Description

**SOLD OUT --- space was limited to 20 students**

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists is hosting a beginner hydric soils workshop on October 17th. This 1-day field course will take place at the City of Longmont Peschel Open Space at 10552 Weld County Road 1, Longmont, Colorado (40.14893234, -105.05507805). The workshop is intended for early wetland professionals who are seeking practical knowledge and experience. Andy Steinert, a soil survey leader with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will lead students through the excavation and investigation of soil sampling pits throughout the open space property.

Instructor: Andy Steinert, MLRA Soil Survey Leader, NRCS (andy.steinert@usda.gov) - Andy enjoys working with the stewards of the land and collecting soil survey data in the field. He also enjoys teaching the science of soils to students of all ages. Andy is from a farm in central Kansas. He received his B.S. from Kansas State University in Agronomy – Soil and Water Science with a secondary degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. He started in 2001 as a soil scientist in Fort Morgan, Colorado and is currently in his 22nd year on the job.

Logistics: The sign at the parking area for the Open Space says "St Vrain Greenway". Students should be packed up and ready to start the workshop at 9:00. The workshop will end at 4:00. The group will likely break for only 30 minutes to eat lunch, so bringing food is recommended. The property has no formal restrooms. Please plan on using the grove of cottonwoods or leaving briefly to the Walmart or gas station nearby. Students should wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and hats and bring water, sunscreen, etc. for the day. The instructor will provide equipment and relevant handouts. If students have the 2018 NRCS Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States, they should bring it. The instructor will have copies of the guide for students to share.

Travel Grants: SWS has travel grants available to students to offset the cost of attending the workshop. Please contact the Chapter for more information about grants and for all other questions -swsrockymtn@gmail.com.