The Conservation Professional Training Program is a program of UW–Madison Division of Extension providing conservation training courses to help you deliver smarter solutions to farmers and rural landowners. From introductory courses for new employees to advanced training for conservation advisors, we provide diverse trainings to ensure you have the skills you need to succeed.
Conservation Calendar
We offer face to face, online and blended training to conservation agencies, private sector consultants and landowners across Wisconsin, the Midwest, and the US. View conservation-related events and trainings offered by us and our partners throughout the state.
Events Key
Extension Events
Partner Events
Calendar of Events
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
S Sun
1 event,
Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference
This year’s conference theme, “Elevating Conservation to New Heights,” embraces the mountainous region of the location while emphasizing the shared vision held by conservationists around the world to scale our […]
2 events,
Harmful Algal Blooms Webinar Series – Removal of Cyanobacterial Blooms
Harmful Algal Blooms Webinar Series – Removal of Cyanobacterial Blooms
This month's Algal Bloom Action Team webinar focuses on the removal of cyanobacterial blooms. Presenters, Dr. Halis Simsek and Dr. Pankaj Bhatt discuss the HABs research being conducted in their […]
4 events,
Follow the Sun Tour
Join the AgriSolar Clearinghouse and Connexus Energy for a multi-site tour of Minnesota agrivoltaic sites. The second stop on our Follow the Sun tour will feature a variety of agrisolar […]
Co-existing with Wolves – History, Biology, and Policy
Come learn about wolf ecology, wolf monitoring, and the latest issues around wolf policy from Wisconsin wolf experts Adrian Wydeven and Peter David at Forest Lodge near Cable. Our topics […]
Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future for Wisconsin
Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future for Wisconsin
America’s farm and ranch lands are rapidly disappearing, threatening our rural communities and agricultural economy, jeopardizing future food security, and increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events. Wisconsin faces a choice: […]
Sustainability 3.0: Innovations for the Innovators Field Day
Sustainability 3.0: Innovations for the Innovators Field Day
Field Day August 4th--Sustainability 3.0: Innovations for the Innovators, joint-hosted by MFAI, the Nature Conservancy, and the Racine County Producer-Led Watershed group. Jim Stute of the watershed group will present […]
3 events,
Wildlife Inventory and Monitoring
This course will give students a sound background in the theory and practice of wildlife inventory and monitoring (I&M), with an emphasis on its application in adaptive management for habitat […]
Restoring wild rice in Green Bay west shore coastal wetlands
Restoring wild rice in Green Bay west shore coastal wetlands
Manoomin (wild rice) is a native annual wetland grass with profound importance for many indigenous tribes in Wisconsin along with fish and wildlife. Conservation professionals are using an adaptive management […]
2 events,
Regenerative Livestock Farming
Regenerative Livestock Farming
Learn how Wanda Farm operates effectively through trust and transparency. Take a tour; talk soil health, marketing, and agritourism. See how they manage their grassfed operations through land, livestock, and […]
0 events,
1 event,
Introduction to Managed Grazing Systems
Introduction to Managed Grazing Systems
This session will discuss basic grazing management principles, benefits of prescribed grazing, and considerations for planning a grazing system. Info here.
3 events,
Field School for Soil Health Educators
Join educators from across the Midwest to build skills for communicating soil health concepts. In the field, we’ll evaluate soil changes after using different tillage and cover crop planting equipment, […]
Exploring the Present and Future of Carbon and Ecosystem Services Markets
Exploring the Present and Future of Carbon and Ecosystem Services Markets
The Sustainable Agronomy Conference will provide Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs), Agri-Sales Professionals, and growers with the opportunity to more fully understand and implement sustainable agronomy in the field. Learn the […]
What Does the Future Hold for Corn and Maize?
What Does the Future Hold for Corn and Maize?
Learn about the influence of corn and maize on public health and society. Hear perspectives on food security, environmental impact, community resilience, and a vision for the future. Info here.
