DariTech is a manufacturer and supplier of advanced dairy equipment systems based out of Lynden, Washington. This session will focus on innovation in dairy technology equipment and highlight recent projects from around the state. (Intermediate Level)
Participants will explore how coordinated partnerships and place-based learning opportunities can help students understand local career options and navigate pathways into agriculture and natural resource professions. (Intermediate Level)
We test production of new (to us) crops to expand market opportunities and profitability for farmers. Testing starts with variety selection for our environment, and we assess for total and marketable yield, pest issues, eating quality, and market opportunities. (Intermediate Level)
In partnership with Cascadia CD and DNR's post-fire recovery program, we'll visit some burned areas to look at and discuss post-fire effects at different burn severity levels. We will discuss post-fire hazards, assessments, and some potential mitigations. We'll practice assessments of tree damage, erosion potential, and soil burn severity. We'll also look at how prescribed fire and other interventions alter the trajectory of a burned landscape. (Intermediate Level)
Hear from Spokane and Palouse CDs about their monitoring programs. With the variety of benefits provided by riparian restoration, Spokane CD is employing multiple methods and metrics for monitoring the individual and cumulative effects of buffers. Many of these are adapting as lessons are learned. For the second year in a row, Palouse Conservation District is partnering with Pine Creek Conservation District to continue a bird acoustic monitoring project using autonomous recording units (ARUs). We are evaluating how streamside restoration projects influence local bird communities, as one indicator of successful riparian enhancement. Detections are identified using BirdNET, a program developed by Cornell University’s Bioacoustics Lab that identifies species based on their vocalizations. (Intermediate Level)
An introductory discussion about sediment transport modeling. For which type of projects should sediment transport modeling be included in project design work? What data inputs are needed? Which tools are available for modeling sediment transport? (Intermediate Level)
Short form video has risen in popularity on social media platforms in recent years. It opens up an opportunity to connect with new audiences, share our stories, and build trust in our communities. Three conservation district staff members will share flash presentations on how they have been using short-form video, editing strategies, increasing efficiency, and incorporating humor in communication. (Intermediate Level)
This session will introduce vermifiltration as an accessible, nature-based water treatment approach with practical applications relevant to conservation districts, resource planners, and field professionals. The presentation will provide an overview of vermifiltration fundamentals, including system components, earthworm-microbe interactions, and how design and operating conditions influence treatment performance._x000D_ Real-world examples will be used to illustrate how vermifiltration has been implemented to improve water quality in agricultural, small community, and decentralized treatment contexts. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of where vermifiltration is most effective, key considerations for implementation and monitoring, and lessons learned from applied projects. The session will conclude with discussion of how vermifiltration can be integrated into broader watershed planning and conservation strategies as a complementary tool for improving local water quality. (Intermediate Level)
In partnership with Cascadia CD and DNR's post-fire recovery program, we'll visit some burned areas to look at and discuss post-fire effects at different burn severity levels. We will discuss post-fire hazards, assessments, and some potential mitigations. We'll practice assessments of tree damage, erosion potential, and soil burn severity. We'll also look at how prescribed fire and other interventions alter the trajectory of a burned landscape. (Intermediate Level)
Demonstration of using Arcade, model builder, scheduling code to run, using python in Pro, Jupyter Notebooks, and a script to backup your AGOL Org. (Intermediate Level)
An in-depth introduction to the life cycle requirements of cottonwood, why they're so important, and the lessons we can learn through restoration. (Intermediate Level)
Join grant reviews and practitioners to learn what they look for in grant proposals. Panelists will cover common mistakes seen, what makes a strong, persuasive proposal, and tips for building strong narratives. (Intermediate Level) (Combined with Management & Leadership track)
This session offers an interactive look inside the USDA-NRCS Soil Health Trailer, a mobile classroom designed to bring soil science to life through hands-on demonstrations and visual learning tools. Participants will be guided through a series of exhibits that illustrate key soil health principles, including water infiltration, erosion control, aggregate stability, and the role of living roots, cover crops, and residue in protecting soil resources. (Intermediate Level) (Combined with Farms & Fields track)
In partnership with Cascadia CD and DNR's post-fire recovery program, we'll visit some burned areas to look at and discuss post-fire effects at different burn severity levels. We will discuss post-fire hazards, assessments, and some potential mitigations. We'll practice assessments of tree damage, erosion potential, and soil burn severity. We'll also look at how prescribed fire and other interventions alter the trajectory of a burned landscape. (Intermediate Level)
