Registration Now Open! Creative and Effective Watershed Planning, April 17-18th

Register now for MWCC’s Spring Training on “Creative and Effective Watershed Planning.” Effective watershed restoration planning can be a step stone to more than one conservation program and a good plan is more than just a hoop to jump through. In partnership with the Montana DEQ non-point source program, MWCC is offering a two-day training on watershed restoration planning, including five primary topic areas: stakeholder and community engagement, drafting and development, and implementation. Experienced trainers will discuss planning strategies as well as technical and financial resources available for each planning stage. Training will take place in mostly workshop format with the goal of helping conservation groups think outside the box on watershed planning to effectively leverage funding and resources for a plan that is unique and helpful to your watershed community.

This training will be relevant if you or your conservation organization:

Anticipates developing a watershed restoration or conservation plan
Anticipates modifying your plan in coming years
Has a plan and need a project or funding strategy

Regular Registration $125

MWCC Partner Registration $75

MWCC Partners must apply by April 13th for a Professional Development Scholarship

Click here to access the registration form

Click here to apply for a professional development scholarship

Click here to join the MWCC Partnership Program!

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Agenda:

Montana Watershed Coordination Council – Spring Training Creative & Effective Watershed Planning

University of Montana, University Center, 3rd Floor Conference Rooms

Training Overview

The goal of this training is to assist watershed groups to think outside of the box so they can develop a creative and effective watershed restoration plan, including strategies for stakeholder engagement, plan development, resource management, fundraising and implementation.

Monday, April 17^th

9:00a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop – Jennifer Arnold, Reciprocity Consulting

This interactive session will provide a roadmap for engaging a diversity of stakeholders – community members, regulators, scientists and funders – throughout watershed planning and project implementation. We will discuss how to understand your audiences, frame issues to motivate engagement, and create opportunities for meaningful input. We will practice with skills and concepts drawing from everyone’s experience.

12:00p LUNCH PANEL: Successful Watershed Engagement

Successful watershed coordinators will discuss methods and lessons learned in engaging the community. Panelists: Denise Thompson, Broadwater Conservation District, Justin Meissner, NRCS, and Bill Milton, Musselshell land owner.

1:30p The Watershed Planning Document – Dean Yashan, DEQ

Overview of what’s required and resources available through DEQ for getting to a good Watershed Restoration Plan.

2:30p Break

2:45-5:00p Watershed Restoration Plan Resources Workshop

In this session, attendees will speak with eight or more resource specialists from diverse conservation perspectives who can assist in watershed planning, modification, or implementation. Watershed coordinators will receive print materials and have time to discuss resources specific to individual watersheds. Resource specialists include:

Natural Heritage Program-Bryce Maxell
Range Management and watershed health- Justin Meissner, NRCS
Channel mapping and Easements- Wendy Weaver, Montana Aquatic Resource Service
Resilient riparian management- Jeff Burrell & Amy Chadwick
Weed management- Bryce Christiaens, District Weed Manager for Missoula County
Using CWAIC- Mark Ockey, DEQ
Water Quantity assessments and drought planning- Ada Montague, Montana DNRC
Forestry- Angela Wells and Matt Arno, Montana DNRC

5:30p Informal Gathering at Imagine Nation Brewery in Missoula

Tuesday, April 18^th

8:30a Watershed planning and Financial Resources- Erin Farris-Olson, MWCC

MWCC will provide an overview of natural resources grant programs and various planning approaches statewide.

9:30a “Solving the Problem” through Watershed Plan Development- Mark Ockey, DEQ

Overview of Point Source Identification and restoration planning strategies.

10:30a Fundraising and Development Exercise Workshop

MWCC Staff, Jennifer Schoonen of Blackfoot Challenge, and Reciprocity Consulting will provide an opportunity to work through fundraising and development models that may assist watershed coordinators in filling current gaps in capacity funding for watershed plan development and project coordination.

12:30p LUNCH

1:30p Watershed Restoration Plan Implementation: “Getting to a good project”- Eric Trum, DEQ

DEQ Water Quality Section will provide an overview of the road from a good watershed restoration plan to competitive non point source projects.

2:30p PANEL “Pulling it all Together”

Panel of successful professionals in developing watershed restoration plans including resources utilized and best practices. Panelists: Rob Roberts-Trout Unlimited, Heather Barber-Bitter Root Water, Pedro Marquez-Big Hole Watershed Committee.

4:00p What’s next for Non-point source management

A comparative analysis of Montana’s non-point source pollution management. Tim Davis, Water Administrator, Montana DEQ

4:30p DEPART

Click here to Download the Full Agenda