During the months when mother nature shows her blustery side, we take our education programs indoors. These regular workshops encourage learning in a more traditional classroom experience. Typically featuring an expert from our region, these events allow attendees to learn directly on a specific topic from a speaker that knows it well. Speakers are experts in their field, either by advanced training or through first hand experience with practices and methods. The smaller setting and shorter time period allows for ample opportunity to ask the speakers questions and to hear how others in our area address the topic.
The MCD has been hosting education events for local landowners and managers for many years. Through these events, attendees will learn the background information on a range of topics, and have a chance to see the topic demonstrated first hand. Sign up for the ENews to stay up to date on Workshop and Field Tour Events!
Current Events and Educational Series
The annual Rancher Roundtable Series takes place each January and February and offers educational outreach on topics relevant to local ranching and farming operations of all sizes. These free, public events are hosted in partnership with the Madison Conservation District, Ruby Valley Conservation District, Madison Valley Ranchlands Group, and Montana State University Extension.
Previous roundtable recordings can be found here:
The Madison Conservation District hosts an annual presentation as part of the Southwest Montana Wildlife Speaker Series, in partnership with organizations including the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group, Jack Creek Preserve Foundation, Ruby Valley Conservation District, Ruby Habitat Foundation, and others. Past presentations have featured topics such as Mountain Goats (2023), Bighorn Sheep (2024), and Golden Eagles (2025).
Previous Wildlife Speaker Series Recordings can be found here:
The Land Stewardship Workshop for Small Acreages brings together natural resource professionals from across the region to address topics relevant to small acreage landowners. This collaborative event is hosted by the Madison Conservation District, Ruby Valley Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Montana State University Extension.
The 2025 workshop was held on October 7 at the Assembly of God Church in Ennis. Additional details are available at the link below.
There is no better classroom than the land, and no better teacher than those who know it best. These field tours bring participants onto the landscape to see firsthand how management approaches are implemented and evaluated, and to learn from the results of those efforts. Held during the summer and fall, the tours often connect directly to topics covered in workshop events, giving attendees the opportunity to experience these concepts in both classroom and field settings.
Past Events and Workshops
The Conservation Speaker Series took place each March and April and provided education and outreach on conservation topics of interest to the Madison County community. These free, public events were hosted in partnership by the Madison Conservation District and the Ruby Valley Conservation District. To encourage youth and family participation, events were held outside of typical work and school hours.
The Madison Watershed Speaker Series was a free summer program hosted by the Madison Conservation District and the Madison River Foundation. The series shared information with the community on watershed health–related issues, topics, and projects, and highlighted ways the community could work together to protect the Madison Watershed.