Climate Stewards

Do You Want to Help Your Community Adapt to Our Changing Climate?

The Cornell Climate Stewards Program is a 12-week training program for adults who want to volunteer in their community. After completing the training, volunteers agree to contribute 40 hours over one year to a local project to help advance their community’s goals.

Cornell Climate Stewards (CCS) have helped their communities earn the designation as a Climate Smart Community; they have planted community pollinator gardens, volunteered on municipal boards and commissions, and educated neighbors about stormwater management and flood preparation. 

The sky is the limit for the types of projects CCS can work on in their communities. For more examples visit https://climatestewards.cornell.edu/climate-stewards-storymap/

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When is the Fall 2025 Training & What Can I Expect?

• Classes begin Wednesday September 10, 2025 and end Wednesday December 10, 2025.
• ALL TRAINING CLASSES MEET VIRTUALLY ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 6:00pm-8:00pm (no training class on October 1 and November 26).
• Participants must be able too attend all training classes virtually using the Zoom platform.
• Qualified instructors presenting weekly topics will include Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension staff. Local CCE staff will support your involvement in the program during the training sessions, and throughout your volunteer involvement. Note, one vision for this program is to empower you to be the change you wish to see- in that spirit, CCE staff will help you as much as they can, but cannot take responsibility for project implementation.
• All materials for the course will be available electronically.
• There may be additional field trips/meet-ups scheduled during the training session, depending on availability of participants and staff. Ideally we can meet each other and build relationships with other participants in the class and support each other. Such field trips/meet-ups will be discussed among the group during the training sessions.

This Fall 2025 CCS training session will be offered across New York State, and will include other participants representing other counties across New York State.

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How Much Will This Cost?

At this time, there is no cost to enroll into this training program for Cayuga, Schuyler and Seneca County residents. This registration/application process is specific to Cayuga, Schuyler and Seneca County residents.

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How Do I Apply? 

COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION

If you want to be considered for this training program to be a Cornell Climate Steward, click the link above and complete the registration/application by clicking the blue "register" button at the bottom of the page. 

It may take 15-20 minutes to complete the entire application- please be prepared to complete the entire registration/application at one time, because the form CANNOT SAVE YOUR PROGRESS. After completing the entire registration, you can click the "Submit Registration" button to submit the application.

Once submitted, you cannot return to the application.

Last updated July 9, 2025