2026-27 New Manager Training will be delivered as a multi-unit initiative running August 2026 through May 2027. The program is designed to provide an overview for new managers on conservation district fundamentals, operations, and leadership topics.
Unit 1: District Fundamentals will be presented as a webinar series August – October and cover topics including Act 217, Board Governance, Ethics, Sunshine and Right to Know laws, and district partner programs and relationships. Register for District Fundamentals webinar series
Unit 2: District Operations will be presented in multiple sessions in October and November. The October 27 Summit PreCon training will focus on HR, the employee lifecycle, and performance management. District financial management topics will be presented in three sessions. An October 29 post-Summit training will include an overview of district funding, annual budgets, audits and investment policy. A pair of webinars on November 12 and 18 will cover basis of accounting, understanding financial reports and indicators, internal controls, grant management, and other topics. Register for District Finances webinar series
Unit 3: Management Leadership includes assessment-based and self-guided training opportunities for new managers to develop leadership skills and explore applying them to their management roles. More information and registration for these programs will be announced in October at the 2026 Management Summit.