TABLE OF CONTENTS
ADVANCED CONSERVATION PLANNING ON GRAZING LANDS ......................................... 3 BASIC GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) TRAINING ......................................... 4 BASIC IRRIGATION DESIGN ................................................................................................... 5 BASIC SURVEY AND DESIGN................................................................................................. 6 CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS – LEVEL I LABORATORY EXERCISE ...................................... 7 CULTURAL RESOURCES TRAINING SERIES........................................................................ 9 HYDROGEOMORPHIC (HGM) TRAINING ............................................................................. 11 EROSION PREDICTION MODELS – RUSLE2 TRAINING ..................................................... 12 WIND EROSION EQUATION (WEQ) TRAINING.................................................................... 13 INTRODUCTION TO AGRONOMY ......................................................................................... 14 INTRODUCTION TO NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (EC-750) .................................................. 15 INTRODUCTION TO PEST MANAGEMENT .......................................................................... 16 CONSERVATION CROPPING SYSTEMS COURSE ............................................................. 17 INTRODUCTION TO RANGE MANAGEMENT....................................................................... 18 NUTRIENT AND PEST MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS IN CONSERVATION PLANNING - NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT TRACK II .............................................................. 19 SOIL QUALITY WORKSHOP.................................................................................................. 21 STRUCTURAL CONCRETE DESIGN..................................................................................... 22 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED (T&E) SPECIES........................................................... 23 WETLAND PLANT IDENTIFICATION FIELD TRAINING ........................................................ 24 WILDLIFE HABITAT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT.......................................................... 25 POND ROUTING..................................................................................................................... 26 WINDBREAK DESIGN WORKSHOP ...................................................................................... 27
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ADVANCED CONSERVATION PLANNING ON GRAZING LANDS
Overview This training is provided to gain skills in design and implementation of grazing systems; to learn monitoring methods and how to develop and implement a monitoring plan; to learn drought preparedness concepts and how to develop a drought mitigation plan; other advanced skills and concepts related to conservation planning on grazing lands. Participants will take part in a pasture allocation exercise during the course of the training. A feed and forage balance will be determined, and paddocks will be designed in order to achieve a certain utilization level. Participants will also utilize inventory data to develop a grazing plan and present their plan to the class. Participants will learn how to set monitoring objectives, and learn different monitoring techniques. In addition, participants will learn how to help a producer develop a drought mitigation plan and how to define trigger points for management decisions. Training is about 50 percent indoor and 50 percent outdoor. Objectives Upon completion of this training, the participants will be able to: ♦ Independently design grazing systems at moderately complex levels. ♦ Assist a producer to develop a monitoring plan and a drought mitigation plan as needed. ♦ Use techniques to handle somewhat unique situations, and have knowledge of how to address these situations or where to go for additional assistance. Prerequisites Duration 3 Days Target Audience Conservation planners with previous experience and knowledge of basic range and pasture inventory methods. Experience with South Dakota inventory methods needed, or attendance at the Introduction to Conservation Planning on Grazing Lands. Training Location Huron, SD Contact Stan Boltz, State Rangeland Management Specialist, 605-352-1236, stanley.boltz@sd.usda.gov
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BASIC GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) TRAINING
Overview This training is intended to provide knowledge and skills to use existing GIS products in the design of engineering practices. Objectives Upon completion of this training, the participants will be able to: ♦ Delineate watersheds, flow lengths, and average slope of the watershed. ♦ Determine hydrologic soil group, and predominate land use in order to calculate a runoff curve number. ♦ Link aerial photos and USGS Quadrangles with GPS (both survey and resource grade) surveys and total station data. ♦ Develop electronic plan view maps which include photographic backgrounds. Prerequisites Participates should possess a good working knowledge of basic engineering practices. Prior GIS experience is not required. Duration 2 Days Target Audience This workshop is intended for engineers and technicians actively involved in the design of engineering practices. Training Location Huron, SD Contact Jay Cobb, State Conservation Engineer, 605-352-1260, jay.cobb@sd.usda.gov
