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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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. (Entry Level) (Combined with Education, Communication & Outreach track)
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)
Engage in lessons taught by fellow CD staff and take curriculum back to your community. Presenters will briefly demonstrate lessons they lead with students and share how they can be adapted for age levels and different setting. Leave with curriculum and ready-to-use lessons for your own programs (Entry Level)
Building and maintaining partnerships are essential when developing educational opportunities for communities. This session will feature four conservation districts sharing their experience building and sustaining collaborations with partners. Speakers will touch on initial outreach, funding, and the evolution of the project. (Entry Level)
This session shares practical storytelling tools that help conservation districts explain complex work, build trust with communities, and show why conservation matters. (Entry Level)
This session is designed for educators and focuses on effective strategies, resources, and messaging for teaching nonpoint source pollution concepts across grade levels. (Intermediate Level)
