BWSR Spring Training
BWSR Spring Training is an annual online training offered for our LGU partners and other BWSR partners in conservation and water quality work. This year BWSR Academy will offer three tracks with 90-minute concurrent sessions on the morning of March 31. Registration is scheduled to open Friday, March 6 and will close at noon on Wednesday, March 18. For more information and to register go to the BWSR Spring Training webpage.
GIS Pro Basics
TTCP is offering an ArcGIS Pro training in late February and March. This is the same class that was offered in several locations last winter. This is intended for staff who are still hesitant to transition into GIS Pro, so we’ll start with the basics. We’ll give an overview of the differences between ArcMap and Pro, and give a tour of the new layout. There will be classroom examples on editing feature classes (e.g. shapefiles), labeling features, making map layouts for printing, and other common procedures. Much of the day is hands on! There are two in-person sessions left in February and two virtual sessions in March. The virtual sessions are full, but reach out to be put on a wait list.
For additional information and a link to register visit the Basic ArcGIS Pro page.
Soil Mechanics 1 (SM-1)
SM-1 is a hands-on course that teaches participants how to classify soils using the Unified Soil Classification System, a system used to describe the soil mechanics’ properties important for engineering design and construction. Participants are shown how to perform the field tests and classify soil samples. This training will be very useful for any technical staff. This next session will be held in Detroit Lakes on March 12.
For additional information and a link to register visit the Soil Mechanics 1 page.
Agronomy Technical Note #31 Workshops
Build confidence in herbaceous vegetation establishment! The Agronomy Technical Note #31 Workshops offer hands on, applied training for conservation professionals working with native and introduced seedings across Minnesota.
Participants will strengthen practical skills related to species selection, seedbed preparation, seeding methods, and management considerations for practices such as cover crops, filter strips, critical area planting, buffers, wildlife habitat, and wetland restoration. Training content is grounded in Minnesota’s Agronomy Technical Note #31 and emphasizes real-world application in the field.
Why attend:
- Hands-on, small group learning with experienced instructors
- Practical guidance aligned with Minnesota practice standards
- Skills you can immediately apply in conservation planning and implementation
Workshops will be held in several locations during the first two weeks of March:
- March 2, Waite Park
- March 4, Detroit Lakes
- March 6, Carlton
- March 9, Farmington
- March 11, Morris
- March 13, Marshall
For additional information and a link to register please visit the Agronomy Technical Note #31 page.
Basic Cover Crop
Join us for the 2026 Basic Cover Crop training, designed to provide essential knowledge and practical tools for successfully integrating cover crops into Midwestern cropping systems. This webinar and in-person training covers everything from selecting the right cover crops to understanding termination methods, enhancing soil health, and supporting sustainable farming practices. Participants will gain hands on experience with tools like the Midwest Cover Crop Council (MCCC) Cover Crop Selection Tool and NRCS Seed Rate Calculator. Led by subject matter expert trainers from NRCS, UMN, and local seed vendors and agronomists, this training is ideal for new conservation professionals or those needing a refresher. Don't miss out! Register by March 20 for a live webinar series and in person sessions in Brainerd or Austin to strengthen your expertise in cover crop implementation! For additional information or to register visit the Basic Cover Crop page.
Native Seed Mix Design and Evaluation Training
Most large-scale native habitat plantings are created with seed mixes. Plant diversity is a requirement for pollinators, other wildlife, and the foundation of ecological resilience, but it can be a complicated and consequential challenge to select the best mix for any given site. Building high quality native seed mixes that serve multiple species, replicate natural plant associations, establish readily, conform to certain conservation practice standards, and fit within budget constraints requires training and experience. It takes a lot of familiarity with native flora, experience with specialized design tools like seed calculators, and awareness of the commercial availability of various species in your region. Two workshops will be held:
- April 15, Carlton
- April 29, Marshall
This workshop is similar to Native Seed Mix Design and Evaluation workshops that were offered last year. Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Native Seed Mix Design and Evaluation Page.
NEW for this year! Seed Mix Design and Evaluation for Wet Sites Workshop
Designing effective native seed mixes for wetland and shoreland restorations takes more than just picking “wet-tolerant” species. Hydrology, fluctuating water levels, ice scour, erosion, and seasonal inundation all influence what will truly establish and thrive.
This interactive workshop combines classroom instruction, a panel of wetland restoration professionals, and hands on small group exercises to help you confidently design, evaluate, and refine seed mixes for wet sites. Participants will work with seed calculators and practical planning tools to develop diverse, cost effective mixes that align with natural plant communities and conservation practice standards.
If you design, review, or install shoreland or wetland seedings, this training will strengthen your technical skills and improve project outcomes. Two workshops will be held:
- April 17, Detroit Lakes
- April 22, Farmington
Additional information and a link to register can be found on the Native Seed Mix Design and Evaluation for Wet Sites page.
Build Your Soil Skills from the Ground Up
Soils form the foundation of effective conservation planning. The Basic Soils and Landscapes for Conservation Planners training is a comprehensive, hands on course designed to strengthen your understanding of Minnesota soils and how to apply soil survey information in real-world planning.
This immersive three-day training (May 26–28) in/around Duluth blends classroom learning with field experience to build confidence in evaluating soils, landscapes, and conservation limitations and opportunities.
