Sponsored by: 

Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air and Rare Plants Staff (WFWARP)

USDA Forest Service 07-23-13 V3

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM

 FOR

NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS

Fiscal Year 2014

Schedule of Workshops

October 2013 to September 2014

USDA Forest Service

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used 

when we created them.”

~ Albert Einstein, Physicist

Fish Habitat Management Workshop 1989
How to Apply

Forest Service Applicants. All Forest Service employees fill out a SF182. Unit funded individuals can register 

directly in AgLearn. AgLearn does not automatically process payment; participant 

must submit payment through the normal fiscal processes. Two workshops have 

selection processes; FS nominees are listed in the fall confirmation letter being 

selected by the vendor soon after.

Once confirmed, participants are obligated to pay the tuition. Confirmation 

will occur in October via letter or e-mail from the Regional Office. If a confirmed 

The Program Mission: Serving the People Who Care for the Land

This continuing education program is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service 

Watershed, Fish, Wildlife and Air staff (WFWARP). The Continuing Education 

program (CE-WFWARP) goal is enhancing the productivity and effectiveness 

of professionals working with management of watershed, terrestrial and aquatic 

habitats. Though targeted for natural resource professionals, everyone is welcome. 

Be aware the workshops are presented at a university graduate level.

The WFWARP Continuing Education program was initiated in 

1987, and is the program described in this brochure. Consisting of graduate-level 

workshops hosted by universities, agencies and institutions, the workshops increase 

productivity and effectiveness of experienced natural resource professionals and 

technicians. The workshops provide knowledge and skills needed to become 

leaders in integrated resource management. These workshops are rigorous (e.g., 

interactive exercises, tests, pre-work and projects) and will require work. 

Instructors for each workshop are leaders in their fields and include university 

professors, experienced natural resource managers, researchers, and public sector.

For a detailed explanation of the Continuing Education WFWARP program and 

workshops visit our web site (www.fs.fed.us/biology/education). There are two 

levels in the program. Level I is Technical Leadership aimed at GS 5-9 and those 

new to their career, but it is not exclusive. Level II is Program Leadership 

consisting of four workshops. You are welcome to repeat any of the workshops over 

your career, as the content will always be updated.

Who is eligible? Eligible candidates include wildlife, fisheries, botany, 

hydrology, watershed, recreation, timber and other resource professionals with an 

education in wildlife, fisheries, plant management or related fields and generally 

3 years experience in resource management. A few workshops are applicable to 

technicians. Line officers are encouraged to participate, as are resource specialists 

from State, Tribal, Federal and other agencies. The ‘Leadership & Communications’ 

and ‘Plain & Simple! Document Writing’ workshops are applicable to everyone.

Intelligence shows itself not so much in having the right answers 

but in being able to ask the right questions. Anonymous
Participants from diverse 

disciplines, other natural resource 

agencies, and private organizations 

are encouraged to apply for these 

workshops.

See CE-WFW website for current 

brochure and information.

participant needs to withdraw he/she must immediately contact his/her Regional 

Coordinator for assistance in finding a substitute. Trying to withdraw from 

a workshop with only a few weeks notice is difficult and is not recommended. 

Every effort will be made to assist participants with their individual needs.

Tuition. Workshop tuitions do not cover meals, lodging or travel. Limited tuition 

dollars are available through a few Regional offices during the nomination process. 

Most tuition dollars are currently allocated to individual Forests. Therefore, 

responsibility for payment of all costs (e.g., tuition, per diem and travel) rests solely 

with the nominating unit. If you miss the spring/summer nomination period, contact 

your Regional Coordinator or National Program Leader for assistance.

Non-Forest Service Applicants. Candidates from other countries, agencies, 

States, Tribes, private industry, or the public interested in enrolling should apply 

directly to workshop vendors or contact the National Program Leader.

www.fs.fed.us/biology/education

Accessibility. Contact the vendor upon registration for assistance with any special 

needs. Providing a quality learning experience is a priority - the sooner the vendor 

knows of any needs, the better your experience.

