Conservation in Action Certificate Program
Are you ready to build knowledge, develop skills, and take your next steps in conservation and environmental action? Mass Audubon's Conservation in Action Certificate Program is designed to help you learn, get the resources you need, and engage with conservation efforts on many levels, from the choices you make in your everyday life, to promoting climate action in your community.
As a Mass Audubon Conservation in Action Certificate Program graduate, you will:
- Be equipped to engage with conservation efforts in your community
- Know how land is protected and how habitats are restored at the local level
- Understand how environmental advocacy works and gain skills to participate at different levels
- Learn to the different ways individuals relate to environmental issues and conservation, and how to motivate others to take action
- Gain opportunities to teams working on conservation projects or advocacy efforts
- Be part of a community of like-minded participants, learning together
- Receive a Certificate of Completion. Additional documentation can be provided for participants who need it for PDP credits, reimbursement, or other requirements
Who Should Attend
- Anyone who cares, is interested, and is motivated to learn and take action for conservation
- Anyone who is (or wants to become) an active community volunteer and is ready to know more about the environment and how nature protects people and the climate as well as wildlife
- Anyone with a local role in conservation, stewardship, or sustainability who is interested in engaging with people who care about the health and safety of your community
Program Details
11 weekly online sessions, Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm, January 26- April 13, 2027*
*Note: There will be no class on February 16, 2027
We will cover a foundational topic for understanding the landscape of conservation in Massachusetts through introductory presentations on:
- Land Protection – tools, strategies, and successes on large scale and local land protection efforts
- Ecological Restoration – the combination of science and hope, restoring habitat health and function
- Environmental Advocacy – how conservation legislation happens at state and local levels, the roles played from lobbyists to elected officials, and how to be involved
- Community Scale Conservation and Grassroots Conservation Work – engaging effectively with others to advance local conservation projects and priorities
- Climate Impacts and Solutions – what impacts are taking place in Massachusetts, and the actions and solutions to address them
- Environmentalism – understanding how people relate to nature and environmental issues, and motivating others to engage with conservation action
- Environmental Justice – the definition, history, principles, and leaders involved in the work to provide everyone the same environmental protections and benefits, as well as meaningful involvement in the policies that shape their communities.
In addition, there will be:
Suggested homework exercises and supplemental resources. Take steps to further develop your learning. You will be invited to share during a homework review discussion each week.
Small focused group discussions. These conversations will focus on supporting you to delve deeper into two of the presented topics in a smaller group discussion.
Hands-on opportunities from April through June. As the class sessions wrap up, you will have opportunities to join projects, teams, and learning experiences located around the state, including:
- Mass Audubon’s Nature & Climate Champions (campaigns, legislative actions)
- Conservation and habitat restoration projects (stewardship, wetlands and stream restoration, wildlife monitoring, invasives removal, maintaining specialized gardens, etc.)
- Community activities and events focused on conservation
- Training in environmental education and communicating about climate and behavior change
Program Fee
$220 per person for Mass Audubon members, $265 for nonmembers
You can become a member during the registration process to take advantage of the member rate.
Discounted fees are available. Please email us for an application for:
- The student rate ($180 per person)
- Group discounts for any organization or environmental group sending three or more members
- Individual need-based scholarships
2027 Course Schedule
| Session Dates | Topic |
|---|---|
| January 26 | Introduction and Massachusetts Climate Impacts & Solutions |
| February 2 | Ecological Restoration |
| February 9 | Environmentalism and Conservation Psychology |
| February 23 | Environmental Advocacy |
| March 2 | Environmental Justice |
| March 9 | Land Protection |
| March 16 | Community Scale Conservation Projects and Initiatives |
| March 23 | Creating and Stewarding Community Conservation Work |
| March 30 | Small group discussions focusing on topics of interest |
| April 6 | Small group discussions focusing on topics of interest |
| April 13 | Wrap-Up, in-person opportunities available April-June |
Additional Information
A syllabus, suggested readings, and an interest survey will be sent to registrants before the program starts.
Weekly synchronous online class sessions will be held using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams link and user tips in your registration confirmation. A reminder will be emailed to you 48 hours before program start. Class sessions will also be recorded, so you can view them later as needed.
There are no required textbooks. Suggested articles, readings, and videos will be emailed as PDF files or links.
Questions?
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