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BASIC IRRIGATION DESIGN
Overview This training is intended to provide knowledge and skills to understand and design basic sprinkler irrigation systems. Objectives Upon completion of this training, the participants will be able to: ♦ Understand basic principles of irrigation (crop water needs, available water capacity etc.). ♦ Understand water pressure creation and measurement. ♦ Calculate friction losses in pipes. ♦ Calculate flow and pressure in a typical sprinkler irrigation system. ♦ Understand the basics of pump design for sprinkler irrigation systems. ♦ Design a basic sprinkler irrigation system. Prerequisites Participates should possess a good working knowledge of basic hydraulic principles. Duration 3 Days Target Audience This workshop is intended for those engineers and technicians that are actively involved in the inventory and /or design of irrigation systems. This includes review of vendor designed systems. Training Location Huron, SD Contact Jay Cobb, State Conservation Engineer, 605-352-1260, jay.cobb@sd.usda.gov
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BASIC SURVEY AND DESIGN
Overview The training will provide a basic understanding of the engineering principles of routine conservation engineering practices and basic surveying. Instruction will be tailored to the location of the trainee. Training provided in the western area will focus on pipelines, ponds, and irrigation. Eastern training will focus on waterways, ponds, pipelines, and terraces. Survey training will include basic level circuit surveys. Objectives Upon completion of the training the participants will be able to: ♦ Design with assistance several conservation engineering practices. Prerequisites None Duration 4 Days Target Audience Basic Survey and Design is intended for soil conservation technicians and soil conservationists within three years of the beginning of their career. Contact Jay Cobb, State Conservation Engineer, 605-352-1260, jay.cobb@sd.usda.gov
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CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS – LEVEL I LABORATORY EXERCISE
Overview The Classification of Soils – Level I Laboratory Exercise provides a basic understanding of soil materials, the structure and physical properties of soils, and the effect of water and particle size on these properties. Emphasis is placed on the application of the Unified Soil Classification System to engineering design and construction with relation to conservation practices. Objectives Upon completion of this course; participants will be able to: ♦ Run simple field identification tests and visually classify soils in the proper grouping of the Unified Soil Classification System. Prerequisites The completion of SM Series Modules 1-3 Classification of Soils Level I is required prior to the Level I laboratory exercise. This course is available through AgLearn at http://www.aglearn.usda.gov. Review of the Engineering Field Handbook 210-VI-NEH-650.04 (Chapter 4), Elementary Soil Engineering, is highly recommended. Duration 16 hours Target Audience Classification of Soils – Level I Laboratory Exercise is intended for engineers, geologists, soil scientists, soil conservationists, technicians, and others needing the fundamentals of soil classification systems in NRCS. Contact Jay Cobb, State Conservation Engineer, 605-352-1260, jay.cobb@sd.usda.gov Enrollment Contact the State Training Officer
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CULTURAL RESOURCES TRAINING SERIES
Overview It is the policy of the NRCS that cultural resources training will be provided to all employees who carry out some or all of NRCS cultural resources compliance responsibilities at the field and state office levels. The purpose of this training is to increase student awareness and knowledge of NRCS cultural resources stewardship responsibilities. Completion of this training may also be a requirement for certification under the NRCS Conservation Planning Certification training program. This training consists of eight modules, six Web-based modules in AgLearn and two additional modules tailored to state and regional cultural resources requirements which have been developed by each NRCS state office. Successful completion of the first six modules is required to move on to the two final modules, Module 7 (regional resources discussed in a classroom setting) and Module 8 (site/field visit) are presented by a cultural resources specialist. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Define cultural resources. Explain why NRCS considers cultural resources. Describe NRCS policy and procedures for identifying and protecting cultural resources. Locate and receive assistant from NRCS cultural resources specialists and coordinators and other sources. Appropriately incorporate cultural resources information into conservation plans. Identify cultural resources by conducting a review and survey. Develop, maintain, and safeguard cultural resources information files. Document actions which can be taken to protect cultural resources. Describe steps to be taken when cultural resources are encountered during program/project implementation or construction.
