Conservation Professional Training ProgramConservation Professional Training ProgramLooking to stay up to date on your CEUs? Have producers asking conservation-specific questions you don’t feel confident answering? Looking to host a training and want to avoid conflicts for your audience? You have come to the right place.
Explore our Conservation Calendar for information on conservation-related events and trainings hosted across Wisconsin and beyond.
Events Key
Extension Events
Partner Events
You are invited to attend the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Webinar Series – a five-part webinar series on assessing and enhancing coastal wetland resilience between February 1 and March 2, 2022. The webinars will be held virtually via Zoom. Please register for each session separately by clicking the registration links to secure a spot or […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be holding two virtual public meetings on the recently released proposed rule “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption Relating to Agricultural Water.” The purpose of the public meetings is to discuss the proposed rule, which was issued under the FDA […]
Plants and plant products are the basis for most of the beverages we drink. In “The Botany of Beverages,” Dr. Christopher Tyrrell (Milwaukee Public Museum) will share with us some of the ups and downs of why we wet our whistles with this plant gunk. So come imbibe some knowledge of familiar and not-so-familiar drinks […]
LEARN: how farms can help reduce methane (CH4) in livestock manure systems-- by installing a cover and flare on liquid manure storage systems (and destroying the methane - a potent GHG). Info here.
Learn about one of the top ways forest landowners save taxes—receiving capital gain treatment on timber sales. A landowner may only sell their timber a few times in their life but understanding how to maximize profit and minimize taxes when harvesting takes some thought. Join this presentation for a detailed discussion of how to qualify […]
Join NCAT's Felicia Bell and Mississippi farmer Jody Reyer for this virtual workshop. Jody will share ways he has improved the health of his soil through livestock management. Jody raises Piney Woods Cattle and utilizes rotational grazing to build soil health profitably. Hear from Jody why soil health is so important to his operation, and […]
The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association is involved in purple loosestrife control efforts. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has developed a program to engage citizens in this work, especially through rearing and releasing biological control insects. Conservationists have found this project to be a practical undertaking for communities and the basis for more effective […]
Shifting markets… Changing consumer preferences… Increased input prices… Unpredictable weather… What’s next? Every hurdle encountered offers an opportunity. Join us as we explore challenges and opportunities across the organic grain value chain. Info here.
Each year, NASECA-WI hosts the state’s largest event focused solely on erosion control and stormwater management. NASECA-WI strives to offer topics that enhance attendees professional development including a mix of regulatory topics, best management practices, project reviews, and other industry information. Info here.
Forum topics include updates on the MDA’s hemp licensing requirements, the new inspection requirements for those processing hemp into other products, and opportunities in fiber production. Info here.
Registration for the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil – Healthy Water Group’s 6th Annual Soil Health Expo is open! Please see the attached flyer for more information on the event. We will have Gabe Brown, soil health guru and farmer from North Dakota along with Dr. Rodrigo Werle from UW-Extension discussing how to make […]
Grain crops in the Mid-Atlantic include corn, small grains, sorghum, and soybeans. The correct identification of their growth stages is important when scouting for disease, insect, and fertility issues. There is enough overlap in terminology and growth to quickly become an expert. Info here.
The Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants Annual Workshop is for Producer-Led grant recipients throughout the state to network, brainstorm, share success stories and learn from each other on what works and hasn’t in their watershed projects. This year, we will highlight topics including the financials of soil health systems and examples of conservation partnerships, in addition […]
The conferences will examine potential opportunities for technology to support the organic sector, pitfalls when it comes to access and equity in AgTech, historical and current examples of AgTech exacerbating the pre-existing structures of racism in the food system, and methods for analyzing AgTech’s fit within organic ideals. Info here.
Free training for winter maintenance professionals who remove snow, apply road salt or maintain snow removal equipment used on roads. Learn how using the right amount of salt can save time, budget and our waters. The training will include: best management practices to keep paved areas safe, benefits of using a liquid salt system, guidance […]
One of the major challenges for the 2022 crop season is the higher cost and limited availability of commercial fertilizers. Many producers are looking at new and different ways to feed their crops while managing input costs, including the role of soil biology in managing fertility. To learn more about the practical links between soil […]
Participants will learn about Treaty Rights including the history of the 4 cession treaties in the Great Lakes Region (Treaties of 1836, 1837, 1842 and 1854) from Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission expert Dr. Jonathan Gilbert. The presentation will also focus in on the LCO decision in Wisconsin. This talk will include topics […]
The US Forest Service in partnership with the US Biochar Initiative and the Southern Regional Extension Forestry will be presenting its next monthly Biochar Webinar titled: "Hedging Your Biochar Bet: Pairing Biochar Properties with Soil Deficiencies to Improve Agronomic Outcomes". Info here.
