Climate Stewards class of 2025 smiling as a group in front of solar panels in Arlington, WA in Snohomish PUD.

Climate Stewards

Building climate resilient communities
WSU Extension > Climate Stewards

WSU Extension Certificate Education

The Climate Stewards program equips community members with tools that lead to productive communication and community goal setting that results in advancing climate resiliency in Washington.

Climate Stewards logo

Climate Stewards Course

WSU Climate Stewards Certificate participants receive communication skills training, plus climate science education in earth and climate systems with a focus on Washington State. Participants engage with local experts through online classes, tour groups and organizations actively engaged in building climate resilience, and learn from a rigorous curriculum designed by U.C. Davis and adapted by Washington scientists and professionals for our unique ecosystems and political environment.

2025 WSU Climate Stewards Impact Statement

Course Overview

The Climate Stewards course combines online learning with in-person or video classes plus field learning experiences in earth systems, water management, energy, agriculture, and other related topics. In addition, you will receive training in communication skills and goal setting, so you can use your Climate Stewards knowledge to make an impact in your community.

The training will include an overview of state and local climate policies. WSU Climate Stewards is a catalyst for public participation in Washington’s climate change initiatives as defined through the Climate Commitment Act.

Course detail

I knew the basics of climate change science, but I learned a lot about Washington state policy and how to build and evaluate community resilience

2025 Class participant, Bruce Lindsay

Sample program – Spring 2026

Flyer including text at the top with three thumbprint sized photos down the left margin. First one showing people gathered at the beach while one person talks, second people gathered in front of a waterfall, third, people gathered in the library. The text includes information about the Spring 2026 Climate Stewards course.

The Spring 2026 course was offered to residents of Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. Plans are currently in place for another course being offered in the Spring of 2027. More information coming soon!

Interested in Climate Stewards for 2027?

Locations:

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Island County

Spring 2026
Whatcom County logo includes a green border with the name Whatcom County Washington. The illustration is of Mt. Baker with green trees and snow in the foreground.

Whatcom County

Spring 2026
Skagit County Logo

Skagit County

Spring 2026
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Hosted by WSU Island and Skagit County Extension

If you are outside Island, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties, and are interested in the program, please follow the ‘apply’ arrow and select ‘outside those counties’ so we can look to expand to your county soon. We plan to expand to other counties in Washington where there is a demonstrated interest.

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WSU Extension launches successful Climate Stewards pilot program in Snohomish, Skagit, and Island Counties

Read more about our pilot

Additional WSU Certificate Courses:

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WA Naturalist

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Dr. Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane Goodall (1934-2025)

British primatologist, anthropologist, conservationist, and UN Messenger of Peace

I want you to understand that we are part of the natural world. And even today, when the planet is dark, there still is hope. Don’t lose hope. If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing. And if you want to save what is still beautiful in this world—if you want to save the planet for the future generations, your grandchildren, their grandchildren—then think about the actions you take each day.

Because, multiplied a million, a billion times, even small actions will make for great change.

Dr. Jane Goodall