Island County Climate Stewards

Learn practical strategies for addressing climate issues at local and regional levels.

WSU Climate Stewards Class of 2026

Become a WSU Climate Steward – Spring 2026

Spring Session is April 2 – June 6, 2026 Apply now!

The WSU Climate Steward certificate course offers classroom, online, and field experiences, with 10 sessions addressing:

Social-emotional resilience and environmental justice
Trauma-aware communication and community building
WA Climate systems, modeling, and ecosystems
Climate solutions in Ag, Forestry, Energy, and Water
Climate policy and mitigation programs

This course equips you with practical tools to take climate action today in your community, building climate literacy, strengthening community engagement, and supporting a more resilient future across Washington through:

Expert guest speakers
Guided place-based tours
Curriculum curated by Washington-based scientists

Climate Steward Training Spring 2026 Application

Course Fee – $225

Early Brid Discount (before March 15, 2026) – $175.00

Become a Climate Steward

Join Washington’s Movement for Climate Education & Action

The WA Climate Education and Extension Team —a dynamic, cross-disciplinary partnership among Washington’s leading institutions—is proud to launch Climate Stewards, a program designed to elevate climate literacy, expand community engagement, and build a resilient future across the state. Together, we’re advancing education and outreach efforts that empower individuals, communities, and organizations to address climate challenges head-on.

Why Climate Stewards?

Collaborative – Join a growing network of educators, scientists, and community leaders across Washington.

Impactful – Learn practical strategies for addressing climate issues at local and regional levels.

Educational – Gain access to workshops, resources, and training grounded in the latest climate science.

WSU Climate Steward Certificate Program – Key Logistics

Exclusive Online Learning:

Online presentations with guest speakers via Zoom
Self-paced study via Canvas learning platform

Weekly Class Sessions

Time: Thursday Evenings 6-8:00PM Online, self-paced study via Canvas learning platform
Dates: Spring 2026 Class Series April 2-June 4
Final session: June 6th 2026 with Project presentations + potluck

Date	Topic
April 2 – Week 1	Introduction: Climate and Emotional Resilience
April 9 – Week 2	Climate Change: An Overview
April 16 – Week 3	Climate Communication
April 23 – Week 4	WA Climate & Earth Science: WA Ecosystems
April 30 – Week 5	WA Agriculture: Climate Change Impacts on Washington State
May 7 – Week 6	WA Climate: Ag, Water and Food Nexus
May 14 – Week 7	WA Energy: Battery, Solar, Wind, Hydro and More
May 21 – Week 8	WA Forestry: Risks, Resilience, and Responses
May 28 – Week 9	WA Climate Action: Climate Commitment Act, Legislation and Policy
June 4 – Week 10	Community Resilience: Adaptation & Mitigation
June 6 – Final Presentations	Stewardship Project Presentations + Graduation Potluck

Additional in Person Learning

Field Trips

(Attendance at 2 or more is required for certificate)

Date	Locations
Saturday, April 11	Smart Solar Projects (Mount Vernon Library)
Saturday, April 18	Sea Level Rise (Island County)
Monday, April 25	Regenerative Farming (Child’s Farm, Hamilton)
Wednesday, May 6	Skagit Gleaners (Mount Vernon)
Saturday, May 16	Camano Homesteading Fair (Island County) – Camano Library
TBA	TBA

Exact dates will be added as available.

Time Commitment

Approx. 60 hours total, including:

20 hours online class sessions
10 hours field trips
30 hours online presentations, self-paced learning, reading, and Stewardship Project work

Certificate Requirements

Attend minimum 8 of 10 Thursday sessions
Attend at least 2 field trips
Complete Canvas-based online modules and assignments
Complete and present a Stewardship Project (individual or group, ~5-minute presentation)
Become a Climate Steward Application

Apply now! Space is limited.

Apply to participate in the Climate Stewards training and start making a difference in your community today.

Questions? Contact the WSU Island County Extension office at sarah.bergquist@wsu.edu or call 360-639-6060.

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