Climate Stewards Volunteer Program

Volunteers committed to fighting climate change

Are you interested in helping your community adapt to our changing climate?

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County is planning for its first ever certified Climate Steward program starting in September 2025! This 10-module training will prepare participants to act as community leaders, addressing climate change through educational outreach and mitigation projects. Volunteer participants who complete this program will learn about the science of climate change, mitigation and adaptation strategies, and how to engage with and educate their communities.

Climate Stewards must complete 10 weeks of training, then complete at least 40 hours of approved community volunteer work to become a certified volunteer in the program. For the program, volunteers must submit an application and agree to a background check in order to be an official CCE Westchester volunteer. Climate Stewards represent CCE Westchester and may work with CCE staff on climate programming in the future.

The online application can be located here! All submitted applications will be reviewed when selection begins in July for the 2025. Most classes will be held over Zoom as a state wide cohort with project planning days in person in our Elmsford, NY facility.

About the Climate Stewards Training Program

Each module includes a slideshow presentation, assigned readings and videos, group activities, and work toward final action projects. During the last few weeks, trainees put their new-found skills into action with individual or group action projects that will be a wonderful entry into making a difference for communities.

• Module 1: Orientation
• Module 2: The Science of Climate Change
• Module 3: Climate Change Impacts
• Module 4: Climate Justice
• Module 5: Introduction to Local Governments and Municipalities
• Module 6: Introduction to Mitigation
• Module 7: Local Mitigation Strategies
• Module 8: Introduction to Adaptation
• Module 9: Local Adaptation
• Module 10: Communicating Climate Change

SCHEDULE:

• Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 PM
  Sep. 10: Program Orientation
  Sep. 17: Background Science
  Sep. 24: Impacts of Changing Climatic Factors Part 1
  Oct. 01: Break
  Oct. 08: Impacts of Changing Climatic Factors Part 2
  Oct. 15: Working with Local Governments & Communities
  Oct. 22: Intro to Mitigation
  Oct. 29: Local Community Mitigation Strategies
  Nov. 05: Intro to Adaptation
  Nov. 12: Local Community Adaptation Strategies
  Nov. 19: Effective Science Communication
  Nov. 26: Break)
  Dec. 03: Presenting Volunteer Project Plans
  Dec. 10: Evaluation & Recognition
  

Your Community Connections Can Help Fight Climate Change

Learn More: Climate Smart Communities & Clean Energy 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 lists to determine what municipalities have already done and opportunities to take action.

Research has shown that a key barrier to local climate action is lack of resources (staff, resources, and training). Climate Stewards will be trained and empowered with practical skills to help fill these gaps, tackle issues, and inspire change in their own communities.

NOTE: THERE IS A $15 FEE ONCE ACCEPTED.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Last updated June 3, 2025