New toolkit: resources and lessons learned from districts leading on climate resilience

Jan 23

In Spring 2024, UndauntedK12, Ten Strands, and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) launched a new partnership to help district and county leaders adapt to the impacts of climate change and build climate resilience. Together, we worked with school districts to create and curate new resources and tools through “Open Door Learning Session” webinars and “Spotlight Story” webpages that showcase best practices, strategies, and lessons learned from leading districts across California.

Now, these tools and resources are part of a comprehensive Resilience and Adaptation Toolkit. This landmark resource is designed to support school and district leaders to implement climate adaptation strategies, showcasing best practices from districts who have successfully addressed climate-related challenges like energy and grid resilience, extreme heat mitigation, stormwater management, and wildfire preparedness. This valuable new resource provides practical tools and guidance to help schools take immediate steps toward building a more resilient and sustainable future.

Check out the toolkit and peruse the individual assets, below.

Open Door Webinars

Preparing for a New Normal: Climate Emergencies and Their Impact on Schools

This first Open Door Learning Session focused on the importance of adopting a “climate-ready mindset” to prepare for and adapt to a changing climate. This session laid the groundwork for future conversations. Check out the resources, slides, and video from Open Door 1.

E nergy and Grid Resilience: Mitigating Risk through Climate Adaptation

In this session, districts leaders from Yolo County Office of Education, Santa Barbara Unified School District, and Modesto City Schools shared climate adaptation strategies that boost resilience and deliver significant cost savings. Check out the slides and video from Open Door 2.

Mitigating outdoor extreme heat: how schoolyard greening is critical for resilience

This session focused on the impact of extreme heat on school playgrounds and highlighted how Pasadena Unified School District and Long Beach Unified School District have greened their schoolyards to reduce surface temperatures and create safer, more resilient outdoor environments for students. Check out the slides and video from Open Door 3.