Registration is now open for the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program, which teaches participants about the impacts of climate change and other important environmental issues affecting New Jersey.
Stewards take what they learn from the program to help solve environmental problems in their own communities.
Starting Jan. 23, stewards attend weekly online classes on topics taught by researchers from Rutgers, government and the non-profit sector.
The class runs for 17 weeks, with mostly online sessions and some in-person meetings. This statewide program is divided into five geographic regions, and participants from all counties are welcome.
After each two-hour lecture, classes break out into regions to meet for further discussion and activities. Each region holds several in-person classes, enabling participants to experience and address local issues. Optional field trips are offered to environmentally significant locations in New Jersey.
While the classes, field trips, and individual projects do not replace a science degree, the program provides stewards with a solid foundation of knowledge and confidence when presented with real-world environmental problems.
After successfully completing the course, participants can complete a community based volunteer project of their choosing to become a Certified Environmental Steward. These projects enable stewards to get hands-on experience working to solve environmental problems in their communities.
Classes are scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Jan. 23 to May 14 with a content expert who covers that week’s topic. From 7:30-8 p.m., classes break out into regions to cover local issues and meet with their coordinator for further discussion and activities.
Class fee is $325.
Registration is currently available at https://envirostewards.rutgers.edu/.
