Shoreline Stabilization Field Tours - Iron, Oneida, and Price County
2022-11-04
As a follow up to the December 15, 2021 Virtual Training on the Shoreline Stabilization Pamphlet each County received back in Spring 2022, don’t miss the upcoming Tour of Shoreline Projects to showcase some of the practices in the field!
Variety of Stabilizations – rock, tree revetments, tree drops, fish sticks, bags, geogrid lifts, and vegetated rock (see pamphlet for photos of examples)
See the flyer for more information.
Info here.

Leaves Down, Look Up! A Tree Health Workshop
2022-11-04 13:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
Late fall is a great time to inspect your trees for structural health. In this workshop, Wisconsin Forestry Center staff invite you to investigate trees to identify potential hazards and structural health concerns. We will talk about common tree diseases and structural concerns of our urban trees, and how to find reputable help in caring for your trees. In advance of the workshop, we will accept pictures of your trees so we can talk about your specific trees during the workshop. We will also have a walking tour of the trees around campus to show you real-life examples.
Info here.

WI Land+Water Presents: Climate and Conservation Webinar Series
2022-11-08 10:00 - 11:00
WI Land+Water is hosting a series of Climate and Conservation webinars featuring climate experts that will share important climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, tools, and resources to help county conservation staff and board supervisors integrate climate into local programming.
Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) and Water Resource Impacts and Adaptation Strategies

Join DNR Lakes Specialist and WICCI Water Resource’s Co-chair, Dr. Katie Hein to discuss results from the latest state climate report and recommendations for water resources in Wisconsin.
wicci.wisc.edu
Register here.

Salt Wise Stories: City of De Pere
2022-11-09 12:00 - 13:00
Tony Fietzer, Street Superintendent with the City of De Pere, will overview De Pere’s salt reduction strategies, successes, and next steps.
Info here.

Cutting Through Greenwashing—Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC)
2022-11-09 13:00 - 14:00
We know that Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People, and organic certification can create healthy soil, but what if you want to go above and beyond? What does “regenerative” agriculture actually mean, and how is it different from “Regenerative Organic”? Join the Rodale Institute and Regenerative Organic Alliance to discuss the Regenerative Organic Certification program and how farmers across the world are implementing this certification on their farm, and how it will change the way our food is produced for generations to come.
Info here.

More than the sum of their parts? Interactions of invasive species and other environmental change
2022-11-09 15:00 - 16:00
International concern about the consequences of human-induced global environmental changes has prompted a renewed focus on reducing ecological effects of biological invasions, climate change, and nutrient pollution. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relative magnitude of invasion plus another environmental change on native organisms relative to invasion or environmental change effects alone. The good news is that the bad news isn’t quite as bad as we thought, and that tangible local-scale invasive species management is beneficial even with other environmental changes.
Info here.

The Great Midwest Crane Fest
2022-11-10 - 2022-11-12
Witness the marvel of Wisconsin’s largest crane congregation and participate in guided crane-viewing tours, photography seminars, conservation-related lectures and extraordinary events. Explore the beautiful landscapes and rich histories connecting the festival hosts, the International Crane Foundation and Aldo Leopold Foundation.
Info here.

Tree Fruits
2022-11-10 18:00 - 20:00
Learn proper planting, pruning and training techniques for several types of fruit trees. The class covers selection, planting, fertilization, watering, staking and some common insects and diseases. You will receive electronic copies of publications from the UW-Madison Dept. Learning Store.
Info here.

17th Annual Emerging Farmers Conference
2022-11-12 - 2022-11-13
The Emerging Farmers Conference is for new and emerging growers and producers. This conference is for farmers, by farmers, and led by farmers. The goal is to empower emerging farmers with knowledge, resources and connection. For the first time, this conference features field day! Saturday will be a day of learning, networking and story-sharing at Shoreview Community Center. Sunday will be a field day where farmers have the opportunity for hands-on learning. The field day will begin at the U of M St. Paul campus in the morning. You will board a coach bus that will take you around Minneapolis to explore food & agriculture opportunities in an urban setting. Choose from sessions including a commercial kitchen tour at The Good Acre, urban hydroponics freight farm tour at North Market, and a hands-on microgreen demo at the University of Minnesota Greenhouses.
Info here.

Wisconsin DNR Technical Standard 1072 Horizontal Directional Drilling
2022-11-14 11:00 - 12:00
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources published a new technical standard that provides criteria for projects employing horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The standard includes procedures and practices to protect water quality by reducing sediment discharge from work areas, reducing potential for runoff to carry construction materials into waters of the state, and clarifying expectations for spill prevention and response procedures that are relevant to HDD construction methods. This includes practices to reduce the risk of runoff carrying drilling fluid from inadvertent releases (IRs), also known as a frac-out or inadvertent return, to water resources through prevention and response planning.
WI DNR staff will be leading this training.
Info here.

Is My Water Safe to Drink? - Common Questions about Private Wells
2022-11-15 01:00 - 14:30
Your drinking water well doesn’t have to be a mystery. In this free 90-minute webinar training hosted by The Private Well Class you’ll learn the answers to common questions, such as:
How do I get my well water tested?
What do I need to do to take care of my well?
Is my well susceptible to contamination?
Info here.

