BWSR Academy - Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

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Session Schedule: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

Session Descriptions

Tuesday, Oct. 20 - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Fiscal Management Track: SWCD Flat-Rate Payment Policies

Description: The Chisago Soil & Water Conservation District will give an overview of its cost-share policies, with a focus on its flat-rate payment policy. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources will discuss programs where flat-rate payments are applicable, how they should be structured and how they should be used appropriately.

Trainers: Jacquelynn Olson - Chisago SWCD, Jared House - BWSR

Organizational Capacity Track: Crash Course in Cultural Resource Management and Archaeology

Description: This session is a crash course in cultural resource management and archaeology in Minnesota, with a focus on the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council (MIAC). It includes a brief overview of MIAC as an agency; a discussion of state and federal cultural resource laws and MIAC’s role under those laws; commonly used archaeological terms; guidance on working with the public; procedures for inadvertent discoveries; case studies; and resources and instructions for the formal project review process.

Trainers: Isaac Weston - Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, Selena Bernier - Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, George J. Goggleye Jr. - Minnesota Indian Affairs Council

Outreach Track: Utilizing Local Networks for Improved Conservation Outcomes

Description: This session explores how conservation practitioners can effectively engage local mentors and community networks to strengthen project outcomes. Through real-world case studies, participants will examine successful strategies for building trust, sharing knowledge and leveraging existing relationships to support sustainable conservation efforts. The session will highlight practical approaches to identifying key local leaders, fostering collaboration and integrating community expertise into project design and implementation.

Attendees will leave with actionable insights and tools to enhance their own work through stronger, locally grounded partnerships.

Trainers: Natalie Hoidal - University of Minnesota Extension, Jaren Peplinski - Kanabec SWCD

Programs Track: Keep Calm and Buffer On

Description: Whether you are a seasoned technician or new to the buffer world, this session is designed to provide you with the technical confidence to handle Minnesota’s complex landscapes related to Minnesota Statutes §103F.48 the "Buffer Law." We will provide practical tips and initiate valuable discussions to help you navigate Buffer Law implementation. We will explore the new BuffCAT and discuss strategies for documentation, including landowner letters, map creation and surveying. We will also learn from each other’s successes and failures. You will leave this session with the technical clarity, confidence and consistency needed to keep moving toward 100% buffer compliance. Keep calm and buffer on.

Trainers: Chad Hildebrand - BWSR, Ethan Dahl - BWSR, Laura DeBeer - BWSR

Technical Track: Biodiverse Community and Residential Projects for Long-term Success

Description: There is high demand across Minnesota communities for establishing diverse plantings to support pollinators, replace lawn, and build resiliency in yards, parks and green spaces. This session will focus on planning, design strategies, site preparation, planting and long-term care for successful projects. Participants will be guided though filling out a planning template for a biodiverse and sustainable project.

Trainers: Dan Shaw - BWSR, Erin Loeffler - BWSR, Hannah Plonsky - Scott SWCD

Wetlands & Soils Track: Got Calc?!

Description: Calcareous fens are rare, groundwater-fed wetlands that have special protection under Minnesota statutes which prohibit filling, draining or degrading fens. This session will provide wetland professionals with a basic understanding of calcareous fens and the project planning considerations needed to protect them. Participants will learn how fens are identified, about the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) updated Technical Criteria for Identifying Calcareous Fens, and about available data resources. We will also discuss how the DNR evaluates potential project impacts. By focusing on early coordination and shared responsibilities, this session will highlight how watershed districts and the DNR can work together to avoid fen impacts, streamline project development and achieve better outcomes for both natural resource protection and project efficiency.

Trainer: Keylor Andrews - Minnesota DNR

Workshops: Governing Galaxies

Description: The government galaxies involved in protecting Minnesota’s natural resources can make navigating among the stars difficult for the novice. Local, state and federal agencies each have their own gravitational pulls that can confuse even the most intrepid new employee. This session will help attendees understand how the many galaxies align while avoiding the dreaded bureaucratic black hole. This session is a must for all new employees.