Chris Helzer, Nebraska Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy. Helzer is dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through photography, writing, and presentations. The complex interactions of plants and invertebrates keep prairie communities vibrant and resilient. Their stories are fascinating and will make you fall in love with them. Highlights include the beauty […]
Topics Covered: +No-till & Cover Crop System +Economic Impact +Return on Investment +Planting Green Gabe, along with his wife Shelly, and son Paul, own and operate Brown’s Ranch, a diversified 5,000 acre farm and ranch near Bismarck, North Dakota. The ranch consists of several thousand acres of native perennial rangeland along with perennial pastureland and […]
In a time of climate emergency and a call for more climate action, cities play a leading role. This talk focuses on the role of urban forestry in delivering climate across, both in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Drawing on examples from across the world, examples of urban forestry policy, programs, and actions […]
Fertilizer is essential to crop production, yet studies show much of the fertilizer applied never goes to the intended crop. Nutrients are lost to runoff, erosion, and volatilization, as well as to chemical reactions in the soil that limit plant availability. Soil microbes are effective at unlocking and retaining nutrients in the root zone, resulting […]
A Regional Women in Agriculture conference has been held annually since 2001. It is a combined effort of Extension Services at the University of Maryland, University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Virginia Tech, and Rutgers along with a planning committee consisting of organizations and private industry. Info here.
The first Producer Discovery Workshop: ‘Federal Orders: Their History and Their Future,’ features Dana Coale, the Deputy Administrator of Agricultural Marketing Services – Dairy Program with USDA. In her role, Ms. Coale leads programs impacting the dairy industry to facilitate the efficient marketing of milk and dairy products. She’ll provide a review of the structure […]
Washington State University in partnership with Oregon State University announces “Farming on the Urban Edge”, a series of online Conferences starting throughout winter 2021 through Spring 20-22 that will launch the new Peri-Urban Agriculture Network. The mission of this initiative is for farmers, policy-makers, educators, and food system stakeholders to learn strategies to improve the […]
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Info here.
Iowa has the most altered landscape in the country with 97 percent in private ownership and 85 percent being actively farmed. Here, Fish and Wildlife Stewardship in a Working Landscape is a challenge that we understand. At the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation […]
With climate change looming, farmers and the ag industry are exploring ways to adapt. Wisconsin policymakers and ag leaders are looking to make future farming more sustainable— from using biodigesters for managing animal waste to changing land tilling and animal feeding techniques to handle the effects of bigger rain events and higher temperatures. Info here.
You'll hear speakers share advice and insights on: The World After Covid-19 Succession Planning The Outlook for Ag Lending Team Building Farmer-Lead Field Technology Info here.
Tech Talks is an online training series organized by the Technical Training and Certification Program. Info here.
The IECA Annual Conference and Expo brings together the industry’s most innovative minds in the erosion and sediment control and storm water industry. Attend this one-of-a-kind conference to connect with thousands of colleagues from over 25 countries, engage in cutting-edge educational sessions while earning professional development hours and access one of the largest expo halls […]
Join other scientists and professionals of the wetland and water community of Wisconsin and the upper Midwest to: Share your wetland research, restoration, management, or outreach program; Learn new identification and assessment approaches and techniques; Hear about approaches to incorporating wetlands into watershed & community planning; Discuss the latest in wetland science, planning, and protection issues; Look ahead to the future […]
Prairie strips are taking root as a new agricultural conservation practice across the Midwest. These strips of native perennial vegetation, generally 30 feet or more in width, are placed along the contour within a farm field or at the field edge to retain rainfall and capture soil and nutrient runoff. For farmers and crop advisors […]
This in-person expo is designed to encourage profitable farming by building resiliency, diversifying farming operations, reducing inputs, and increasing farmer’s return on investment. You will learn about best-management practices like integrated pest management, managed grazing, cover crops, and no-till farming—all tools farmers can use to take advantage of what nature has to offer and increase […]
Ray Archuleta: Ray is a renowned soil scientist who has been an inspiration to farmers across America. After 30 years of working with farmers, Ray has retired to his home farm in Missouri to teach and learn about biomimicry. Local farmer panel: A panel of local farmers who are incorporating soil health practices into their […]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forest Ecology Working Group (FEWG) and NCTC, working in collaboration with many FWS programs and partners, have developed a monthly lecture series to address the 50-year decline of 3 billion birds through partnerships, conservation science and forest management. The series tells a compelling story about forest bird population declines, […]
Growing trees can be subject to forces beyond the owners’ control from weather catastrophes to timber theft and more. While forest landowners can’t plan for these unexpected events, they can learn more about the tax implications for casualty loss, non-casualty losses, timber theft, trespassing and more. Join this webinar for insights into best ways to […]
This spring Grassland 2.0 is once again hosting our monthly Digital Dialogue Series! In the fall of 2021 the Digital Dialogues Series focused on what makes a healthy agroecosystem. This spring, we are changing lanes and will be focusing on the levers of change for our agricultural system. Tune in and hear about the policies, […]
EPA will be hosting its next Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) webinar, “Introduction to ECHO: EJSCREEN”. This webinar will focus on how to use the ECHO facility searches to learn about environmental and demographic data from EPA’s EJSCREEN. EPA will demonstrate examples of using ECHO searches and reports to view EJSCREEN data and how […]
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites food security and local food system organizations to attend a virtual strategic planning discussion regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Local Food Purchasing Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). The webinar will include program information, a question and answer session with USDA staff, and an […]
Inspired by Resilience will celebrate the role you play as a steward of prairies and oak savannas. Learn, connect, and be restored by the natural beauty of the land. Join us! Info here.
