The Climate Solutions University curriculum breaks a complicated and often overwhelming process into manageable components.  Now in its third year, the program has impacted 19 communities across the U.S. Our unique training and individualized coaching model helps rural leaders develop:

• Technical skills to conduct complex research and design adaptation plans,
• Communication skills to convey the importance of climate adaptation, and
• Political skills to unite disparate perspectives, find common ground on a divisive issue, and motivate the public to support leaders in taking action to implement on-the-ground change.

Eligible communities:  Eligible communities include, but are not limited to:  local, state, and federal government agencies, planning councils, citizen groups, conservation districts, city governments, watershed groups, pollution control agencies, tribal groups, land trusts, coalitions, etc.

We offer two levels of participation to suit your organization or community's needs:
Climate Adaptation Plan Development Program (up to 8 positions available)
Climate Solutions University's (CSU) online curriculum, webinars, and community calls will coach your stakeholder team through in-depth assessments of the local risks and opportunities related to climate, forest, water, and economic conditions. You'll then synthesize your findings into a local climate adaptation plan. Find example plans from current participants here.

Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation Program (8 positions available)
Receive group and individual support for converting existing plans into action.  Thus far, 19 community participants in MFPP’s Climate Solutions University: Forest & Water Strategies (CSU) program have generated outcomes ranging from reduced risk of disaster (such as floods, droughts and fires), greater protection of forest cover, and protective public policy.  MFPP’s network can provide critical support to rural leaders that may work in isolation and face the challenges of political and social resistance to climate change in their region.   As a result, the CSU growing network is quickly emerging as a collaborative group of experts on climate adaptation.

Could your organization or community benefit from:

·         Being a member of a strong (and growing) network of rural leadership teams equipped with the skills to address climate change in their communities?

• Learning from a new model training that supports the sharing of strategies and expertise?
• Expanding your leadership skills?
• Transforming related planning by adding climate, forest, and watershed-based strategies?
• Increasing fundraising capacity?
• Developing new policies and practices that ensure economic stability, community health, and forest and water resources?
• Saving costly consultant fees?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then consider applying to the 2013 session of Climate Solutions University.

Our Partners

This educational opportunity is being conducted in collaboration with these partner organizations: Model Forest Policy Program, Cumberland River Compact, and Headwaters Economics