SWCS hosts educational webinars to provide conservation professionals the latest in research, practice, and policy, as well as professional development opportunities.
Virtual Student Events
SWCS has teamed up with MANRRS and the National Association of Conservation Districts to host a third season of our virtual Student Professional Development Series. We are committed to providing valuable resources and knowledge to students and early career professionals in natural resources conservation, environmental science, biology, agriculture, soil science, hydrology, and all others working toward a more sustainable world.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER FOR OUR STUDENT EVENTS
2023 Webinars included:
- Conservation Matters
- SWCS Book Club: A Year with Aldo Leopold
- Lessons from Leaders: Accelerating the Adoption of Conservation Drainage Webinar Series
Conservation Matters
This series was organized with the support of the SWCS Science and Policy Committee. It is an opportunity to present hot topics related to science, practices, and policy to the membership of the Society. Previous session recordings are available to members by contacting events@swcs.org.
Past Session Topics:
- Leveraging Carbon Markets to Encourage Conservation Adoption
- Investing in People to Improve Watersheds
- The Role of Nutrient and Water Management in Climate-Smart Soil and Water Conservation
- The Role of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Conservation
- Policy Process and Problem Framing for State Nutrient Reduction Strategies in the US Upper Mississippi River Basin
- Climate Change Impacts on Soil and Water Conservation
- Leveraging Multi-Agency Partnerships to Advance Conservation Planning
SWCS Book Club: A Year with Aldo Leopold
Join fellow SWCS members in 2023 as they read, or re-read, Leopold’s classic work like an actual almanac—one chapter per month!
Each month, we will meet virtually for one hour with the following agenda:
- Recap the monthly reading and share reactions
- Explore Leopold’s experiences at the Shack that shaped his writing
- Discuss what Leopold’s work means for us today
This is a recurring meeting, on the last Friday of every month from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT. The first meeting is January 27, 2023, and the last meeting is December 22, 2023. There will be no meeting in May of 2023.
These events are for SWCS members only. Check your membership status to ensure you're an active member. Active members will be emailed a link to register. Contact events@swcs.org with any questions or if you did not receive your registration link and would like to participate.
Lessons from Leaders: Accelerating the Adoption of Conservation Drainage Webinar Series
This webinar series explored the adoption of conservation drainage across disciplines, regions, and landscapes. Through five, 75-minute sessions, leading stakeholders shared unique perspectives, engaged in dialogue, and generated a set of recommendations to be used to advance conservation drainage adoption locally and nationally.
The series is intended for a broad audience of conservation professionals and the producers who implement conservation practices. What to expect:
- Access to farmer adopters and leading influencers across sectors and states to gain an understanding of their perspectives and experiences, including exclusive Q&A sessions and the wrap-up virtual dialogue
- A broader understanding of the benefits of conservation drainage to various stakeholder audiences
- An opportunity to expand your network of contacts who are working to accelerate the adoption of conservation drainage
- The most up-to-date information, resources, and tools being used
- A set of recommendations for encouraging conservation drainage adoption locally and nationally
- Ability to earn Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
- A series completion certificate upon request
The webinars were FREE to members of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) and Agriculture Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC), with support from the Conservation Drainage Network’s Growth Committee (CDN).