Climate, Water and Equity Workshop fosters new collaborations
Climate, water, and equity issues are complex topics that can be sensitive to discuss, especially for communities that have been historically exploited and excluded from the conversation. To discuss the topic and brainstorm collaborations, the North Central Region Water Network traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to host the Climate, Water, and Equity workshop held from October 9th to 11th, 2024. The event was a collaboration between the Network, The First American Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON), the Extension Foundation, and partners at the Central State University, Lincoln University, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri Extension, Nebraska Indian Community College, Ohio State University Extension, and UW-Madison Extension.
Over 50 land-grant and extension professionals gathered for the workshop to discuss collaborative approaches to tackling climate-related vulnerabilities and inequities impacting communities. Many of these professionals work with local communities on climate, water, agriculture, and food systems. The workshop worked to provide a safe space for attendees to discuss and promote diversity, unity, and building long-lasting relationships when addressing climate-related challenges in the communities land-grants serve.
The main goal of the workshop was to develop culturally grounded action plans that focus on long-term relationship development and perspective sharing. The event was a follow-up to a similar workshop held in October 2023. Several recommendations for potential collaborations arose at the 2023 meeting, and these ideas were discussed and built upon at this year’s gathering. The workshop also provided critical time for trust and relationship-building between colleagues at 1862, 1890, and 1994 land-grant institutions across the North Central Region.
The first day started with learning about ongoing multi-state climate-related work from research and teaching-focused land-grant professionals working on water quality, nutrient management, soil health, food systems, and resilient agriculture. This was followed by a high-level review and reflection of the recommendations from the 2023 workshop. Attendees were encouraged to brainstorm outcomes from the 2023 goals to center the conversation. Some ideas included helping education professionals work with communities respectfully, celebrating our gifts from nature and existing work, identifying and removing barriers to collaboration, and sharing our stories and our cultures. The day ended with a welcome reception for attendees to further strengthen their connections.
The second day opened with a focus on the power of sharing personal stories about how changes in climate have affected people’s lives and livelihoods. Keynote speaker Jothsna Harris, founder of Change Narrative LLC, highlighted the significance of listening to and sharing your own personal climate stories. She highlighted that climate change communication is usually told in the 3rd person, which doesn’t capture the fullness of the story and often leaves out context, culture, emotion, and vulnerability. She emphasized the value of listening to first-point-of-view stories, and touched on a common theme discussed throughout the workshop – the importance of investing time and energy with our communities, establishing trust, and listening.
Dr. Annie Jones, a UW-Madison Professor of Organization Development, Tribal Nations Specialist, and extension leader, served as a facilitator for the workshop. Using the medicine wheel as a framework, small groups of participants created action plans outlining different ways land-grant institutions and the colleagues and communities they work with can collaborate to address climate challenges. In total, 8 action plans were created. Commons themes presented were the need for a safe space to be vulnerable for storytelling, building connections and relationships to foster trust, and having feedback systems to ensure that climate work is effectively serving communities.
As a follow-up to the workshop, attendees are gathering virtually to discuss each of the action plans outlined and discuss next steps. Land-grant colleagues who did not attend the workshop, but are interested in participating in cross-institution collaborations and climate and water-related work are welcome to join the conversation. Email Anne Nardi at anne.nardi@wisc.edu if you are interested in joining the discussion, and the collaborations, moving forward.