MWCA Western Area Spring Coordinator Training

MWCA WESTERN AREA SPRING COORDINATORS TRAINING Wednesday April 20^th & Thursday April 21^st

Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall

98 West Custer Ave, Helena. MT

AGENDA:

WEDNESDAY APRIL 20^th

12:30–12:55 Check In

1:00-1:50 Melissa Maggio

Biological Control Updates

Presentation Summary: An update on the progress of the development of new biocontrol agents for houndstongue, yellow toadflax, and whitetop will be provided. Additionally, the newly finalized Biocontrol Posters and updated Montana Biocontrol Field Guides will be introduced and handed out to attendees. Both the posters and field guides include information on the most common and effective biocontrol systems in Montana. Details of the plant’s and insect’s biology through the seasons and how to’s on monitoring, collecting, and releasing are included within these educational tools. A hands-on activity will demonstrate how to utilize these materials.

Bio: Melissa graduated from the University of MT with degrees in Botany and Ecology and is currently obtaining her MS through Montana State University’s LRES online master’s program. Prior to becoming the MT Biocontrol Project Coordinator, she worked for both agencies and non-profits focusing on land stewardship, restoration, and education. Since 2013, she has worked to provide the leadership, coordination, and education that will enable land managers in the state of Montana to successfully incorporate biological weed control into their noxious weed management programs.

1:50-2:40 Claire Volk Corteva

Range and Pasture Management 101

Topics will include managing and identifying invasive species, current prescriptions, and the tools for long-term success of rangeland restorations.

Claire Volk is the Range and Pasture representative serving Montana, Wyoming, and West River North and South Dakotas for Corteva Agriscience. Growing up on a farm and ranch in Nebraska, she finds any day in a pasture to be a good one. Claire earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studied agricultural economics and entrepreneurship. Upon graduation, heritage Dow Agrosciences located her in Dallas, Texas, exploring bare ground opportunities in the oil and gas markets. Since fall of 2015, she has dedicated her career to western rangelands. She resides in Helena, Montana and enjoys skiing and team roping.

BREAK (15 Minutes)

2:45-3:35 Patrick Sullivan State Dept. of Professional Services

Dealing With Conflicts

448999606272322. Disagreements are often based in miscommunication and/or a lack of communication. Differing values, op-posing objectives, different work styles, and personality types can set the stage for conflict. In this class, we’ll explore the roots of conflict and discuss tools to understand and resolve differences.

Brief Biographical Introduction: Patrick B. Sullivan, DPA Dr. Sullivan received his BA in History/Political Science and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of Montana, a Master of Divinity degree from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, CA, and his Doctor of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He has been a professor at two institutions for 12 years. He has a total of 50 + years of experience in the public sector. He is currently the Director of the State Professional Development Center for the State of Montana.

3:35-4:25 Kim Antonick Johnson MT FWP WHIP Grants Coordinator

How to Start A WHIP Project

Brief Description: The presentation will cover WHIP minimum eligibility for a grant, what is priority wildlife habitat, WHIP project planning tips, and project sponsor responsibilities.

Brief Biography: Kim worked for Department of Agriculture for 21 years and was program manager for pesticide education, noxious weed trust fund, and certified forage programs. Kim transitioned to FWP in 2018 as the WHIP Coordinator and has been instrumental in getting the grant program implemented.

THURSDAY APRIL 21^st

8:30-9:20 David Collins Bayer US

Invasive Annual Grass Management Successes

David Collins, Bayer US

Bio: David Collins is the Area Sales Manager for Bayer Vegetation Management in Montana and Northern Wyoming. As a graduate of Southern Illinois University’s College of Agriculture, David has developed significant sales management and service experience within the hospitality, construction, and agricultural industries. Abstract: Invasive winter annual grasses (WAGs) such as cheatgrass, medusahead, and ventenata continue to negatively impact Montana Rangeland. Since beginning in 2015 in collaboration with all the major Universities in the west including Montana State University, over 100 research trials and operational treatments have been implemented with a new WAG tool, Rejuvra. Rejuvra is a new mode of action to land managers that provides multiple years of WAG control with a single application. Several research sites have included lowland, foothills and mountains properties that provide critical overwintering habitat for mule deer, elk, and other wildlife, and treated areas have provided the opportunity to answer several research questions of interest to land managers.

9:20-10:10 Shantell Frame-Martin State Education Campaign Coordinator

Biography: Shantell Martin has been the project coordinator (PC) for the Montana Noxious Weed Education Campaign (MNWEC) since 2012. As PC for the MNWEC Shantell works with federal, state, county, and tribal noxious weed managers to develop materials for on the ground use. The highlight of Shantell's job is teaching others the impacts that noxious weeds have on Montana's economy, ecosystems, and recreational opportunities.

Description of talk: Many noxious weeds in Montana have native look a likes; this presentation will discuss in depth the newly developed short video series, "Friend or Foe?" that can be used at in-person trainings as well as "hands on" virtual trainings. The takeaway from this presentation will be how to use the videos with a focus on how to build your own presentations around them to suit your needs as an on the ground educator

BREAK (10 Minutes)

10:20-11:10 Vendor Roundtable Justin Neilson, Alligare; Steve Saunders, Bayer; Rory Lewis, Helena Chemical; Kent Bradley, Ninchino America

Chemical company representatives and vendors from across the state will talk about new and tried and true herbicides and other pesticides for use in noxious weed and other pests’ management. They will have display tables and will be available throughout the conference to answer questions and show case products.

11:10-12:00 Bo Walker, Powell County/MSU Extension

The Restoration Process: A Case Study

Description: This presentation will briefly cover several aspects of the landscape restoration process, including management of persistent weeds. Bo will discuss the planning, methodology, and execution of landscape restoration with an emphasis on site preparation and long-term weed management in rangeland systems. The core concepts of this presentation can be applied beyond traditional restoration projects to projects including: Pasture and rangeland renovation, and more. Bio: Bo currently serves as the Powell County-MSU Extension Agent in Powell County, Montana where he works with constituents to address needs in agriculture and natural resource management. He has worked in and around land management for the past 12 years in three different states while operating under various job titles. Bo holds a BS in Environmental Science and Environmental Studies from Rocky Mountain College and an MS in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences from Montana State University. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Animal and Range Sciences from Montana State University.