Prerequisites There are no prerequisites for accessing Modules 1-6. Successful completion of Modules 1 through 6 is a prerequisite for Module 7. Successful completion (as certified by the NRCS State cultural resources specialist and Training Officer) of Module 7 is a prerequisite for Module 8. Delivery Method Part 1 - Modules 1 - 6 are Web-based in AgLearn. Modules 7 and 8 are designed and presented by the NRCS State Office. Part 2 - Module 7 is classroom based and is designed to give the students a sound background in recognizing the full range of regional/state cultural resources issues. 9
CULTURAL RESOURCES TRAINING SERIES – CONTINUED
Part 3 - Module 8 is a hands-on field workshop focused on resource identification and problem solving field exercises. Duration Part 1 - Modules 1-6: 4 hours of self-study are required. Successful completion of these modules will be documented by scoring at least 80 percent on the final test. Part 2 - Module 7: 8 hours of classroom training. Part 3 - Module 8: 8 to 16 hours Target Audience NRCS employees, conservation partnership employees, selected service center employees (contingent upon supervisory approval), and Technical Service Providers who provide cultural resources compliance assistance (data gathering assistance) to clients. Contact Dana Vaillancourt, Archeologist, 605-352-1217, Dana Vaillancourt@sd.usda.gov
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HYDROGEOMORPHIC (HGM) TRAINING
Objective To train students on understanding HGM wetland classification. To enable students to use HGM models for Swampbuster mitigations . Students will learn to apply the appropriate HGM functional assessment model based on geomorphic setting, landscape position, and hydrodynamics. Methods Both Classroom and in the field training will be provided. Classroom techniques will be used to teach students the four unique instances where a wetland functional assessment is used: ♦ Consideration of a request for Minimal Effect Exemption ♦ Consideration of a request for a Mitigation Exemption. ♦ Determination that adequate mitigation has taken place. Students will gain an understanding of the three HGM classes that apply to South Dakota. Riverine, Depressional, and Slope. Additionally the HGM subclasses that apply to South Dakota will be explained. Students will become familiar with terms used to characterize regional HGM subclasses such as landscape, landform, microfeatures, anthropogenic features, ponded, flooded, saturated, recharge, discharge, etc. Prerequisites Students should have wetland job approval authority for completing a certified wetland determination. Class size must be reasonable for this training. Target Audience Field support office specialists, district conservationists, and soil conservationists who work in a high wetland workload area. Contact Kevin Luebke, State Biologist, 650-352-1242, kevin.luebke@sd.usda.gov
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EROSION PREDICTION MODELS – RUSLE2 TRAINING
Course Overview To bring NRCS field office personnel (and others) up to speed with the windows based RUSLE2 program. The RUSLE2 training is designed to convey to the participants the basics of the water erosion process, how climate, environment, and management affect water erosion, the databases within the RUSLE2 program, making a simple RUSLE2 erosion calculations, comparing alternative management options in RUSLE2 and documenting chosen cropland management alternatives. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Understand the water erosion process. Understand how climate, environment, and management affect water erosion. Understand the databases within the RUSLE2 program. Complete a simple RUSLE2 erosion calculations. Comparing alternative management options in RUSLE2. Properly document and file chosen cropland management alternatives.
