Climate Stewards

Volunteers committed to addressing climate change

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

A new class of Climate Stewards training program at Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County is now taking applications for 2027.  A 12-module training and certification course will be held this Fall in 2026. This program equip participants to act to address climate change in their communities through educational outreach and steward-led climate-smart projects.

Click HERE to fill out the application to become a Cornell Climate Steward!

Applications must be received by August 13th 2026.

The twelve sessions Cornell Climate Training will be held on:

• Thursdays, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Dates: September 10th 2026 - December 3rd 2026
• Dates off (Based on Holidays): November 26th

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

For more information, please get in touch with Scott Kleinberg, Climate & Environment Educator, at sk3433@cornell.edu

Climate Stewards Training Program

The Climate Stewards training consists of 12 modules taught over 12 weeks, beginning in September. 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, adaptation, 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 to present and discuss in the final class sessions. Cornell University developed this program’s curriculum in partnership with CCE-Dutchess.

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 to a changing climate, and become more resilient in the face of new environmental challenges. Climate Stewards volunteers can use the CSC action list to determine what their municipalities have already done and opportunities to take action.

Learn more at the Cornell Climate Steward Website.

Climate Stewards Volunteer Position Description CCEDC

Last updated August 6, 2026