Climate Leadership Certificate

The Need

In this age of climate change and social reckoning, we need leaders for sustainability and climate justice.

The movement to bring awareness and action to the urgent issues of climate change and social equity is growing, and skilled leaders are required.

Washington State has committed to having a carbon neutral electricity grid by 2030, to becoming 100% clean electric by 2045, and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Communities are planning and implementing climate adaptation and mitigation solutions. Innovative systems thinkers and change agents are needed across all sectors.

The Climate Leadership Certificate will help you gain the training and experience needed to apply your skills to critical work in climate action and justice, economic vitality, environmental protection, community health, and equity. We need emerging professionals engaged in climate leadership in all of these disciplines right now; both existing communities and future generations rely on it.

Certificate Program Benefits

• You will be paid to complete a practicum, which can also count for internship credit
• Your expenses will be paid for a place-based orientation experience in Whatcom County and the Methow Valley
• You will develop leadership skills specifically catered to work as a climate change professional.
• You will build a network of professionals in the field of climate change and sustainability
• You will develop a strong community of peers fighting for a more just and sustainable society.

Are you ready to make a difference? We will begin accepting applications for Cohort 6 (Winter 2026-Spring 2027) starting October 15, 2025

This certificate is designed to complement many degree plans at Western. We are looking for students that represent a range of degrees, backgrounds, and interests. 

Apply

Deadline: Applications are due by Sunday, November 23rd at 11:59 pm for consideration. 

Application Review: Applications will be reviewed starting Monday, November 24th, and applicants will receive further information on decision notifications after the application closes. As part of the review, you may be contacted to conduct a brief 15-minute phone call to discuss your application. 

Required application components

• Complete the application form, including information such as:
  • How this certificate fits with your educational and career goals;
  • A description of what lived experiences have led you to be interested in this certificate;
  • A reflection on how you hope to engage with climate work and creating a more equitable and just community;
  • What you hope to get out of the practicum experience. Please consider your learning, content interests, and location preference (either Whatcom County or Methow Valley). See Practicum section for more details regarding potential positions and our two locations.
  • How you intend to balance the requirements for the Climate Leadership Certificate (10-week summer practicum/internship; ~12 credits) with your prior programs and commitments.
• A 15-minute interview may be included in the review process.  

Application

Learn more about Climate Leadership Certificate

• Intro to Climate Leadership: 1-credit place-based weekend orientation, dates and location to be announced.
  • The orientation will introduce key concepts in leadership, climate science, and sustainability principles, and will provide a space for building community within the cohort.
• Sustainability Leadership (SUST 408 – 4 credits)
• 10-week practicum/internship; 220-240 hours total (up to 8 optional internship credits are available for most positions but are not required)
• Campus Sustainability Planning Studio (UEPP 471 – 3 credits)
• Project-based independent study (4-8 credits)
  • Senior project and professional skills course

Timeline

For the practicum experience, students will work on climate change topics within local organizations, both within Whatcom County and the Methow Valley. Students who need internship credits for their degrees may enroll in up to 8 credits as part of these positions.

The Positions and Their Locations

Local organizations will host positions in Whatcom County, and the Methow Valley. Please see below for organizations that have hosted in the past, and short summaries of what some of those positions looked like. Organizations and positions for Cohort 6 are still in development, so check back soon! The positions will focus on climate justice and the four pillars of sustainability (social justice, environmental vitality, economic equity, and health and well-being). Some projects students have worked on include, — energy and transportation solutions, sustainable food systems, climate action planning, and well-being.

Bellingham:

• City of Bellingham: Researching program implementation related to the City’s Climate Action Plan
• City Sprouts Farm : Hands-on work in small-scale sustainable agriculture, working to mitigate food desert effects
• Common Threads Farm: Facilitating “seed to table” summer camps for kids
• Kulshan Carbon Trust: Implementing and assessing the carbon drawdown value of a biochar pilot project
• RE Sources: planning and executing a Whatcom County Youth Climate Summit for high schoolers
• Sustainable Connections: Working with the Energy and Green Building program, and the Toward Zero Waste program
• Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services: Executing a food landscape assessment of East Whatcom County
• York Community Farm: Learning regenerative organic farming practices through a community supported agriculture program 

Methow Valley:

• Classroom in Bloom : Facilitating experiential learning of food systems and environmental sciences for K-12 students
• Foundation for Youth Resiliency and Engagement (FYRE) : Exploring community funding models for supporting local service programs
• Home Range Wildlife Research: Field research to support climate change-threatened local wildlife
• Methow Beaver Project: engaging in hands-on riparian habitat restoration and educational outreach
• Methow Recycles : Creating and implementing a residential compost drop off program for Methow Valley residents
• Methow Valley Trails Collaborative: Hands-on trail maintenance, educational and volunteer outreach for co-management and stewardship of the Methow Valley trail system
• Mid-Valley Hospital :  Identifying and developing models to address food insecurity in the Methow Valley community
• Mountain Annex: research on feasibility, carbon and energy impact for an innovative sustainable housing project
• Okanogan County Community Action Council: Researching the feasibility of the Sustainability Community Food Center project via a county wide food system assessment.
• Okanogan County Electric Cooperative: developing a community energy efficiency program
• Resilient Methow: Community-tailored educational outreach and creating a progress dashboard for the Methow Valley Climate Action Plan
• Town of Twisp: researching and implementing efforts to increase tree canopy and improve community air quality in Twisp, in accordance with the Community Climate Action Pla
• Town of Winthrop :  Comprehensive Plan implementation around street connectivity, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and housing affordability

Timing

Most positions will align with the summer quarter schedule, beginning June 21^st and ending August 19th. Depending on the needs of the organization, these dates may shift, expand, or compress, slightly, but the number of total hours will remain the same. These details will be posted when the final position descriptions are published.

Pay

Each position is paid. It will be paid for 24 hours/week for 10 weeks, for a total of 220-240 hours. For reference, Summer 2025 compensation was $18.28 per hour. Summer 2026 compensation will be determined prior to the practicum. 

Housing

For the positions based in Whatcom County, housing will not be provided.
For the positions based in the Methow Valley, modest housing will be provided.

Expense Paid Place-Based Orientation

• During winter 2026, students will participate in a weekend-long place-based orientation. The orientation will introduce key concepts and skills in leadership, climate change science, and sustainability principles. Transportation, meals, and any other programmatic costs will be covered during this orientation.
• During summer 2026, students will complete 1-2 day practicum orientations in both Bellingham (during the week between spring and summer quarters) and the Methow Valley (in mid-summer). These orientations will provide a comparative understanding of localized sustainability and climate work in these regions. Exact dates and locations to be announced.

Summer community forums 

Throughout the practicum period, students will meet weekly with their local cohort members (in either Whatcom County or the Methow Valley) to share experiences, reflect on professional growth, and visit a range of local sustainability-oriented organizations.