Training for Individuals, Communities,
Nonprofits, & Local Governments
Become Adaptable and Resilient
Get road-tested, affordable, do-it-yourself solutions for a changing climate that YOU can launch NOW!
Start today with ‘8 Steps to Cut Your Carbon Footprint 50%.’
This hands-on workshop guides you step-by-step to identify the most urgent disaster risks, choose the most impactful, road-tested solutions.
Faster, easier, and more comprehensive than piercing information together on your own over the Internet.
Questions? For more information, see the full course details or contact us.
We also offer a tailored versions of this course for:
In this video, Tim gives a two minute summary on what this online workshop is for and how it works. In this program, working side-by-side with him, you will develop a disaster prep. plan in 8 weeks.
Tim Magee is an internationally recognized climate scientist, researcher, mentor, and trainer who has over 20 years of experience in designing climate change and disaster preparation action plans. Mr. Magee is CSDi’s Executive Director, and the author of A Field Guide to Community Based Adaptation, Routledge, Oxford, England.
Good morning, and welcome to How to Write a Family Climate Action Plan for the rural area that you live in. You might ask, “Why write a climate plan?” Let me offer some reasons.
Have you, your family, friends, or neighbors begun facing new challenges: climate impacts, like drought, wildfires, flooding, or heatwaves? Has your well run dry, and you’re having to truck in water now? How are these challenges affecting your family and your rural community members?
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 on Step One of your climate 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 heatwaves. 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 rural 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 in your rural area. 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 family’s climate 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 rural 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.
Are you an individual, family, or community member wanting to find solutions for making your home more disaster resilient?
Are you a farmer hoping to find ways to make your farm more climate resilient and be prepared for a disaster?
This course was the catalyst for me connecting with my neighbors to look at climate resilience in our community. Without it, I wouldn’t have started the conversations I did and worked to build out a local climate project that everyone was excited about.
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, Loraine Sivo received a $40K Grant Award for Climate Action Plan.
“The workshop helped me develop a climate change adaptation climate change project which was 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.
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
“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
8 Weeks | Hands-On
This is a workshop on planning a Disaster Preparedness Plan for your home and family.
You will work hand-in-hand with us to develop a plan to both prepare for and reduce the impacts of a potential disaster.
In designing a successful Disaster Preparedness Plan you will:
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Learn by doing. This program is for actually launching a Disaster Preparedness Plan for your home and family.
In 8 weeks you will design a plan complete with solutions for your home’s disaster challenges.
Course participants have become prepared for disasters magnified by the negative impacts of climate change:
This workshop is led by a live teacher/consultant who will have weekly Zoom meetings with you and your classmates.
They will review each of your activity summaries and provide suggestions to make sure your solutions are doable.
This course is also available as a live in-person workshop—perfect for nonprofit staff or town council members. Please contact us for more information.
$150.00 per individual or family.
$300.00 for a team of up to four people from an organization, nonprofit, or city government.
Instructor-taught online
8 week program
After enrolling, you will be sent a welcome email with login instructions.
Last Step: Fill out the student information sheet to complete your registration.
Disaster Preparedness Plan course resources include:
The instructor-led course includes a complimentary PDF eBook of A Field Guide to Community-Based Adaptation (a $40 value).
This textbook is based upon a developing a disaster preparedness project.
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 guidance, comments and encouragement for each of your activity summaries.
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Certificate: Upon completing the course and all 6 activity summaries, you will receive a PDF Certificate of Completion.
Tim Magee is an internationally recognized climate scientist, researcher, mentor, and trainer who has over 20 years of experience in designing climate change and disaster preparation action plans. Mr. Magee is CSDi’s Executive Director, and the author of A Field Guide to Community Based Adaptation, Routledge, Oxford, England.
During the past 20 years, Mr. Magee has worked with 5,000 training participants from nonprofit organizations and NGOs in 154 countries on a wide range of projects and programs about people, agriculture, the environment, disaster preparedness, and climate change mitigation. He has a background in agriculture, renewable energy and wrote a pioneering book on passive solar energy for heating homes.
Mr. Magee has a degree in agriculture from Washington State University, a land-grant university.
Mr. Magee is also available for 1) a live workshop with your group to develop your Disaster Preparedness Plan or 2) to consult with you one-on-one about your Disaster Preparedness Plan. Contact us here for more information.
Learn more about A Field Guide to Community Based Adaptation, Routledge.
Preparing for a natural disaster is really about making sure you, your family, and your home are ready before something happens.
In the program, you will design a plan complete with solutions that dovetail with your home’s specific disaster challenges.
Here are the key steps most emergency agencies (like FEMA and Red Cross) recommend.
Pack a “go-bag” and store extra supplies at home. Include:
“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: Develop a real-life, disaster preparedness plan for the area you live in.
Week 1. Complete enrollment, meet your teacher, and explore the course resources. You will then have the next 3 weeks for Activity One.
Week 2 & 3. Conduct a disaster preparedness conversation with family and community members to understand their needs, personal interests—and challenges and strengths!