Photograph by Randy Roberts USFS Find-A-Photo

Photograph by Sandra Jacobson; EcoHWY 2011
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

Leadership and Communications (LAC) Objectives: explain, demonstrate, 

and discuss personal preferences for mentally processing information, making 

decisions, approaching tasks and interacting with others, demonstrate essential 

communication skills (e.g., writing/speaking); practice negotiation techniques; 

discuss models of leadership and management; improve team function and 

leadership; facilitate and manage meetings; develop a list of actions that will 

increase personal effectiveness and influence in the organization. Everyone can be a 

leader, regardless of one’s position in the organization, by improving leadership and 

communication skills.

AgLearn Keywords: 2600 wo leadership communications

Host: McMullin Training & Consulting* Location: Orlando, FL

Dates: February 25 - March 6, 2014 Tuition: $1,800 

Dr. Steve McMullin, McMullin Training and Consulting,

6828 Sahalee Circle, Radford, VA 24141

540-818-1670 smcmulli@verizon.net

*McMullin Training and Consulting offers related traveling tailored training.

www.mcmullintraining.com

Leadership and Communications: Advanced (LAC/A) Objectives: 

develop and improve participants’ leadership skills through in-depth exploration 

of their personality type, the leadership behaviors they exhibit, and personal 

leadership coaching. Focuses on understanding and developing the most effective 

personal leadership style for each participant. Increased understanding of self is 

achieved through use of two instruments: the MBTI Step II instrument and the 

Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI), a 360-degree assessment tool. The LPI 

provides participants with a comparison of their self-evaluations and the evaluations 

of supervisors, peers, and people they supervise regarding leadership behaviors 

the participants exhibit in five areas. Includes individual, personal consultations 

between the instructor and each participant designed to ensure maximum benefit in 

incorporating feedback from the assessment tools into individual development plans.

AgLearn Keywords: wo 2600 leadership communications

Host: McMullin Training & Consulting Location: Missoula, MT

Dates: April 1 - 4, 2014 Tuition: $1,095

Dr. Steve McMullin, McMullin Training and Consulting,

6828 Sahalee Circle, Radford, VA 24141

540-818-1670 smcmulli@verizon.net

www.mcmullintraining.com
Natural Resource Policy, Values, and Economics (NRPVE)

Objectives: describe factors involved in policy-making and describe basic policymaking models; explain the basic roles of economics in natural resource, ecosystem 

service, and outdoor recreation management; demonstrate comprehension and 

appreciation of human value systems underlying policy-making and economics; 

demonstrate skills in interpreting and applying human dimensions data to natural 

resource policy and management including National Visitor Use Monitoring 

(NVUM) recreation visitation, visitor spending, preferences data and Renewable 

Resources Planning Act (RPA) economic values data. Discussion strongly relates to 

activities on National Forest System lands via case study and interactive exercises.

AgLearn Keywords: wo 2600 policy values economics

Host: Portland State University Location: Portland, OR

Dates: May 2015 Tuition: $1,500

in partnership with UGA & CSU

Dr. Craig Shinn, Public Administration School of Government, Portland State 

University, Portland, OR 97207

503-725-8220 shinnc@pdx.edu

Administrative Contact: Christine Hanolsy

503-725-5114 hanolsy@pdx.edu

Program Management (PMB) Objectives: demonstrate skills to effectively 

develop and implement a Program Plan on participant home units. Participants draft 

a Program Plan covering goals, objectives, elements, personnel development, budget, 

marketing, and tiering to Forest Plans. Draft plan handed in at end of workshop. 

Focus on motivating people to think programmatically. Target audience is journeylevel biologists responsible for program development.