WI Land+Water Presents: Climate and Conservation Webinar Series
2022-11-15 10:00 - 11:00
WI Land+Water is hosting a series of Climate and Conservation webinars featuring climate experts that will share important climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, tools, and resources to help county conservation staff and board supervisors integrate climate into local programming.

Implementing Carbon Farming

Join WI Land+Water Climate Resilience Program Manager, Christina Anderson discuss efforts to implement and account for emission reductions on the farm.
Info here.

WGF Annual Meeting
2022-11-15 16:00 - 18:30
Wisconsin’s Green Fire 2022 Annual Meeting will be a celebration of our 5th Anniversary! We will be sharing updates on WGF’s work in the past year, revisit conservation successes across the state, and look forward to future plans in the coming year.
Info here.

Invasive Mussel Collaborative Tools and Accomplishments
2022-11-16 13:00 - 14:00
Research Work Group presented by Ashley Elgin, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The IMC Research Work Group is tasked with coordinating and prioritizing research to maximize and advance dreissenid control outcomes. We recently developed a project inventory to collate information on dreissenid mussel-related projects across organizations and regions. We also worked with managers and researchers to rank dreissenid mussel research priorities, the results of which can help inform future research efforts.
Toxicity Test Work Group presented by Diane Waller, U.S. Geological Survey
The IMC Toxicity Testing Work Group is tasked with developing a framework for dreissenid testing which will provide guidance for researchers on testing and reporting methods and inform managers and regulatory agencies on how toxicity data on molluscicides have been generated. We developed a database of dreissenid toxicity studies, both laboratory and open water studies, that will be accessible on the IMC website. We also drafted a guidance document on “best practices” for toxicity testing based on published standard methods, a literature review, and recommendations from an expert panel.
Coastal Site Priorities Work Group: Tools for Identifying Priority Sites for Experimental Mussel Control in the Great Lakes presented by Jeff Tyson, Great Lakes Fishery Commission
The presentation will cover the process that the Coastal Site Priorities Working Group used to identify appropriate sites to implement experimental invasive mussel control. Additionally, the presentation will cover the tools developed for customizing experimental invasive mussel site priority development based upon agency or researcher specified priorities.
Info here.

WI Land+Water Presents: Climate and Conservation Webinar Series
2022-11-17 10:00 - 11:00
WI Land+Water is hosting a series of Climate and Conservation webinars featuring climate experts that will share important climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, tools, and resources to help county conservation staff and board supervisors integrate climate into local programming.
Introduction to COMET Farm

Join Haley Nagle from Colorado State University’s COMET Farm team to showcase the greenhouse gas emission accounting tool suite and new features included in the latest update.
Info here.

Invasive Plant Management
2022-11-17 18:00 - 20:00
This class will mostly consist of invasive plant ID and management by cultural and chemical means. Invasive plant species are non-native, able to out-compete native species in natural ecosystems such as woodlands, and have no natural enemies. This differentiates them from weeds that primarily invade disturbed areas like gardens and roadsides. We will review the DNR NR40 list of restricted and prohibited invasive species for Wisconsin and explain the categories of regulated plants. (Speaker Lisa Johnson)
Info here.

Life Hacks Over Lunch: A Meet-up Series for Watershed Professionals
2022-11-18 11:30 - 12:30
This free, virtual meet-up series is a peer-learning opportunity for watershed professionals to share ideas and advice for solving real-life challenges of watershed projects.
If you work with farmers and communities on watershed-scale projects to improve water quality and have ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t want to recreate the wheel,” this meet-up series is for you.
In each meet-up, one person kicks things off by presenting a challenge or issue to the group to “hack.” Conversation, collaboration, and commiseration will ensue.
Info here.

Conservation Partnership Training
2022-11-29 - 2022-12-01
Join us to learn about WI Land+Water, DATCP, DNR, NRCS, etc. Presenters will provide information about programs and topics integral to successful conservation programs over the three-day training.
Training resources are posted on our website which provide additional information on the programs included in this training along with other programs.
You are not required to attend the entire morning’s session, and you are welcome to join us whenever you can.
The agenda will be available soon.
Info here.

25th Annual Farmer Cooperatives Conference
2022-11-29 - 2022-11-30
Mark your calendars! The 25th Annual Farmer Cooperatives Conference will be held in person for the first time in three years! We are thrilled to return to the Twin Cities, November 29-30, 2022. The Farmer Cooperatives Conference will highlight the latest strategic thinking on current cooperative issues and trends. Network and learn from your fellow agricultural cooperative peers. This event features content that applies across the agricultural cooperative community, often featuring cooperative leaders sharing their insights and strategies for success. More information will be released as we get closer to the conference dates. Stay tuned for updates!
Info here.

Winter Maintenance for Roads
2022-11-29 08:00 - 12:30
This class will share how to improve and practice winter maintenance for both high and low-speed roadways including best management practices to keep paved areas safe, benefits of using a liquid salt system, guidance on how to determine the right amount of salt to use, and case studies from local applicators. This class is meant for winter maintenance professionals who remove snow, apply road salt or maintain snow removal equipment used on roads.
Info here.

