Ways to celebrate Earth Day
Ahead of Earth Day, which is Thursday, California Volunteers recently announced additional ways Californians can get involved in climate action through the expansion of the nation’s first statewide Climate Action Corps and the launch of an online volunteer hub to connect Californians with climatefocused opportunities to serve their communities.
California Volunteers recently kicked off recruitment for the Climate Action Corps summer fellowship program, an expansion of the current pilot program. The fellowship will engage 200-plus individuals in a summer of service to support local climate action projects in frontline and low-income communities across the state.
California Volunteers also announced that the California Climate Action Corps, in partnership with VolunteerMatch, has developed an online volunteer hub to give Californians opportunities to take meaningful action in their communities through service. The volunteer hub allows volunteers to view climate-focused service opportunities available in their own community, posted by organizations such as nonprofits, schools and local governments. This platform builds on California Volunteers’ successful volunteer hub for COVID-19 and food bank initiatives, which created more than 60,000 volunteer connections in 2020. Those interested in posting or exploring climate volunteer opportunities in their communities can find more information at: climateactioncorps.ca.gov.
“No other state has mobilized and organized citizen climate action at so large a scale, and as all Californians have been touched by climate change, it is no surprise we have set a national example and will continue to lead the way forward,” Governor Gavin Newsom said. “California Climate Action Corps and the new volunteer hub provide Californians with an invaluable opportunity to take climate action into their own hands and in their own communities, all across the state.”
“There are opportunities for all Californians to answer the call to serve, and with the launch of our volunteer hub we have developed a simple way to get involved today in service to your community,” California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday said. “As our success continues, and more Californians join the effort, we can build a statewide culture of climate service.”
Fellows will be AmeriCorps members placed with government agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and universities and colleges where they will spend two months over the summer implementing climate action and climate education projects with a strong emphasis on volunteerism and community engagement. Fellows will receive project support, training, leadership development opportunities, a monthly living stipend and scholarship upon completion of the term that can be used to pay for college or pay off student loans.
Californians are encouraged to learn about the many ways each of us can be a part of the solution to fight climate change, including applying for a fellowship or recruiting fellows for an organization. Find more information at climateactioncorps.ca.gov.