Environment

 

Across Minnesota, we are experiencing higher temperatures, more extreme weather, flooding, and changes in our ecosystem. These climate changes are a result of increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

In the Twin Cities, annual average temperatures increased by 3.2°F from 1951 to 2020, which was faster than both the national and global rates of increase.

These changes in Minnesota’s climate have serious consequences for human health and well-being. AmeriCorps members serving in Climate Impact Corps, use evidence-based strategies to help communities mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Climate Impact Corps logo.
 
 
Climate Impact Corps member smiling outside.
 

Climate Impact Corps

Climate Impact Project Coordinators make an extraordinary difference through community engagement, data collection and project coordination. Members are placed at Minnesota nonprofits and public agencies that have a mission to preserve and protect our environment.  

As a Climate Impact Project Coordinator, you will: 

  • Receive training, professional development, and ongoing support from staff 

  • Facilitate outreach and education by sharing your experience 

  • Support projects such as: 

    • Planting and inventorying trees 

    • Designing and managing gravel bed tree nurseries 

    • Conducting virtual and on-site solar opportunity assessments 

    • Leading environmental education events 

    • Organizing sustainability projects 

While you’re making a difference, you’ll receive a paycheck every two weeks and qualify for tuition assistance, federal student loan forbearance and interest repayment, and more!

This is an AmeriCorps service member position with the AmeriCorps program Climate Impact Corps. Members will serve one term of service in full-time or part-time capacity (40 or 25 hours per week). View the position description to learn more.

Have questions? Email us at join@ampact.us.

 

2023-24 Impact

Following the Minnesota Climate Action Framework, Project Coordinators focus on expanding tree canopy, lowering household energy burdens, and building climate-resilient communities.

Trees icon.

62k+

Trees managed

House icon.

120+

Home energy audits completed

Volunteers icon.

1,000+

Volunteers mobilized

Locations

Listed below are our site partnerships by city for 2024-25.

  • Douglas County Parks

  • City of Austin Parks, Rec & Forestry/Hormel Nature Center

  • City of Bemidji

    Conservation Minnesota - Bemidji

    MN Valley Chapter of Izaak Walton League

  • City of Bloomington

    MN Valley Chapter of the Izaak Walton League's Green Crew Program

  • U of M Extension Central RSDP

  • Saint John’s University

  • U of M Extension Northwest RSDP

  • City of Crystal

  • MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership, Inc

  • Conservation Minnesota - Duluth

    Institute on the Environment at the U of M - Duluth

    U of M Extension Northeast RSDP

  • City of Eagan

  • City of Eagle Lake

  • City of Eden Prairie

  • City of Edina

  • City of Ely

  • River Bend Nature Center

  • Land Access Alliance

  • City of Fridley

  • City of Hackensack

  • Ney Nature Center

  • City of Lake Crystal

  • City of Lakeville

  • City of Le Sueur

  • Project Food Forest

  • Dodge County Environmental Services

  • City of Maplewood

    Ramsey County Parks and Rec - Soil and Water Conservation Division

  • United Community Action Partnership - Marshall

  • City of Minneapolis Health - Sustainability, Health Homes & Environment

    Great Plains Institute

    Great Plains Institute - Renewable Energy

    Hennepin County Climate

    Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness

    Project Sweetie Pie

    Sustainable Resources Center

    Vibrant and Safe Downtown

  • City of Minnetonka

  • City of Minnetrista

  • City of Moorhead Public Works

    Conservation Minnesota - Moorhead

  • Washington Conservation District

  • Conservation Minnesota - Rochester

    Rochester Parks and Recreation

    U of M Extension Southeast RSDP

    University of Minnesota - Rochester

  • City of Roseville

  • Conservation Minnesota - Saint Cloud

  • College of Saint Benedict

  • City of St. Louis Park

  • Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington County

    Creative Enterprise Zone

    Friends of the Mississippi River

    Frogtown Green

    Greater East Side/District 23 Community Council

    Hamline Midway Coalition

    Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Forestry

    Mississippi Park Connection

    MN Valley Chapter of the Izaak Walton League

    St. Anthony Park Community Council

    State of Minnesota: Department of Commerce

    Tree Trust

    Urban Roots MN

    Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi

  • City of Saint Peter

  • Southwest Regional Development Commission

  • City of South St. Paul

  • Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District

    Superior Hiking Trail Association

  • Wabasha Soil and Water Conservation District

  • City of West Saint Paul

  • U of M Extension Southwest RSDP

  • City of Winona

    Conservation Minnesota - Winona

    Riverway Learning Community District #4064

Member Benefits

 

Stipend Every Two Weeks

Full-time members (40 hrs/week) are paid a stipend of $1,100 every two weeks during their term of service.

Part-time members (25 hrs/weeks) are paid a stipend of $650 every two weeks during their term of service.

This stipend is taxed as income, and members complete a W-4.

Education Award

Members who successfully complete their terms of service will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $7,395. Awarded at the end of your service term, it can be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary institutions or to repay qualified student loans.

The award has a seven-year expiration period and is considered taxable income in the year that it is used. 

Members who are 55 or older at the start of their service have an additional option. They may choose to transfer the education award to their child, stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild or foster child. The recipient of a transferred award has 10 years to use it, beginning on the date the member earned the award.

 

Federal Student Loan Forbearance

If a member is making payments to a federally-backed education loan, payments can be put into forbearance during their service. Upon successful completion of the program, the accrued interest will be paid by the National Service Trust. Learn more about loan forbearance under the FAQs on the AmeriCorps website.

Health Insurance

Members are eligible to enroll in health insurance, with 100% of the premium paid. The plan is managed through Cigna and includes medical coverage for individual members. It does not cover dependents.

For greatest savings under this plan, members are encouraged to use in-network healthcare providers. Search the Cigna website (using the plan option “Open Access Plus, OA Plus, Choice Fund OA Plus”) to find providers in the network.

Child Care Assistance

Members may qualify to receive child-care assistance through a program administered by GAP Solutions, Inc. In order to be eligible for the assistance program, members must meet income requirements. To learn more about how to apply, please see our guide. You can also visit the GAP AmeriCorps website for additional details, frequently asked questions and the rules and regulations of the program.

Climate Impact Corps Stories

Partner with Us.

Our evidence-based programs are nationally recognized and fueled by research from the National Science & Service Collaborative. We deliver the people power to provide individualized support in your community and a system that is focused on outcomes. When we team up together, our communities win!

Thank you to our Climate Impact Corps Program Partners

Forestry initiatives within Climate Impact Corps are funded in part by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

 Ready to take positive action?

Serve as an AmeriCorps member.