KSBW, Naveed Habibelahian
Aug 7, 2024
Hartnell College has been awarded $2 million as part of a five-year, $71 million grant provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for its Climate Resilience Regional Challenge.
The goal of this national movement is to make coastal communities more climate resilient with a range of projects including habitat restoration, infrastructure improvements, and community education and engagement.
In the Monterey Bay region, it will address climate risks such as flooding and wildfires.
As part of the project, the college plans to create and offer noncredit certificates and internships to students and community members so they can pursue careers in climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.
This new program will include over 100 Hartnell students and give them access to paid internships.
The grant money is headed by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation and involves 30 additional agencies, schools and organizations in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. The Monterey Bay Climate Action Adaptation Network will allocate this funding for the climate-related projects in the area.
"The collaboration through MBCAAN will have a number of large-scale coastal/riparian restoration and non-native fuel reduction projects. Hartnell College is uniquely poised to train and upskill local workers to provide the skilled labor needed for these efforts," said Shannon Bliss, director of agricultural innovation and technology.
Over the next five years, the college plans on engaging 750 learners to upskill their trade and expand climate adaptation skills, developing a Resilience Student Ambassador Program that will implement coastal climate resilience actions and establish paid climate adaptation internships.