<aside> 💡 Start to identify where and how service programs are already addressing climate change and what gaps may exist relative to state goals or activities

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🔽 Explore Further | Action Steps

Whether through AmeriCorps associated programs such as VISTA or NCCC, youth service programs, or other service program models, there is likely an existing service base in your state that already works on climate-related issues. Not only is this foundational infrastructure for a broader statewide climate corps effort, these programs have perspective on current actions and may have insight on gaps, room to expand, and saturation points. Taking the pulse of the existing service stakeholders is important to define capacity and interest. In many cases, meeting with existing service stakeholders can help identify resources, stakeholders, and champions necessary for successful implementation of a statewide initiative.

To meet the needs of the climate risks in your state, your state will likely need to grow the relevant service base in your state either through expanded or new programming. But where and how service programming should grow and who will be key to that growth are important questions to consider up front. Building a state climate corps is not only about growing or fielding service programs but about framing service as a more comprehensive and connected way to address state climate needs.

Conducting a landscape analysis, like the one below in North Carolina, can identify programming strengths and gaps as well as provide important relational dimensions. In most cases, service programs operating in a state are doing so with limited connection and coordination. Some programs may appreciate the effort to look at a statewide climate corps effort. Other programs may feel concerned with how this process will affect their existing programming and resources. Being mindful of this dynamic is important to get the best picture of the current landscape and to ensure that it does not lead to resistance that might ultimately diminish the prospects for a statewide effort. As noted in the example above, the effort in North Carolina made sure to dedicate time and resources to gather input from the existing service community so their interests and concerns could factor in the overall perspective that emerged.

In addition to relationship building within the service community, a landscaping effort can be an exceptional way to build broader stakeholder relationships. Through surveys and focus groups, you will not only learn what different groups (i.e., local governments, nonprofits, state agencies) want from a climate corps, but you will share your initial vision for how a climate corps might help them meet their needs and their enthusiasm.

Resources will determine the exact methods and approach undertaken, but we believe there are a couple of general considerations to make this useful. Generally speaking, it is useful to combine methods for this work so that you capture a larger number of diverse perspectives through surveys and provide opportunities for deeper conversations (ideally in group settings) to better understand the bigger picture sentiment that might arise. Returning to the North Carolina example, one of the ideas that was not visible in the survey results, but which was very strongly apparent in the group conversations, was the importance of a backbone or coordinating entity that could help disparate programs better align with statewide goals and support a greater collective impact. Second, it is important to acknowledge that while assessing the landscape of existing service programs provides valuable insights based on their current knowledge, there are likely needs across the state that are not yet known within the service community. Third, in seeking diverse perspectives, it is important to sample a range of potential partners and supporters (i.e., state, local, nonprofits) as they have different needs and outlooks on climate and potential for service in their domains. Finally, equity is a consideration in climate work and is important in the service world, too. Engaging with under-represented groups and communities will certainly strengthen your landscape work but can be challenging to accomplish. Knowing this upfront can help you allocate resources appropriately to ensure your results do not reflect what is already known by those doing this work but rather better reflects where the real needs, opportunities, and of course challenges with developing a climate corps lie.