The Society of Wetland Scientists was formed in 1980 by Richard Macomber, a biologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Board of Rivers and Harbors. From its inception, the SWS has been notable for providing a forum for scientists and managers to meet and work together. That same year, the first SWS annual meeting, that was held in Tampa, Fla.

Today, SWS has over 3,000 members in more than 60 countries. SWS has members in governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia and private consulting. However, Society membership is open to anyone with an interest in wetlands.

The mission of the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) is to promote understanding, conservation, protection, restoration, science-based management, and sustainability of wetlands.