How to Explain Data Through Visualization and Storytelling
2023-04-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
“Data storytelling is the secret sauce,” said Nicole Callahan, a data analyst with the Education Department’s Federal Student Aid Office. The reason is simple: Data that just sits locked away in a storage container is useless. Data is only powerful when it’s used to tell a story. But figuring out how to turn a dataset into insights isn’t always easy.
Join us online Wednesday, April 5, at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT to learn key strategies, tools and processes you can use to make data storytelling and visualization a reality.
Specifically, you’ll learn:

The basic tools and understanding you need to utilize data visualization and storytelling.
How effective data storytelling can help you make better decisions for your team, organization and mission overall.
The biggest barriers agencies face when creating data strategies.

You’ll hear from:

Rachel Leventhal-Weiner, Director of Evaluation and Impact, State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management

Info here.

Recognizing Common Tomato Problems and Emerging Diseases in Outdoor and Protected Environments
2023-04-05 14:00 - 15:00
North Dakota State University’s free Field to Fork webinar seriescontinues with this session on Recognizing Common Tomato Problems and Emerging Diseases in Outdoor and Protected Environments.
Info here.

AGRABILITY SUMMIT 2023
2023-04-06
Presentation Topics:

Beginning Farmer to Succession Planning
Soil Testing and Soil Health
Stress and Wellness
NEWS Farmer Veteran Breakfast

Info here.

Save Soil Make Money: Explore Your Farm Management Options in Real Time
2023-04-06 10:00 - 12:00
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is offering this free, hands-on workshop in Spring Green, Wisconsin. The MFAI team will guide you through brand-new programs that accurately predict the effects of management changes on your farm.
Info here.

Fidelity in Zero-Deforestation Cattle Supply Chains
2023-04-06 16:00 - 17:00
The Weston Roundtable is made possible by a generous donation from Roy F. Weston, a highly accomplished UW-Madison alumnus. Designed to promote a robust understanding of sustainability science, engineering, and policy, these interactive lectures are co-sponsored by the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Office of Sustainability
Info here.

South West Spring Conservation Gathering
2023-04-07 13:00 - 15:30
All women farmers, landowners and conservationists from the Vernon, Crawford, Grant and surrounding counties are welcome to attend—whatever your background, from beginners to experts!
At this gathering, we will dig into the details on dirt—no, make that soil! What can you learn about soil from the way it feels and smells? What does its texture mean for how you manage it? For this event we’ll have some soil samples to investigate, but also invite you to bring samples of your own if you’d like. Just dig a small amount (think trowel, not spade) and place it in a bag or other container, and make a note of the conditions where you collected it. No judgement here, we just want to geek out a bit together on how truly fascinating soil is!
Info here.

Agroforestry & USDA Webinar Series: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Specialty Crop Multi-State Program
2023-04-07 14:00 - 15:00
The USDA National Agroforestry Center’s 10-part webinar seriescontinues with this session on the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Specialty Crop Multi-State Program. Participants will hear from both USDA program specialists and people who have used the program to support their agroforestry work.
Info here.

FARM TRANSITION MEET N' GREET
2023-04-08 13:30 - 16:30
Please join Renewing the Countryside and the Farmland Access Hub on Saturday, April 8 in Spring Valley, WI to network and learn about farm transition and financing.
• Talk with experienced Farmland Access Navigators about the various kinds of support the Hub can provide.
• Learn about financing options and alternative methods of accessing land.
• Learn more about agricultural conservation easements to protect farmland into the future
• Network with farmers/aspiring farmers and landowners in the western Wisconsin/eastern Minnesota area.
• Tour a local farm that may be interested in transitioning to an emerging farmer.
Following the meet ‘n greet interested participants can take a short drive to the farm for a tour, weather permitting.
For more info or to RSVP please contact:
Bonnie Warndahl at bonnie@rtcinfo.org or 612.462.9311
Info here.

2023 Ecological Restoration Symposium
2023-04-11 09:00 - 11:00
This symposium will guide attendees through the complex process of restoring native plant communities at locations that require removal of above ground structures, underground tanks, utilities, and contaminated soils. Speakers will address engaging stakeholders, planning, permitting, contracting, structure removal, soil remediation, and reestablishing soil health prior to planting.
Info here.

