Training News from BWSR

Train Tracks NEW


In this issue:


Announcements

2021 BWSR Academy Going Online! 

 

Given continuing concerns about COVID-19, BWSR Academy will be online this year. BWSR Academy will take place October 26-28 with online sessions offered each morning. There will be no registration fee; however, registration is still required. Currently there are 39 sessions offered within seven tracks. Tracks include Foundational Technical, Applied Technical, Grants, Programs, Outreach, Org Capacity and Miscellaneous. Registration will open around September 23rd. For more information and updates on BWSR Academy, click here. We look forward to connecting with you on WebEx this fall.

 


Two Minute Training

Is your audience listening?

Know Your Audience for Successful Outreach 

 

Randy Pausch said: “The size of your audience doesn’t matter. What’s important is that your audience is listening.” Listening is important to all forms of outreach such as education, information sharing, events, meetings, programs, etc. Always know the audience you intend to reach so they are receptive to hearing what you are offering. Three key steps:

  • Identify your intended audience. Articulating who your audience is provides a foundation for moving forward in effectively designing your outreach.
  • Research your audience. You may think you know your audience because you have interacted with them previously. However, depending on the topic or the focus of the outreach, individual opinions, values, and perspectives can change. Don’t make assumptions. Connect with others who may be able to provide insight into your audience.
  • Tailor your message to your specific audience. Different messaging is necessary for different audiences. Use examples, case studies and stories that relate to your audience’s experiences.

 


Technical Training & Certification Program Updates

Technical Training & Certification Program Logo

Individual Development Plans

 

Uncle Sam Poster with caption We Need You to Complete Your IDP

Each year, around the end of October, trainers and technical staff from the TTCP Partnership meet to review training requests submitted in Individual Development Plans (IDPs). We use these requests to prioritize training delivery and determine locations for in person training. We need your help to get an accurate assessment of technical training needs – please complete your IDP.

 

The deadline to complete 2021 IDPs is October 15.

 

In addition to first time users creating new IDPs, we are asking everyone to make sure their technical training requests are up to date. For the coming year we will not consider any training needs dated prior to January 1, 2021. This will better reflect the needed technical skills and improve the accuracy of training delivery in 2022. Updating your training needs is a quick process, and we have developed a brief video demonstrating how to do this.

 

We have assembled several resources to assist you in completing your IDP:

 

If you would like to know more about IDPs and how TTCP uses the information, check out this Webinar Replay. Also, a summary of the 2020 IDP technical training requests can be found here.

 

If you still have questions or need assistance, please contact us.

 

Core Competency Training

Core Competency Module Use Summary Table

 

Housed on the MNC3 website, the Core Competencies deliver the foundational knowledge of soil and water conservation. These training modules were released in November 2020, and during the last 10 months over 300 accounts have been created and 2,000 modules have been completed!

 

In addition to the Core Competencies, we have also started posting additional training opportunities. Take a minute to check out the  Agronomy Tech Note #31 and Soil Erosion training opportunities.

 

Another new exciting feature is the recent introduction of Badges, which are awarded after completing a series of trainings. Can you collect them all?

 

  • Soil Scholar: Complete the three Soils Core Competency modules
  • Water Wise: Complete the eight Water Quality Core Competency modules
  • Planning Partner: Complete the eight Conservation Planning Core Competency modules
  • Committed Conservationist: Complete all 19 Core Competency modules
  • Skilled Seeder: Complete the four Agronomy Tech Note #31 modules

 

We continue to add new modules and badges, so be sure to check back often.

 

Drought Impacts

 

Drought impacts are widespread throughout Minnesota, presenting many unique conservation issues. Reducing tillage, preventing overgrazing, and mitigating wildfire hazard are critical steps that should be taken now to help reduce the impacts of drought. If you would like to learn more about the resources available to local conservationists working with farmers, grazers, and forest landowners this fall, please join us on September 23 at 8:30.

 


Upcoming Training Events

BWSR Sponsored Training Events

 

October  

Oct 26-28

 

2021 Online BWSR Academy

 

Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program

Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program

Basic Wetland Regulation and Delineation Class

September 20-24

Central Lakes College, Brainerd, MN

Basic Wetland Regulation and Delineation Class

October 4-8

Arden Hills City Hall, Arden Hills, MN

 

More information on all of these courses can be found at
 https://bwsr.state.mn.us/minnesota-wetland-professional-certification-program


Technical Training & Certification Program Trainings

 

Tech Talk Webinars:  Mondays at 1:00 pm

Sept 20 Riparian Herbaceous Cover or Riparian Forest Buffer?
Sept 27 Placing Habitat with a Purpose
   
September  
Sept 21, 23 Planning with Minnesota Livestock Producers, Online
Sept 23 Planning Resources for Drought Conditions, Online

 

Related Partner Training Opportunities

 

September

 

Sept 20-24

Restoring River Ecosystems: Design & Application, Fergus Falls, MN DNR

Sept 21

Intro to Data Practices Policies & Procedures Remote Workshop, Online, MN Dept. of Admin

Sept 21

Introduction to MIDS Calculator, Virtual, MPCA

Sept 21

MIDS Calculator Intermediate Level Training, Virtual, MPCA

 

 

October

 

Oct 19-20

The Minnesota Water Resource Conference, Virtual, UMN

 

 

December

 

Dec 2-4

MAWD Annual Conference "Save the Date," Alexandria

Dec 6-8

AMC Annual Conference, Bloomington

 

 

Extended Training Opportunities
Through October 22

Silvopasture Workshops and Field Days, Sustainable Farming Association

Through December 31

MinnFARM, Self-Paced Online Training, UMN Extension

 


Learn on Your Own

Not all training takes place in a classroom. Check out the links below to learn at a time and place of your choosing.

 

We’ve also put together a searchable library of recorded modules, webinars, videos and other resources to help our staff and partners find professional development information on a variety of topics. You can visit BWSR's Online Learning page to find web-based technical training resources sorted by category.

 

New:

 


Program Contacts

Barbara Radke   Jon Sellnow David Demmer & Ben Meyer
Training Coordinator   Technical Training and Certification Program Coordinator MN Wetland Professional Certification Program Coordinators
(507) 844-0442   (218) 340-3521 (218) 464-8289 & (612) 201-9806
 barbara.radke@state.mn.us   jon.sellnow@state.mn.us

david.demmer@state.mn.us & 

ben.meyer@state.mn.us