AgLearn Keywords: wo 2600 program management

Host: USDA Forest Service Location: TBD

Dates: 2015 Tuition: $350

Shelly Witt

435-881-4203 switt01@fs.fed.us

Plan to attend in 2015

Plan to attend in 2015
TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

Multi-disciplinary

Endangered Species Act: A Practical Primer (ESA)

Objectives: examine policy, legal and administrative aspects of the Endangered 

Species Act and managing threatened, endangered and sensitive species across 

landscapes; describe the roles of all the players; and other entities’ obligations 

for consultation and recovery; discuss tools available to implement conservation 

measures outside of the listing process. The focus of this course is on the ESA, 

with special attention to section 7 consultation, and related statutes, regulations, and 

policies/procedures. Important emerging issues such as climate change, and legal 

and administrative updates are also addressed. Interactive lectures, mixed group 

roundtable discussions, specific group breakouts, educational field trip, and panel of 

experts facilitate learning. Designed for decision makers, potential decision makers, 

biologists and natural resource staff specialists.

AgLearn Keywords: wo 2600 endangered species act

Host: Lewis & Clark College Location: Portland, OR

Dates: November 4 - 7, 2013 (FY14) Tuition: $1,095

Janice Weis, J.D., Associate Dean & Director, Environmental & Natural Resource 

Law Program, Lewis & Clark Law School, Portland, OR

503-768-6649 jweis@lclark.edu

Administrative Contact: Linda D’Agostino-Long

503-768-6784 lindad@lclark.edu

Tools for Evaluating Populations and Habitats (TEPH)

Objectives: become familiar with current tools for managing and monitoring wildlife 

populations, specifically occupancy modeling and landscape genetics. The course 

consists of two introductory webinars, a 4-hour online segment, and 4 days at 

Northern Arizona University. The webinars will provide a course overview and will 

introduce management and monitoring situations that could benefit from the use of 

occupancy modeling and landscape genetics. During the online session, participants 

will read seminal papers on each of the course topics and will use interactive, 

learner-centered approaches to test their newly-gained knowledge. The session in 

Flagstaff will enable participants to focus on each of the tools through a combination 

of presentations, discussion groups, and hands-on computer exercises.

Host: LCI @ NAU Location: Virtual + Flagstaff, AZ

Online sessions: between April 21-May 9, 2014 Tuition: $500

Flagstaff session: May 13-16, 2014

Dr. Christina Vojta, Landscape Conservation Initative, Northern Arizona 

University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Christina.vojta@nau.edu
Environmental Negotiations (NEG-101)

Objectives: Participants will develop a greater understanding of negotiation 

principles and practices leading to greater confidence and more successful 

negotiation outcomes. This workshop presents basic negotiation concepts (e.g., 

Fisher and Ury’s “Getting to Yes” series) and specific environmental issue 

applications. Participants will learn simple processes to prepare for negotiations and 

reinforce skills through practice negotiations of increasing complexity. This course 

emphasizes using principled (ethical) negotiation approaches to build trust and 

relationships. The participants are taught to recognize commonly encountered tactics 

and shown productive responses. Instructors will provide examples of successful 

negotiations .

AgLearn Keywords: wo 2600 environmental negotiation

Host: Nelson Facilitation LLC Location: Sacramento, CA 

Dates: November 12 - 14, 2013 (FY13) Tuition: $595

Jim Nelson, Nelson Facilitation LLC, Redding, CA

530-945-3104 nelsonfacilitation@gmail.com

Plain & Simple! Document Writing (PSDW) Objectives: write clear, 

concise analytical documents readily understood by the average reader; effectively 

communicate technical and scientific information to a variety of audiences. 

Participants edit documents with current practices. Designed for natural resource 

professionals writing letters, analytical documents, NEPA documents, biological 

assessments/evaluations and other types of documents, but open to everyone. During 

the workshop participants edit their documents, leaving with improved products. 

Distance Delivery - details to be announced.

AgLearn Keywords: wo 2600 plain simple writing

Host: Environmental Planning & Documentation Location: Webinar

Dates: Webinar - October/November 2013 (FY14) Tuition: $180/person

[Visit www.fs.fed.us/biology/education/workshops for additional webinar dates]

Location: Live on-site at your Unit

Dates: You pick! Tuition: $180/person

Dr. Jud Monroe, Environmental Planning & Documentation, Wakefield, RI

401-783-7101 jmonroe@pacbell.net
Planning for Environmentally-Sensitive Highway Projects 

(EcoHWYS) Objective: streamline and improve delivery of an environmentallysensitive highway project with training, mentoring, and developing interagency 

support early in a highway project planning phase. Cadre assists a unit onsite 

with lessons learned and potential issues. Instructors are an interdisciplinary team, 

customized for the project issues (transportation ecology specialists include wildlife, 

engineering, landscape architecture, soil science, botany/revegetation, and recreation 

planning). Target audience: interagency, interdisciplinary team and line officers 

working together on a multi-year highway project development. Topics include 

agency differences in NEPA, time lines, funding mechanisms, policy, expected issues 

and mitigation measures. Can customize, including one day of lecture overview and 

a field trip. “REQUEST” in AgLearn.

