The Byrd Center's Weather & Climate Services Program Coordinator, Geddy Davis, is leading an innovative project that has been awarded a grant from the Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP). The project, "Improving Weather and Climate Understanding and Teaching Among Ohio Environmental Professionals and Volunteers," aims to enhance environmental education across the state.

OSEP is committed to fostering innovation in the arts and sciences through its annual funding to university or affiliated philanthropic causes and supporting projects that enhance international experiential learning, improve public understanding of climate issues, and develop environmental storytelling, among other initiatives.

Along with Davis, the collaborative project involves the Byrd Center's Education and Outreach team, led by Jason Cervenec, and the State Climate Office of Ohio, led by Aaron Wilson, in partnership with Ohio State University Extension—the outreach arm of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Joining in addition is Anne Baird, director of the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) Program—an environmental and natural resources outreach and service program led by OSU Extension in collaboration with county Extension offices, parks, and arboretum.

The initiative was inspired by a growing demand from environmental professionals for enhanced weather and climate science educational content. "Our goal is to empower Ohio's environmental educators and volunteers with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively teach about climate and weather," said Davis. "The project will address common barriers such as lack of knowledge, concerns over controversy, and the absence of specific curricula tailored for Ohio."

The grant will facilitate the production of in-person and asynchronous course sessions, building upon a foundational chapter of the soon-to-be-released OCVN handbook. These educational modules are designed to reach a broad audience of environmental professionals, equipping them with the necessary resources to engage and educate communities across Ohio.

Furthermore, the project will offer one-day training courses in various regions of Ohio and develop an accessible virtual training platform. These efforts aim to significantly bolster the capacity of environmental professionals to incorporate crucial climate and weather information into their programming.

This initiative aligns with the Byrd Center and OSU Extension's goal to enhance professional development and educational programs focused on environmental topics, particularly climate change. It underscores the university's commitment to advancing community resilience and collaborative research, addressing the urgent need for accessible and reliable climate information in Ohio.

Related stories:

• New funding empowers climate and weather education, School of Environment and Natural Resources, July 2024
• Ohio State Energy Partners grants support innovation in the arts and sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, July 2024