5 events,
Back to Roots – Fungi and Forest Restoration
Back to Roots – Fungi and Forest Restoration
Forest trees rely on symbiotic soil fungi to survive, grow, and tolerate harsh environmental conditions. In this webinar we will discuss the current understanding of how fungi can benefit temperate […]
Direct Liquid Application
Direct Liquid Application
Bill Kern, Jefferson County Highway Department, will join us to discuss the use of salt brine in winter maintenance operations. The focus will be on direct liquid application during all […]
Water Management During Drought
Water Management During Drought
Drought is continuing to intensify across portions of the Midwest this year, and over the past several years severe drought has plagued much of the upper Midwest and northern Plains. […]
Herbicide resistant weeds
Herbicide resistant weeds
Herbicide resistant weeds are a persistent problem for crop production. This session will provide an understanding how resistance develops within a weed population and the mechanisms of how herbicides work […]
4 events,
Our History Meets Our Future – Land Conservation and Climate Resilience in the Coon Valley Watershed
Our History Meets Our Future – Land Conservation and Climate Resilience in the Coon Valley Watershed
Almost 90 years ago Coon Creek was the site of America’s first watershed level soil conservation project. Hundreds of farmers participated in novel practices such as contour stripping, alternate cropping, […]
Field Day: Bratsett Family Farm
Field Day: Bratsett Family Farm
Come experience Brattset Family Farm, a 290 acre grass-based grazing farm, located within the rolling drumlin fields of Southeastern Wisconsin. This multi-generational farm produces 100% grass fed & finished beef. […]
LAKES REU 2022 Community Forum And Research Dissemination
LAKES REU 2022 Community Forum And Research Dissemination
What public policies work best for improving our land and water? How can citizens and communities best use their resources to improve water quality? What is most impactful in terms […]
Conservation Connections: Back to Basics Pasture Walk
Conservation Connections: Back to Basics Pasture Walk
With a goal of supporting farmers to better understand soil health and conservation practices, a Twilight Pasture Walk will be held at Holm Girls Dairy in Elk Mound, WI. This […]
1 event,
Field Day: Together Farms
Field Day: Together Farms
We will meet and do a farm tour, have a chance to hear about Intensive Rotational Grazing and take a Wagon ride around the farm prior to burger night. Learn […]
1 event,
Identifying Raptors in Fall Migration in Wisconsin
Identifying Raptors in Fall Migration in Wisconsin
The goal of this course is to learn to identify and monitor raptors during migration. We will especially focus on learning how to identify raptors in flight; that is how […]
0 events,
1 event,
NAWM’s Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting
We invite you to join us for NAWM’s (formerly ASWM)Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting, to be held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) from August 15-19, 2022. The purpose of […]
3 events,
Climate Adaptation for Forest-Dependent Wildlife Webinar Series
Climate Adaptation for Forest-Dependent Wildlife Webinar Series
This 12-part series tells a story about climate change and its impacts on forest ecosystems and forest dependent wildlife species. We will examine forest ecosystems and their composition and structure […]
Pasture Management, OAD and Fall Seasonal Calving on an All Forage Dairy
Pasture Management, OAD and Fall Seasonal Calving on an All Forage Dairy
Ricky is a DGA Journeygrazier. Together with his wife Thelma they took over Thelma's parents farm. Since then they built a parlor, went to OAD and fully fall seasonal calving. […]
2 events,
Learn all about stockpiling forage to extend your grazing season
Learn all about stockpiling forage to extend your grazing season
Hosted by Connor Laukant at S5737 Rock Elm Rd, Rock Springs. Learn all about stockpiling forage to extend your grazing season at this pasture walk. Info here.
2 events,
Swimming with superbugs: Exploring how antimicrobial resistance moves in our environment
Swimming with superbugs: Exploring how antimicrobial resistance moves in our environment
Understanding the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment (the one-health framework) is essential to address a growing public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, examinations of the […]
2 events,
Restoration Field Day 2022
The Restoration Field Day is a gathering for ecological practitioners, vendors, property owners, naturalists, and students of all ages. This full-day workshop will make ecological management accessible to everyone. Participants […]
Aquatic Invasive Species Snapshot Day – 2022
Aquatic Invasive Species Snapshot Day – 2022
Wisconsin Snapshot Day is a statewide, one-day event connecting volunteers, water lovers, and local groups in a search for aquatic invasive species (AIS). You can help protect Wisconsin’s rivers, lakes, […]
0 events,
1 event,
“Suck the Muck” at Sixmile Creek
“Suck the Muck” at Sixmile Creek
Dane County’s “Suck the Muck” project has received a lot of exciting attention over the past few years for its legacy sediment removal in Dorn Creek and Token Creek. Now […]
3 events,
Vegetable Disease ID & Prevention
Vegetable Disease ID & Prevention
Taking an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach on sustainable and organic farms is all about planning, observation, and timely responses—nowhere is that more true than with plant disease. Join Dr. […]
Climate, Weather, and Monarchs
Climate, Weather, and Monarchs
Weather is a key determinant of monarch numbers, but the story is complicated and interesting. Join us to learn the latest on what we know about monarch population drivers, in […]
Critical Conversations: Learn how to connect
Critical Conversations: Learn how to connect
Have you ever had a tough message to deliver but just didn’t know how to say it? Or, what you said clearly wasn’t what they heard? Making it a meaningful […]
2 events,
Organic Advisor Call Series
Organic Advisor Call Series
The Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS), the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s OGRAIN, and the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) have launched two new opportunities for organic advisors and ag professionals […]
Farm Stress Management and Resiliency
Farm Stress Management and Resiliency
Farm and farm families experience a variety of stressors that lead to disruptions on the farm. Building resilience is necessary to reduce the impact of stressors and strengthen the farm […]
1 event,
Summer Farm Bill Series
Summer Farm Bill Series
Do you care about sustainable agriculture and food security? Do you want to learn more about how the Farm Bill impacts those important issues? If so, the North Carolina Food […]
0 events,
2 events,
Raising Regenerative Tree-Range Poultry
Chickens are versatile and serve as powerhouses in regenerating a farming system. Hop on the bus with other poultry enthusiasts to learn from Reginaldo “Regi” Haslett-Marroquín and Wil Crombie of […]
Farm and Fiber Tour Stop 2
Farm and Fiber Tour Stop 2
Join Three Rivers Fibershed (TRF) and Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) local chapters for a series of on-farm events highlighting local fiber farms, soil-to-soil farming practices, and regional textile systems in […]
1 event,
Field Day: Red Door Family Farm
Field Day: Red Door Family Farm
All women farmers, landowners and conservationists from Marathon, Portage, Shawano and surrounding counties are welcome to attend-- whatever your background, from beginners to experts! Info here.
