Conservation Professional Training Program

Strategies for Identifying and Managing Insect Pests
2022-05-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Even though insects can cause damage to our plants, not all of them are bad! Learn how to look for signs of insects, why identification is required to know if an insect is beneficial or a pest, and what you can do about it! We will also talk about different control methods and options.
Info here.

Policy and Advocacy for Food Systems Change: A Conversation with Seasoned Leaders
2022-05-18 11:00 - 12:00
Political advocacy is one of the most effective ways of achieving lasting systems change in our communities and in our food system. With an unprecedented amount of funding coming from the federal government to protect and advance local food systems, and with the Farm Bill up for renewal in 2023, now is the time to get motivated, excited, and ready to act to ensure that Congress continues supporting programs that build more equitable, resilient, and climate-smart food systems in the United States.
Info here.

Invasive Plant Identification Workshop
2022-05-18 10:00 - 14:00
Learn how to:
Identify common and new invasive plants in WI
Report and map invasive plants with EDDMapS
Use resources to plan effective management
Info here.

Growing Strawberries, Raspberries, & Blueberries
2022-05-18 09:00 - 11:00
Learn about planting, fertilizing, pruning and overwintering these three types of fruit crops. Variety recommendations, insect/disease management and some troubleshooting will be included as well. You will receive electronic copies of Learning Store publications as well as learning about other handy online resources. (Speaker Lisa Johnson)
Info here.

2022 County Officials Workshops
2022-05-18, 2022-05-16, 2022-05-12
Join the University of Wisconsin-Extension Local Government Education Program and the Wisconsin Counties Association for our County Officials Workshops (COWS), which will be held in person in 2022.
THIS ONE-DAY WORKSHOP is a unique opportunity for both newly elected county government officials and veterans of the county board to learn from experienced educators about best practices and avoiding the pitfalls of governance.
TOPICS INCLUDE

Roles & Responsibilities
Budgeting
Open Meetings Law
Public Records Law
Ethics & Conflicts of Interest
Running Effective Meetings
Agendas & Minutes

Info here.

Wisconsin Land Trust Conference
2022-05-18 - 2022-05-19
From advocacy in Wisconsin’s changing political geography, preparing for landowner succession, and engaging younger generations, to the Wisconsin model conservation easement, a climate change communication toolkit, and other resources for natural and working land conservation, we will cover a lot of ground!
Info here.

State of Organic Seed
2022-05-17 13:00 - 14:00
Join OSA’s Kiki Hubbard and Jared Zystro, and host eOrganic, for a timely webinar on May 17, 2022. Organic seed represents the first link in the organic supply chain, serving as the foundation of organic integrity from seed to plate. Every five years, OSA releases the State of Organic Seed report as a progress report and action plan for increasing the organic seed supply while fostering seed grower networks and policies that aim to decentralize power and ownership in seed systems. OSA recently published a third update to this report. The 2022 report represents 15 years of data that helps the organic community understand trends in organic seed sourcing, organic seed research investments, and more.
Info here.

Addressing Herbicide Resistance with Alternative Chemistries
2022-05-17 13:00 - 14:00
Scott Baerson, Molecular Biologist at the Natural Products Utilization Research Unit in Oxford, MS
USDA – ARS and the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) are co-hosting 10 webinars on weed science and research.
Info here.

Climate Adaptation for Forest-Dependent Wildlife Webinar Series
2022-05-17 12:00 - 13:00
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 under a changing climate, and the influence on wildlife populations and carbon dynamics. We will also share tools and management approaches to help facilitate forest and wildlife climate adaptation at both landscape and stand scales.
Info here.

Shoreland Zoning to Protect Property, Fish, Water
2022-05-17 12:00 - 13:00
Want to SEE what shoreland zoning standards accomplish? We’ve developed a new graphic to illustrate the benefits to fish, lakes and rivers. We’ll take a photo tour of waterfront properties and discuss how they are likely to impact the lake or river.
Info here.

Soil Health Learning Circles (Bilingual) - What is Soil?, Soil Health Overview
2022-05-16 18:00 - 19:00
Please join us this spring for Soil Health Virtual Learning Circles featuring presenters on soil health and soil conservation topics for your farm. The six one-hour Learning Circles will be done via video conferencing and taught in English and Spanish.
Info here.

Basic Wetland Delineation Training Workshops
2022-05-16 - 2022-05-18
This workshop introduces participants to the basics of wetland delineation fieldwork and the paperwork that needs to be filed. Lectures on vegetation, soils, hydrology and methodology prep participants for field work. Additional lectures on related topics are also included. This course should be taken once and is normally a prerequisite for the Advanced Wetland Delineation Training Workshop. Participants combine classroom instruction with field exercises taught by leading government experts in hydrology, vegetation, soils and wetland policy.
Info here.

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Workshop
2022-05-14
Do you live by a stream or river? Looking for a way to protect streams near you? Become a volunteer stream monitor with the Rock River Coalition! From May to October, our 180+ stream monitors collect data vital to understanding the health of our streams across the Rock River Basin. By the end of this workshop, you’ll know how to measure water quality and be ready to adopt your own stream monitoring site. No experience is needed!
Info here.

Going far by going together: Building a network of food system networks
2022-05-13 11:00 - 12:00
Join us each month for a facilitated cross-sectoral discussion on topics including customer retention and engagement, emergency food, cooperative business models, state policies and consumer behavior.
Info here.

Spring Wildflowers
2022-05-13 08:00 - 17:00
Join Bob Freckmann, Ph.D. on a spring wildflower walk. We’ll enjoy beautiful Powers Bluff County Park, home to some of the most diverse spring wildflowers in central Wisconsin, as we learn to identify spring wildflowers. During a leisurely walk we’ll discuss the unique ecology of the site, the property’s history, and learn to identify spring wildflowers.
This workshop will cover:

General overview of Powers Bluff’s ecology and history
Identification of common woodland, spring wildflowers

Info here.

