Cooperative Extension System Climate Action Plan

-Extension- associated grassroots networks such as Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN), National Extension Climate Initiative (NECI), and others

nonprofits and agencies

programs for producers, and technical service providers (TSPs)/peers to build capacity, data, and resources that lead to improved, regionally relevant climate-informed decision making -Increase connectivity and trust between Extension and USDA service centers, including USDA Climate Hubs -Increase connectivity among the three Land-grant university systems -Strengthen relationships between Extension and community partners -Improve interagency connections and coordination between USDA and NOAA

and climate benefits including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and decreases in fossil fuel use -Technical Service Providers/Peers – Enhance authentic communication and collaboration among programs to deliver systems- based outcomes with an expanded understanding of TSP roles and identities to reduce structural barriers to program participation. This would go beyond

Funding and Resources

-Secure funds for activities that will advance this model. This includes but is not limited to facilitation, grant- writing support, program

Investment Opportunities

-Long-term funding for long-term work

maintenance, research, and

volunteer network incentives as well as climate tools, apps, and demonstrations. Human Resources and Expertise -Elevate internal knowledge transfer from specialists to personnel and where gaps exist, hire diverse new employees with unique expertise, insights, and climate specialization -Hire specialist positions for climate to be able to address common questions/needs. They could speak climate science for local specialists in beef, dairy, forests, etc. Complement with a social scientist

traditional TSP roles to include

Implementation and Adoption of Practices

business technical assistance, tribal entities, garden groups and other Extension audiences, as well as non-traditional support services such as grant writing and grant advising Community Engagement and Planning -By 2030, 25% of counties served will have developed a climate resilience plan via an equitable, participatory process, including

-25% of landowners, stewards, and managers will engage with Extension programs or resources and demonstrate an increased knowledge of climate change practices and establish an implementation plan for the next five years

-20% of landowners, stewards, and managers will apply at least

one climate-smart practice within the next three years

-Owners/managers indicate they will implement practices to make forests or rangelands better adapted to future climate -Owners/managers indicate they will implement practices to make forests or rangelands sequester carbon more effectively

clear steps for implementation

position who knows how to engage people who might not

-Climate-engaged community

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