JUNE 8th-21st, 2020: Resilient Colorado: Natural Hazards Education | Hazard Education Awareness & Resilience Task (HEART) Force. 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 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 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 closed. To learn more click HERE.
JUNE 26th, 2020: Citizen Science Programs Q/A | Mountain Studies Institute | 6:00-6:30 p.m. Get any questions answered and to try out iNaturalist with an MSI staffer on the line to help with any troubleshooting. Download the free iNaturalist App, make a free account, and try making an observation. This Q/A is to help with any troubles you may have along the way, or questions about citizen science monitoring programs. For more information click HERE.
JUNE 29th-30th / JULY 22nd / JULY 30th-31st / SEPT. 9th, 2020: Online Qualified MS4 Stormwater Permit Compliance Professional | American Stormwater Institute, LLC. The MS4-SCP is a two-day course that addresses everything you must do to be in compliance with your MS4 permit. For more information 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 22nd-24th, 2020: Virtual Stay-In-stitute for Climate Change Education | Wild Rose Education. Co-hosted by Climate Generation, NOAA’s Climate Program Office and The Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program! The Youth Water Leadership Program is building a cohort for the Institute from the Upper Colorado River Basin. Join the cohort and bring your unique perspective to a group of educators from across the basin. For more information 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.
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 3rd-5th, 2020: “Public Lands of the United States: Designations, History, and Today” | Wild Rose Education. During this 3-day virtual professional development workshop, expand your knowledge of public lands in America and how you might teach others about federal public land. For more information and to register, click 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.