Management Plans (1 hour)
• Steps for developing management plants.
• Accurate methods for estimating surface area.
• Methods for estimating average pond depth.
• Performing aquatic herbicide application rate calculations and determining the amount of product needed for an application.
Instructor
Wesley Gerrin is a research and outreach professional at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. He has a Master of Science degree from Warnell and 9 years of experience. His primary research interest is spatial modeling and ecology, specifically focusing on the effects of humans and invasive species on aquatic ecosystems.
Continuing Education Credits
Pesticide Applicator CEUs
5 hours Cat 21 Agricultural Plant
6 hours Cat 26 Aquatic
4 hours Cat 10 Private
Instructor(s)
Wesley Gerrin