NB_460_23_2 - NB 460-23-2 WQP – Solicitation to Participate in a Training Needs Survey for the Development of a Course in Watershed Planning for Water Quality
NB 460-23-2 WQP – Solicitation to Participate in a Training Needs Survey for the Development of a Course in Watershed Planning for Water Quality
National
Bulletin:
460-23-2
Date:
March 8, 2023
Subject:
WQP – Solicitation to Participate in a Training Needs Survey for the Development of a Course in Watershed Planning for Water Quality
Action Requested By:March 21, 2023
Purpose. This national bulletin solicits NRCS employee participation in a training needs survey to inform the development of a national online course in watershed planning for water quality.
Expiration Date. September 30, 2023
Background. NRCS is responsible for training agency personnel to improve, protect, restore, and maintain surface and ground water quality for beneficial uses (460 GM 401.2, Water Quality Policy). NRCS water quality training is important for the development of NRCS employees to assist producers in addressing critical natural resource concerns to improve water quality at local to watershed levels.
The NRCS Science & Technology (S&T) deputy area and the University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension are currently developing a new course to train NRCS and partner staff in watershed planning for water quality.
Explanation. To provide feedback on the scope, development, and audience of the watershed planning for water quality course, NRCS employees may complete the Watershed Planning for Water Quality Training Needs survey, which will be available by late March. NRCS conservation planners, engineers, technical specialists, and subject matter experts at the field, area, state, and national levels may complete the survey and share with colleagues. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. To register for the survey, select the “Registration Form” option at this online form and fill out the required information by March 21, 2023.
S&T also requests that state conservationists appoint six or more employees to complete the survey. S&T may request a follow-up conversation with the appointed staff within 3 weeks after the survey closes. The follow-up conversations will take less than an hour. The appointed staff should ideally be experienced in water quality science or watershed management. NRCS employees with this experience are typically water quality specialists, agronomists, foresters, range specialists, watershed planners, resource conservationists, conservation planners, geologists, or environmental or watershed planning engineers. To appoint employees for participation, select the “Contact Form” option at this online form and fill out the required information by March 21, 2023.