Online Discussion Groups (General)

The online discussion groups are a place to share wins, network, and connect with other CDA members in a more casual way. Bring quick questions, share jobs, view available dogs, and generally get social with each other.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WHATSAPP GROUP

** Make sure you let the admin know that you're a new CDA member. Once you join, please introduce yourself!

"SkillShare" Zooms

A SkillShare is a twice- (or thrice-) monthly meetup for Conservation Dog Alliance members to learn and grow together. These are all about YOU and what YOU need. Each meeting will be hosted by a CDA member (maybe you). The host will pick a format and topic to explore, including:

• Questions and Discussion. Bring a few questions on a topic to get help and open discussion. Such as: gundogs versus herding dogs? Direct/indirect reward? How to apply for grants?
• Presentation. Prepare a 15-30 minute talk on a topic that you feel ready to share (same topics as above, but here you're expected to be the expert)
• Homework and Discuss. Assign reading and dive into a paper or topic (all listen to the same podcast or read the same scientific paper). This can be paired with Questions and Discussion.
• Toastmasters. Practice a pitch or presentation for feedback.
• Workshop. Bring a topic you want direct feedback on, such as the design of your website, a sample acquisition protocol, or video of you and your dog for feedback on a training puzzle.

UPCOMING SKILLSHARES:

PAST SKILLSHARES:

Visit the Video Archive page for full descriptions of past SkillShares.

• Training Schedules and Frequencies (Recording Link)
• Government Contract and Grant Awards, US State Perspective (Recording Link)
• Canine Fitness (Recording Link)
• Search Strategies for Conservation Work Part 2 (Recording Link)
• Search Strategies for Conservation Work Part 1 (Recording Link)
• Opportunities for Part-Time Work (Recording Link)
• Turtle Talk (No Recording)
• Managing Arousal Levels During Reward Events Part 1 of 2 (Recording Link)
• Managing Arousal Levels During Reward Events Part 2 of 2 (Recording Link)
• Wolf to Coyote Scat and all the Hybrids in Between (Recording Link)
• Scat Collection Practices for Genetic Analysis (Recording Link)
• Blank Areas: How, When, Where? (Recording Link)
• Preparing Your Dog to Work Around Live Animal Distractions (Recording Link)
• Early Convos with Clients (Recording Link)
• Veliger Detection (Recording Link)
• Indications or the Holy Rope Game (Recording Link)
• Engagement Exercises and Ready to Work Games (Recording Link)
• Swamps and Wetlands (Recording Link)

NOTE: Please make sure you're signed up for our email list to be notified of SkillShare details such as Zoom links. Contact Lauren Wendt to sign up to host a SkillShare.

Online Discussion Groups & Meetups
(by Region, Taxonomy)

CDA members may also participate in specific Regional and Taxonomic groups, all of which are populated by founding members. Each group also has at least one designated volunteer coordinator. Meetups are informal and will give members a chance to share ideas, ask questions, and get to know each other. Meetups will include ongoing Slack groups as well as video chats that may be on Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, or other platform.

Over time additional groups will be created to meet member needs and distribution. 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE SLACK WORKSPACE

NOTE:  Once you join the CDA Slack workspace, you may join a regional or taxonomical group by clicking "+ Add Channel" -> "Browse Channels" then selecting a channel. Feel free to repeat the steps and join as many of the groups as you'd like. 

Regional Groups

Regional groups are designed for timezone alignment first and foremost. You are welcome to join a non-home region (for instance, perhaps you live in one location and work in another), but calls and activities will be at locally convenient times, and are deliberately NOT internationally inclusive - rather they are designed to foster connection closer to home! 

It is the hope of the CDA that regional groups will facilitate knowledge sharing relevant at regional and local scales, as well as even opportunities to meet up and train, shadow and work together.

• Australia, New Zealand, South & East Asia
• US West Coast, Hawaii
• US Midwest & South
• US East Coast
• Africa, Eurasia
• Latin America and the Caribbeans (en Espanõl) **

** We also encourage LAC folks to join timezone or biogeographic relevant US chats.

Taxonomic Groups

Taxonomic groups are designed to connect with and learn from others who work or have worked on the same types of targets as you. It is a place to share training plans and challenges, weird finds, cool stories, new discoveries, and stand on the shoulders of giants by not needing to reinvent the wheel!

• Plants
• Insects
• Carnivores
• Turtles (separate from general Reptiles)
• Reptiles (separate from Turtles)
• Wind Farms (bat and bird mortalities)
• Fungus
• Biosecurity
• Mammals (non-carnivore)
• Seabirds/Birds (live, nests)
• Law Enforcement/Anti-poaching