SWCS hosts educational webinars to provide conservation professionals the latest in research, practice, and policy, as well as professional development opportunities. 

Current Series:

Conservation Voices: Strategies for Professionals Shaping the Future

SWCS is launching a new webinar series in 2025, “Conservation Voices: Strategies for Professionals Shaping the Future.” This series is designed to equip those working in conservation with practical tools to tackle challenges in the field. Each session will take a problem-solving approach, exploring a pressing issue to deliver actionable insights for overcoming obstacles, achieving conservation goals, and advancing your work—all while staying connected to a supportive community!

This 11-part series will be held on the last Tuesday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m. CT.

 Registration Details:

  • SWCS Members: Free (must be active)
  • Nonmembers: $15 per session

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER FOR The Upcoming Session

Student Professional Development Series

Student Professional Development Series hosted by MANRRS, NACD, and SWCS

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.

Registration is free and open to all!

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER FOR OUR STUDENT EVENTS

Past Webinars:

Batch and BUILT! Helping Farmers Manage Their Edge-of-Field Practices

This specialty webinar helps you simplify your approach to managing edge-of-field practices with actionable tips and ready-to-use tools. Edge-of-field practices are essential for nutrient removal and water quality. With the right management strategies, you can ensure these systems perform optimally, benefiting both farmers and the environment.

Hosted by the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), the Agriculture Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC), and Christopher Hay Consulting, this is your chance to learn from top experts in the field, connect with peers, and walk away with tools you can apply right away.

The recording is available to members by contacting events@swcs.org.

Conservation Matters

Organized with the support of the SWCS Science and Policy Committee, this series is an opportunity to present hot topics related to science, practices, and policy to the membership of the Society. 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

Read (or re-read) Leopold’s classic work like an actual almanac—one chapter per month in the company of other SWCS members! 

Each month, members met to -

  1. Recap the monthly reading and share reactions
  2. Explore Leopold’s experiences at the shack that shaped his writing
  3. Discuss what Leopold’s work means for us today

Contact events@swcs.org if you’re interested in participating in another virtual book club.

Lessons from Leaders: Accelerating the Adoption of Conservation Drainage Webinar Series

This webinar series explores the adoption of conservation drainage across disciplines, regions, and landscapes. Leading stakeholders share unique perspectives, engage in dialogue, and generate a set of recommendations to be used to advance conservation drainage adoption locally and nationally.

Sessions include -

  • 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

This series is hosted by the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) and Agriculture Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC), with support from the Conservation Drainage Network’s Growth Committee (CDN). 

Session recordings are available to members by contacting events@swcs.org.