JUNE 2nd, 2020: The Basics of Waterwise Landscaping and Efficient Irrigation | Resource Central | 6:00-8:00 p.m. Learn the basics of waterwise landscaping and efficient irrigation best practices to apply to your own landscape! This class will explore the how-to’s of conserving water while creating a functional and attractive outdoor space. Learn basic concepts of waterwise landscaping, irrigating your landscape efficiently, cutting edge irrigation technology, and ways to modify existing landscapes to cut back on water use. For more information and to register, click HERE.
JUNE 4th, 2020: Yampa Basin Rendezvous III: A Dialogue on Measuring and Managing Seasonal Variability | Friends of the Yampa | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Warming temperatures and rising snowlines pose serious risks to the boreal, alpine, and riverine ecosystems of the Yampa River Basin. How is the Yampa community measuring the existing seasonal variability and adapting to manage the impacts of current and expected seasonal changes? Attend to learn the answer: register HERE.
JUNE 4th, 2020: Managing Stormwater: Funding Mechanisms to Reduce Runoff | Environmental Law Institute (ELI) | 10:00-11:30 a.m. Intensifying weather events are burdening municipalities’ capacity to manage stormwater, leading to increased stormwater runoff and pollutants into both local bodies of water and larger regional watersheds. Stormwater runoff is now the fastest growing source of water pollution in many watersheds throughout the United States.Lack of adequate and sustainable funding is a major hurdle for municipalities to effectively manage stormwater programs. In response, municipalities are increasingly implementing stormwater utility fees (SUFs) to fund their stormwater programs. Register by June 2nd HERE.
JUNE 8th-21st, 2020 | Resilient Colorado: Natural Hazards Education | HEART. A course on teaching wildfire, floods, and drought is offered through the virtual WCU Summer Teacher Institute. Three 90-minute synchronous virtual meetings will be held during these dates. If participants cannot make a meeting, meetings will be recorded. Participation and course credit (EDUC 510, 1 credit) are free! For more information please click HERE.
JUNE 8th, 2020 | Summer Learning SPREE | The Greenway Foundation. This is an at-home, 5 week “camp program” that will include grade-specific missions from the beloved SPREE Beaver Mascot Chompers. Each week will include a unique mission that gets your child outdoors, short videos of nature crafts and activities, and live video sessions with SPREE Educators. This program is being offered exclusively in 2020 in response to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of traditional summer camp programs. Each Special Agent will receive a weekly mission through July 10th, 2020. Registrations will be accepted through the length of the program. For more information click HERE.
JUNE 9th-29th, 2020: Western Rivers Ecology and Geography Course | Western Colorado University. Learn how to utilize rivers and riparian habitat as the context to meet the Colorado 2020 Science standards (NGSS) through observations, explorations, discussions, and journaling to create three-dimensional, phenomenon and problem-driven science learning experiences. During this hybrid course, participants will explore the three major components of a river ecosystem: aquatic life, water quality, and riparian habitat as well as watershed geography. Interdisciplinary experiences include self-directed field explorations at your home, engaging with free data visualization tools and labs, and mapping explorations. The workshop is designed for 3rd-10th grade educators. Register HERE.
JUNE 10th, 2020: Water with your Lunch | Colorado River District | 12:00 p.m. In the first of this series, the Colorado River District’s Andy Mueller and Zane Kessler will provide an overview of key natural resource challenges facing water users in Western Colorado and throughout the Colorado River Basin, followed by an interactive discussion of future fiscal challenges that could impact the District’s efforts to protect West Slope water users. Terry Fankhauser, Executive Vice President of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association and Fay Hartman, Colorado River Basin Program Conservation Director for American Rivers, will present on important West Slope water issues related to agricultural, recreational, and environmental needs, and will discuss how collaboration can foster solutions for all water users on the Western Slope. For more information and to register, click 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 is open until the class is full. To learn more and to register, click HERE.
JULY 7th-AUGUST 4th, 2020 | Geo-Hydro Teen Tuesdays - Summer Program | Wild Rose Education. Explore the science and geography of your watershed through engaging activities, simulations, citizen science projects, geography experts, deliberations, and more. Meet weekly with fellow teens to learn, discuss, and explore current watershed science and geography topics. Session topics include: watersheds, mapping, Colorado River issues, snow and mountain water supply, water law, and watershed management. The cost of the session is $375. Register by June 23rd HERE.
JULY 20th-31st, 2020: Leave No Trace Trainer Course | Western Colorado University. This LNT Trainer Course will give participants LNT skills and ethics as well as techniques for effectively sharing these low impact practices with students of all ages. This course is specifically for educators who take youth outdoors for single or multi-day courses. Research has shown that this course significantly improves participant knowledge and understanding of how Leave No Trace protects the outdoor places we love. Register 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.
JULY 27th-AUGUST 7th, 2020: Youth Community Civic Action Process Educator Course. Join the Youth Water Leadership Program for a hybrid virtual educator professional development course! Participants will learn how to guide their learners in community-focused civic action projects. Register HERE.
AUGUST 20th & 21st, 2020: Water Educator Symposium—"Equipping Learners for Action in a Climate of Uncertainty” & Project WET Workshop—"Activities for Hydrology, Climate & Colorado’s Water Future” | 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.
Webinar: History, Release, and Spread of the Tamarisk Beetle | Rivers Edge West. Hear from Ben Bloodworth, the Tamarisk Beetle Program Coordinator for RiversEdge West, as he discusses the history, release, and spread of the tamarisk beetle. Click HERE to watch the full video now.
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.