ELLICOTTVILLE — Are you interested in helping your community adapt to the changing environment?

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County plans to participate in a statewide training created to help local citizens learn about the science and best practices for addressing resiliency issues in their communities through educational outreach and steward-led projects.

The Cornell Climate Stewards training consists of 12 modules taught over 12 weeks, beginning on Sept. 10, and will be held on Wednesdays from 6–8 p.m. through Dec. 10. Held in person, location to be announced.

Modeled after other popular CCE volunteer programs such as the Master Gardeners program, the 2025 training will be led by Cornell, CCE and Sea Grant staff from across New York state with in-person, hybrid and Zoom options. Participants will receive training and support from their local CCE office.

In each of the first 10 training sessions, trainees will cover a specific topic, with additional outside readings, videos and group activities designed to develop skills needed to lead and educate their communities in background science and best practices.

Cornell Climate Stewards Training Program

• Module 1: Program Orientation
• Module 2: Background Science
• Module 3: Impacts Part 1
• Module 4: Impacts Part 2
• Module 5: Working with Local Communities
• Module 6: Intro to Mitigation
• Module 7: Local Community Mitigation Strategies
• Module 8: Intro to Adaption
• Module 9: Local Community Adaptation Strategies
• Module 10: Science Communication
• Module 11: Planning Volunteer Projects
• Module 12: Presenting, Recognition and Evaluation Volunteer Projects

The Cornell Climate Stewards training program is now taking applications for a 12-module training this fall.

Previous projects have included organizing a public education event, hosting repair cafes and supporting local taskforce initiatives, but there are many options to choose from.

For more information, contact Kim Oudemool, Natural Resources Educator, at kkr35@cornell.edu or (716) 699-2377 ext. 106.

Climate Smart Communities (CSC) is a multi-state agency effort led by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC). CSC outlines a concrete list of actions that communities can take to address the impacts and become more resilient in the face of new environmental challenges. Cornell Climate Stewards volunteers will use the CSC action list to determine what municipalities have already done and what opportunities to take action.

Find more information about the program at climatestewards.cornell.edu.