Learn how Google Earth Engine (GEE) can revolutionize the creation of GIS layers and maps for conservation work. We will explore current challenges with spatial data and explain why GEE was created (2010) to address these issues. This presentation will showcase example projects to demonstrate GEE’s utility and offer a behind-the-scenes look at how it works. Some of the projects will also highlight its application for conservation programs like the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP). Join us for an introduction into the creative world of GEE. (Intermediate Level)
Join grant reviews and practitioners to learn what they look for in grant proposals. Panelists will cover common mistakes seen, what makes a strong, persuasive proposal, and tips for building strong narratives. (Intermediate Level) (Combined with Education, Communication & Outreach track)
This joint session brings together SCC fiscal staff, district fiscal staff, and technicians to review cost share fundamentals, key requirements from the SCC Grant Manual and program guidelines, and the processes needed to ensure timely and accurate payment. (Intermediate Level)
Ecosystem recovery planners, managers, and scholars are increasingly recognizing the importance of understanding the human communities within which we work to improve and scale recovery outcomes. This session will discuss drivers for restoration program success and alignment of recovery actions and outcomes between ecosystem recovery professionals and the communities impacted by their work. The first presentation will introduce a framework to understand drivers of behavior and the design of effective behavior change interventions. Next, we will present on new research of how the structure of landowner incentive programs influences private landowner willingness to participate and support habitat restoration. This work will provide insight on how program design can enable effective incentive programs. And finally, we will present on ongoing research on community members’ priorities for floodplain restoration outcomes and if project manager messaging to communities reflects those priorities. This work will offer guidance on what social and ecological outcomes managers can highlight to enhance residents’ perceptions of restoration project success. (Intermediate Level) (Combined with Riparian Restoration track)
Introduction and functional demo of the new Living Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) tool. An online, GIS based tool for developing CWPP documents and tracking projects and changes in conditions in real time. The tool is easy to use, even for non-GIS experts, is being hosted by Washington DNR and being made available to entities that develop CWPP’s statewide. (Intermediate Level) (Combined with IT/GIS track)
Major flooding impacted western Washington and the eastern Cascades in December 2025, leading to numerous washouts and landslides. Several stream gauges recorded new record-high river levels. Jacob will discuss the atmospheric river precipitation event and other underlying causes of the flooding. We will discuss how the precipitation event and flood levels compare to past events and what to expect moving forward within the context of climate change. (Intermediate Level)
Over half a million people in Washington State speak Spanish as their first language. How do we effectively engage and serve these community members? This session will have two presentations focused on culturally relevant and effective communication with Spanish speaking community, including resources and best practices. Learn how to optimize outreach to the Spanish-speaking community and the key considerations. (Intermediate Level)
Jadey and Adam from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) will demo a suite of decision support tools developed through the Washington Soil Health Initiative. The talk will highlight practical, field-ready resources such as Dirt Data Reports and a growing set of nutrient management tools, including the Deep Soil Sampling Visualization. These tools are designed to support data-informed conservation planning and producer engagement, and ultimately, to save your conservation district (CD) time and money by automating and optimizing workflows.
The second half of the session will shift to a facilitated planning session for what WSDA should build next. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with ideas for CD workflows that could be automated, data gaps that hinder their work, or new tools that would help CDs more effectively reach producers and implement conservation practices on the ground. (Intermediate Level)
The presentation will introduce the NRCS Interim Conservation Practice Standard 825 - Cultural Plantings for Soil Health. It will cover the development of interim practices, the implementation of Standard 825, and examples of its application. The topic will build on the previous talk, linking forest gardens and cultural landscapes with the planting of various culturally relevant plants that improve soil health and provide other ecological benefits. This presentation is designed for an intermediate level audience. (Intermediate Level)
An introduction and overview of permitting requirements through the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Q&A will follow (Intermediate Level) (Combined with Design & Implementation track)