Whether it’s tracking invasive species imports or making sure boaters “Clean, Drain and Dry,” conservation officers play a key role in Michigan’s Invasive Species Program. Corporal Nick Torsky of the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division’s Great Lakes Enforcement Unit will discuss the unit’s role in the battle against aquatic invasive species. Join Corporal […]
Webinar focused on Discovery Farms programs in multiple states with focus on cover crops and water quality. Info here.
On February 16, 2022 the Discovery Farms® Programs in Wisconsin, Vermont, Arkansas and Minnesota will host a one day webinar titled “Cover crops and water quality.” Join this interactive webinar to learn more from what water quality monitoring across these four states has shown on fields with planted cover crops. This 3 hour webinar will […]
In the first webinar of the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative's 2022 webinar series, Dr. Michael McTavish, a postdoc as the University of Toronto, shares a research update on the use of stem-boring moths as a biocontrol method for invasive Phragmites management. Info here.
An opportunity for farmers to hear from farmers about what's working locally in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Waushara, Winnebago, Waupaca, and Calumet Counties. Soil Health Practices – how to get started, planting methods and residue management (no-till, cover crops, etc), farm economics, manure management, equipment set-up and other considerations, and where to find/who to […]
Tune in to hear an update on carbon farming and its impact on ag retailers. Info here.
Join us as speakers Dianne Brakarsh, Russ Bennett, and John Greenler discuss 350 Madison Arts Collective. 350 Madison climate change activists find that bringing art and live dance into their communications can significantly increase turnout and engagement. This is true with issues ranging from stopping tar-sands oil pipelines, to raising awareness on how the fossil fuel industry is […]
Message frames are often used to communicate about invasive species due to the additional meaning they provide. They appear in calls to action like “join the battle against invasive species,” “unwelcome exotics,” or “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers.” However, little is known about how stakeholders respond to these message frames. This research tested five common message emphasis […]
Presenter: Dr. Lorena M. Rios Mendoza, Natural Sciences Department/Chemistry and Physics Program, University of Wisconsin-Superior Microplastic debris is one of the most cited emergent pollutants in the last decade with a potential hazard to aquatic life because of the known potential to adsorb persistent organic pollutants, and they can be easily confused with natural food. […]
Tread through the standards and learn to better read and speak the language. Join us for an hour with DNR veterans for a deliberate walk-through of NR 151, the history of revisions, and an emphasis on expounding the standards/terminology most commonly asked about. If you do not receive a confirmation email upon submitting your registration, […]
As women farmers, landowners and conservationists, we wear multiple hats and juggle various responsibilities and commitments, including a strong vision of increasing stewardship practices on our land. And we all live in a vulnerable space at one time or another – and for one reason or another. How can we as a community best support […]
Agenda Includes a Variety of Informational Topics on Soil Health Practices and Resources for Farming in the Lower Fox: Lessons learned from planting green Equipment set-up and other considerations for no-till Low disturbance manure injection Successing in interseeding New cover crop species Update on local roller crimper rye to suppress water hemp and white mold study […]
Join fellow farmers and rural residents in Madison to talk with your state legislators about issues impacting your farm and community! Info here.
