Practical Climate Action Training for People, Communities, and the Nonprofits
and Towns That Serve Them
PROVEN, PRACTICAL APPROACH
Get road-tested, affordable, do-it-yourself solutions for a changing climate that you can launch now!
Start today with ‘8 Steps: Cut Your Carbon Footprint 50%.’
This course helps you prepare the building block documents you can use for an initial “getting to know you” conversation with a funder — whether that’s a state program, federal agency, foundation, or regional partner.
This training is delivered as two short, sequential courses designed for the schedules and realities of small town and nonprofit teams.
Learn more about the two courses: 241: Write Your Climate Action Plan and 246: Fund Your Climate Action Plan.
In 8 weeks, you’ll organize the core documents your community can use to start climate conversations and design a practical action plan — at your own pace and with guidance.
This hands-on training walks you step by step through identifying your community’s most urgent climate risks and exploring practical solutions that have worked in similar towns.
Want to see these activities in action? Watch short, 3-minute assignment videos here.
Course 241 — Write Your Climate Action Plan
This is one example from Activity 3 in the course, showing how a real community problem — in this case, urban heat affecting tourism — is translated into a practical, step-by-step solution. Participants learn to work with community members and experts, develop a plan, and prepare the core documents needed to move from idea to action.
Learn more about the course activities in the syllabus below.
Climate Action Plan Outline:
Problem 1: Heat waves causing a loss of tourism dollars
Solution: Street Tree Program
Step-by-step Activities:
Survey community members to identify their knowledge of urban trees and challenges they see.
Consult an arborist with street tree experience to help scope the project.
Community workshop on participatory mapping of a street tree plan.
Prioritize locations for tree planting.
Investigate tree species and techniques appropriate for reducing urban heat in a semiarid region.
Develop a project plan with the arborist, including budget, schedule, and preliminary funding documents.
Present the plan to community members for feedback.
This training is also available as a facilitated onsite workshop for nonprofits and local governments.
Learn about live workshops
Questions? For more information, see the full course details or contact us.
Tailored versions of this course are also available for:
In this short video, Tim provides a brief overview of what this online workshop is designed to do and how it works. You’ll learn how participants move step by step through the process of developing a practical climate action plan over 8 weeks — with guidance and support along the way.
He is a climate educator who works with nonprofits, local governments, and community members to develop practical, real-world solutions to a changing climate that support healthy, resilient, rural communities. He has 20+ years of experience in designing climate smart action plans, and has written a field guide on adapting to a changing climate in rural areas.
Good morning, and welcome to How to Write a Climate Action Plan. You might ask, “Why write a climate action plan?” Here are some reasons.
Have you, your family, friends, or neighbors begun facing new challenges like drought, wildfires, flooding, or heat waves? Has your well run dry, and you’re having to truck in water now? How are these challenges affecting your rural community?
Are you wondering what to do to protect your family? Well, the solutions are here for you now. So, join us in this climate workshop. We will work one-on-one with you to help with Step One of your plan: listing your climate challenges and then choosing which ones are the most important to jump on first.
Then, in Step Two, we will show you tricks to finding solutions that are road-tested by other folks in situations like yours: affordable, do-it-yourself, common-sense solutions that have come from country wisdom and know-how.
Then, you will choose from your list the project that we will work on together. It might be an emergency plan for your family, choosing drought-tolerant plants for your vegetable garden, or planting shade trees to keep your house cool during heat waves. Or, you might choose to install solar panels on your roof. Your plan can be for your family, your farm or ranch, or for the small town you live in.
Whichever project you decide on, we will help you find out which solutions are going to do the best job for you. And, I have some good news: In our experience, frequently the simplest and lowest-cost solutions are going to give you the biggest bang for your buck. They should be the first jobs that you tackle.
Join us to create your own certainty in an uncertain world, and pick up new skills for protecting your family.
You can take this workshop solo at your own pace. Or you can take it with me in a more focused approach: you’ll be done with your climate action plan in six to eight weeks! During the workshop, you will also join a community of like-minded people that you can share ideas and stories with during our weekly group chat.
I’ve been working for 15 years with people from small communities developing climate action plans—and I love it. I can’t wait to meet you so that we can get started working together. I hope to see you soon. Thank you.
This training is offered as two short, sequential courses, built to fit the schedules and realities of small town governments and nonprofit teams in rural communities.
Course 241 — Write Your Climate Action Plan (8 weeks)
In 241 you’ll focus on understanding your community’s climate challenges and organizing your ideas into a clear, practical climate action plan. You’ll work through these important tasks:
Course 242 — Fund Your Climate Adaptation Plan (6 weeks)
242 helps you turn your climate action plan into clear, usable documents for early conversations with potential partners or funders before a formal proposal. The core documents include:
“This course was the catalyst for me connecting with my neighbors. I did and worked to build out a local climate action plan project that everyone was excited about.