Trainers: Pete Waller - BWSR, Jeff Hrubes - BWSR

Tuesday, Oct. 20 - 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Fiscal Management Track: eLINK 404: Diving Into Linking, Activity Details, and More!

Description: This eLINK session is for users with some experience. The goal is to demystify linking, tough situations involving activity details, pollution indicators and more! Come prepared with troubleshooting questions and try to stump the chump board conservationist!

Trainer: Shane Bugeja - BWSR

Organizational Capacity Track: Practical AI Tools for Conservation Professionals

Description: Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) can support and enhance your work in conservation. This session introduces practical, easy-to-use AI tools designed to improve efficiency, streamline workflows and support better decision-making. Participants will explore real-world applications such as drafting documents, analyzing information, planning projects and improving communication. The session will also highlight responsible and effective use of AI in a conservation context. Through demonstrations and interactive exercises, attendees will gain hands-on experience and leave with actionable ideas to integrate AI into their daily work, saving time, increasing productivity and allowing greater focus on conservation outcomes. 

Participants should bring a laptop or phone to participate. A laptop is preferred.

Trainers: Ara Gallo - BWSR, Melanie Bomier - BWSR, Henry Van Offelen - BWSR

Outreach Track: Graphic Design Basics for Effective Communication

Description: This session explores simple ways to create clear, polished materials for outreach and communication. We’ll look at easy design basics, from layout and color to choosing readable styles and planning with accessibility in mind. You’ll also learn how to make straightforward flyers and social posts, maintain a consistent look and use user-friendly online tools such as Canva to find and add visuals. Your trainers, Lindsey Albright and Shelby Roberts, are not graphic designers. They are water monitoring professionals with a passion for science communication, who have learned graphic design by trial and error and look forward to sharing what they’ve learned with you.

Participants should bring a laptop. Before the training, we recommend setting up a Canva account (a free account is fine) and becoming familiar with the platform, as we will use it throughout the training.

Trainers: Lindsey Albright - Dakota County SWCD, Shelby Roberts - Scott SWCD

Programs Track: Competitive Grant Writing

Description: Looking to expand implementation efforts locally? There is no better way than to pursue a competitive grant. This session will explore available resources and critical details to address to strengthen a grant application. Participants will examine holistic project impacts and benefits to build confidence in pursuing competitive opportunities. The session will explore a treatment train approach to targeting conservation efforts and securing competitive grants to facilitate implementation.

Trainers: Luke Olson - BWSR, Cody Fox - Mower SWCD

Technical Track: Drainage and Conservation

Description: This session will provide an overview and discussion of drainage and conservation opportunities. Topics will include assessing eligibility for various practices and discussing, at a high level, the documentation needed for practice installation. Participants will also complete an exercise to consider other Multipurpose Drainage Management activities that could be considered for work in, on or near drainage systems.

Trainer: Tom Gile - BWSR

Wetlands & Soils Track: Understanding Farmers to Improve Your Soil Health Outreach

Description: Results of the 2024 Minnesota Office for Soil Health (MOSH) survey of Minnesota farmers are loaded with insights about farmers — including those you may or may not be reaching with current programming. Presenters will dive into the details of the survey results and lead you through activities to apply regional findings to how you interact with farmers in your district. Expect to come away with a plan and tools for building better relationships with farmers, providing more effective services to meet their production goals and advancing your soil and water goals.

Trainers: Marcelle Lewandowski - Minnesota Office for Soil Health, Sarah Roth - University of Minnesota - Water Resources Center

Workshops: Prepping for 40 More Years of RIM! - Part 1

Description: Join us for an engaging workshop on Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM), Minnesota’s flagship conservation easement program that has been restoring and protecting habitat on private lands for 40 years! We’ll provide a short history of RIM and its achievements, as well as current opportunities for landowners. The easement acquisition process will be covered with the progressive changes being made to make acquisitions smoother. We will also debut the new and improved conservation plan! This needed update to RIM’s conservation plan format will address past issues and set landowners up for success in managing their land. This will be a significant shift in how conservation plans are created. Finally, annual awards will be given for SWCDs doing outstanding work on behalf of RIM.

