An annual training developed by and for Oregon conservation districts, land trusts and watershed councils.
Held in the spring since 2009, and administered by OCEAN since 2012, CONNECT
provides training focused on both the technical and administrative aspects of conservation implementation. Classes are developed for rural and urban conservation implementation, managerial and administrative function, policy, and for education and outreach activities, delivering content that is specific and relevant to current conservation issues.
Florence Event Center
Two days of training that covers current and specific conservation issues including rural and urban conservation implementation, managerial and administrative function, policy, and education and outreach activities.
Sunriver Resort
April 16-18, 2024
The CONNECT 2024 Conference took place April 16-18 in Sunriver, OR. Participants received two days of training that covered current and specific conservation issues including rural and urban conservation implementation, managerial and administrative function, policy, and education and outreach activities.
Delayed until Spring 2024
CONNECT 2023 was delayed until spring 2024 to realign the conference with it's traditional spring schedule.
Seaside Convention Center
September 6-8, 2022
The CONNECT 2022 Hybrid Conference took place September 6-8. Participants received two days of training that covered current and specific conservation issues including rural and urban conservation implementation, managerial and administrative function, policy, and education and outreach activities
CONNECT 2022 Program - Download PDF
CONNECT 2019 Agenda - Download PDF
2022 OCEAN CONNECT Program Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
May 11-13, 2021
Oregon Conservation Education & Assistance Network's (OCEAN) 2021 Virtual Conference was held on May 11-13. This three-day, multi-disciplinary conference brought together local, state, and federal decision-makers, support organizations, professionals from Watershed Councils, Conservation Districts, Land Trusts, and others who are committed to conserving our natural resources.
CONNECT 2021 Program - Download PDF
CONNECT 2021 comprehensive conference provided training focused on both the technical and administrative aspects of conservation implementation.
Presentations were developed for:
- Rural and urban conservation implementation
- Managerial and administrative function
- Policy
- Education and Outreach activities
Cancelled due to COVID-19.
Sunriver Resort Sunriver, Oregon
April 9 - 11, 2019
These three days with Oregon's top conservation professionals addressed today's natural resource challenges and looked ahead to future issues. Participants went home with new strategies and techniques to implement conservation, increase public education, lead staff, and build partnerships.
CONNECT 2019 Program - Download PDF
CONNECT 2019 Agenda - Download PDF
2019 OCEAN CONNECT Program Sponsors
Ambassador Sponsors - $10,000 or greater
Wetland Sponsors - $1,500
Tributary Sponsors - $1,000
Scholarship Sponsors - $1,000
Snack Sponsors - $750
Scholarship Sponsors - $500
Session Sponsors
Seaside Convention Center Seaside,Oregon
April 17 - 19, 2018
Our CONNECT 2018 offerings at the Oregon Coast were well received and showed how great a conservation community we have in Oregon. Building upon last year's open registration format, we once again had a large and broadly representative audience with over 300 attendees from across the state. We offered over 60 sessions ranging from field technical and conservation topics to leadership, policy, and administrative topics.
CONNECT 2018 Program - Download PDF
CONNECT 2018 Agenda - Download PDF
2018 OCEAN CONNECT Program Sponsors:
Ambassador Sponsors - $10,000 or greater
Lunch Sponsor - $2,000
Wetland Sponsors - $1,500
Tributary Sponsors - $1,000
- Biohabitats
- Craft3
- Northwest Watershed Restoration, LLC
- WSC Insurance
- Special Districts Insurance Services
- Earth Design Consultants
Friend of OCEAN
Scholarship Sponsor
- Confluence Consulting
Pendleton Convention Center Pendleton, Oregon
May 2 - 4, 2017
Being the first year with open registration, attendance was greater than ever and the conversations and topics were much broader. By all accounts it was a great transition to the open format.
CONNECT 2017 Program - Download PDF
2017 OCEAN CONNECT Program Sponsors
Ambassador Sponsor - $10,000 or greater
River Sponsors - $5,000
Wetland Sponsor - $1,500
Tributary Sponsors - $1,000
- Special Districts Association of Oregon
- Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife - Oregon Conservation Strategy
- Northwest Watershed Restoration, LLC
Friends of OCEAN
Salishan Resort Gleneden Beach, Oregon
April 19 - 21, 2016
CONNECT 2016 was enjoyable and productive with 48 great sessions that covered all aspects of district and council programs.
CONNECT 2016 Program - Download PDF
CONNECT 2016 Schedule - Download PDF
2016 OCEAN CONNECT Program Sponsors:
Ambassador Sponsor - $10,000 or greater
River Sponsors - $5,000 or greater
Wetland Sponsor - $1,500
Tributary Sponsor - $1,000
Friends of OCEAN
CONNECT 2015 was fantastic. Districts and Watershed Councils turned out in record numbers to devour content from four tracks with close to 40 sessions. Many OCEAN partners and sponsors were present to show support and to provide training to attendees. It was a great three days.
CONNECT 2015 Schedule - Download PDF
2015 OCEAN CONNECT Program Sponsors:
Ambassador Sponsor - $10,000 or greater
River Sponsors - $5,000 or greater
Wetland Sponsors - $1,500
- Pacific Bridge & Construction Inc.
- Special Districts Association of Oregon
- Lower Columbia Engineering
Reception Sponsor
Friends of OCEAN
The Resort at the Mountain Welches, Oregon
April 30 - May 2, 2014
By all accounts, CONNECT 2014 was our best event yet. Having Watershed Councils attending added value to the event and made the conversations and content more dynamic. The venue and weather were fantastic, and the camaraderie between Districts, Councils, Presenters, and Sponsors was incredible.
CONNECT 2014 Schedule - Download PDF
2014 OCEAN CONNECT Program Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors -
- Oregon Association of Conservation Districts (OACD)
- Network of Oregon Watershed Councils (Network)
- Wahoo Films
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
Bronze Sponsors
- Special Districts Association of Oregon
- Aquatic Contracting (AC)
- Pacific Bridge & Construction Inc.
- Lower Columbia Engineering
Additional Sponsors
Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Ronde, Oregon
April 24-26, 2013
CONNECT 2013 was once again highly attended and highly praised. OCEAN would like to thank all of the Districts and their employees who pitched in to help deliver this year's program. We would also like to thank our sponsors (listed below) for their support. Without them, CONNECT simply wouldn't be possible. As always, OCEAN would like to thank the CONNECT 2013 presenters for delivering the relevant, high quality information that has become a hallmark of the CONNECT sessions.
Connect 2013 Schedule - Download PDF (0.1 MB)
2013 OCEAN CONNECT Program Sponsors:
Event Sponsors - $5,000 or greater
- Oregon Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Oregon Association of Conservation Districts
- Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
Gold Sponsors - $1,000
Silver Sponsors - $500
- Pacific Bridge & Construction, Inc.
- Special Districts Association of Oregon
- Idaho Power
- Save Water Save Energy Program
- Herrera Environmental Consultants
- Oregon Hop Commission
- Landshaper LLC
- Farmers Conservation Alliance
- HD Supply Waterworks
- Rainmaker Guzzlers
- MeasureTek
Friends of OCEAN - $250
Kah-nee-ta High Desert Resort Warm Springs, Oregon
April 25 - 27, 2012
CONNECT 2012 was a great success! OCEAN would like to thank the CONNECT 2012 presenters for delivering the relevant, high-quality information that has become a trademark of the CONNECT sessions, and all of those who help make CONNECT the best training bargain around.
Connect 2012 Schedule - Download PDF (0.1 MB)