Smallholder Planted Forests and Trees for Climate, Restored Landscapes, and Livelihoods
2023-04-11 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Yale Forest Forum Spring 2023 Speaker Series Webinar entitled “Smallholder planted trees and forests for climate, restored landscapes, and human livelihoods” held on Tuesdays from January 17-April 25th. This webinar series will focus on ways to harness the potential of smallholder planted forests and trees to contribute to the provision of environmental services, including addressing climate change, and livelihoods. In featuring guest lectures from a range of perspectives, disciplines, and geographies the webinar series will explore topics including the key success factors in the establishment and management of planted forests and trees outside forests by smallholders; the most promising models and practices; the management objectives pursued by smallholders; operational risks, financial risks, and vulnerabilities smallholders face; opportunities and business models linked to the transition to carbon-neutral economies and ecosystem restoration; and what can be done by other actors to support smallholders.
Info here.

Managing for RADical lake change: applying the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework to support walleye management in Wisconsin
2023-04-11 13:00 - 14:00
Managers facing transforming lakes can benefit from considering broader objectives beyond a traditional focus on resisting change. They can also consider whether accepting inevitable change or directing it along some desirable pathway is more practical and appropriate under some circumstances (the RAD framework). Here, we’ll introduce the RAD framework and highlight a decision-support tool for the walleye recreational fishery in Wisconsin as an example of how to link the RAD framework to real-world management of a large recreational fishery.
Info here.

Stormwater Workshop
2023-04-12 - 2023-04-13
This two-morning webinar offers stormwater professionals a chance to hear experts from around the state share their experiences in green infrastructure, bioswale renovation, construction erosion control, permeable streets, phosphorus export, chlorides, planting and vegetation, and more.
This training offers PDHs.
Info here.

Badger Crop Connect Spring 2023
2023-04-12 12:30 - 13:30
The UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Ag Institute and the UW-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program will be hosting the fourth annual Badger Crop Connect webinar series for the 2023 growing season. The purpose of this series is to provide agronomists, crop consultants, and farmers with timely crop updates for Wisconsin. These free webinars will be offered, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 12:30 PM, with the spring webinars beginning in April. Registration is required. You must register for each webinar separately. The entire series is split into three sets of webinars: spring, summer, and fall. Find a list of upcoming webinars and more information on the Badger Crop Connect Webpage.

What Environmental Health Professionals Need to Know about Wells
2023-04-12 13:00 - 2023-04-13 14:00
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 (4 hours, also free) on assessing well vulnerability and conducting effective outreach. The webinar will be recorded. NEHA CE credits are available for those who attend live.
Info here.

Conservation Training Clean Lakes 101 – From Waste to Worth: Phosphorus Recovery and Reuse
2023-04-13 08:00 - 09:00
Join us for this in-person or virtual hybrid edition of Clean Lakes 101 to learn about how phosphorus recovered from wastewater not only benefits our local waterways, but can be reused within the food system. Register as an in-person attendee or to receive a Zoom link through your confirmation email and watch virtually.
Info here.

Biofiltration Media – Phosphate release or capture, plant growth, chloride impacts, and more!
2023-04-13 14:00 - 15:00
Biofilters are rain gardens with underdrains that treat stormwater runoff from urban landscapes, especially where infiltration into shallow groundwater is infeasible or a concern. The biofilter media (e.g., sand, compost, peat, biochar), however, can release phosphate or limit plant growth, so stormwater professionals struggle to choose which media to use in biofilters. A four-year outdoor research study evaluated thirteen different mixes of eight different media components to determine benefits and consequences of using common and new innovative media components in biofiltration media. This presentation will share the final performance results including phosphate release or capture, plant growth, filtration rate, impacts from road salt addition on phosphate release, and simple tests and metrics that could be used to determine which components have potential to release phosphate. The final recommendations from this project are intended to guide stormwater practitioners towards better designed biofiltration practices that capture phosphorus and support healthy vegetation.
Info here.

Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference
2023-04-18 - 2023-04-19
The conference features traditional 15 minute presentations and a poster session on the latest in emerging contaminant research, policies, and outreach in the soil, water, and air. In addition, there will be plenty of opportunities for discussion and networking with those interested in all aspects of emerging contaminants in the environment.
Researchers, educators, businesses, government officials, regulatory agencies, policy makers, outreach and extension professionals, environmental groups, members of the general public, and medical, veterinary, and public health professionals are encouraged to submit abstracts and attend the conference.
Info here.

Building Blocks for Sharing Science
2023-04-18 09:00 - 11:00
Building Blocks for Sharing Science are short, fast-paced trainings that focus on developing skills and situations commonly encountered by environmental professionals.
Some of the topics addressed in this learning series are:

Thoughtful selection of inclusive language
Redirecting disruptive behavior in meetings for more positive outcomes
Developing effective data visuals, survey tools, and graphic products
Designing compelling grant proposals
How to estimate and convey the value of ecosystem services

Register and learn more.

On thin ice: Are lakes feeling the heat?
2023-04-18 13:00 - 14:00
Our planet is experiencing accelerated climate warming, with dramatic consequences not only on lake ecology but also on the ecosystem services we rely on from our freshwater resources. Lakes with seasonal ice cover, which represent more than half of the world’s lakes, are especially sensitive to a changing climate, as ice cover is a strong determinant of lake ecosystem functioning. Lakes are losing ice cover at unprecedented rates. On average, ice duration is shorter by 17 days per century. However, in the past 25 years, lake ice loss is 6 times faster, with some lakes not freezing every winter. By the end of the century, over 200,000 lakes may no longer regularly freeze and almost 6,000 lakes may permanently lose ice cover with climate warming. With reduced ice cover, lakes may stratify earlier which can lead to elevated water temperatures, primary production, and the likelihood of algal blooms, some of which may be toxic. Mitigation of greenhouse gases is essential to preserving this ecological, cultural, and economically important resource.
Info here.

Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention
2023-04-19 - 2023-04-21
Welcome to the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention website! Our theme for your 2023 gathering is “Building Trust Around Water Together”.
Trust is an important part of our everyday lives. We usually have trust in our family members, friends, neighbors, health care professionals, teachers, and so many others in our communities. Trust is something that is earned and is also something that can be lost.
During this event, we invite you to build new relationships with individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations. Let’s cultivate trust together so we can better collaborate and cooperate around the lakes, in our watersheds, and across Wisconsin. We also invite you to explore Wisconsin’s unique Public Trust Doctrine, based on our state’s constitutional provision “that navigable waters are held in trust by the state for the benefit of the public.
This convention is part of Wisconsin Water Week, and brought to you by the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership.
Info here.

Ventenata Identification, Impacts, and Management Options
2023-04-19 13:00 - 14:00
Ventenata (Ventenata dubia) is one of the most recent troublesome invasive plant species to affect range, pasture, and wild lands of the Intermountain Pacific Northwest and Northern Great Plains of the U.S. This presentation will cover biology, ecology, and management of ventenata. Grass identification can be difficult, and this presentation will also discuss how to identify ventenata relative to other non-native annual grasses that are problematic on western range and wild lands. In areas where ventenata is just beginning to invade, identification is critical for early detection and rapid response.
Info here.

Common Insect Pests of Vegetable Gardens
2023-04-19 14:00 - 15:00

Field Conservation Planning
2023-04-20 09:00 - 15:00
Become more well-rounded Conservation Planners in the Field. This training will help planners identify resource concerns and identify what conservation practices can be used to solve these concerns and where they should be placed. Soils staff will also be on site to discuss soils and do soils investigations. Site also has WDNR mapped wetlands and navigable water ways identified by DNR in areas with soil erosion problems so staff will discuss handling of those issues and permitting.
Lunch will be provided by WI Land & Water on site. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions in the registration form. Portable Toilet will also be available on site.
Needs: Be prepared to get Dirty (bring boots!!) Also, please bring conservation tools of choice that you would use for planning (laser, GPS, bucket auger, hand level, Abney, and/or clinometer)
See the training flyer for more information about the trainings.
Meet at the Farm Located just South of Elkhorn on the South Side of Mound Road in Walworth County. The map is attached here.
Info here.