Without the course, I wouldn’t have started the conversations to look at climate resilience in our community.
I am SO grateful to have started these conversations: wonderful, hopeful conversations with neighbors, community members, and potential partners over the last two weeks. I made several awesome new connections because this course made me start these conversations in an organized way, and I feel more connected to the people on Peters Mountain who have shared concerns and hope for how to adapt to our changing climate.
I spoke with Kathy Emery from WV’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), who is currently helping solidify a list of potential funding sources on a federal and state level based on her experiences with similar projects. I am meeting with her again later this week to go over project specifics.
I also spoke with local farmer Rhonda Dortch, who has received grant funding for her livestock watering project at her own farm and has offered assistance and editing help as I reach out to funders and partners.
From encouragement during the course to approach a donor, I made an appointment to speak with Richard Miller, WV Emergency Management Program area emergency management director, and now have my course-generated donor materials ready to share my project details with him.
Thank you, Tim!”
Astrid Grigsby
“After completing the program I received a $40K Grant for my Climate Action Plan. The workshop helped me develop a climate change adaptation project
which I then submitted to a donor–GEF. After a few consultation meetings with GEF, they informed me that they were willing to fund the project by granting me the $40,000 I requested!
I enjoyed everything about the course. It really was interesting especially talking to communities about changes in the environment that were linked to climate change and having to research on solutions that could be used for the communities.”
Loraine Sivo
Nonprofit Conservation Project Manager
“Thank you for all your effort in putting together a great program and all of the program resources. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you again.
Thank you for everything – for making this possible, for your guidance, and for your continuous optimism and encouragement.
Wye Yee Yong
“I just want to take this opportunity to complement you on the practical ideas, knowledge and vast experience that you continue to share with us on each assignment.
Many times your examples are the solution of choice for our community. I have been provided with constant support, practical solutions suitable for my project, feedback specific to our project submissions and unwavering encouragement.”
Gillian Primus
How many hours per week does the climate action plan workshop require to complete successfully? The time investment required is only 1 to 1-1/2 hours per week.
The first assignment involves meeting with a small group of people to get a sense of what climate challenges community members are facing due to global warming. So, that will take more than an hour, but you have three weeks to complete the first assignment.
What is the duration of the workshop? The workshop lasts for 8 weeks.
Is there interaction between the course instructor and the student? Yes, each weekly activity turned in by a participant is carefully read by the instructor. They will make constructive suggestions for each assignment. Students are encouraged to communicate by email with the instructor during the duration of the course with comments or questions.
There is also a weekly Zoom meeting with participants so that they can ask questions about their specific project.
Is there any prior climate expertise needed? The workshop’s training materials have been designed to be accessible to a broad range of people. There is no climate action expertise needed to enjoy full participation in the program.
Will I need to purchase any books prior to the course? No, there are no additional costs beyond the course fee. You will not need to purchase any books prior to, during, or after the course. All the information you will need can be found at the website.
A Field Guide to Community Based Adaptation, written by the instructor, Tim Magee, is provided as a PDF for each participant.
Team collaboration & remote participation. If you’re joining the workshop as part of a team, most collaboration is done by e-mail and Zoom calls. As a team, one person will be designated as the person to hand in the weekly assignments each week. Each of the teammates needs to work on the same project together.
Frequently, teams divide an assignment into parts and share them between the teammates. Although one team member will be the instructor’s contact person, all of the teammates are welcome to join in on the weekly Zoom meeting.
Refund Policy. 100% refunds are granted with a written cancellation request received up to 24 hours prior to the start of the course.
Will I get a certificate at the end of the workshop? Yes, course participants who successfully complete a course on time will receive a PDF course certificate
This workshop is led by a live teacher/consultant who will have weekly Zoom meetings with you and your course mates.
They will review each of your weekly activities and provide suggestions to make sure your outputs are actionable and fundable.
This course is also offered as a live workshop—perfect for staff or community members. Please contact us for more information.
$300 per team of up to four teammates.
$125 per individual person.
Instructor-Taught Online
8 Week Program
This pricing includes up to 4 teammates may participate in the course and develop your climate action plan. Each participant has access to all course materials and resources. One group member will be chosen to submit the group assignments.
After enrolling, you will be sent a welcome email with login instructions.
INGOs: Are you with an international NGO working in the Global South? If so, this sister course is a better match for you: International Community Based Adaptation.