AgLearn Keywords: highway, transportation, wildlife

Hosts: USDA Forest Service Location: TBD

Dates: On Demand Tuition: ~ $800* 

Sandra Jacobson, USFS, PSW Research Station, Bend, OR

541-678-5240 sjacobson@fs.fed.us

Terry Brennan, USFS, Tahoe National Forest, Nevada City, CA

530-478-6180 tbrennan@fs.fed.us

* negotiated with DOT, FHWA, and local unit

Innovative Approaches to Wildlife and Highway Interactions 

(IAWHI) Objectives: explain how highways affect terrestrial wildlife; demonstrate 

tools to identify and reduce highway-related impacts to wildlife; explain the 

highway planning process, including large scale connectivity analyses; and develop 

interdisciplinary networking opportunities. Designed for both resource biologists and 

engineers, and taught by both. Topics include an overview of wildlife issues relative 

to pre-existing highways and future highway planning; differences in impacts and 

solutions between low volume and high volume roads; structural and non-structural 

solutions to wildlife mortality and habitat connectivity; and an introduction to 

current resources on wildlife/highway crossings and interactions. FY12 focus is 

on highway- based mitigation measures and ongoing research of the Highway 89 

Stewardship Team.

AgLearn Keywords: highway, transportation, wildlife

Hosts: USFS and UC-Berkeley Location: Truckee, CA - Sagehen Creek Field Station

Dates: August 5 - 9, 2013 Tuition: $1000 includes lodging/food

August 4 - 8, 2014

Sandra Jacobson, USFS, PSW Research Station, Bend, OR

541-678-5240 sjacobson@fs.fed.us

Terry Brennan, USFS, Tahoe National Forest, Nevada City, CA

530-478-6180 tbrennan@fs.fed.us
Terrestrial

Foundations of Ecological Monitoring in a Management Context

(FEMMC) Objectives: equips natural resource managers and program coordinators 

with the skills to design and implement ecological monitoring programs. The 

primary emphasis of this course is on design and methodology for monitoring 

landscapes, communities, and plant and animal populations. Tools placed within the 

broader management context. The 5-day workshop consists of 3.5 days of in-class 

instruction (lectures and exercises) and 1.5 days of field application. Includes two - 

2.5 hour webinar sessions in May prior to meeting in Asheville.

AgLearn Keywords: wo 2600 monitoring

Host: Sound Science, LLC Location: TBD

Dates: Spring 2015 Tuition: $1,250

Dr. Robert Unnasch, Sound Science-LLC, Boise, ID

www.sound-science.org

Administrative Contact: Christine Wisnewski

703-531-7359 christine@sound-science.org

Plan to attend in 2015

Photograph by A. Madara USFS Find-A-Photo
Aquatic

Water Resource Management for Line and Staff Officers (WRMLO) 

Objective: explain legal and administrative aspects of water resource management; 

describe the demands, values, tensions and opportunities related to water issues and 

the management of NFS lands; provide effective leadership of Forest Service water 

resource issues and activities. Focuses on providing Forest Supervisors, District 

Rangers, Staff Officers and Program Managers with foundations of law, philosophy 

and insight to strategically guide water resource and watershed management issues. 

Interactive lectures, discussions, activities and field trips are used to facilitate 

learning. Participants are selected by the training cadre to achieve diversity and 

nation-wide distribution of management experiences.

