A Cornell-connected climate training program is helping volunteers across New York address flooding, heat, storms and other local climate impacts. The Cornell Climate Stewards program has trained nearly 200 participants since 2021 and is now poised to grow with state support.
The 12-week program is offered by New York Sea Grant and Cornell Cooperative Extension and gives volunteers tools for local climate resilience work.
Participants commit to 40 hours of community service after training. Cornell said stewards have helped create composting systems, join resilience task forces, build native pollinator habitats and host public education events.
The program has been supported by extension educators representing 35 counties and New York City. The state Department of Environmental Conservation began funding the training last year in collaboration with the Climate Smart Communities program.
One participant, Allison Anderson of Pelham, used the training to help revive a village sustainability advisory board, pursue Climate Smart Communities certifications and work with the Junior League of Pelham on a bioswale and rain garden demonstration site.
In Cattaraugus County, high school science teacher Kelli Grabowski completed the training as New York prepared to require climate education in public schools for grades 5 through 12 beginning in 2027.
Grabowski and other teachers used their volunteer project to host a workshop focused on data, local climate impacts and community discussion.
Cornell said a new statewide online session of the Climate Stewards program begins Sept. 10, with local sessions offered through county Cooperative Extension offices throughout the year.
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