Your soil health is going to keep you in business. If you take care of your soil, the land will give back to you.” Tina Weldon and her partner Orion are among a growing network of farmers, ranchers, and land managers are taking steps to catch and hold more water in the soil. Join the […]
This free webinar will provide an introduction to groundwater, well construction, water quality, and well care best practices for environmental health professionals and others who serve well owners. Information on how to find local experts and sources of additional free training will be included. We'll also introduce our upcoming online workshops on assessing well vulnerability […]
The beginning of a webinar series designed to assist individuals and Tribes by sharing proven methods which can be used as building blocks for Indigenous agriculture systems, providing a road map to success. These presentations are intended to bolster Native farmers' and ranchers' ability to engage in production agriculture through a better understanding how food […]
Some vegetables should always be planted outside in the ground, directly from seed (like carrots & radishes). But in our climate, other vegetables – like tomatoes, onions and Brussels sprouts – should be planted in pots or trays indoors, before the weather outside has warmed up. With a good in-home set up and some careful […]
Come learn about BMPs associated with manure pipelines and how you can minimize your risk while operating a manure or wastewater pumped system. Get tips from experts on what to look for, how to monitor your system, what maintenance is needed, and potential upgrades to your system that will help prevent losses and spills which, […]
Schumacher Farm Park in Waunakee, Wisconsin is a turn-of-the-century farm that has transitioned into a passive recreation park with heritage gardens and five acres of restored prairie. This talk will discuss a little about the transition process, how the park vision drove garden design and management of the 30-year-old prairie restoration. Info here.
Save the dates for the Midwest Forage Association's Symposium More info.
The annual conference is organized by the Washington Soil Health Initiative, a joint effort of WSDA, Washington State University, and the Washington State Conservation Commission to study soil health in our state and explore ways to improve it. Topics covered at this year’s conference will include: Global soil challenges. How to interpret soil health tests. […]
Prairie strips are taking root as a new agricultural conservation practice across the Midwest. These strips of native perennial vegetation, generally 30 feet or more in width, are placed along the contour within a farm field or at the field edge to retain rainfall and capture soil and nutrient runoff. For farmers and crop advisors […]
Evaluations are a requirement under s. NR 243. 16 for new permittees, facilities that haven’t been approved, or for specific reasons, e.g. age. When evaluation reports are submitted in a clear and readable format and contains sufficient information, the review process goes faster and potentially without the need for another evaluation submittal. This benefits all […]
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and the National Weather Service (NWS) are hosting two webinars on soil moisture data and applications. These webinars are intended to help NWS operational forecasters and other weather & climate service providers better understand soil moisture monitoring and its practical applications. The first webinar will provide an overview […]
In 2018, the University of Vermont received an USDA OREI Grant to Advance Grass-Fed Dairy: A Whole Systems Approach to Enhancing Productivity, Quality, and Farm Viability in the U.S (OREI 2018-51300-28515). One primary objective was to understand the economic and production metrics for grass-fed dairy systems through implementation of a national survey, production and economic […]
Participants will receive an introduction to NEPA and its relationship to the NRCS Environmental Evaluation (EE). You will learn how the NRCS environmental compliance system operates with the following objectives in mind: • Understand the legal foundations for environmental compliance with a focus on NEPA, the “human environment,” and demonstrating a “hard look” at the […]
TAP is the only Native-led organization dedicated to grassland restoration using locally sourced native plant seed. Learn about TAP’s history, dedication to monarch conservation, methods and hear guidance on working more effectively with tribes. Info here.
EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of Water (OW) host this webinar series to communicate the latest information on solutions for challenges facing small drinking water systems. The series allows EPA to communicate directly with states to provide training and foster collaboration and dissemination of information. This, in turn, provides states with […]
Paul Mugge and Tim Youngquist come together to share their passion for integrating conservation practices into their family farms through prairie strips. In this farminar, they will share their experience with prairie strips, which includes discovering how strategic use of prairie strips can help protect the land while benefitting native wildlife. Info here.
Save the date for the WLIA Annual Conference. Founded in 1987, WLIA is a grassroots organization representing a collection of concerned professionals working to develop, maintain, and apply a network of statewide land information systems. We are united by an interest in land records modernization, GIS, and related technologies, and by the need for government […]
There 19 presentations between February 23 and March 3. You need to register for each day separately. If you are unable to attend, recordings of the presentations should be made available at a later time. Info here.