Prerequisites None Duration 1 Day Target Audience NRCS employees responsible for developing conservation plans. Contact Jeff Hemenway, State Agronomist, 605-352-1239, jeffrey.hemenway@sd.usda.gov
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WIND EROSION EQUATION (WEQ) TRAINING
Course Overview This training is designed to make NRCS field office personnel knowledgeable in the WEQ critical period method based in Excel. The WEQ training is designed to convey to the participants the basics of the wind erosion process, how climate, environment, and management affect wind erosion, the databases within the WEQ program, making simple wind erosion calculations, comparing alternative management options in excel, and documenting chosen cropland management alternatives. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Understand the wind erosion process. Understand how climate, environment, and management affect wind erosion. Understand the databases within the WEQ excel program. Complete a simple WEQ erosion calculation. Comparing alternative management options in WEQ. Properly document and file chosen cropland management alternatives.
Prerequisites None Duration 4-5 Classroom hours Target Audience NRCS employees responsible for developing conservation plans. Contact Jeff Hemenway, State Agronomist, 605-352-1239, jeffrey.hemenway@sd.usda.gov
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INTRODUCTION TO AGRONOMY
Course Overview Conservation planning on cropland requires a detailed understanding of the natural resources inventoried, a detailed understanding of adapted crops, cultural practices, management practices, as well as, the interrelationships among these site and management considerations. To adequately address cropland management considerations, planners must become familiar with the basic scientific processes important in crop production, as well as, important ecological interactions and site conditions as they relate to onsite and offsite environmental concerns. The mission of NRCS calls for integration of conservation practices into Resource Management System (RMS) Planning. This course covers the basic crop and site characteristics, management practices associated with conservation crop production systems used in South Dakota. Objectives Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to: ♦ Identify the resource concerns on cropland. ♦ Apply plant and soil resource knowledge to identify resource concerns and identify suitable alternatives in a conservation cropland system. ♦ Use natural resource information to influence decision makers to better implement resource management systems. ♦ Demonstrate a new level of confidence when planning conservation cropland systems with cropland managers. Topics Covered Cropland Inventory items; soil and site resource concerns; resource evaluation and planning tools; plant Identification; adapted crops and characteristics; crop management techniques; conservation crop systems. Target Audience This course is designed for new NRCS employees such as soil conservationists, biologists, range conservationists, and agronomists with responsibilities of working on cropland. Duration 32 hours of classroom and field workshops Contact Jeff Hemenway, State Agronomist, 605-352-1239, jeffrey.hemenway@sd.usda.gov
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INTRODUCTION TO NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (EC-750)
Course Overview This training will assure that employees working with producers planning nutrient applications will have the basic knowledge and skills to properly plan applications according to land grant university guidance. In addition, this session will review the appropriate NRCS standards and documentation requirements. This training session is targeted to meet the requirements for job approval authority level 2 for practice 590. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Review and understand the SD Fertilizer Recommendations Guide. Review the nutrient management standard and South Dakota installation guide. Identify water quality resource concerns on a Water Quality Risk Assessment Plan Map. Understand what is the appropriate documentation to complete the practice.