AgLearn Keywords: wo 2500 watershed management

Host: USFS/Applied Freshwater Science Center Location: Lakewood, CO

Dates: Spring 2014 Tuition: $500

Cadre Coordinator: Gene Blankenbaker, Forest Supervisor, Tonto National Forest

Information Contact: David Levinson

970-295-5986 dlevinson@fs.fed.us USFS Find-A-Photo
Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring & Evaluation -Western (NR16)

Objectives: demonstrate skills to effectively monitor and evaluate aquatic/riparian 

restoration projects; and develop an effective aquatic ecosystem monitoring program. 

This western workshop focuses on building successful aquatic ecosystem monitoring 

programs: FS monitoring responsibilities and legal mandate; priority development; 

introduction to sampling design - basic statistical principles necessary for designing 

effective aquatic monitoring strategies; monitoring objectives based on management 

objectives; sampling techniques; field equipment; data analysis - methodologies 

used for analysis; evaluation, interpreting and reporting monitoring data. Part of the 

USDA Pacific Northwest Aquatic Training program. Next offered FY16.

AgLearn Keywords: R6 2600 NR16

Eastern version available through Dr. Brett Roper; “Aquatic Monitoring - Eastern”

Hosts: USDA Forest Service Location: TBD

Dates: June 9 - 13, 2014 Tuition: $800

Deb Konnoff, USFS, PNW Region, Natural Resources, Aquatic Training Program, 

Portland, OR

www.fs.fed.us/r6/water/fhr/training

503-808-2676 dkonnoff@fs.fed.us

Offered Every

Odd Year

Request in AgLearn

Stream & Watershed Restoration Design & Implementation (NR20)

Objective: develop and implement stream and watershed restoration programs at 

the district level. Restoration in watershed analysis context, and effective stream 

restoration programs. Topics include: The watershed context for planning stream 

habitat and watershed restoration projects; identifying existing habitat condition, 

desired future habitat conditions, and limiting factors; formulating watershed, 

habitat and channel objectives; developing alternative approaches to restoration 

in an interdisciplinary manner; general overview on designing and implementing 

restoration projects; required NEPA analysis and documentation; necessary permits; 

contract preparation and administration; physical and biological monitoring and 

evaluation; implementing projects through partnerships; how to plan successful 

projects. Feedback/help on your current watershed restoration projects is available. 

Part of the USDA Pacific Northwest Aquatic Training program. Next offered FY15.

AgLearn Keywords: R6 2600 NR20

Host: USDA Forest Service Location: TBD

Dates: May 2015 Tuition: $800

Johan Hogervorst, USDA Forest Service, PNW Region, Willamette NF

www.fs.fed.us/r6/water/fhr/training

541-225-6430 jhogervorst@fs.fed.us
Designing for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings 

(AOP) Objectives: demonstrate the stream simulation methodology of collecting and 

interpreting channel and roadway data at road-stream crossing sites; applying and 

integrating these data to develop design channels and road-stream crossing structures; 

effectively constructing stream simulation designs. Focus is on the USDA Forest Service 

stream simulation method, an ecosystem-based approach for designing and constructing 

road-stream crossings that provide unimpeded fish and other aquatic organism passage 

through the structure. Stream simulation integrates fluvial geomorphology concepts and 

methods with engineering principles to design a road-stream crossing that contains a 

natural and dynamic channel through the structure, restoring ecological processes and 

connectivity along the stream corridor. “REQUEST” in AgLearn or **contact the 

vendor.

Target audience: engineers, hydrologists, biologists, geologists, etc. actively involved 

in designing road-stream crossing structures.

AgLearn Keywords: fs wo 2500 aquatic organism passage road crossings

Host: USFS/Applied Freshwater Science Center Locations: TBD

Dates: TBD Tuition: *$1,200

Dr. Dan Cenderelli, Fluvial Geomorphology/Hydrology, USDA Forest Service, 

Stream Systems Technology Center, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. A, Suite 368, Fort 

Collins, CO 80526

970-295-5984 dcenderelli@fs.fed.us

**Coordinate through your Region Fish Biologist, Engineer or Hydrologist. 

*Tuition may be reduced pending funding sources.

