Climate Stewards Course with Canopy
About the Event
Canopy is offering a FREE UC Climate Stewards certification course in Santa Clara and San Mateo County. The course prepares participants to integrate nature-based climate solutions within their communities through community science projects, environmental stewardship, and climate communication to advance ecosystem resilience in the urban forest.
This 10-week course requires 45 in-class and asynchronous hours, including online workshops, tree planting fieldwork, tree care fieldwork, and 8 hours of environmental stewardship hours on an urban forestry project. The asynchronous work will strengthen participants’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and agency by building climate literacy, introducing local opportunities for nature-based climate mitigation and adaptation solutions, and fostering climate communications skills. Canopy’s UC Climate Stewards Certification Course will focus on urban tree planting and tree care as nature-based climate solutions, integrating climate science communication, environmental justice, and community stewardship.
This course includes certification as a UC Climate Steward upon completion of all course requirements, the opportunity to become a Canopy-Certified Community Forester, and the option to obtain 4 undergraduate credits through UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.
Este curso gratuito de 10 semanas se centrará en la plantación de árboles urbanos, las comunicaciones sobre el clima, la justicia medioambiental y el cuidado de los árboles como soluciones climáticas basadas en la naturaleza. Los estudiantes participarán en talleres en línea facilitados por arbolistas certificados, plantación de árboles y trabajo de cuidado de árboles, y 8-15 horas de servicio voluntario en un proyecto de gestión forestal urbana.
Dates: Thursdays, September 17 through November 19, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Fees: FREE
Delivery Mode: Hybrid (Online Zoom classes & Outdoor field experiences)
Contact: Desiree Humphers, desiree@canopy.org
Applications for the Fall 2026 session are open and due September 7, 2026
Organization Description: Canopy's mission is to grow urban tree canopy in Midpeninsula communities for the benefit of all. Canopy's mission is deeply intertwined with climate resilience and climate education work, as trees are a vital component of efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, ameliorate the urban heat island effect, and provide cooling benefits to communities. Our vision is a day when every resident of the Midpeninsula can step outside to walk, play, and thrive under the shade of healthy trees. Canopy prioritizes tree planting and stewardship, education, and advocacy in communities where people do not have a thriving urban forest due to limited resources, competing priorities, historical development, and urbanization patterns.