0 events,
2 events,
2022 International Drainage Symposium
11th International Drainage Symposium August 30-September 2, 2022 Des Moines, Iowa Solutions to agricultural drainage challenges and opportunities will be the focus of the 11th International Drainage Symposium, held August […]
International Drainage Symposium
Solutions to agricultural drainage challenges and opportunities will be the focus of the 11th International Drainage Symposium. Two days of sessions will highlight drainage research, practice design, implementation, and policy. […]
5 events,
Agronomy and Soils Field Day
Pest Management in a Changing Climate Keeping up with disease management in an uncertain climate Earlier migrations and more generations: Insect pests in a changing climate Impact of extreme weather […]
Landowner Liability
Landowner Liability
This webinar will focus on matters of premises liability and timber protection for forest landowners, including matters of trespass, legal sufficiency of boundary and hazard marking, as well as disputes […]
0 events,
0 events,
Field School for Soil Health Educators
Join educators from across the Midwest to build skills for communicating soil health concepts. In the field, we’ll evaluate soil changes after using different tillage and cover crop planting equipment, […]
Direct Liquid Application
Bill Kern, Jefferson County Highway Department, will join us to discuss the use of salt brine in winter maintenance operations. The focus will be on direct liquid application during all […]
Water Management During Drought
Drought is continuing to intensify across portions of the Midwest this year, and over the past several years severe drought has plagued much of the upper Midwest and northern Plains. […]
Herbicide resistant weeds
Herbicide resistant weeds are a persistent problem for crop production. This session will provide an understanding how resistance develops within a weed population and the mechanisms of how herbicides work […]
Our History Meets Our Future – Land Conservation and Climate Resilience in the Coon Valley Watershed
Almost 90 years ago Coon Creek was the site of America’s first watershed level soil conservation project. Hundreds of farmers participated in novel practices such as contour stripping, alternate cropping, […]
Field Day: Bratsett Family Farm
Come experience Brattset Family Farm, a 290 acre grass-based grazing farm, located within the rolling drumlin fields of Southeastern Wisconsin. This multi-generational farm produces 100% grass fed & finished beef. […]
LAKES REU 2022 Community Forum And Research Dissemination
What public policies work best for improving our land and water? How can citizens and communities best use their resources to improve water quality? What is most impactful in terms […]
Conservation Connections: Back to Basics Pasture Walk
With a goal of supporting farmers to better understand soil health and conservation practices, a Twilight Pasture Walk will be held at Holm Girls Dairy in Elk Mound, WI. This […]
Field Day: Together Farms
We will meet and do a farm tour, have a chance to hear about Intensive Rotational Grazing and take a Wagon ride around the farm prior to burger night. Learn […]
Identifying Raptors in Fall Migration in Wisconsin
The goal of this course is to learn to identify and monitor raptors during migration. We will especially focus on learning how to identify raptors in flight; that is how […]
NAWM’s Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting
We invite you to join us for NAWM’s (formerly ASWM)Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting, to be held at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) from August 15-19, 2022. The purpose of […]
Climate Adaptation for Forest-Dependent Wildlife Webinar Series
This 12-part series tells a story about climate change and its impacts on forest ecosystems and forest dependent wildlife species. We will examine forest ecosystems and their composition and structure […]
Conservation News
Northern Soil Compaction Conference
Do you feel like soil compaction is squeezing your yields? Are you wondering what you can do about it? The University of Minnesota Extension is proud to partner with Manitoba Ag and Resource Development and North Dakota State University to bring you the Northern Soil Compaction Conference. This virtual event will be held on June 22nd and 23rd from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CT.
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