Aquarium of the Pacific Partners with UC Environmental Stewards for Climate-Change Education and Service Course

August 20, 2025

As climate change-related events increase in frequency and intensity, community climate science education is necessary for the benefit of both people and wildlife. The Aquarium of the Pacific has collaborated with the University of California Department Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) to bring an interactive course from August 14 through October 30, 2025. The first cohort will journey into the heart of climate science, community engagement, and ocean conservation by combining classroom and online learning sessions with field experiences and community-driven stewardship projects.

The UC Climate Stewards course will explore the impacts of climate change on the Pacific Ocean and provide students with the tools and support to create their own stewardship project. There will also be field trips at no cost to students that will explore kelp forest ecology, local wetlands, urban wildlife, and the Aquarium. After certification, new Climate Stewards will volunteer for forty hours with the Aquarium or another location of their choosing and use their expertise in topics ranging from civic engagement to education and interpretation activities. Additionally, the course aims to connect participants with a lifelong network of Climate Stewards.

The Aquarium of the Pacific has three trained instructors for the UC Climate Stewards course, who will contribute custom content. Each participant will work closely with the Aquarium's conservation volunteer program coordinator to develop skills to implement local solutions that enhance community and ecosystem resilience.

"The UC Climate Stewards course is an invaluable tool to help passionate people discover purposeful action that connects to their community, building resilience and creating solutions for a changing world," said Cassandra Davis, Aquarium of the Pacific volunteer services director.

The Aquarium is also producing short talks and videos centered around the kelp forest and climate change for use in its course and for distribution throughout the UC Climate Stewards network. The Aquarium's volunteer services, STEM (science, technology, education, and mathematics) pathways, conservation, and education departments co-designed the UC Climate Stewards certification course.

This course is possible thanks to full scholarships generously provided through a donation from Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg. "I am inspired by the passion of our volunteers and people like the Ginsburgs, who ask how they can do more as stewards of the ocean," said Davis.

The twelve-week course is open to all adults ages sixteen and up who are interested in learning about the climate and community stewardship. No prerequisites are required. Upon completion, stewards can apply for four earned UC credits from University of California, Davis for their Climate Stewards certification. Future courses will be offered in 2026. For additional updates about this course, please visit the UC Climate Stewards information webpage.