University of Illinois Extension is offering a climate stewards training program this fall to help residents turn concern about climate change into local action.
The program is a four-week, interactive short course that equips community members with tools to communicate about climate change, activate local solutions and motivate others to join in, a news release from the Illinois Extension Service said.
Local training sessions will be held from 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 release said.
Sessions will include conversations with local leaders, real-world scenarios, peer relationship building, hands-on learning and a field trip to see local climate solutions.
According to the release, participants will leave with a better understanding of climate change, strategies for communicating about climate impacts and ways to get involved in local climate resiliency work.
Graduates will be equipped to take part in community science projects, land and water stewardship efforts, and education activities in their communities.
“Most people are aware of climate change and its global impacts and want to know what they can do at home to help,” said Jessica Rudnick, an extension climate resilience specialist.
“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,” she said,
The Extension Service said residents can find more information and sign up for a local training by Sept. 30 at go.illinois.edu/ClimateStewards.
An online informational session is set for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18, led by Rudnick and Climate and Energy Outreach Associate Linda Derhak. Registration is free at go.illinois.edu/ClimateInfo by Aug. 17 to access the meeting link.
The standard course fee is $80, according to the release. A suggested fee of $120 is available for those who can pay more to support another participant. The release said those for whom the fee is prohibitive should contact the program coordinator to discuss other options.
Those needing a reasonable accommodation for the information session may contact Rudnick at jrudnick@illinois.edu, the release said. For local training sessions, participants should contact the program host listed at registration.
The program is offered through Illinois Extension’s natural resources, environment and energy team.
This article was reformatted from a press release using artificial intelligence. A Shaw Local editor verified the information, edited the article and approved it before publication.