Monitoring and Assessment Data Collection and Applications for Tribal Wetland Programs
2023-04-20 14:00 - 15:30
For nearly three decades, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ [CSKT] wetland conservation program has utilized a combination of wetland-focused Tribal Ordinances, innovative partnerships with outside agencies and non-profits, and EPA Wetland Program Development Grants to monitor, preserve, and restore wetlands on the Flathead Reservation. Today, CSKT’s wetlands are threatened by a rapid increase in local development and the effects of climate change. By analyzing years of functional assessment data and aerial imagery to better understand the trends of each watershed, CSKT now seeks to update their Wetland Conservation Plan for the next decade. This presentation will explain the tools used by CSKT and history of the program, with a particular focus on developing their new Wetland Conservation Plan.

The Fond du Lac Reservation began developing its Wetland Program in late 1998, even before the EPA had developed the Core Elements for Wetland Programs. Since then, Fond du Lac has achieved the goal of developing each of the core elements, most recently with the 2020 approval of its Wetland Water Quality Standards. This presentation will cover some key elements to consider in building a Wetland Program from the ground up, including the “four knows” of this development.

Info here.

Strategies to keep your woods healthy and resilient
2023-04-21 09:00 - 10:00
Save the dates! Join University of Minnesota Extension foresters to discuss some of the key issues and questions around forest and woodlands facing Minnesota landowners. These online sessions will be very informal and open to the public and free of charge. Each session will start with a brief presentation, followed by a discussion framed around participant questions on the topic.
Info here.

Karst hydrogeology and wetlands
2023-04-21 14:30 - 15:30
Have you ever heard of “karst”? Hydrogeologist Maureen Muldoon will provide an introduction to the hydrogeology of Wisconsin’s karst landscapes. Geologist Grace Graham will talk about the relationship between karst springs and wetlands. Maureen Muldoon started her career with the Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey (WGNHS) in 1987. In 1998 she moved to UW-Oshkosh for 21 years, where she was a professor of Geology. She has recently returned to the WGNHS, where she conducts research that focuses on applied groundwater questions throughout Wisconsin with a focus on hydrogeology of karst. Grace Graham is a geologist for WGNHS, where she does fieldwork, data management, and geographic information system (GIS) work for a variety of projects and research topics, balancing her between the field and the office.
Info here.

National Monitoring Conference
2023-04-24 - 2023-04-28
This hybrid conference provides opportunities for water stakeholders – federal, state, tribal and local water professionals, nonprofits, academia, water consultants and industry, and volunteer and community scientists – to network, develop new skills and partnerships, and exchange information.
Info here.

Manganese
2023-04-25 13:00 - 14:00
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 information and resources needed to communicate the latest scientific advancements and current guidance to their small systems. It also provides a forum for states to share information with each other.
Info here.

Siting Clean Energy and Spent Nuclear Fuel Facilities: Rural Opportunities and Impacts
2023-04-25 13:00 - 14:30
Processes for siting clean energy technologies and spent nuclear fuel management facilities can impact rural communities – creating new economic opportunities, inspiring cross-sectoral partnerships, altering
regional land and resource use, and reshaping local perceptions of risk. Dr. Vincent lalenti, U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Consent-Based Siting Team, will discuss federal efforts to make people and communities central to siting federal consolidated interim storage facilities. Dr. Sarah Mills, University of Michigan, will discuss the positive and negative impacts of wind and solar energy in rural communities and how to help rural communities proactively plan for renewables. The discussion to follow will explore differences between the various risks and benefits associated with siting different kinds of energy-related facilities.
Info here.

2023 Wisconsin Rural Partners (WPR) Summit
2023-04-26 - 2023-04-27
WRP’s Annual Rural Summit is an event that brings together people who care about the future of rural Wisconsin – and their community.
Info here.