USFS; AOP - restoration of unimpeded aquatic organism passage.
WORKSHOPS ON DEMAND

Host a workshop at your home unit or webinar. Prices vary by workshop, facilities, 

location and desired complexity. Hosting units assist with facility coordination. 

Special requests are welcome. Contact Shelly Witt (CE-WFWARP) or the listed 

contact to find out more about the workshops.

• Data Analysis using ExcelTM - Objectives: design Pivot Tables; use ANOVA and 

Regression Analysis; interpret data.

• Technical & Scientific Writing - Objectives: analyze data; write professional 

quality technical documents and scientific articles to be disseminated broadly to the 

public.

• Sampling Amphibians - Objective: explain and demonstrate sampling methods 

for a variety of amphibians and associated habitats.

• Aquatic Monitoring - Eastern: Twin to NR16.

See NR16 description/objectives and perspective.

• Advanced Concepts in Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis (ACAEA) - Objectives: 

explain and discuss the aquatic biologist’s role in the watershed/ecosystem analysis 

process; apply specific analysis methods relating to current issues. Available through 

‘Live Meeting’.

Contact: Dr. Brett Roper

435-755-3566 broper@fs.fed.us

• Understanding Yourself and Working with Others

One- or Two-day Workshops. Myers-Briggs psychological type provides an excellent framework to help teams function more effectively. Understanding differences 

in how people prefer to interact with others, process information, make decisions 

and approach tasks, as assessed by the Myers-Briggs instrument, can be especially 

helpful to teams that have experienced personnel changes. This workshop helps 

members of leadership teams, ID teams, or other teams gain better understanding of 

how they can work together more effectively. The one-day workshop is appropriate 

for smaller teams (10 or fewer people), while the 2-day workshop allows more time 

to address individual differences for larger teams. Contact Dr. Steve McMullin for 

additional information.

Contact: Dr. Steve McMullin

540-818-1670 smcmulli@verizon.net

www.mcmullintraining.com
USDA Forest Service

National Continuing Education/WFWARP

Program Leader -- Shelly Witt

435-881-4203

switt01@fs.fed.us www.fs.fed.us/biology/education

Regional Continuing Education Coordinators

Jolyn Ortega Bill Janowsky

Region 1 Region 2

406-329-3629 303-275-5337

jortega@fs.fed.us bjanowsky@fs.fed.us

Ernie Taylor Dana Hoskins 

Region 3 Region 4

505-842-3267 801-625-5156

ewtaylor@fs.fed.us dhoskins@fs.fed.us

Jeff TenPas Robert Alvarado

Region 5 Region 6

707-562-8955 503-808-2901

jtenpas@fs.fed.us ralvarado@fs.fed.us

Deb Konnoff Leigh McDougal

Region 6 Region 8

503-808-2676 404-347-4082

dkonnoff@fs.fed.us lmcdougal@fs.fed.us

John Curnutt Don Martin

Region 9 Region 10

414-297-4149 907-586-8712

jcurnutt@fs.fed.us dmartin@fs.fed.us
WEBSITE & ONLINE TRAINING

Visit our web site (www.fs.fed.us/biology/education) for detailed workshop information (e.g., agendas, readings, travel). Other 

information relevant to natural resource professionals is available.

USDA employees can register through AgLearn:

www.aglearn.usda.gov

Register for (or Request) workshops in AgLearn.

OTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:

USFS Minerals & Geology:

www.fs.fed.us/geology/mgm%20staff.html

The Natural Resource Distance Learning Consortium:

www.nrdlc.org

USFS GSTC: Live and online (“e”) Training - Intranet

For other agency and university training opportunities visit

www.fs.fed.us/biology/education and select the ‘Resource Center’ or ‘Other 

Training’ link. The BLM, FWS, NOAA, and NPS all offer training.

US Department of Interior registration web site:

https://doilearn.doi.gov

Photograph by David ArbourUSFS Find-A-Photo; Green Treefrog
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from an public assistance program. (Not all 

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who 

required alternative means for communication of program information 

(Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office 

of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 

20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6383 (TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Photograph by Mike Hays USFS Find-A-Photo

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