Successful Outreach Strategies Workshops - ADDITIONAL LOCATION
St. Paul has been added as an additional location for the Successful Outreach Strategies workshop series. All workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hold the date for:
- Aug. 5, Grand Rapids
- Aug. 7, Mankato
- Aug. 8, St. Cloud
- Aug. 12, St. Paul – Regional location added
These workshops will introduce participants to designing events that incorporate engaging, focused methods for gathering input from others. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience these processes firsthand and explore real-time, real-work applications relevant to their work. Registration opens July 7. To learn more about SOS, please visit the SOS webpage.
Irrigation RCPP Technical Training Workshop
The Irrigation RCPP Team is offering a technical training workshop for irrigation practices at Central Lakes College in Staples June 24-25. The workshop is intended for NRCS and SWCD staff interested in training on irrigation practices and technology, and irrigation practice certification. This training consists of two days mixed with classroom presentations, hands-on exercises, and in-field demonstrations all at the Central Lakes College-Staples facility. This year is more advanced than the two irrigation technical workshops held in 2023 and 2024. Past attendees will benefit from attending this year’s workshop to expand their knowledge about advanced irrigation technology and practice certification. Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Irrigation RCPP Technical Training Workshop page.
Additional Prescribed Grazing Session Added
In addition to the July 9 session in Waite Park, Prescribed Grazing training will also be held in Mahnomen in September. This day long classroom and field training covers the planning requirements used when developing prescribed grazing systems, such as producer goals and objectives, resource inventory, forage balance, contingency planning, and monitoring plans. This training also includes pasture fertility and soil testing. The field portion of the training covers pasture monitoring and the requirements of CPS 528, including measuring stubble heights, paddock rest, reviewing grazing records, photo documentation, and opportunities for improvement. Select from the options below for additional information and a link to register:
Livestock Watering System Design
In this one-day classroom training participants will learn how to design livestock pipeline and watering systems using the MN NRCS spreadsheet design tool. We'll discuss how to gather the information needed to use the design tool as well as run through examples. This training is meant for conservation staff already designing or will design in the near future livestock pipeline and watering system projects. NOTE: This training is in conjunction with the Prescribed Grazing training happening the day before this training. In that first day, participants will gather the data in the field needed to complete the example design during this training. Participants can sign up for both trainings or either one depending on your training needs. Visit the Livestock Watering System Design page for additional information and a link to register.
Introduction to Conservation Engineering
TTCP is offering a one day, Introduction to Conservation Engineer (ICE) training in two locations, Redwood Falls on July 30 and Detroit Lakes on Aug. 21. This course is for newer technicians and conservationists to gain an understanding of the engineering side of our conservation work. Staff will learn about many engineering practices and skills utilized within the Minnesota partnership of NRCS, SWCDs (including TSAs), and BWSR. For additional information and a link to register, please visit the Introduction to Conservation Engineering page.
Windbreak and Shelterbelt Training
Windbreak and Shelterbelt training will be held July 15-17 in St. Cloud, Austin and Windom. The training will start out in the classroom, and then tour several local windbreaks where discussions will continue. During the classroom session, windbreak establishment and renovation resources and fact sheets will be distributed. All aspects of windbreaks will be discussed, including design, species selection, row spacing, insect and disease pressure, watering, pruning, renovation and much more. We will continue to discuss windbreak design elements on the tour organized by local conservation offices in the afternoon. For additional information and a link to register please visit the Windbreak/Shelterbelt page.
Area Technical Training Team Plant ID Training
Area Technical Training Team 5 is hosting a plant ID training on Aug. 11. This training is designed to enhance participants' skills in identifying plants and trees across various habitats, from upland to wetland environments. Led by experts Paul Bockenstedt, Rhyan Schicker and Dennis Pederson, the session will cover plant identification, seed germination and the challenges of identifying difficult species. This training will be located near Montevideo. Additional information and a link to register can be found on the ATTT 5 Plant ID training page.
