Pictured: Participants at the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) training in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2019.
As we witness and experience climate impacts on our health, livelihoods and communities, we are increasingly looking for guidance on solutions from leaders in our daily lives. Park and recreation professionals are trusted leaders and caretakers of public spaces in our communities, which also serve as natural climate solutions that improve our health. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor spaces have provided much needed physical exercise and mental renewal.
The National Recreation and Park Association is partnering with Climate for Health to offer park and recreation professionals the Climate for Health Ambassadors Training to better understand the links between climate and health, the spectrum of climate solutions, how to speak to others effectively on the topic of climate change, and opportunities to act and advocate.
The full four-hour training is scheduled for November, 10, 2020 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET and includes:
- Section 1: Introduction, Climate Change Overview, Climate Impacts on Health
- Section 2: Climate Solutions and Health Benefits (national, state, local, professional and personal)
- Section 3: Advocacy and Engagement: Communicating on Climate and Health (language guidance, creating a personalized climate message)
When people understand the links between climate change and their health, they are much more willing and likely to take action. And, while people are beginning to make these connections, they need to hear it more and more often from trusted sources like park and recreation professionals. We will highlight NRPA’s Greener Parks for Health program, and specific resources available for park and recreation professionals to make the connections between climate change and our health and the ways your community can understand these impacts.
Upon completion of the full training, park and recreation professionals will receive 0.3 CEUs and be given Climate for Health Ambassador (CfH) designation and invited to join the group of health professionals from Climate for Health’s partner organizations who have been previously trained. You can read more about prior trainings with the National Association of City and County Health Officials, and with local partners in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Trained CfH Ambassadors are giving talks with local chapters of environmental advocacy groups, at universities, and writing letters and calling the offices of their elected officials. We are looking forward to welcoming you into the Ambassadors community, with ongoing support from CfH and NRPA for your presentations and actions. Onwards for our climate, health and communities. For more information and to register your spot, visit our Greener Parks for Health website.
Rebecca Rehr is the director of Climate for Health for ecoAmerica.