Training Events
The CTD is working with NRCS, CDs, and other partners to bring you the training opportunities that you need to succeed. If there is a training subject that you would like to see, or have a training related question, contact: training@wactd.org
Working toward Planner Certification? Need specific NRCS training?
Upcoming Webinars and Training
WDFW High Resolution Change Detection Program 2-part HRCD Training Series
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hosting a training program to assist VSP counties using WDFW’s High Resolution Change Detection (HRCD) data to monitor critical areas on agricultural land. This training program will seek to improve VSP counties understanding of HRCD data and support counties with the development and implementation of the VSP monitoring plan.
Anyone interested in learning more about WDFW’s HRCD program is welcome to attend, including local partners, work group members, and GIS staff. The May 13 training is structured for a general audience and the June 7 training will be geared more towards a technical/GIS audience. Both training sessions will be held in-person in Olympia with a virtual hybrid option. The meetings will be recorded and available on the SCC website for future reference.
Part 1 – What is HRCD - May 13, 2024 @ 2pm - 3:30pm
In-person: Natural Resource Building, 1111 Washington St SE, Room 556, Olympia, WA 98504 If you plan to attend in-person, please arrive 15 minutes early to check-in on the first floor.
Virtual: HRCD Part 1 Registration Link
Overview of WDFW’s HRCD program, data products, and how the data can be used to monitor critical areas. Will also cover the data’s strengths & limitations, including quality control and assurance information counties need to include in their monitoring plans. Potential to include a case study to demonstrate how a VSP county is using HRCD data to support their program needs. Will include time at the end for questions and assistance with individual county needs.
Part 2 – How to Use HRCD Data - June 7, 2024 @ 10am - Noon
In-person: Natural Resource Building, 1111 Washington St SE, Room 556, Olympia, WA 98504
If you plan to attend in-person, please arrive 15 minutes early to check-in on the first floor.
Virtual: HRCD Part 2 Registration Link
Overview of how to use the data and gain the information needed to understand changes to critical areas. We will explore, analyze, and interpret the HRCD data products to help counties answer VSP monitoring questions and build the technical skillset to maximize the use of this data to support their county’s VSP needs. Live demonstrations from the HRCD team. Best for a technical audience with basic GIS skills.
For questions about this training series, please contact:
Sean Williams
Voluntary Stewardship Program Coordinator, Habitat Program
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Sean.Williams@dfw.wa.gov
206-561-8791
or
Robin Hale
HRCD Project Manager
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Renewable Energy Webinar - Slash Energy Bills & Boost Profits: A Guide to the USDA REAP Program
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 @ 1pm - 2pm
Register HERE
Did you know? The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers up to 50% reimbursement for solar energy and energy efficiency projects for farmers and rural businesses.
Join our webinar and discover:
• How your clients can secure federal funding to reduce energy operating costs
• The details of the REAP program, including eligibility and technical requirements
• How you, as a conservation district, can be a valuable resource by connecting clients with our FREE technical and grant writing assistance
Presented by: Nick Cusick, Pierce CD
Coordinated Resource Management 101 Webinar
May 22, 2024 @ 2pm – 4pm
Join us for this introduction to CRM and learn:
What CRM is and why it was developed.
How it has been useful for common pool resource management in WA. We’ll share specific examples related to work CDs do.
How CRM fits with other programs projects, e.g., Voluntary Stewardship Program, WA Shrubsteppe Resiliency Initiative, and others.
The status of CRM as of spring 2024 – resource needs, future directions, promising applications, and lessons learned.
Presented by: Ray Ledgerwood. Ray brings 40 years’ experience in CRM work with state conservation agencies, state associations, conservation districts, and agriculture organizations across the nation.
Brought to you by the WA State Conservation Commission (WSCC) and the Center for Technical Development (CTD). Learn more about CRMs on the WSCC website: https://www.scc.wa.gov/crm.
Going to miss a webinar? Don't worry, they are all recorded and posted in the CTD Training Library
NRCS Training Events
Upcoming NRCS Training events:
Cultural Resources, Part 2 - May 2024, Wenatchee, WA
Soil Health & Sustainability for Field Staff - June 2024, Pullman, WA
Conservation Planning, Part 2 - June 2024, Pullman, WA
Riparian Considerations in Planning - July/Aug 2024, Pullman, WA
Please contact Jan at training@wactd.org for registration information, and be sure to request all NRCS courses through the Training Needs Inventory!
Recordings from virtual NRCS training events:
Environmental Permitting on Working Lands - held April 2021
Cultural Resources - held May 2021
Training Scholarships
Need training, but don't have financial support to attend? The CTD offers scholarships to support your learning!