Week 4. Clearly define your community and its overall potential disaster challenge.
Week 5. Learn how to solve the challenge using locally-focused disaster preparation solutions.
Week 6. Make sure your plan will work by checking that your solutions have success stories that show a proven track record.
Week 7. Assemble your detailed disaster preparation plan.
Week 8. Share your project with your community.
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Please contact us with questions.
How many hours per week does the course 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 challenges community members are facing due to a changing climate. 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 assignment turned in by a student is carefully read by the instructor. The course facilitator 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 disaster expertise needed? The workshop’s training materials have been designed to be accessible to a broad range of people. There is no disaster preparedness 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. The book’s example project is a disaster preparation plan.
Group collaboration & remote participation. If you’re joining the workshop as part of a group of community members, most collaboration is done by e-mail and Zoom calls. As a group, one person will be designated as the person to hand in the homework assignments each week. Each member of the group needs to work on the same project together.
Frequently, group members divide an assignment into parts and share them between the members. Although one group member will be the instructor’s contact person, all of the group members 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, individuals and group members 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 classmates.
They will review each of your activity summaries and provide suggestions to make sure your solutions are doable.
This course is also available as a live in-person workshop—perfect for nonprofit staff or town council members. Please contact us for more information.
$150.00 per individual or family.
$300.00 for a group of up to four people.
Instructor-taught online
8 week program
After enrolling, you will be sent a welcome email with login instructions.
Disaster Preparedness Plan course resources include:
The instructor-led course includes a complimentary PDF eBook of A Field Guide to Community-Based Adaptation (a $40 value).
This textbook is based upon a developing a disaster preparedness project.
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 guidance, comments and encouragement for each of your activity summaries.
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Certificate: Upon completing the course and all 6 activity summaries, you will receive a PDF Certificate of Completion.
8 Weeks | Hands-On
This is a workshop on planning a Disaster Preparedness Plan for your home and family.
You will work hand-in-hand with us to develop a plan to both prepare for and reduce the impacts of a potential disaster.
In designing a successful Disaster Preparedness Plan you will:
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Learn by doing. This program is for actually launching a Disaster Preparedness Plan for your home and family.
In 8 weeks you will design a plan complete with solutions for your home’s disaster challenges.
Course participants have become prepared for disasters magnified by the negative impacts of climate change:
Tim Magee is an internationally recognized climate scientist, researcher, mentor, and trainer who has over 20 years of experience in designing climate change and disaster preparation action plans. Mr. Magee is CSDi’s Executive Director, and the author of A Field Guide to Community Based Adaptation, Routledge, Oxford, England.
During the past 20 years, Mr. Magee has worked with 5,000 training participants from nonprofit organizations and NGOs in 154 countries on a wide range of projects and programs about people, agriculture, the environment, disaster preparedness, and climate change mitigation. He has a background in agriculture, renewable energy and wrote a pioneering book on passive solar energy for heating homes.
Mr. Magee has a degree in agriculture from Washington State University, a land-grant university.
Mr. Magee is also available for 1) a live workshop with your group to develop your Disaster Preparedness Plan or 2) to consult with you one-on-one about your Disaster Preparedness Plan. Contact us here for more information.
Learn more about A Field Guide to Community Based Adaptation, Routledge.
The resources include these templates to allow you to progress quickly on your disaster plan:
The instructor-led course includes a complimentary PDF eBook of Tim Magee’s A Field Guide to Community-Based Adaptation (a $40 value).
This textbook is based upon developing a climate related disaster preparation project.
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 activities.
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions, sharing—and just getting to know each other.
Upon completing the course and all 6 activities, you will receive a PDF Certificate of Completion.
Questions? For more information, contact us.
Preparing for a natural disaster is really about making sure you, your family, and your home are ready before something happens.
In the program, you will design a plan complete with solutions that dovetail with your home’s specific disaster challenges.
Here are the key steps most emergency agencies (like FEMA and Red Cross) recommend.
Pack a “go-bag” and store extra supplies at home. Include:
8 Weeks: Develop a real-life, disaster preparedness plan for the area you live in.
Week 1. Complete enrollment, meet your teacher, and explore the course resources. You will then have the next 3 weeks for Activity One.
Week 2 & 3. Conduct a disaster preparedness conversation with family and community members to understand their needs, personal interests—and challenges and strengths!
Week 4. Clearly define your community and its overall potential disaster challenge.
Week 5. Learn how to solve the challenge using locally-focused disaster preparation solutions.
Week 6. Make sure your plan will work by checking that your solutions have success stories that show a proven track record.
Week 7. Assemble your detailed disaster preparation plan.
Week 8. Share your project with your community.
Each week we will have a group zoom meeting for questions and discussion.
Please contact us with questions.
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Use our resources to discover your own sustainable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference in our communities and beyond.
CSDi is pleased to announce 12 full scholarships for
How to Write a North American Rural Climate Action Plan. Learn More.