Key Topics Include:
- Soil formation, properties, and classification
- Soil survey program and mapping concepts
- Web Soil Survey analysis for conservation planning
- Field methods and hands on soil pit evaluations
This training counts toward Level 1 Planner Certification – Soils Basics (NRCS-NHQ-000009) and can be used in place of the web based AgLearn course (NRCS-NEDC-000416). If you’re involved in conservation planning, resource assessment, or technical assistance, this course provides essential, practical soil knowledge you can immediately apply in the field.
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your soils foundation — where landscapes meet planning success! For more information and a link to register visit the Basic Soils and Landscapes page.
Tyler's Three Things: Conservation Planning
Planning criteria is the minimum expected condition indicating there is no resource concern.
A resource concern implies an expected degradation of soil, water, or other natural resources to an extent where it is no longer sustainable.
Quality inventory and analysis of resource concerns, from the beginning, is vital to conservation planning.
Do you begin with the resource concern in mind? Visit MNC3 Training: Conservation Planning to learn more!
2026 Shared Training Calendar
The working version of the 2026 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
March 31 from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., HOLD THE DATE: BWSR Spring Training, Online
Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program
2026 MWPCP Course Schedule:
Registration for Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation opens March 9. Registration opens for all remaining courses opens March 16 (unless noted otherwise).
April 14 & 15 - TEP Academy- St Cloud MNDOT
April 23 & 24 - Hydrogeomorphic Method of Classifying Wetlands - Baxter
April 28 & 29 - Hydrogeomorphic Method of Classifying Wetlands - Rochester
May 20 & 21 - Soils on the Landscape - North Branch
June 8-12 - Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation - Shoreview
July 7 - Plant ID & Rapid FQA - Cloquet
July 21 - Plant ID & Rapid FQA - Lino Lakes
Aug. 31 - Sept 4 - Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation - Cloquet
Sept. 14-18 - Introduction to Wetland Delineation & Regulation - Brainerd
Oct. 13 & 14 - Functional Assessment Method - Shoreview
Nov. 18 - WCA Rule Virtual Training (registration opens summer 2026)
Dec. 8 - New Normal?: Emerging Topics in the Wetland World -St Paul
Technical Training & Certification Program Trainings
Tech Talk Webinars: Mondays at 1 p.m.
- Feb. 23, Winter Camelina: A New Winter Annual Oilseed Crop for Economic and Environmental Benefit
- March 2, Conservation Planner Certification
- March 9, Basic Conservation Information with Livestock & Manure
- March 16, Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) 10 Year Update Overview
- March 23, Geology
- April 13, Farm Economics - Overview
- April 20, Soil Fertility Management on Pasture
- May 11, Farm Economics – Crops
- May 18, Minnesota Core Competency Conservation Training
- June 15, Farm Economics – Livestock
- July 13, Job Approval Authority
- Sept. 21, Individual Development Plan Tool
- Nov. 16, Technical Training Resources
February
March
- March 2, Agronomy Technical Note #31, Waite Park
- March 3, Basic ArcGIS Pro, Online
- March 4, Agronomy Technical Note #31, Detroit Lakes
- March 6, Agronomy Technical Note #31, Carlton
- March 9, Agronomy Technical Note #31, Farmington
- March 11, Agronomy Technical Note #31, Morris
- March 12, Soil Mechanics 1 (SM-1) 2026, Detroit Lakes
- March 13, Agronomy Technical Note #31, Marshall
- March 30-April 9, Basic Cover Crop 2026, Online, Austin, Baxter
- March 31, Basic ArcGIS Pro, Online
April
May
- Jan. 7-March 25, Strategic Farming: Let's Talk Crops!, UMN Extension Online
- Jan. 13-Oct. 13, SFEC's 2026 Webinar Series, SFEC, Online
- Jan. 30-April 24, Fridays with a Forester, UMN Extension, Online
- Feb. 3-24, Northern Soil Compaction Conference, UMN Extension, Online
- Feb. 9-Oct 29, Livestock 101 Webinar Training Series - Part II, Conservation Webinars, Online
- Feb. 20, On Site Biochar Demonstration, Great River Greening, Brainerd
- Feb. 23-24, Nitrogen College, UMN Extension, Hutchinson
- Feb. 25-26, Nitrogen College, UMN Extension, Mankato
- *Feb. 25-26, Tribal-State Relations Training, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Hinckley
- March 10, Herbicide Carryover: Effects on Native plant establishment and Cover Crops, PF, Marshall
- March 12, Soils and Landforms, SFEC and NRCS, Cloquet Forestry Center
- *March 25-26, Tribal-State Relations Training, Prairie Island Indian Community, Welch
- April 7-29, Weed 'Em Out Workshops, SFEC, Multiple Locations
- May 28, Field Applications to Fire Dependent Forest Ecosystems, SFEC, Cloquet Forestry Center
- June 2, Northern hardwoods silviculture: What's next after creating gaps?, SFEC, Aitkin
- June 3, MN Forest Management Guidelines Field Workshop, SFEC, Hackensack
- June 9, Cover Crop Academy, UMN Extension, Multiple Locations
- June 17, Ecological Silviculture Applications to Mesic Hardwood Forests, SFEC, Grand Rapids
- June 18, Field Silviculture Application to Wet and Ash Dominated Forests, SFEC, Cass Lake
- July 28, Recognizing and Managing Oak Wilt, SFEC, St. Croix State Park
*LGUs need to identify in their requests that they work with BWSR.
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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