Using STEPL (Spreadsheet Tool to Estimate Pollutant Loads) or PLET (Pollutant Load Estimation Tool) with streambank or gully erosion control projects
2022-12-08 10:00 - 12:00
This training session will show you how to set up and use the USEPA’s STEPL/PLET tools to estimate pollutant load reductions associated with streambank and gully erosion projects. A step by step approach will be provided along with some reference materials. STEPL and PLET employ simple algorithms to calculate: (1) nutrient and sediment loads from different land uses, and (2) the load reductions that would result from the implementation of various best management practices (BMPs). PLET is a Web-based modeling tool. STEPL is a excel spreadsheet based modeling tool. Both were created by the USEPA to help states evaluate pollutant loading and load reductions at a variety of scales.
This training is being presented by Andrew Craig, DNR.
Info here.

Reducing Woody Encroachment to Conserve Rangeland Production in the Great Plains
2022-12-08 12:00 - 13:00
Dr. Dirac Twidwell of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present on the rapid adoption of new strategies to reduce woody encroachment and conserve rangeland production in the Great Plains.
Info here.

Native Plants and Pollinators
2022-12-08 18:00 - 20:00
This session will focus on groups of insect pollinators and how you can attract and support them by growing various native and nativar plants. We will also cover a number of recommended native plants for sun and shade and their growth and maintenance needs. (Speaker Lisa Johnson)
Info here.

Using APLE-Lots (Annual Phosphorus Lots Estimator) to estimate annual phosphorus and sediment loss from Wisconsin cattle lots
2022-12-09 10:00 - 12:00
This training session will review how to use APLE-lots – a modeling tool developed in Wisconsin – to estimate average annual phosphorus and sediment loss from Wisconsin cattle lots. A step by step approach will be provided along with some reference materials. Phosphorus loss from feedlots, barnyards, exercise lots, or over-wintering lots, via surface runoff, is a significant non-point pollution source for two reasons: First, the high concentration of cattle leads to high rates of manure deposition and P accumulation relative to pastures and cropland. Second, cattle holding areas/lots can be partially or completely devoid of vegetation and have compacted soil or an impermeable (e.g., concrete) surface, which can lead to high rates of polluted runoff. The combination of a concentrated P source and transport pathways creates the potential for high rates of P loss from cattle lots and causing pollution of surface waters.
APLE-Lots is intended to be user-friendly and does not require extensive input data to operate. Lot information is entered into a GIS-system where lot boundaries and contributing areas can be drawn over aerial photos and soil maps. APLE-lots only estimates pollutant loads to the edge of the lot; it does not estimate the fraction of pollutants delivered/transported from the lot boundary to surface waters.
This training is being presented by Andrew Craig, DNR.
Info here.

The fascinating fishes of the floodplains of Wisconsin’s largest rivers
2022-12-09 10:30 - 11:30
The Mississippi, Wisconsin, Wolf, and other large rivers in Wisconsin have extensive floodplain wetlands that support a diverse fish fauna. Some species are important gamefish, but most are little-known yet vitally important to a healthy ecosystem. Join John Lyons, Curator of Fishes, UW Zoological Museum, as he reviews these large river wetlands and their fishes and discusses conservation concerns and opportunities.
Info here.

Technology for Farm Operations
2022-12-09 12:00 - 13:30
This Upper Midwest CRAFT virtual workshop explains how Victory Garden Farm uses social media and digital tools to build their brand, attract customers, create a following, create new markets, boost online sales, and streamline business processes.
Info here.

Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Convention
2022-12-12 - 2022-12-14
From grassroots initiatives to innovative conservation practices, the convention provides attendees with new ideas that can be implemented across the state.
Info here.

2022 Badger Crops and Soils Update Meeting: Virtual Sessions
2022-12-12 09:00 - 13:00
The annual UW Agronomy, Pest Management and Soil, Water, and Nutrient Management meetings are moving to a new format this year! The program is offered as either a single day in-person session or a two-part virtual session.
The meetings will present the latest information on agronomic, pest, and nutrient management research coming out of University of Wisconsin with a lens to on-farm application.
Registration info here.

Drinking Water Sampling Procedures & Sampling Plans: Getting it Correct the First Time!
2022-12-12 12:00 - 13:00
This training will focus on sampling procedures and plans. It will discuss tools to help with compliance sampling for several required sampling parameters in the Safe Drinking Water Act (Ex. Bacti, VOC’s, etc…). The training will incorporate sampling tips, chain of custody items and completing sampling forms.
Info here.

Social Media for Farmers Markets and Vendors
2022-12-12 12:00 - 13:00
The Illinois Farmers Market Association is offering a four-part virtual series on social media for farmers market managers and farmers market vendors who have some experience using Instagram, Facebook, and Canva platforms. Expand your knowledge, take advantage of new tools offered through popular social media platforms, and find more efficient and effective ways to reach your targeted audience. The November 14 session focuses on graphics, November 21 on video, December 5 on Facebook, and December 12 on Instagram.
Info here.
