NEW Details for ANREP 2021

After working closely with Oregon State University’s Conference Services and the ANREP Board, the ANREP Conference Planning Committee is excited to announce that the conference has been rescheduled for May 23-26, 2021 at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center at Oregon State University in Corvallis! Please save these dates. More information will be sent as we continue to work through the next steps of planning.

The ANREP 2020 website will remain active. Check the website for updates and feel free to contact the Planning Committee with questions.

Conference Registration and Reservations

If you registered for the ANREP 2020 Conference prior to the postponement, you should have received communications and refunds for lodging from Sunriver Resort and registration fees from OSU Conference Services. We will be working to reopen conference registration and lodging reservation links at the appropriate time. Please stay tuned! More information will be posted to the conference website.

Presenters

We are holding all presentations for the new 2021 conference dates, and the Conference Planning Committee will be in communication with you about next steps. We are currently using the original presentation schedule for the new 2021 dates. If any presenters have conflicts with the new conference dates we will first work with you to identify any possible changes in time slots during the new dates that would better accommodate your schedule. If needed, we may open up a new RFP for the 2021 conference based on openings in the presentation schedule.

Conference Communications

The ANREP 2020 website will remain active. Check the website for updates and feel free to contact the Planning Committee with questions. Communications will also be sent through the ANREP listserv, ANREP newsletter, and to all accepted presenters and registrants for the original 2020 dates. We do apologize in advance for any cross-postings.

We are excited to see you in Oregon, May 23-26, 2021! More information will be sent as we continue to work through next steps on planning while still monitoring the impacts of COVID-19.

The Association of Natural Resource Extension Professional’s (ANREP) Board is seeking to fill the position of Executive Secretary.

Applicants must be able to dedicate approximately 20 hours per month to satisfy the duties of this position. The position of Executive Secretary is a non-voting Board position that will receive a small stipend for the effort. The ideal candidate will have experience with managing and entering data, strong organizational skills, and be proficient with emails. Additional duties of this position can be found here. Familiarity with ANREP is expected. Qualified persons wishing to be considered for this position must submit a letter expressing their qualifications for the position, to the ANREP President, Lara Milligan by May 15. Position is expected to start on-boarding in June.

Knowledge Exchange for the Modern Era: Empowering People / Providing Solutions

Abstracts are now being accepted for the 2020 International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Extension & Knowledge Exchange (EKE) conference.

The conference is scheduled for September 20-24, 2020 in Asheville, NC.

ANROSP 2020 National Conference

September 22-24, 2020 McCormick’s Creek State Park, Indiana

The Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP) is a national consortium of natural resource-focused adult education and stewardship programs, including Master Naturalists, Master Watershed Stewards, Wildlife Stewards, Master Woodland Mangers, Open Space Programs, and more. This dynamic conference is for professionals and partner organizations who coordinate, administer, or host training and volunteer programs in natural resource conservation, education, and outreach. This intimate group setting is also ideal for those interested in learning from existing program leaders and developing similar programming. The ANROSP Board of Directors are carefully monitoring the current health crisis and will be considering alternative options (virtual /dates) as necessary. We are opening the call for presentations with this in mind. Please indicate on the submission form your willingness and availability to present in alternative formats or timelines if requested. We understand some organizations may have limited travel or funding allowances this fall. Contact ANROSP Vice President and Conference Chair, Dr. Shelly Johnson, with questions and concerns.

Schedule At-A-Glance:

Friday, May 29

REAL-Talks / Workshops Orientation

1890’s & 1994’s

Institutions Regional Meetings

Monday, June 1

PLENARY: Keynote Concurrent Session 1 + 2 Business Meeting Themed Hangouts Virtual Social Hour

Tuesday, June 2

COVID-19 Panel Concurrent Session #3 Student Views Response to COVID-19 Mobile Learning Tours Closing Social Hour

Wednesday, June 3

REAL-Talks / Workshops

Over 50 sessions and posters. Spaced to prevent Zoom-burnout. Presentations, discussions, and engaged ideas. COVID-19 related talks.

Special professional development fee of $105. Register or more details on the schedule are online

Inaugural meeting of the Recirculating Aquaculture Salmon Network (RAS-N). Washburn, WI, December 11-12, 2019. Credit: Lisa Tossey, Maryland Sea Grant

Land-based aquaculture systems offer a chance for locally-grown, fresh seafood with lower carbon footprint and environmental impacts than many other wild-caught operations. Credit: Lisa Tossey, Maryland Sea Grant.

Fish health, biosecurity, consumer perceptions and other topics were also addressed during the wide-ranging meeting. The aim of this gathering was to bring together a small, focused group of stakeholders to get the project off the ground.

