Cornell Climate Stewards

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

The  Cornell Climate Stewards Program is a 12-week online 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?

There is no cost to enroll into this training program for Cayuga, Schuyler and Seneca County residents however residents of other New York counties should contact their local Cornell Cooperative Extension office to learn if an educator on that staff will be partnering to offer and support local volunteers in the Fall 2025 Climate Stewards Volunteer Training Program.

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How Do I Apply? 

ONLY CAYUGA, SCHUYLER & SENECA COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD APPLY HERE.
Residents of all other counties please contact your local CCE office to find out whether they have a participating staff member to work with local volunteers!

COMPLETE THE APPLICATION HERE by Thursday, July 31, 2025 to be considered for the Fall 2025 Cornell Climate Stewards volunteer training program. Scan the QR code or visit the Registration link on this page to complete the application form.  It may take 15-20 minutes to complete the entire application o please be prepared to complete the entire registration/application at one time, because the form CANNOT SAVE YOUR PROGRESS. After completing the entire form, choose "Submit Registration" to submit your application. Once submitted, you cannot return or edit to the application.

CAYUGA, SCHUYLER & SENECA COUNTY Residents may access the application form by using this QR code:

Last updated July 15, 2025