This year’s series explores how forest management impacts wildlife habitats, economic decisions, and climate resilience. Forests play a critical role in supporting Minnesota’s diverse wildlife, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds at every stage of succession - early, mid, or late. Join us to learn how to identify the stage of your forest, discover which wildlife thrive in each stage, and explore management strategies that create resilient habitats while meeting economic and environmental goals.

Apply now to join the Midwest Cover Crops Council 2025 cohort for Cover Crop Essentials, a multi-state, online course on all things cover crops! Highlights for this training include:

 Join us to discuss the complexities of early successional habitat management on private and public lands. We will also go over some species that benefit from this management. We will learn about/discuss the impacts of parcelization, ag practice changes, changes in the forestry market and the biofuel market & how those impact this work. After lunch, we will have a field trip to see some work in action and further our discussion.

This training will teach participants how to use Survey123 to collect and submit field data through digital forms, including photos, GPS locations, and species observations. It will also cover how to use ArcGIS Field Maps to mark features such as trees and invasive species directly on a shared map. Trainees will learn how to access, fill out, and submit data accurately while in the field. The training will explain where the collected data is stored in ArcGIS Online and how it can be managed and reviewed.

Join us for a hands on workshop focused on native grasses and forbs! We’ll explore how to restore and sustain healthy landscapes by planting for wildlife and identifying key native species. Learn practical land management strategies to support long term grassland health and biodiversity.

Improve the knowledge of conservation folks providing technical advice about equipment required for conservation land work. Show different types of equipment that can achieve these management goals, thus giving landowners options. To build confidence when discussing equipment and management practices (645) with landowners. Managing volunteer tree/brush management – mechanical and/or chemical. 

When trees are associated with a prairie, the conversation leans towards how to remove them. Although this is very true, but in some circumstances, trees can be beneficial.  Please join us in Marshall MN to learn about where to use a windbreaks/Shelterbelts and how to design one to meet your objectives.

Curious about fire and how it can be used to improve habitat and conservation cover? We’ll be exploring the “why” and “how” of prescribed fire in the grasslands of Minnesota. Including what to look for when contemplating fire to first steps in the burning process, we will also discuss how to encourage landowners to use prescribed burning to manage their program field units.

A full day of classroom and field training on Conservation Practice Standard 528, Prescribed Grazing.

This one day training on agricultural peat soils is designed for conservation professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of the unique properties and management challenges associated with these soils. The course will provide a comprehensive overview of peat soil formation, hydrology, nutrient dynamics, and carbon storage potential. Participants will explore how agricultural use impacts peat soils, with a focus on subsidence, nutrient loss, and greenhouse gas emissions.