Training News from BWSR

Train Tracks NEW


In this issue:


Training Success Story

BWSR Spring Training

 

Following a successful launch in 2021, BWSR offered a second Spring Training in 2022 on March 29th. Ten concurrent sessions were offered at this online event with over 200 individuals participating. Evaluation feedback included 96% of respondents sharing BWSR Spring Training provided beneficial training to support their work. Attendees were appreciative that BWSR offers online trainings as an additional way to receive training while some are looking forward to being in-person again! Thank you to the trainers, BWSR staff, and the attendees for participating and contributing to this successful training event.

 


Technical Training & Certification Program Updates

Technical Training & Certification Program Logo

Spring Into Training

 

The Technical Training and Certification Program team is excited to announce several upcoming training opportunities to help you kickoff spring. You can always find the most current information for upcoming events on the Training Calendar.

 

TTCP is hosting a virtual Streambank Protection Planning training on April 27 and 28. This training is intended to be a basic course covering background information and the planning phase of streambank conservation projects. We will define stream restoration and protection terminology as well as discuss which resources and NRCS standards apply. Examples and costs for different methods including structural practices, bioengineering practices, and vegetative practices will be discussed. More information about this training opportunity and a link to the registration can be found here.

 

TTCP will be hosting training in two locations for Grazing Facilitating Practices on May 17 and 19. Facilitating practices are those that need to be in place for a rotational grazing system to properly function, and can include:

  • Fence
  • Heavy Use Area Protection
  • Trails and Walkways
  • Stream Crossing
  • Water Well
  • Pumping Plant
  • Livestock Pipeline
  • Watering Facility

This training is held annually in different areas of the state. This year it will be held in eastern Minnesota, and in 2023 it is planned to be held in western Minnesota. Additional information about this training opportunity and a link to the registration can be found here.

 

Another annual, rotating training TTCP will be hosting on June 7 and 9 is Pasture Condition Scoring and Estimating Forage Production. The pasture condition score sheet is a screening tool used to evaluate pasture productivity and stability, and the forage production worksheet is used to estimate the biomass a pasture or hay field will produce. This year the trainings will be held in western Minnesota, and in 2023 it is planned to hold them in eastern Minnesota. Additional information about this training opportunity and a link to the registration can be found here.

 

This summer TTCP is planning to hold an Advanced Livestock Grazing Management training. Prerequisites for this advanced training include being a Level 1 Conservation Planner and previous attendance at the Grazing Facilitating Practices, Pasture Condition Scoring, and Estimating Forage Production courses. If you are interested in taking this course, please take advantage of the above training opportunities so you are prepared.

 

Between June 7 and July 12 TTCP and Xerces Society are putting on a series of Plant ID and Monarch Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guide (WHEG) trainings throughout the state. During these field based trainings attendees will hone their plant identification skills and practice assessing pollinator habitat using the Monarch WHEG. More information on this training, including dates, locations, and a link to the registration can be found here.

 

Another training coming up in June is the Plant Materials Workshop, scheduled for three locations in western Minnesota June 14, 15, and 16. Participants in this training will learn more about the planning considerations for designing seed mixes: site conditions, variability in seed, seeding methods, and equipment. Attendees will also participate in a hands on seeding demonstration to better understand of how seeding equipment works, proper seeding depth, and seed-soil contact. More information on this training opportunity and a link to the registration can be found here.

 

Save the date for the upcoming Soil Health Nexus training. A Field School for Soil Health Educators is planned for August 9 and 10 at the UMN Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. At this event you can join educators from across the Midwest to build skills for communicating soil health concepts. Participants will hear from professional communicators and learn best practices to engage diverse audiences on soil management topics. Registration isn’t open yet, but more information for this event can be found here.

 


Upcoming Training Events

BWSR Sponsored Training Events

 

April

 

April 28

Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Training, BWSR and Xerces Society, Online

 

 

October

 

October 25-27

 

BWSR Academy - Save the Date, Brainerd Area

 

Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program

Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program

 

May 3 Interpreting Wetland Hydrology Data - North Branch
May 17-18 MWPCP Regional Training - Spicer
May 25-26 MWPCP Regional Training - Mankato

July 11-15

Wetland Delineation and Regulation Basic Class - Arden Hills

August 16-17

MWPCP Regional Training - Cloquet

Sept 12-16

Wetland Delineation and Regulation Basic Class - Brainerd

October 5-6

MWPCP Regional Training - Bemidji

 

More information on all MWPCP classes can be found on the Wetland Training Opportunities page.


Technical Training & Certification Program Trainings


Tech Talk Webinars:  Mondays at 1:00 pm

April 25 Forage Harvest Management
May 9 Sharptail Grouse and Early Successional Habitat
May 20 Wildlife Habitat Planting (CPS 420)
June 13 Tile Flow Design (CPS 606 and 620)
   
April  
April 27-28 Streambank Protection Planning, Online
   
May  
May 17 & 19 Grazing Facilitating Practices, Spring Valley and Pillager
   
June  
June 7 to July 12 Plant ID and Monarch Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Guide WHEG, Multiple Locations
June 7 & 9 Pasture Condition Scoring and Estimating Forage Production, Detroit Lakes and Ivanhoe
June 14-16 Plant Materials Center Workshop, Ivanhoe, Starbuck, and Mahnomen

 

Related Partner Trainings

 

April

 

April 19

Micro (Drip) Irrigation for Small Vegetable Farms, USDA NRCS Science and Technology

April 20

The Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool, Soil Health Nexus

 

 

August

 

August 9-10

Field School for Soil Health Educators, Soil Health Nexus and UMN MOSH

 


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.

 

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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