Trainings & Workshops Early May

MAY 5th, 2020: Ag Water Webinar “South Platte River Salinity... Should Agriculture Be Concerned?” | Colorado Ag Water Alliance | 12:00-12:40 p.m. Grady O'Brien, a hydrologist based in Fort Collins, examined decades of historical information and conducted field testing to better understand if the South Platte has gotten saltier over time, identify seasonal variations, and uncover potential sources of increased salt. If there are increasing problems with salinity in the South Platte, we can better prepare and mitigate those problems with good data on the causes and impacts of the issue. Sign-up HERE.

MAY 6th-8th, 2020: Growing Water Smart Workshop | The Lincoln Institute’s Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy and Sonoran Institute | Breckenridge, CO. The workshop brings together community teams comprised of land use planners, water providers, and elected officials to learn strategies for reducing water demand and other water-related challenges in their community. Most costs (lodging and food) are covered for selected teams. The deadline to apply was February 14, 2020. Check out the Resilient Comunities and Watersheds website HERE

MAY 19th, 2020: Ag Water Webinar “Demonstrating Ag Progress on Water Quality: Modeling the Effectiveness of EQIP-funded conservation practices.” | Colorado Ag Water Alliance | 12:00-1:00 p.m. Phil Brink, Brink, Inc., and Tyler Wible, Civil and Environmental Engineering, CSU, conducted an extensive modeling project to quantify the effects of EQIP Conservation Practices at the edge of field. Using existing NRCS - EQIP conservation data (2008 - 2018) and the CSU Center Edge-of-Field Conservation Planning Tool (CLEAN), the study demonstrates progress in reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus discharges from fields. Sign-up HERE.

JUNE 23rd & 24th / SEPT. 2nd & 3rd, 2020: Water Fluency Program | Water Education Colorado | Durango, CO. A professional development course to help you understand water and lead with confidence. The Water Fluency Program offers immersion in the language of water as well as tools for navigating the culture, complexity, and future of water management and policy issues. There is potential for the first session to be virtual. Registration closes May 1st. To learn more and to register, click HERE.

JULY 23rd & 24th, 2020: Certified Stormwater Inspector (Municipal) Training WEBINAR | National Stormwater Center | 8:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Denver, CO. All classes are being conducted as live, interactive webinars. Designed specifically for municipal personnel, this course offers training and certification to demonstrate, for the record, that inspectors are qualified. Inspectors will learn: how to inspect construction, commercial, and industrial, and municipal activities; what to inspect; the limits of their authority; appropriate demeanor; appropriate discretion. They also learn about the Clean Water Act, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the six Minimum Control Measures, and how to better implement and support their MS4 stormwater program. All course instructors have stormwater enforcement experience at the Federal or State level. You will receive a discount of $50.00 for registration forms submitted 30 days or more prior to the training date. Payment is not due at the time of registration. Please download the announcement HERE with course details and registration information. Graduates of the Certified Stormwater Inspector course receive certification for 5 years and continuing education units, and ongoing, unlimited support of the National Stormwater Center. Register HERE

AUGUST 20th & 21st, 2020: Water Educator Symposium & Project WET Workshop | Water Education Colorado | Keystone Science School. The annual symposium includes training and professional development as well as a time for educators around the state to gather, share best practices, learn from each other and problem-solve to overcome challenges in water education. Educators, water professionals and decision-makers are encouraged to attend. In the workshop, facilitators will model four activities and participants plan and teach a lesson to peers and receive feedback from workshop facilitators.  Participants who successfully complete the training receive a Project WET Educator certification and Project WET Curriculum Guide 2.0. Find out details and register HERE.

The Society of Outdoor Recreational Professionals opened recent, relevant past webinars and made those available to all for free during this challenging time. Some of the recent topics include inclusivity in the outdoor recreation community, strategies to influence visitor behavior, visitor use management, partnerships, effects of climate change on outdoor recreation, monitoring, and many more. This is an opportunity to keep your skills sharp and view a webinar that you may not have had time for previously. Access recent, free SORP webinars HERE.

Water & Wastewater Online Training. With TargetSolutions, water agencies can cost-effectively deliver quality courses to employees designed to increase safety comprehension, achieve compliance and decrease claims. Staying compliant with mandated training and continuing education requirements is critical. TargetSolutions comprehensive catalog offers online, state-approved water and wastewater continuing education. See the course catalog HERE.

Online Courses Available Through Colorado Rural Water Association. Industry studies have shown employee-training budgets for most water and wastewater utilities are tighter than ever. Web-based operator certification and license renewal training provides employers and their employees the flexibility of taking training courses at their own pace without the hassle and cost of attending live classes. Check them out HERE.