Prerequisites None Duration 1 Day Target Audience NRCS employees responsible for developing conservation plans. Contact Jeff Hemenway, State Agronomist, 605-352-1239, jeffrey.hemenway@sd.usda.gov
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INTRODUCTION TO PEST MANAGEMENT
Course Overview This training will assure that employees working with producers planning pest management will have the basic knowledge and skills to properly plan pest management according to NRCS standards. In addition, this session will review the appropriate NRCS installation guides, water quality screening tools and documentation requirements. This training session is targeted to meet the requirements for job approval authority level 3 for practice 595. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ Review and understand the pest management standard and South Dakota installation guide. ♦ Identify the appropriate water quality resource concern. ♦ Generate and interpret pesticide screening reports. ♦ Complete and file the appropriate documentation to complete the practice. Prerequisites None Duration 1 Day Target Audience NRCS employees responsible for developing conservation plans. Contact Jeff Hemenway, State Agronomist, 605-352-1239, jeffrey.hemenway@sd.usda.gov
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CONSERVATION CROPPING SYSTEMS COURSE
Course Overview This is an advanced course that identifies necessary components for developing economically and environmentally viable conservation cropping systems. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ Have a thorough understanding of the Conservation Crop Rotation and Residue Management – Seasonal, Mulch Till, Ridge Till, and No-till/Strip Till conservation practice standards. ♦ Understand the principles and practices of no-till systems. ♦ Become familiar with the ‘Crop Rotation Intensity Rating and Diversity Index’ planning tool. ♦ Demonstrate a new level of confidence when planning conservation tillage systems with cropland managers. Participants Pierre area NRCS District Conservationists and select Soil Conservationists. Location Pierre, SD. Dakota Lakes Research Farm, central SD producers, local equipment dealers Duration 16 hours (start at noon on first day and dismiss at noon on third day) Instructors: Dr. Dwayne Beck, local producers, equipment dealers, Jeff Hemenway, and Jason Miller Prerequisites Review the following publications prior to the course (available at www.dakotalakes.com): ♦ No-Till Guidelines for Arid and Semi-Arid Prairies ♦ "Successful No-Till on the Central and Northern Plains - ASA Paper Presented October 1998" ♦ The Power Behind Crop Rotations - A Guide for Producers (Diversity Index and Intensity Rating) ♦ Sample Diversity Index and Intensity Rating Calculations ♦ Complete Introduction to Agronomy Course
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INTRODUCTION TO RANGE MANAGEMENT
Overview Conservation planning on range and pasture land requires the completion of detailed resource inventories. Each farm and ranch is an interrelated ecosystem and economic system with a unique set of resources. If NRCS personnel are to assist livestock producers in matters of conservation and grassland management, they need knowledge of the natural resources on those livestock operations. It is the available natural resources that affect and are affected by the producer's decisions. This course covers subjects on range and pasture lands such as soils, sites, inventory procedures, monitoring techniques, animal requirements, and basic principles of grazing management. Objectives Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to: ♦ Successfully complete a resource inventory on range and pasture lands. ♦ Apply knowledge of plant and soils resources, livestock operations and producer concerns to increase the effectiveness and acceptability of technical assistance provided to range and pasture land managers. ♦ Use natural resource data to influence decision makers to better implement resource management systems ♦ Demonstrate a new level of confidence and be better equipped to convene and plan with range and pasture land managers. Topics Covered Soil/Site correlation; Plant identification; Biomass production; Similarity index; Trend; Range and pasture land health; Stocking rates; Computer technology; Livestock types and classes; Livestock feed requirements; Livestock water requirements; Basic grazing management concepts. Duration 32 Hours of classroom and field sessions Target Audience Employees such as soil conservationists, range conservationists, agronomists, biologists, plant materials specialists, and others who have the responsibility of working on range and pasture lands. Contact Stan Boltz, State Range Management Specialist, 650-352-1236, stanley.boltz@sd.usda.gov
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NUTRIENT AND PEST MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS IN CONSERVATION PLANNING - NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT TRACK II