The CTD is offering a limited number of either $250 or $500 training scholarships to support those looking to complete on-line or in-person training for professional development by June 30, 2024. Please fill out the following application to be considered. You will be notified within 2 weeks of submitting your request.
You can request multiple trainings or training blocks throughout the year.
Note: This scholarship CANNOT be used for the WADE conference (they will have a unique scholarship opportunity). You must complete the requested training by June 30, 2024. This scholarship supports time and registration cost only (no per diem or indirect).
Partner Training Resources
Partner Training Resources
Organic Farming Research Foundation - FREE Soil Health and Organic Farming Webinar series. Topics include building organic matter, cover crops, water management and water quality, nutrient management, and soil health.
WSU Forest Stewardship Webinars - We offer periodic live webinars on various forest stewardship topics. The webinars are free, but pre-registration is required.
Working Remotely During COVID-19 - Find a list of helpful tools, and training modules to help you or staff work remotely effectively.
AgLearn - AgLearn is an on-line training hub for conservation planners and engineers. Find more resources on how to access and troubleshoot AgLearn HERE.
NRCS Science and Technology Training Library - Learn, Earn and Save by joining over 56,000 viewers that have participated in webinars hosted on the Webinar Portal, the leading free multi-disciplinary training and extension webinar platform.
ASWM-NRCS Wetland Training Webinar Series - This webinar series has been designed to provide participants with a general level of knowledge about wetlands and wetland restoration options and considerations. Participants will come away with key knowledge, the ability to be more conversant about wetland issues, knowing what questions to ask when looking at restoration opportunities, and knowing when to contact or bring in an expert.
NAISMA - The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) is the continent’s authority on invasive species management.
LPELC Webinar Series - The Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community (LPELC) offers a free monthly webinar on a variety of issues related to animal manure management.
eXtension Campus - eXtension offers a central listing of fee-based courses available through Campus on a variety of topics such as agriculture, energy, pest management, community, and more. There are selections for both planners, educators, and landowners alike.
Cornell Online Farmer Courses - The Cornell Small Farms Program offers a suite of more than 20 online PAID courses, primarily taught by Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, to help farmers improve their technical and business skills. Take them yourself, or pass along to landowners.
Training/Webinar Archive
Below are the past few webinars hosted by CTD.
Thursday, November 18, 2021 @ 1:00-2:00 PM
Panelists: Jennifer Boie, Palouse CD; Anna Lael, Kittitas Co. CD; Ryan Williams, Cascadia CD; and Eric Schuh, Snohomish CD. Moderated by Shana Joy, WSCC
Are you leading or participating in implementing an RCPP? Are you interested in applying for your own RCPP? Join us to hear from experienced RCPP leaders from across the state about their experiences, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and tools for successful implementation of an RCPP.
Note: For recent informational RCPP webinars hosted by NRCS WA, please visit the Regional Conservation Partnership Program | NRCS Washington webpage.
Presenters: Nichole Embertson, Whatcom CD; Laura Redmond, King CD; Addie Candib, AFT
Proper manure management is an important practice for animal operations that can provide a valuable resource for land managers while protecting water quality and enhancing soil health. Manure management practices, particularly those that contain and control manure runoff, protect water quality by retaining valuable nutrients and preventing transport to surface and ground water resources. American Farmland Trust, King Conservation District, and Whatcom Conservation District’s Washington Discovery Farms® program collaborated on a project in the South Puget Sound to assess and promote the best management practice (BMP) of on-farm dry manure storage for water quality protection.
Presented on: September 23, 2021
Presenter: Kari Quaas, Snohomish CD and Nichole Embertson, CTD
You may have attended trainings on how to host or present a virtual meeting or event, but what about moderation? Moderating a meeting is just as (or more!) important for making sure it runs smoothly and highlights the content. Join us for strategies, tips, and techniques for easily moderating a meeting or event like a pro!
Presented: August 19, 2021
Presenter: Michael Hipp, Snohomish CD
Keeping a horse - housing, feeding, providing room to exercise and be a horse - is not only challenging, but can be very expensive and challenging on small acreages typically adjacent to waterways, in western Washington. Horses are non-native creatures introduced to our soils and landscape in the 1700s, and their impact on the ecosystem is widely felt. Sound Horsekeeping is a program from the Snohomish Conservation District to help people not only mitigate those impacts but to do so in a way that is of benefit to the horse and the human. Find out what the program is, how it is done, and why it is needed, now more than ever.
Presented on: July 15, 2021
Presented on: June 14-16, 2021
Presented on: May 25-26, 2021
You may have missed the training, but the presentations and videos posted HERE!
Presented on: April 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2021
Putting on a training event but need help? Contact us for help with virtual platforms, advertising, coordination, and any other support you need: info@wactd.org