Recent years included torrential rainfall, coastal flooding, and severe erosion—consequences of rising sea levels and intensifying storms. In 2021, torrential rainfall from Tropical Storm Henri left parts of Connecticut submerged, highlighting the state’s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather. Just last year, a storm in the southwestern  part of the state dumped up to 10 inches of rain in some towns, damaging infrastructure and threatening human life.

Other weather phenomena not often considered in our state like wildfires and tornadoes are now a cause for concern. These challenges, once considered rare, now demand immediate and sustained action. For communities across the state, adaptation and resilience-building have become critical priorities.

Enter UConn Extension’s Climate Corps, part of the award-winning E-Corps initiative led by the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR). Designed to address climate challenges head-on, Climate Corps connects under-resourced communities with UConn Extension resources and students, creating a partnership that drives practical, incremental solutions.

“Communities often lack the time and resources to address these issues comprehensively,” explains David Dickson, UConn Extension educator and CLEAR director. “Through small, manageable projects, Climate Corps helps communities take those vital first steps, often laying the groundwork for future funding and resilience-building.”

How Climate Corps Works

The Climate Corps program, led by Renata Bertotti, assistant extension educator in land use planning and climate resilience, and Owen Placido, assistant extension educator for nature-based resiliency with Connecticut Sea Grant, CLEAR, and UConn Extension, is structured to maximize impact. Students begin with a fall semester of academic preparation, delving into climate resiliency, adaptation policies, hazard mitigation plans, nature-based solutions, and vulnerability assessments. By spring, they’re ready to collaborate with community partners, applying their knowledge to real-world challenges.

Projects range from policy development and hazard mitigation planning to creating practical tools like mapping systems and mobile apps. Since its launch in 2017, Climate Corps has completed 38 community projects with 28 partners. Notable examples include:

• Stonington: Over five years, eight projects have supported this coastal town, including a recent climate vulnerability assessment for Latimer Point.
• Hartford: Two projects addressed stormwater runoff and riparian buffers along the Connecticut River.
• Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed: A collaboration among Stonington, Groton, Ledyard, North Stonington, and the Eastern and Mashantucket Pequot Nations resulted in three projects in 2024, addressing business resilience, water quality, land use dynamics, and variable weather observations.

“Municipal staff often lack the capacity to plan and implement resilience projects, and Climate Corps bridges that gap,” Dickson adds. “Over time, communities have become repeat partners, allowing for sustained progress.”

Benefits for Communities and Students

Climate Corps emphasizes phased progress as a strategy to address climate challenges. By breaking large issues into smaller, manageable projects, the program not only creates immediate impacts but also sets the stage for long-term success. For example, initial planning for a climate-resilient forest in Stonington led to funding from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, supporting new plantings and ongoing management. Similarly, the Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed’s collaboration on mapping and app development expanded into a second year of work.

“It has been a tremendous benefit for the Alliance,” says Maggie Favretti, co-founder and lead director of the Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed. “We couldn’t have done this without the UConn Climate Corps students. They came along at a critical time when we were really just setting out on all of this and we are grateful to Climate Corps.”

Students benefit just as much as the communities they serve. Hands-on projects equip them with practical skills, open doors to careers in municipal government and extension education, and foster connections with professionals.

“The energy and creativity students bring to these projects are crucial for building resilience,” says Placido. “Their efforts support communities in meaningful ways while giving them invaluable experience.”

Around 10 students participate in Climate Corps each spring, guided by Bertotti and Placido. Classroom instruction prioritizes hyper-local data and tools, ensuring students are prepared to address the unique challenges of each community. Community partners also gain access to related UConn Extension services, including the Land Use Academy and Municipal Stormwater programs, ensuring continued support throughout the year.

A Path Forward

“The Climate Corps program embodies the land-grant university mission of engaging the public and preparing the next generation of leaders. Its comprehensive approach empowers communities and students alike, fostering a sense of agency and demonstrating that incremental progress can lead to meaningful change,” says Dean Indrajeet Chaubey.

“Climate resilience can feel overwhelming,” Bertotti reflects. “But the step-by-step approach of Climate Corps empowers students and communities. These small, consistent actions foster a sense of agency and demonstrate that we can create meaningful change.”

As Connecticut continues to grapple with the impacts of extreme weather events, Climate Corps offers a blueprint for resilience—one project, one partnership, one community at a time.

Learn more about Climate Corps and its community projects. Climate Corps was developed by emeritus extension educators Chet Arnold, Juliana Barrett, and Bruce Hyde.

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