Maryland Sea Grant is leading the three-year project to identify and address challenges faced by the land-based Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar) industry. The Wisconsin and Maine Sea Grant programs are partners in the multistate consortium. University of Maryland Extension (UME) will hire the only full-time position on the project. Dr. Catherine (Cat) Frederick will begin her role as an Extension Specialist on the project in mid-February. Bill Hubbard, University of Maryland State Extension Program Leader for Environmental, Natural Resource and Sea Grant programs is excited to have her on board. “We are at an exciting time with land-based aquaculture. It is has become more economical, more socially acceptable, and more environmentally friendly than ever before.  Cat will be charged with shepherding input from internal and external stakeholders, coordinating educational programs, and products to the public and profession, and development of a white paper, communication plan and road map for the RAS Salmon industry. I’m hopeful she will connect with our ANREP Sea Grant community as well as aquaculture Extension, teaching and research from around the country and world”.

For more information on the project contact Bill Hubbard.

Written and submitted by:

Jennifer Smith , University of Wisconsin Sea Grant

Bill Hubbard , University of Maryland Extension

Making FB Live events educational

While it’s fun and engaging to whip out a Facebook Live video event, in Extension we want to ensure that we’re actually meeting our educational goals, too. Given the start up lag time, a short Live event may not be effective. If you’re not going to interact with viewers any way, perhaps a pre-recorded video would do just as well and allow the flexibility for retakes while decreasing your performance pressure. And don’t forget to apply all the standard educational best practices: Who is your audience? What are the intended outcomes? Clearly state your goals and objectives in your advance recruitment as well as during the broadcast itself. Facebook provides a couple of metrics to help you get a sense for the reach of your Live event. Look for counts of viewership (passive) and engagements (active) immediately following the broadcast and a few days later -- you may be surprised by how those numbers grow. Caution: even engagements still don’t rise to the level of achieving impacts as we aim for in Extension, but they can still serve a purpose.

Perhaps the greatest benefit to using Facebook Live as an Extension outreach tool is its ability to provide informal and informative connections with our audiences while we are unable to gather in person. They require less upfront investment, and due to their relatively short shelf-life, allow us to experiment and have a little fun. If the subject gets a lot of attention, maybe a better, high quality professional video or full blown webinar can follow when we have time and resources to do them well. For any subjects that don’t get a lot of attention, move on, try something new, learn and apply that new knowledge in the future.

Submitted by:

Angie Gupta & Andrea Lorek Strauss

University of Minnesota Extension

Camp 8 is a new biweekly podcast hosted by University of Minnesota Extension Specialist Eli Sagor and Kyle Gill of the Cloquet Forestry Center. Episodes highlight voices from the Minnesota woods including those of foresters, wildlife managers, researchers, landowners, and others. The podcast launched in spring 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, as a way to keep folks connected during a time that many felt isolated.

The podcast isn't intended to serve as an instructional resource or source of continuing education credits, but we will be using it to reinforce ideas that come up in our in-person and online Extension events. I'm new at this and would love to hear from others in Extension about your reactions to the podcast or your ideas to make it better.

Listen to an episode or two or find links to subscribe online.

Submitted by:

Eli Sagor

University of Minnesota Extension

Nationwide, women woodland owners are increasingly taking on the primary decision-making role for their land. In Wisconsin and beyond, most existing landowner outreach efforts target mixed-gender audiences. This article in the Journal of Extension explores how facilitation techniques can be incorporated into a women-centric workshop to increase women landowners' confidence, knowledge, and readiness to take action in forest stewardship. The article highlights three core techniques Extension workshop developers can use to promote landowner learning and engagement: creating space for participant-driven open dialogue, generating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, and enabling participants to receive personalized advice from professionals about their land.

 Submitted by:

Bret Shaw

Environmental Communications Specialist

University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension

In response to many people being at home during the COVID- 19 event, Illinois Environmental Stewardship Educators initiated a weekly webinar environmental series. Called the Everyday Environment Series, these webinars are providing new information to help people have a positive impact on the environment.

The weekly webinars are scheduled from April 9th until June 25th, 2020. Topics have included atmospheric optics, coyotes, plant pollinators, two on natural lawn care, and managing waste in the home. Future topics will include , the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Biennial Report, and Explaining the Greenhouse Effect.

Past webinars are archived on YouTube.

Submitted by:

Duane Friend

Extension Educator, Environmental Stewardship and Energy

University of Illinois

Wildland fire is increasingly a topic of interest for communities across the United States. Climate change, population growth, human expansion into natural areas, and a legacy of fire exclusion have resulted in both catastrophic wildfires and a pressing need for more prescribed fire on the landscape. Extension professionals are increasingly being called upon to address issues related to wildland fire in their communities.

