climate stewards

Climate Stewards

Volunteers committed to addressing climate change

Click HERE to complete the application for our upcoming Climate Stewards training!  Please submit applications by April 12, 2024.  

Printable pdf flyer

Location: CCE Erie, 21 S. Grove Street, East Aurora, NY

Dates: Saturdays, April 6th - July 13th (with breaks for holidays)

Off Weeks: April 25; June 15, 29; July 6

Application Deadline:  April 12, 2024

After applications are received, candidates will be contacted for a short interview.

A new Climate Stewards training program at Cornell Cooperative Extension Erie County (CCE-Erie) is now taking applications for a 12-module training this spring. This effort will equip participants to act to address climate change in their communities through educational outreach and steward-led climate smart projects. We need you to help us make this program part of Erie County’s approach to combating climate change!

For more information, please contact Sharon Bachman, Natural Resource Educator, at sin2@cornell.edu or (716) 652-5400 ext 150

Climate Stewards Training Program

The Climate Stewards training consists of 12 modules taught over 12 weeks, beginning on March 25th, 2023 and will be held in-person. In each of the first 10 trainings, trainees will cover a specific climate change topic, with additional outside readings, videos and group activities designed to develop skills needed to lead and educate their communities in climate science, adaption, and mitigation.

  • Module 1: Orientation
  • Module 2: The Science of Climate Change
  • Module 3: Climate Change Impacts
  • Module 4: Working with Local Governments & Communities
  • Module 5: Climate Change Mitigation
  • Module 6: Community Mitigation Strategies
  • Module 7: Climate Change Adaptation
  • Module 8: Community Adaptation Strategies
  • Module 9: Effective Climate Change Communication
  • Module 10: Climate Justice
  • Module 11: Planning Volunteer Projects
  • Module 12: Presenting Volunteer Projects

Throughout the course, trainees will design an individual or group community action project that they will present and discuss in the final two class sessions. This program’s curriculum was developed by Cornell University in partnership with CCE-Monroe.

Climate Smart Communities

Climate Smart Communities (CSC) is a multi-state agency effort led by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC). CSC outlines concrete action lists of steps communities can take to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, adapt for a changing climate, and become more resilient in the face of new environmental challenges. Climate Stewards volunteers will use the CSC action list to determine what municipalities have already done and opportunities to take action.

Last updated May 7, 2024