{"id":17459,"date":"2023-02-08T11:58:59","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T16:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=17459"},"modified":"2023-02-09T15:31:36","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T20:31:36","slug":"february-climate-champions-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/february-climate-champions-update\/","title":{"rendered":"February Climate Champions Update\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/our-conservation-work\/policy-advocacy\/climate-advocacy\/climate-champions-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Climate Champions<\/a>\u202fis a Mass Audubon grassroots volunteer program to advocate for policies that advance nature-based climate solutions. With training from policy experts, Climate Champions advocate for local and state policies that help achieve the state\u2019s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and\u202freverse negative health impacts of climate change for Environmental Justice communities.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Ipswich-River-750.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Ipswich-River-750.jpg 750w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Ipswich-River-750-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Ipswich-River-750-624x416.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How It\u2019s Going&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve wrapped up our 2022 Climate Champion actions and meetings.&nbsp;Together we have:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lobbied the state legislature in support of investments in climate and nature &amp; won <strong><em>$540 million<\/em><\/strong> in the final Economic Development package, bringing total very close to $1B goal\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advocated for Massachusetts\u2019 landmark climate law&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weighed in on the state\u2019s proposal for net-zero buildings&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elevated natural and working lands policies as an integral piece in Massachusetts\u2019 climate plans&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Called for streamlining wetland restoration regulations, that are slowing pace of wetlands restoration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Made \u201cGet Out the Vote\u201d calls to environmental voters&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Led coalitions fighting for investments in open space and climate adaptation&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promoted solar and wind policies that protect natural and working lands, wildlife, and habitats&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And so much more!&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In December, Climate Champions were trained by Mass Audubon\u2019s policy experts about local town government, how to take local climate action, and the resources available to facilitate that action. Champions began researching their local legislators, learning about their influences and interests, to support our advocacy engagement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January, the Policy and Advocacy staff shared Mass Audubon\u2019s legislative priorities for the 2023-2024 legislative session and the Climate Champions jumped into action. They have been emailing and calling their legislators to ask them to co-sponsor our prioritized climate legislation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why is co-sponsoring a big deal? Co-sponsoring means the legislator commits in writing to support the bill, and a high number of co-sponsors is the best way for a bill to get early momentum. Our goal is to contact 100 state legislators to ask them to co-sponsor our priority climate legislation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s Next&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Climate Champions will be supporting Mass Rivers Alliance in a day of climate action at the State House for <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.massriversalliance.org\/lobbyday2023\" target=\"_blank\">Lobby for the Rivers Day<\/a> on March 15. Together we&#8217;ll speak up for drought management and nature-based climate solutions to make our communities more resilient to climate change.&nbsp;At pre-lobby day workshops, champions will also have training on the legislative process, environmental issues, and tips on talking with their legislators.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As legislative hearings ramp up in April and May, Mass Audubon\u2019s policy experts will train Climate Champions on how to give testimony in support of our prioritized climate legislation. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn More&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Become a Climate Champion, no matter your time constraints or experience level!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/our-conservation-work\/policy-advocacy\/climate-champions-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Find out more and sign up &gt;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Climate Champions\u202fis a Mass Audubon grassroots volunteer program to advocate for policies that advance nature-based climate solutions. With training from policy experts, Climate Champions advocate for local and state policies that help achieve the state\u2019s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and\u202freverse negative health impacts of climate change for Environmental Justice communities.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f&nbsp; How [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17461,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[344,468],"class_list":["post-17459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advocacy-2","tag-climate-champion","tag-climate-champions"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2023\/02\/Ipswich-River-750.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-4xB","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17354,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/december-climate-champions-update\/","url_meta":{"origin":17459,"position":0},"title":"December Climate Champions Update","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"December 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Climate Champions is a Mass Audubon grassroots volunteer program to advocate for policies that advance nature-based climate solutions. With training from policy experts, Climate Champions advocate for local and state policies that help achieve the state\u2019s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and\u202freverse negative health impacts of climate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Advocacy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kevin Izzo Selfie","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/12\/Kevin-Izzo-750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/12\/Kevin-Izzo-750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/12\/Kevin-Izzo-750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/12\/Kevin-Izzo-750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17282,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/november-climate-champions-update\/","url_meta":{"origin":17459,"position":1},"title":"November Climate Champions Update","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"November 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Climate Champions is a Mass Audubon grassroots volunteer program to advocate for policies that advance nature-based climate solutions. With training from policy experts, Climate Champions advocate for local and state policies that help achieve the state\u2019s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and\u202freverse negative health impacts of climate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Advocacy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/11\/Diane-Juhas750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/11\/Diane-Juhas750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/11\/Diane-Juhas750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/11\/Diane-Juhas750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17221,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/climate-champions-fall-update\/","url_meta":{"origin":17459,"position":2},"title":"Climate Champions Fall Update","author":"Hillary T.","date":"October 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"This spring, we launched Climate Champions, a grassroots network of volunteers working together to speak with one collective, powerful voice. With training from policy experts, Climate Champions help advocate for town and state policies that help achieve the state\u2019s goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and\u00a0reverse negative\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Climate&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Climate Champions","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/lobbyday.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/lobbyday.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/lobbyday.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/lobbyday.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17387,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/in-your-words-stephanie-kane\/","url_meta":{"origin":17459,"position":3},"title":"In Your Words: Stephanie Kane","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"December 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"I was first introduced to Mass Audubon when I attended the Field Naturalist Certificate Program in 2021 at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln. Then, my connections strengthened through the yearlong Birding Certificate Program. With my growing knowledge about the natural world from these two programs, and countless others, my understanding, experience,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;In Your Words&quot;","block_context":{"text":"In Your Words","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/in-your-words\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Stephanie standing in a forest, smiling with a green shirt and blue Mass Audubon hat.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/12\/Stephanie-Kane.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/12\/Stephanie-Kane.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/12\/Stephanie-Kane.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/12\/Stephanie-Kane.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17104,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-momentous-week-in-climate-history\/","url_meta":{"origin":17459,"position":4},"title":"A Momentous Week in Climate History","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"August 19, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"It\u2019s mid-August, which means the formal legislative session on Beacon Hill is over. Here\u2019s what happened on the federal and state level and what this means for our efforts to meet our advocacy campaign goal of securing $1 billion in new public funding for nature and climate.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In just the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Advocacy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"pic of the state house and a sign in front that says change","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/08\/statehouse.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/08\/statehouse.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/08\/statehouse.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/08\/statehouse.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12222,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/whats-your-climate-resolution\/","url_meta":{"origin":17459,"position":5},"title":"What&#8217;s Your Climate Resolution?","author":"Alexandra Vecchio","date":"January 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a9 Courtney Campbell As we begin making our New Year\u2019s resolutions, tackling climate change needs to be at the top of that list.\u00a0 According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2018 was the fourth warmest year on record.\u00a0 Heat waves, extreme rain, hurricanes, and wildfires all made headlines across the U.S.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Climate&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/4551COURTNEY_CAMPBELL20123.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/4551COURTNEY_CAMPBELL20123.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/4551COURTNEY_CAMPBELL20123.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/4551COURTNEY_CAMPBELL20123.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17459"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17459\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17465,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17459\/revisions\/17465"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}