Associate Extension Dean for Natural Resources, Dr. Saqib Mukhtar, and several other administrators attended. We discussed history, accomplishments, current status, and future plans for NECI along with many questions about the process to create a similar group at a state level. Administrators were very impressed by the work and collaborative model created by NECI to elevate Extension climate work at a national level and they intend to learn more as we continue evolving and they develop this state-level initiative serving Florida Extension clientele. ● Jennison Kipp (NECAT Co-PI and NEES+NSS conference liaison) is continuing follow-up related to that event including tracking podcasts released of interviews with NEES+NSS attendees and NECI members on the Yale Climate Connections. As of this reporting period, at least eight have been published, extending the reach of this work to over 300 networks who air the program. One example,featuring UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension Director Dr. Lee-Hayes Byron, is “Volunteers go door-to-door in Florida to help people save energy and water”: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/08/volunteers-go-door-to-door-in-florida-to-h elp-people-save-energy-and-water/ All Climate Connections podcasts are posted at https://yaleclimateconnections.org/topic/audio/. ● Paul Lachapelle Guest Column Op-Ed published in The Bozeman Daily Chronicle on September 6, 2022: “Montana State University must lead the way of addressing climate crisis” ● Context given by Paul via the NECI listserv: “I wanted to share this Guest Op-Ed I wrote with 13 other faculty members on the need for universities to be leaders in addressing the climate crisis. I have published many articles and book chapters in my 20+ years in academia, yet I think this one is the most important contribution and one that I am most proud of. I would be curious if any of you care to share your thoughts on the responsibility of universities, and specifically how faculty and administrators can be innovators and inspiring educators to address what my co-authors and I agree to be the most consequential issue of our generation. ONGOING Monthly NECI Meetings: Professional Development, Steering Committee, and Member Engagement (ME) Activities ● NECI Professional Development (PD) meetings via Zoom every month on 1st Wednesday at 3:00pm ET ○ Details and recordings of each NECI Professional Development meeting available at https://nationalextensionclimateinitiative.net/pd-meetings/ o Scheduled, coordinated, promoted, and hosted (by rotating SC members) the following monthly NECI PD meetings on the NECI website and by email, followed by posting the recording online to share to email listserve: ■ June 1 – Dr. Sara Via, University of Maryland Extension, Social
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