Climate Action Plan Workshop resources include:
The instructor-led course includes a complimentary PDF eBook of A Field Guide to Community-Based Adaptation (a $40 value).
The instructor-led course will provide one-on-one instruction in tandem with all of the downloadable course materials listed above. Your instructor will offer professional comments and encouragement for each of your assignments.
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Certificate: Upon completing the course and all 6 assignments, you will receive a PDF Certificate of Completion.
Refund Policy. 100% refunds are granted with a written cancellation request received up to 24 hours prior to the start of the course.
8 Weeks | Hands-On
This is a program on planning, funding, launching, and managing a climate change action plan with your community.
You will work hand-in-hand with community members in developing a plan to combat climate challenges due to global warming.
The program is designed to help both experienced—and novice—climate change planners create bold climate action plans that prepare communities for climate change. Weekly Zoom Chats will keep it real.
What is a climate action plan? In designing a successful climate change action plan you will:
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Click the “Questions?” link just below to see a full course syllabus.
Learn by doing. This climate change adaptation program is for actually launching a climate change action plan with a real community.
In 8 weeks you will design a plan complete with solutions for your community’s climate challenges.
This is in preparation for the second course of the program where you will develop a full set of donor documents to present for funding.
Course participants have helped communities in North America, Europe, Australia, and Great Britain be prepared for climate issues magnified by climate change global boiling:
You will learn:
You will see and work with a climate action plan example.
The course will lead you through the design and launch of a similar, real climate change adaptation plan project in your local community.
Do you work in the Global South? This course is a better match.
Climate educator and trainer who works with community based nonprofits, local governments, and members of rural communities to develop practical, real-world solutions to a changing climate that support healthy, resilient communities.
He has over 20 years of experience in designing climate change, emergency preparation, and climate smart action plans.
He has written a field guide to adapting to a changing climate in rural areas that is provided as a resource for this workshop.
During the past 20+ years, Mr. Magee and his team have worked with 5,000 training participants from nonprofit organizations, local governments and members of rural communities on a wide range of projects and programs helping farmers, ranchers, and rural communities adapt to a changing climate.
These include climate smart agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate smart action plans.
Tim leads the live Zoom sessions and also provides weekly reviews of your climate action plan’s progress.
He has a background in agriculture, renewable energy, and climate change, and a degree in agriculture from Washington State University, a land-grant extension outreach university.
Mr. Magee is also available for 1) a live workshop with your group to develop your Climate Smart Action Plan or 2) to consult with you one-on-one about your Climate Plan. Contact us here for more information.
The resources include these templates to allow you to progress quickly:
The instructor-led course includes a complimentary PDF eBook of Tim Magee’s A Field Guide to Community-Based Adaptation (a $40 value).
The instructor-led course will provide one-on-one instruction in tandem with all of the downloadable course materials listed above. Your instructor will offer professional comments and encouragement for each of your assignments.
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Upon completing the course and all 6 assignments, you will receive a PDF Certificate of Completion.
Upon completing Write Your Climate Adaptation Plan, in next six week course you will use your climate adaptation plan’s design to develop the donor documents necessary to seek funding:
You will then have an introductory meeting with one of the traditional funding agencies that work with communities on climate action plans.
Questions? For more information, contact us.
“I just want to take this opportunity to complement you on the practical ideas, knowledge and vast experience that you continue to share with us on each assignment. Many times your examples are the solution of choice for our community. I have been provided with constant support, practical solutions suitable for my project, feedback specific to our project submissions and unwavering encouragement.”
Gillian Primus
“Thank you for all your effort in putting together a great program and all of the program resources. Thank you for everything – for making this possible, for your guidance, and for your continuous optimism and encouragement. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you again in the next session.”
Wye Yee Yong
8 Weeks: What is climate change? Develop a real-life, local climate action plan template. What is a climate action plan?
Week 1. Complete enrollment, meet your teacher, and explore the course resources. You will then have the next 3 weeks for Assignment One.
Week 2 & 3. Conduct a climate change conversation with community members to understand their needs, personal interests—and strengths! What is global warming? Climate resilience? Climate adaptation?
Week 4. Clearly define your community and its overall climate challenge.
Week 5. Learn how to solve the climate challenge using locally-focused climate change solutions.
Week 6. Make sure your plan will work by checking that your climate action solutions have success stories that show a proven track record.
Week 7. Assemble a detailed outline for a local climate action plan in preparation for a donor presentation.
Week 8. Share your project with your community and with a donor for feedback.
Then, enroll in the next course—Fund Your Climate Action Plan—to develop a full set of donor documents:
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Please contact us with questions.