Course Overview Nutrient and pest management is becoming increasingly important in Conservation Planning. To adequately address nutrient and pest management considerations, planners must become more familiar with the basic scientific processes important to nutrient and pest management, as well as important ecological interactions and site conditions as they relate to offsite environmental concerns. The mission of NRCS calls for integration of nutrient and pest management into Resource Management System (RMS) Planning. Planners need an awareness of the cause and effect relationships of nutrient and pest management to better support partnerships with State agencies, Extension, Certified Crop Advisors, private industry, and the farmer. With this increased awareness, planners will be more able to incorporate important environmental considerations into nutrient and pest management planning, especially in environmentally sensitive areas. Planners need to know how to implement nutrient and pest management practices in an overall RMS plan. This training course introduces NRCS' mission in the nutrient and pest management arena and how it relates to the RMS planning process. It also identifies regulatory requirements and partnership roles that help to define that mission. It provides the participant with a basic understanding of the science of nutrient and pest management, as well as environmental concerns associated with the use of nutrients and pest management measures, including environmental risk, and the processes that affect the fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides in the environment. Also covered are climate and water management planning considerations and their practical aspects as they relate to nutrient and pest management. The course contains a video that illustrates the challenges of pest and nutrient management. After successful completion of the self-paced Modules 1 - 6, participants will use exercises and assessment tools in a facilitated session to reinforce and apply important concepts. The participant will prepare a nutrient and/or pest management component of a RMS plan to complete the training. Objectives Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to: ♦ Describe NRCS’ role in nutrient and pest management, and the policies, rules, and regulations that impact nutrient and pest management components of a RMS Plan. ♦ Define environmental risk, list concerns associated with environmental risk, and describe the processes that affect the fate and transport of nutrients and pesticides in the environment. ♦ Describe the important chemical, biological and physical processes underlying the science of nutrient and pest management. ♦ Explain the importance of weather information and incorporate the factors of climate and water management into a nutrient and pest management plan. ♦ Identify major natural resource concerns, planning considerations and potential conservation practices which should be included in a Resource Management System, and the level of nutrient and pest management necessary for adequate resource protection. 19
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NUTRIENT AND PEST MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS IN CONSERVATION PLANNING – NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT TRACK II – CONTINUED
♦ Describe the process for planning the nutrient and pest management components of a conservation plan, including other conservation practices and/or management techniques necessary to reduce adverse environmental impacts. ♦ Develop nutrient and pest management components of an RMS plan. Target Audience This course is designed for NRCS staff, certified crop advisors, crop consultants, and industry representatives that are, or will be, developing nutrient and pest management components of the over-all conservation plan. Prerequisites Completion of Introduction to Water Quality is required unless specifically waived. Duration 40 - 80 hours for each track depending on the participant's knowledge and experience. Contact Jeff Hemenway, State Agronomist, 605-352-1239, jeffrey.hemenway@sd.usda.gov
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SOIL QUALITY WORKSHOP
Overview The classroom training sessions and the field exercises will provide a basic understanding of soil quality and proper use of the Soil Quality Test Kit. The field exercises will demonstrate how management affects soil quality and our natural resources. Objective Upon completion of the soil quality workshop the participants will be aware of: ♦ The difference between inherent and dynamic (management induced) soil quality. ♦ The chemical, physical, and biological properties that are measured with the soil quality test kit. ♦ The proper procedures to measure soil quality parameters. ♦ The interpretations of the soil quality measurements. ♦ How soil quality impacts conservation planning. Prerequisites An interest in soil quality with some basic soil knowledge. Duration Two days of classroom instruction and field exercises. Target Audience The Soil Quality Workshop is intended for NRCS soil scientists, district conservationists, soil conservationists, rangeland management specialist, soil conservationist technicians, and others needing the fundamentals of soil quality. Contact Rick Bednarek, Soil Quality Specialist, 605-352-1258, richard.bednarek@sd.usda.gov Enrollment This training workshop is scheduled as needed by the state soil scientist.
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STRUCTURAL CONCRETE DESIGN
Overview This training is intended to provide knowledge and skills to understand and design basic reinforced concrete structures. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Identify the fundamentals and principles of quality concrete. List the requirements for NRCS construction specifications for concrete. Understand the basic strength design method. Understand and evaluate as part of a design flexure, shear, balanced steel ratio, concrete cover, cracking control, minimum reinforcement, temperature and shrinkage reinforcing, development length, and stability analysis. ♦ Design a slab on grade. ♦ Design a basic hydraulic structure.
