Conservation Academy Resources: 2023

Congratulations! You’re a Conservation Academy graduate!

Below is a list of all of this summer’s events. In each section you can find:

  • a brief summary of the lesson

  • contact information for the professionals that joined us

  • Links to things like job listings & training opportunities

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  • Carolyn Byers: the Madison Audubon staff leading this program, Education Director.

    Mickenzee Okon: staff member joining for most of the events, Educator

    Brenna Marsicek: Staff member joining for the Forestry lesson, Director of Communications and Outreach.

    Find our contact information on the Who We Are page.

Build your skills 

Resources on certifications & classes

  1. FISTA: Forest Industry Safety & Training Alliance, Inc. 
    fistausa.org

    Located in Rhinelander WI, this company offers courses in a variety of forestry topics, but especially chainsaw training. 


View their online training here: Online Training - FISTA - Forest Industry Safety & Training Alliance, Inc. (fistausa.org)


Information on Chainsaw Safety is here: Chainsaw Training - FISTA - Forest Industry Safety & Training Alliance, Inc. (fistausa.org)


  1. How to get certified as a Pesticide (Herbicide) Applicator

Information from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on getting started: epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/how-get-certified-pesticide-applicator


Certification and licensing in Wisconsin: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PesticidesFertilizersCertificationLicensing.aspx


Online Pesticide Exam Scheduling: pestexam.datcp.wi.gov


  1. Chainsaw Safety: 

    1. Aldo Leopold Foundation

aldoleopold.org/teach-learn/classes-workshops/land-care

Chainsaw Safety Levels 1 & 2 classes are available through the Aldo Leopold Foundation. They also have information on their website about additional classes offered in Hancock and Viroqua WI. Aldo Leopold even offers a women-only class! 


  1. FISTA chainsaw training: Chainsaw Training - FISTA - Forest Industry Safety & Training Alliance, Inc. (fistausa.org)


  1. Introduction to Prescribed Burning: 

Aldo Leopold Foundation certification: aldoleopold.org/teach-learn/classes-workshops/land-care


Learn about fire ecology, fire behavior principles, and how to plan for and implement fire as a management tool in fire-adapted ecosystems. Spend time getting to know tools used on prescribed fires, learn about the steps involved in preparing a burn unit, explore basic aspects of wildland fire suppression, and conduct a prescribed burn, weather permitting. This course will not prepare participants to serve as a burn boss or conduct prescribed burns on their own.