To help Extension and other outreach professionals implement safe and effective wildland fire programming, North Carolina State Extension Forestry has released Wildland Fire Programming for Extension and Outreach Professionals. The guide includes considerations for planning various types of wildland fire programs, including “ learn and burn” workshops (workshops that allow private landowners to conduct a prescribed fire under the mentorship of professionals), fire festivals, prescribed burn demonstrations, and wildfire response drills. While the guide is focused on the Southeast, it will be helpful for Extension professionals in any region.

Submitted by:

Laurel Kays

Extension Assistant & Southern Fire Exchange Outreach Coordinator

North Carolina State University

A Unique Online Course for Early Career Extension Forestry and Natural Resources Professionals

COMPLETELY FREE! | ATTEND ONE OR ALL SESSIONS! | CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE UPON COMPLETION

As a new Extension forester or natural resource specialist, you are part of a national network of diverse, knowledgeable colleagues. This course will put you in touch with many of them online. You’ll learn from their perspectives on and experiences in your unique role in the Land-grant University System.

Course attendees are encouraged to attend the introductory course to learn more about the certificate offered for completion of this program as well as for a chance to engage with fellow students and make connections.

Longtime ANREP member Mark Megalos put pen to paper (well, probably fingers to keyboard) and drafted the following credo as the Seeding Success course was being finalized. Mark's thoughts on the Extension Educator:

S/he is Great at Extension

• Starts with a need

• Is transparent

• Starts where the people are in thought and action

• Dreams of a better day and makes it happen

• Connects people for success

• Respects diverse points of view, backgrounds and means

• Respects tradition while embracing progress

• Is on the learning & leading edge of change

• Strives for collaborations and consensus

• Is constantly learning

• Is constantly tweaking for better results

• Learns from mistakes

• Still takes risk for the common good

• Says thank you

• Stays connected

• Lives life and recharges

• Prioritizes

• Serves

• Measures and reassesses

• Keeps the community in focus

• Leads from the back of the room / pack

• Is not a glory hound

• Revels in community success

• Is last in line for food

• Is first in line to clean up

• Knows the power of relationships

• Is a good partner

• Sleeps well at night

• Knows how & helps teams work

• Shares with others

• Helps successors succeed in outreach and extension

• Listens

• “Makes Momma proud!”

Wildlife Extension Specialists from the University of Florida’s Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation recently wrote a fact sheet summarizing the effectiveness and humaneness of Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) for feral cat management. The article can be accessed in html or PDF format via UF’s Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS).

How Effective and Humane Is Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) for Feral Cats?

Submitted by:

Steve Johnson

Associate Professor, Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida

As another wildfire season approaches many parts of the U.S., this is an important time to prepare communities and homes for wildfire. The USDA-NIFA funded training, Preparing for Wildfires with Firescaping, was designed to train both southeastern U.S. Master Gardeners and Cooperative Extension educators on fire-resistant landscaping, or firescaping. The training, however, it is also very applicable to other regions of the country, as well as Master Naturalists and other community groups seeking to help reduce their wildfire risk. The project includes (1) an online training for Extension educators (note: for educators-only, not Master Gardeners) and (2) a Firescaping Training Toolbox to teach the day-long training to Master Gardeners and other community groups. The training toolbox includes presentations, handouts, interactive activities, recommended outreach activities, and much more. Please contact Holly Campbell for more information or to host a virtual training in your area (virtual-only for now, due to the Coronavirus).

Submitted by:

Holly Campbell

Public Service Assistant, University of Georgia - Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources

COVID-19 is not going to slow down the WSU Extension Forestry program. As in nature, the program is simply adapting, partnering with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to bring in experts from around the state to deliver high-quality classes and workshops online for people who own forested property.

The classes, which started on May 13, have something for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans, covering a wide variety of topics from growing mushrooms to boosting wildlife habitat to preparing trees for climate change. 

The eleven classes are offered as liver webinars through Zoom. Each class is offered twice, once at 12:05 p.m. for the lunch crowd and again at 7:05 p.m. for the evening crowd. All classes are free to the public, and hundreds of people have signed up so far. For more information on class content and registration, please visit our website.

The schedule of classes is as follows:

Submitted by:

Kevin Zobrist

Extension Forester, Washington State University

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Rutgers Cooperative Extension has been running a weekly webinar series “Earth Day at Home”. This series focuses on steps everyone can take to protect the environment. We can all do our part to take actions that make our homes more sustainable, from environmentally friendly lawn care, to composting, to reducing plastic waste. These actions, more than ever, start at home.

Details: Join us on Mondays at 6:30pm to learn from experts at Rutgers Cooperative Extension. These live, interactive sessions are 1 hour. To join in you need either a computer, tablet, or smartphone with speakers. Every week we cover small actions that together reduce negative impacts on the environment. Click to register and see the schedule. Missed a session? Recordings of passed sessions are on the website.

Submitted by:

Michele Bakacs

County Agent II/Associate Professor, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County