Prerequisites Participates should possess a good working knowledge of basic structural principles. Duration 3 Days Target Audience This workshop is intended for engineers actively involved in the design of concrete structures. Contact Jay Cobb, State Conservation Engineer, 605-352-1260, jay.cobb@sd.usda.gov
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THREATENED AND ENDANGERED (T&E) SPECIES
Overview This course will provide background on the Endangered Species Act and NRCS responsibilities for compliance. Habitat requirements of listed species in South Dakota (SD) will be reviewed. The course will also cover the SD NRCS procedure for addressing T&E, individual site-specific consultation, and brief review of formal consultation. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ The Federal and state listed species and species of concern for their work area. ♦ The planning and consultation procedures to follow to avoid adverse impacts on listed or special concern species. ♦ Understand and complete the required documentation. Prerequisites Conservation planning for new employees Duration 1 day Target audience NRCS employees responsible for developing conservation plans. Contact Kevin Luebke, State Biologist, 605-352-1242, kevin.luebke@sd.usda.gov
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WETLAND PLANT IDENTIFICATION FIELD TRAINING
Overview The training will include four hours of classroom instruction covering basic wetland plant floral anatomy and the structural characteristics of 12 major wetland plant families for use with plant identification keys. There will be 1.5 days (12 hours) of field plant identification in pre-determined wetland sites. Field identification will focus on identification of wetland type and associated wetland plant assemblages. Species useful for wetland and riparian restoration will be emphasized. Transportation to the field sites will be provided. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ Recognize wetlands under varying hydrologic conditions. ♦ Identify plant species useful in wetland and riparian restoration. ♦ Estimate wetland type by plant assemblages. Target Audience NRCS personnel involved in wetland restoration efforts and those who utilize plant indicators to determine wetland boundaries for various field applications, including district conservationists, soil conservationists, soil conservation technicians, rangeland management specialists, biologists, and others. Contact Kevin Luebke, State Biologist, 650-352-1242, kevin.luebke@sd.usda.gov Enrollment Enrollment will be limited to 20 participants. Recommended Equipment and Materials Participants should have rubber boots (knee-high or hip boots), ziplock bags for field plant collection, and a method to press plants (e.g., spiral bound notebook with scotch tape).
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WILDLIFE HABITAT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Overview Training with classroom and field sessions will cover evaluating habitat conditions, identification of needed elements, and development and management of habitats. Objectives Upon completion of this training; participants will be able to: ♦ Determine basic habitat conditions. ♦ Complete documentation regarding available and planned habitat conditions. Prerequisites Conservation planning for new employees Duration 2 l/2 days Target audience Agency and partner biologists, and other staff who do wildlife planning as part of developing conservation plans. Contact Kevin Luebke, State Biologist, 650-352-1242, kevin.luebke@sd.usda.gov
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POND ROUTING
Overview The training will provide an advanced level of understanding of the principals of flood routing dams which meet the Pond Standard and large TR-60 Structures. Emphasis is placed on the use of the SITES and WINPOND software. Objectives Upon completion of the training the participants will be able to: ♦ Independently design dams of varying size and complexity. Prerequisites 1 year of field experience designing ponds Duration 3 Days Target Audience Advanced pond routing is intended for engineers, and technicians actively involved in the design of ponds and larger structures. Contact Jay Cobb, State Conservation Engineer, 605-352-1260, jay.cobb@sd.usda.gov
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WINDBREAK DESIGN WORKSHOP
Overview This course provides participants an awareness of the function of windbreaks and provides guidance on design criteria for various purposes. The course uses classroom and field trips to demonstrate elements of windbreak design to solve natural resources needs. Objectives Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to: ♦ Recognize resource problems at the farmstead or field to determine the need for windbreaks. ♦ Describe windbreak function and benefits. ♦ Prepare and discuss windbreak alternatives with the cooperator that account for his/her objectives and site features/limitations. ♦ Assemble and formulate the cooperator’s decisions into a windbreak planting plan to facilitate the proper installation of selected components. Prerequisites None Duration 2 days Target Audience All permanent full-time NRCS employees, and partners with conservation planning responsibilities. Contact Gregory Yapp, Resource Conservationist, 605-352-1238, gregory.yapp@sd.usda.gov
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