Free Workshops and Pay-As-You-Go Training Opportunities...

...Proper Functioning Condition - Wednesday

Members of the Interagency National Riparian Service Team from Prineville Oregon will provide a hands-on workshop on their current methodology for assessing the physical functioning of riparian and wetland areas. The term Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) is used to describe both the assessment process, and a defined, on-the-ground condition of a riparian-wetland area. The PFC assessment provides a consistent approach for assessing the physical functioning of riparian-wetland areas through consideration of hydrology, vegetation, and soil/landform attributes. The PFC assessment synthesizes information that is the foundation to determining the overall health of a riparian-wetland area. PFC is a state of resiliency that will allow a riparian-wetland to hold together during a 25 to 30 year flood flow event and maintaining the ability to produce functions and values from both physical and biological attributes. Note: This is a full-day workshop. Attendance at this workshop is limited to 40 persons. Registration is required and early sign-up is recommended. Transportation from the Egan Center for the field portion of the workshop will be provided, as will a sack lunch. Please plan to wear clothing suitable for field exercises.

...Tundra Rehabilitation - Wednesday

The Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station and the Alaska District of the COE are co-sponsoring this afternoon workshop on tundra rehabilitation. Case studies, including ongoing project work, will be presented. Note: This workshop is highly recommended for those attending the North Slope Field Tour.

...Willow Identification and Ecology - Thursday

Dr. Alma Winward, Regional Ecologist for the Intermountain Region of the Forest Service and member of the National Riparian Service Team, has graciously accepted an invitation to help demystify Salix sp. Dr. Winward developed several riparian sampling methodologies currently in use nationally, and was instrumental in the development of the first riparian vegetation classification system used in the Western US The full-day willow identification course will include lecture, lab, and field components. Dr. Winward will be assisted by local plant ecologists, so class participants can receive personalized help. The Campbell Tract, which surrounds the BLM Science Center, provides numerous opportunities to observe and collect willows from both riparian and wetland habitats. Attendees are encouraged to bring willow samples and local keys from their areas, both in and outside of Alaska. Note: This is a full-day workshop. Attendance will be limited to approximately 35 persons. Registration required /early sign-up is recommended. Transportation from the Egan Center will be provided, as will a sack lunch. Please plan to wear field clothing.

...Grant Writing - Thursday

This workshop is for those who wish to learn or improve their skills needed to prepare and execute professional grant proposals. It will introduce beginners and experts to new funding trends, strategies and new state and national philanthropic giving programs. This workshop includes how-to advice in researching and preparing proposals, hands-on exercises, and behind the scenes tours about applications, reviews, and how grants are awarded. Each participant receives a comprehensive workbook with step-by-step instructions for preparing proposals. The workshop will be presented by Cindy Adams, Alaska Funding Exchange in Fairbanks and will be all day. Pre-registration is required and a minimum of 15 will be needed to make this workshop possible, otherwise the workshop will be canceled.

...Aerial Photography and Off-Site Wetland Determination - Thursday PM and Friday

This workshop will require a separate registration form because there will require a separate fee for attendance. John C. Anderson of EnvironData will be the lead instructor. His workshop will focus on making preliminary wetland determinations using soils maps and other sources of wetland data. This 1 day workshop will be offered at ECC starting all day Friday. Registration will be taken until May 1. For more information, please contact Logistics LLC logistics@servcom.com for a registration form.

...Alaska Wetlands and Wildlife Cirriculum - Friday

This day-long workshop will feature the K-12 curricula “Wetlands and Wildlife” produced jointly in 1991 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Participants will become familiar with Alaska’s wetlands, issues related to wetlands and the wetland field trip organization. The Workshop will be facilitated by Cathy Rezabeck and Heather Johnson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Education Specialists located in Anchorage. Both have extensive teacher-training experience and have done numerous wetland workshops. If you plan on attending this workshop, please bring field cloths and rubber boots. The course will start at 9am and conclude by 5pm.