Agroforestry Institute
Agroforestry is a land management approach that provides opportunities to combine productivity and profitability with environmental stewardship, resulting in healthy and sustainable agricultural systems that can be passed on to future generations.
The Minnesota Agroforestry Institute, which includes classroom workshops and field visits, will be held Sept. 23-25 in Baxter. Participants will learn about agroforestry options and how to apply agroforestry practices in their educational and technical assistance programs. Participants will also be able to discuss agroforestry options with colleagues and policymakers and have an opportunity to integrate the concepts learned into a practical farm plan.
For additional information and a link to register, please visit the Agroforestry Institute page.
2025 Shared Training Calendar
An updated working version of the 2025 training calendar is now available. This 12-month view of training offerings is regularly updated and provides information about upcoming training events, including potential dates and locations. Please see the legend at the top and note that the further out a training is proposed the more likely adjustments will need to be made. The dates, locations, and other details are always tentative until the event is posted on the Training Calendar.
BWSR Sponsored Training Events
August
October
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Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program |
Upcoming MWPCP Training Courses:
Plant ID – Shoreview MNDOT Training Center (July 14) and Cloquet Forestry Center (July 16) (Two one-day classes)
MWPCP Regional Wetland Training - Northeast MN – Hermantown City Hall – Aug. 12-13
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations – Northland Arboretum, Baxter, MN – Sept. 8-12
Introduction to Wetland Delineation and Regulations – Shoreview MNDOT Training Center – Oct. 6-10
Hydrogeomorphic Method of Classifying Wetlands – Hartley Nature Center, Duluth – Oct. 28-29 (Two one-day classes)
Wetland Banking & Monitoring for Consultants – Shoreview MNDOT Training Center – Nov. 12-13
More information on MWPCP courses: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/wetland-training-opportunities
Technical Training & Certification Program Trainings
Tech Talk Webinars: Mondays at 1 p.m.
- July 14, A Day in the Life of a Seed Vendor
June
July
August
September
- June 17, Ecosystem Silviculture: Mesic Hardwood Forests Field Day, SFEC, Grand Rapids
- June 18, Technology in the Field, PF, Buffalo
- June 18, Forestry for Minnesota Birds, FSG, Cloquet
- June 18, Technology in the Field, PF, Buffalo
- June 20, Economically Working with Nature at Sleepy Bison Acres, PF, Sleepy Eye
- June 24-25, Tribal-State Relations Training, State of Minnesota, Onamia
- July 1, Grass with a Purpose, PF, Austin
- July 8, Applying the new Forestry for Minnesota Birds Guidebook, SFEC, Online
- July 15, How To Plan a Successful Conservation Event: Tools and Resources, PF, Online
- July 23, CRP Management & Conservation Equipment, PF, Litchfield
- July 28 to Nov. 17, Cover Crop Essentials, MCCC
- July 29-30, Field School for Ag Professionals, UMN Extension, St. Paul
- Aug. 5, ECS Silviculture: Wet Forests Field Days, SFEC, Location TBD
- Aug. 11, ATTT5 Plant ID Training, ATTT 5, Montevideo
- Aug. 12, Forest Management Guidelines Field Day, SFEC, Big Falls
- Aug. 13, Trees in the prairie? The Use of Windbreaks/Shelterbelts, PF, Marshall
- Through Aug. 27, Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship - Summer Series, DNR, Online
- Sept. 4, Building Habitat Friendly Right of Ways Workshop, MN MECA, Andover
- Sept. 17, Succession Solutions: Creating Habitats for Early Successional Wildlife, PF, Sandstone
- Sept. 23-25, 2025 Minnesota Agroforestry Institute, UMN Extension, Baxter
- Through Nov. 10, Livestock 101: Livestock Production Fundamentals, Conservation Webinars, Online
- Through Nov. 17, Cover Crop Essentials, MCCC, Online
- Through Dec. 16, Managing Forests as Habitat in a Changing World, USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub, Online
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
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