About the Program
In 2019, the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) launched the Climate Ambassador Program. The program was identified in Climate Forward, our climate action plan. Our goal is to educate residents about climate change and increase the community’s capacity to engage in climate action.
Following participation in the program, Ambassadors will:
- Engage with City and community-led climate programs and projects
- Inspire, motivate, and encourage other residents to take climate action
Who Can Become an Ambassador?
Ambassadors are selected through an application process. Any resident of Somerville – 16 years and older – is welcome to apply. No prior knowledge about climate change is required. 2025 Ambassadors will receive a $400 stipend for participating in program. Dinner will be provided for in-person meetings.
The 2025 program application period is now closed.
Meeting Schedule
Meetings will be interactive and include both in-person meetings and webinars. In-person meetings can accommodate hybrid participation based on accessibility needs. In-person meetings will be primarily dedicated to small group discussions, activities, and project work.
2025 Ambassadors meeting schedule
| Date |
Time |
Meeting Type |
Tentative Topic |
|
Saturday, January 25, 2025
|
10am-2pm
|
In-person, orientation
|
Orientation
|
|
Thursday, February 6, 2025
|
6-7pm
|
Virtual, webinar
|
Environmental Justice
|
|
Thursday, February 13, 2025
|
6-8:30pm
|
In-person, seminar
|
Local climate action
|
|
Thursday, March 6, 2025
|
6-7pm
|
Virtual, webinar
|
Mobility
|
|
Thursday, March 13, 2025
|
6-8:30pm
|
In-person, seminar
|
Leadership
|
|
Thursday, April 3, 2025
|
6-7pm
|
Virtual, webinar
|
Community Health and Resiliency
|
|
Thursday, April 10, 2025
|
6-8:30pm
|
In-person, seminar
|
Advocacy
|
|
Thursday, May 1, 2025
|
6-7pm
|
Virtual, webinar
|
Waste Management
|
|
Thursday, May 8, 2025
|
6-8:30pm
|
In-person, seminar
|
Environmental communication
|
|
Thursday, May 29, 2025
|
6-8:30pm
|
In-person, final celebration
|
Final celebration
|
Participant Expectations
Ambassadors will...
- Participate in the full process: all meetings, including the public celebration.
- Engage in respectful group conversations.
- Do 1-1.5 hours or less of homework between meetings.
- Complete a final project.
- Present final projects and participate in the public celebration.
Ambassador Projects
To complete the Climate Ambassadors program, participants complete a project focused on taking action on the climate crisis in their own lives and communities. Participants are encouraged to pursue a project that allows them to explore a climate topic that they are interested in learning more about and to engage with others to spread awareness and interest in climate action. Projects have ranged from engaging family and friends in a climate conversation to creating art about climate change, to doing a mini-research project.
Here are some examples of creative projects that Ambassadors have developed:
Sarah Connolly brought together a group of families to learn about biking safely with kids and to encourage her friends to try it out.
Britney Flores talked to her family and fellow Somerville High School students about what sustainable changes they could make in their lives.
Kelly Lockhart crocheted a visual display of local average annual temperatures to show how the local climate has warmed over time.
Questions?
Contact Emily Sullivan, Climate Change Program Manager, at esullivan@somervillema.gov.