Trainers: Sara Reagan - BWSR, Lucy Dahl - BWSR

Tuesday, Oct. 20 - 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Fiscal Management Track: Why and How to Manage and Fund Forestry

Description: Why is managing our woods vital to the health of Minnesota’s forests? This session will explore the importance of private forest management (PFM), including management methods and funding sources. Several SWCD foresters will describe how they are accomplishing PFM in their regions. We’ll also hear from a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) PFM coordinator about the DNR’s PFM program, including Woodland Stewardship Plans, SFIA, 2c, cost-share and how to work with your local DNR PFM forester. 

Trainers: Darren Mayers - BWSR, Terri Peters - Wabasha SWCD, Tristan Nelson - North St. Louis SWCD, John Carlson - Minnesota DNR Forestry

Organizational Capacity Track: Project Management Strategies from Concept to Completion

Description: Project planning and management are complex and require a structured, adaptable approach. This session explores practical strategies and lessons learned across all phases of project development. Topics include managing conflict, navigating challenges, securing and leveraging funding, engaging landowners and the public, and handling permitting requirements. Participants will be introduced to a recommended process that emphasizes early coordination, a clear purpose and need, and the development of alternatives leading to a preferred solution. Through case studies and interactive scenarios, attendees will work through real-world examples and gain tools to effectively manage projects from start to finish. 

Participants should bring a laptop or phone to participate. A laptop is preferred.

Trainers: Tracy Halstensgard - Roseau River WD, Erik Jones - Houston Engineering
 

Outreach Track: Selling Conservation - Getting Buy-In

Description: In this session, you will learn what selling a car and selling conservation have in common. You will leave the session with tips and suggestions to use when working with landowners to “sell” conservation. Participants will learn the sales process, communicate benefits in relatable term, and build trust with audiences who may be indifferent or skeptical.

Trainer: Jesse Walters - Martin SWCD

Programs Track: Focusing on the Future - 1W1P

Description: Woohoo! The One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) program has been operating for over a decade! During that time, we’ve all learned a lot about plan content, working with new partners, and goal-based targeting and implementation efforts. This milestone offers insight into the program’s evolution and outlook. In addition, partnerships may encounter new data, meet goals and need to refocus their efforts. They can address these changes through plan assessment and consideration of amendments. The session will focus on planning strategies to best serve implementers and our resources for continued success.

Trainer: Julie Westerlund - BWSR

Technical Track: The Very Basics of Nutrient Management

Description: This session will cover the most basic concepts of plant macronutrients, 4R applied fertility principles and general nutrient management. Attendees should not expect to get into nutrient management planning or programs in this session, but can expect to depart this session with a fundamental understanding of what it means to manage plant nutrients.

Trainer: Tyler Knutson - BWSR

Wetlands & Soils Track: Soil Health Basics

Description: This session will focus on understanding the basics of soil function and how time and management impact the soil’s ability to perform essential functions. We will discuss ways to explain this to farmers and landowners and provide some simple soil health demonstrations.

Trainers: Bailey Tangen - University of Minnesota Extension, Stephanie McLain - USDA NRCS

Workshops: Prepping for 40 More Years of RIM! - Part 2

Description: Join us for an engaging workshop on Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM), Minnesota’s flagship conservation easement program that has been restoring and protecting habitat on private lands for 40 years! We’ll provide a short history of RIM and its achievements, as well as current opportunities for landowners. The easement acquisition process will be covered with the progressive changes being made to make acquisitions smoother. We will also debut the new and improved conservation plan! This needed update to RIM’s conservation plan format will address past issues and set landowners up for success in managing their land. This will be a significant shift in how conservation plans are created. Finally, annual awards will be given for SWCDs doing outstanding work on behalf of RIM.

Trainers: Sara Reagan - BWSR, Lucy Dahl - BWSR