Clean Boats Clean Waters Workshop
2022-05-12 17:30 - 18:30
Want to help spread the word about invasive species? Clean Boats Clean Waters volunteers visit popular boat launches to teach boaters how to prevent the spread of invasive species by cleaning and draining boats and gear. This virtual training will get you ready to start volunteering at your favorite boat launch, on your own schedule.
Info here.

Getting Your Farming Dreams Funded Pasture Walk
2022-05-12 17:00 - 19:00
Join as we look into programs available for grazing and organic vegetable production.
Info here.

Advanced Grazing for Regenerating Soil and Enhancing Animal Nutrition
2022-05-12 17:00 - 18:00
Advanced Grazing for Regenerating Soil and Enhancing Animal Nutrition focuses on advanced concepts in taking regenerative grazing to the next level.
Info here.

What Bee is That? An Introduction to Commonly Encountered Bees of the US
2022-05-12 12:00 - 13:00
By May, spring will have arrived across the US and with it, many bees will be emerging and seeking out places to forage and nest — and you might be surprised at how many different species can be found in gardens, parks, and other green spaces across our neighborhoods and hometowns. Matthew Shepherd, Director of Outreach & Education, will introduce you to commonly encountered bees, with notes on their diversity and behaviors, how to identify them, and their habitat needs.
Info here.

Wisconsin's Clean Energy Plan: Opportunities for WGF Impact
2022-05-12 12:00 - 13:00
On April 20, 2022, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers released the state’s first clean energy plan, or CEP, putting Wisconsin on the path to 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050. The plan prioritizes the core values of justice, equity, and collective action, and emphasizes four key pathways for creating momentum towards achieving a clean energy economy: accelerate clean energy technology deployment, maximize energy efficiency, modernize buildings and industry, and innovate transportation. Join us on May 12th for a 75-minute webinar with WGF Energy Work Group member Keith Reopelle to learn more about the strategies presented in the plan and how Wisconsin’s Green Fire can best support these strategies through its own work. As Advanced Program and Policy Analyst with the Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy (OSCE), Reopelle was one of the lead authors of the Clean Energy Plan. Bring your questions and ideas for a Q&A session after the main presentation.
Info here.

Clean Boats Clean Waters Training
2022-05-12 10:00 - 12:00
Ever wonder how to become a boat launch aquatic invasive species protector or wonder about DCIST’s aquatic invasive species prevention efforts? Here’s your chance to attend a Clean Boats CleanWater training. This Clean Boats, Clean Waters training is for those who have never participated in a Clean Boats, Clean Waters, watercraft inspection, and for those who would like a reminder and some practice before heading out to the landings this summer.
Info here.

Considerations for Selecting and Purchasing Hay
2022-05-11 16:30 - 17:30
Many livestock owners rely on purchased hay to feed their animals during certain times of the year. When it comes to hay selection and purchase decisions, there are several important factors to consider, including bale type/size, affordability, and hay quality and quantity. This webinar will discuss what to look for, how to determine if hay is appropriate, and how to determine how much hay is needed.
Info here.

Creating Outdoor Spaces: The Infrastructure of Living Schoolyards
2022-05-11 16:00 - 17:00
Introducing Outdoor Learning: a four-part webinar series, with appearances from the US Department of Education and in collaboration with a consortium of leading national organizations, including Big Green, Ecorise, Green Schoolyards America, Out Teach, and FreshFarm Foodprints.
The US Department of Education supports the use of outside facilities to enrich the educational experience and support the mental and physical health of students. Federal ESSER Funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act offer a great opportunity to invest in quality outdoor education infrastructure, training, staff and other resources.
Info here.

Pesticide Use in Organic Fields
2022-05-11 14:00 - 15:00
The IPM Hour is a monthly online seminar covering a variety of IPM-related topics and research.
Info here.

Livestock Production—Is Organic Certification “Worth It”?
2022-05-11 13:00 - 14:00
Sometimes the decision to obtain organic certification can be difficult, especially if you’re already ‘grassfed’ and have a loyal customer base – but in some cases, certification can set your operation apart in the marketplace and provide a myriad of benefits. Join Ryan Siwinski to discuss the basics of organic livestock production and how it may differ from what you’ve heard in the past.
Info here.

Soil Mechanics Level 1
2022-05-11
This training will review basic soil properties and determining soil types according to the Unified Soil Classification System; this course has both in person and virtual components.
For more information contact: Penny Pohle at penny@wisconsinlandwater.org or Drew Zelle at drew.zelle@wisconsin.gov

SRW - All about Arlington
2022-05-10 19:30 - 20:30
Join Todd Taylor, the University of Wisconsin – Madison Sheep Research Program Manager at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station Sheep Unit, and Extension Educators for an in-depth look into sheep research, teaching, and extension activities and events at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station.
Info here.

Invasive Plant Introduction
2022-05-10 18:00 - 20:30
Join us for an informative workshop to learn skills to identify the most common invasive plants and noxious weeds, including those which pose a risk to your health and safety.
Created with input from experts with years of experience working in the field identifying plants, this 2.5 hour webinar will discuss plants that pose the greatest risk to human and animal health, and threaten our ecosystems and biodiversity. It will include a basic introduction to plant anatomy and how to apply these skills to identify invasive plants, as well as noxious weed that you may encounter while you work in the field this spring and summer.
This workshop will be delivered via our interactive virtual learning platform and will include opportunities to chat and network with others in the program.
Info here.
