Be part of the solution by turning concern into collective action by taking the Climate Stewards Training this fall.
The University of Illinois Extension Climate Stewards program is a four-week, interactive short course that equips community members with the tools they need to communicate effectively about climate change, activate local collective solutions, and motivate others to join in.
“Most people are aware of climate change and its global impacts and want to know what they can do at home to help,” said Extension Climate Resilience Specialist Jessica Rudnick. “Through the Illinois Climate Stewards program, we are empowering individuals to develop the skills and partnerships they need to build communities and ecosystems that are resilient to the changing climate in Illinois and beyond.”
Local training sessions will be 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4 and are available through five Extension offices across Illinois in Quincy, the Chicago area, Champaign, Naperville, and Vienna. The training sessions will include conversations with local leaders, real-world scenarios, peer relationship building, hands-on learning opportunities, and a field trip to see local climate solutions in action.
Participants will leave with a better understanding of climate change and how Illinoisians think about it, strategies for effectively communicating about climate impacts, and ways to get involved in local climate resiliency work. After graduating as an Illinois Climate Stewards, participants will be equipped to get involved with community science projects, land and water stewardship efforts, and education and interpretation activities in their communities.
Find more information and to sign up for a local training by Sept. 30 at go.illinois.edu/ClimateStewards. Or learn more and meet the local program hosts at the online Climate Stewards Informational Session at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 18, led by Extension Climate Resilience Specialist Jessica Rudnick and Climate and Energy Outreach Associate Linda Derhak. Sign up for free at go.illinois.edu/ClimateInfo by Aug. 17 to access the meeting link.
The program cost varies. The standard course fee is $80. For those who can pay more and support someone else taking the course, the suggested fee is $120. Please contact the program coordinator if the fee prohibits attendance to discuss other options.
If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the information session, contact Jessica at jrudnick@illinois.edu. For the local training sessions, contact the program host whose information is available through the registration. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
The Climate Stewards program is offered through Illinois Extension’s natural resources, environment, and energy team, which provides research-based education for awareness and action to sustain healthy environments and ecosystems that support quality living and resilient communities. Extension staff empower people across Illinois to make a difference through the Master Naturalist, Climate Steward, and Master Watershed Steward volunteer and training programs.
SOURCE: Jessica Rudnick, climate resilience specialist, Illinois Extension.
WRITER: Emily Steele, media communications manager, Illinois Extension.
