At Climate Solutions University, we believe deeply in the inherent power of local communities and their ability to effect significant change within their own sphere of influence and in doing so, inspiring other communities to do the same.
Composed of natural resource experts, the Model Forest Policy Program (MFPP) is a national nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to forest stewardship and sustainable forestry practices by private forestland owners. After completing two successful case studies in Idaho and Tennessee that documented the effect that historic forest management and climate change were having on the supply of fresh water, the experts at MFPP had a realization. They recognized that using the ability of the internet, the educational knowledge of experts in natural resource and community planning could be leveraged with the power of innumerable communities to address the significant global challenge of fresh water supply and its relationship to climate change and forest management. Not only could the experts teach the communities but the communities would teach each other.
The result is Climate Solutions University (CSU): Forest and Water Strategies, an innovative and scalable on-line educational campus. CSU provides a framework to assist rural forested communities with on-the-ground solutions to our climate crisis.
By learning to maintain healthy forests these communities: conserve water resources; protect citizens from flooding, drought, and health hazards; sequester carbon; preserve their economy, maintain natural habitat; and build a sustainable baseline for resource oriented jobs and recreation.
This 10-month educational term empowers local communities in resource rich areas to develop climate action plans relevant to local forest, water and economic issues.
The four steps of the community process are:
1) Communities create local climate action teams;
2) Teams assess local conditions for resource vulnerabilities and action opportunities related to forest, water, land use planning and economics;
3) Teams develop strategies and recommendations for climate adaptation; and
4) Teams implement and monitor their climate adaptation plans, later evaluating them for impacts, benefits and course adjustments.
With initial funding from the Kresge Foundation for its 2010 session, CSU provides climate conscious communities with sound forest management tools, policy and education that integrate ecological integrity with sustainable economic benefits. CSU’s active communication network connects communities to professional policy advisors, current publications, new laws, government funding sources, and enables a rich exchange of information among participants and stakeholders.
Please explore this site for additional information and thank you for your interest in Climate Solutions University!