ICC coverage provides payment to help cover the cost of mitigation activities that will reduce the risk of future flood damage to a building. When a building covered by a Standard Flood Insurance Policy suffers a flood loss and is declared to be substantially or repetitively damaged, ICC will pay up to $30,000 to bring […]
Join us for an information session on SER’s Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) program — the only international certification program for ecological restoration practitioners! During this session, you will learn about the various benefits that certification can provide to practitioners at all career stages, as well as the steps you can take to begin your […]
Training will review the new 580 Streambank and Shoreline Protection standard, WI NRCS instruction 210-580, and review streambank and shoreline design procedures. Lead Presenter: Mike Dreischmeier, NRCS SW Area Engineer. 3 PDHs will be provided. If you do not receive a confirmation email when submitting the registration, please contact Penny at Penny@wisconsinlandwater.org Info here.
Among the many questions surrounding per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are their potential effects on aquatic communities. While much of the initial research effort has focused on ecological effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), there is a much wider range of PFAS that can occur in the environment―both as a result of […]
NCAT Gulf States' Felicia Bell will be hosting NCAT Grazing Specialist Justin Morris for this workshop on the benefits of shrubs and trees for livestock production. Often looked upon as a nuisance or unusable to the landowner, shrubs and trees can be a valuable resource for any livestock operation. In this workshop, Justin will discuss […]
Dahlias are versatile plants that fill summer and fall gardens with an abundance of flowers. But the many colors, sizes and shapes available can make it difficult to select the best ones for your garden and bouquets. We’ll discuss some of the easiest varieties to grow and enjoy as cut flowers. Plus, Melinda will cover […]
The MOSES Conference brings together all kinds of farmers and ag professionals to learn the latest organic production methods and build a supportive community of resilient organic and sustainable farms. Whether you’re certified organic, using organic practices on your sustainable farm, or considering the switch to organic, you’ll find the latest information and make the […]
The 2022 Forum will feature a keynote address by the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, a presentation on the 2022 agricultural economy by USDA’s Chief Economist Seth Meyer, a panel of distinguished guest speakers, and 30 breakout sessions organized by agencies across USDA and covering a range of timely issues impacting the sector. More than […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be holding two virtual public meetings on the recently released proposed rule “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption Relating to Agricultural Water.” The purpose of the public meetings is to discuss the proposed rule, which was issued under the FDA […]
Training will review the recently revised 582 Open Channel standard and review natural channel design procedures. Lead Presenter: Steve Becker, NRCS State Conservation Engineer. 3 PDHs will be offered. If you do not receive a confirmation email upon submission, please contact Penny at Penny@wisconsinlandwater.org for registration assistance. Info here.
High tunnel systems allow growers to provide markets with fresh, locally-grown products for a larger part of the year. During this presentation, research results will be shared on the utilization of high tunnels to maximize winter vegetable production. This project evaluated different cultural growing techniques, including planting date, black plastic mulch and row cover, for […]
Chemical dewormers for small ruminants are becoming less effective at a startling rate. Join Kirsten Robertson on her journey to becoming chemical dewormer free with her goats and sheep. In the process of mimicking nature, her farm sprang alive and so did she. Join us! You won’t be sorry. Info here.
Dr. Cari-Ann Hayer, Program Manager of the Aquatic Invasive Species Detection and Monitoring Program for Lake Michigan for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will present “Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a Tool to Detect the Arrival of Invasive Carps in the Lake Michigan Basin”. Info here.
You may have heard a lot about soil health and soil organic matter. What are these two concepts, and how are they connected? Thea will discuss what soil organic matter is, the factors that determine whether the amount of organic matter in soil grows or diminishes, and the co-benefits of soil organic matter with respect […]
Save the date for the MAPMS Conference. The purpose of the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society (MAPMS) is to promote science based technologies for the management of aquatic resources by Providing opportunities for educational advancement Supporting relevant scientific research Facilitating exchange of information Promoting the protection and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems Expanding and developing public […]
J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue (JRAAR) will host a select number of vendors selling captive raised and sustainably harvested freshwater and saltwater fish, plants, and invertebrates. Info here.
Tech Talks is an online training series organized by the Technical Training and Certification Program. Info here.
Come learn from Julie Sullivan from San Juan Ranch and staff from Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming about supporting the self-directed learning of your crew and apprentices. We will explore balancing learning and doing while farming, the experiential learning cycle for adult learners, and how to build respect and investment in your worker […]
2/28/2022 - 4/20/2022 The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin, and the USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub are offering a wildlife habitat-focused version of the Adaptation Planning and Practices online course for land managers and professionals. […]
Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge (Walworth County, WI and McHenry County, IL) was first established by the USFWS in 2012. The Refuge boundary employs a “Cores and Corridors” concept for wildlife preservation with a focus on migratory and grassland birds. Vince Mosca and Paul Bruett will discuss the establishment of this Urban National Wildlife Refuge and […]
Have a training you don’t see listed? Reach out to us and let us know.