Gardener’s Training on

Global Warming

Trainer’s Reference Guide

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Table of contents

Welcome……………………………….…………………………….......................3

Expectations.....................................................................................4

Organizational Objectives Worksheet...............................................5

Training Volunteers..........................................................................7

Handout Materials...............................................................................7

Sample Workshop Agenda....................................................................8

The Volunteers Role………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Slide-by-Slide Discussion………………………………………………………………………………..9

Volunteer Resources……………………………………………………………………………………...14

Identifying Volunteers……………………………………………………………..15

Power Mapping Exercise......................................................................15

Sample Workshop Invitation................................................................17

Customizing the Presentation..........................................................18

Common Audience Questions...........................................................19

Training Workshop Checklist............................................................20

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Welcome

In 2007 the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) launched the Gardener’s Training

On Global Warming program based on the NWF publication—Gardener’s Guide to Global Warming. Working with over ten organizational partners, NWF

developed and piloted a program which trained over 86 gardeners and gardening enthusiasts to give presentations in their communities about the

science, impacts and solutions that gardeners can contribute toward reducing global warming pollution.

Now, through generous support from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), NWF hosts train-the-trainer workshops which allow gardening, civic, and

likeminded organizations the opportunity to utilize this training program in their

work. Focused in the western half of the United States in support of public lands managed by the BLM, this program aims to leverage the passion, leadership,

knowledge, and reach of the powerful gardening constituency to educate, train and inspire other to confront global warming.

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Expectations NWF hopes that this training program will provide organization’s with an

additional tool to help them reach out to and educate others about global warming. This training program—it’s workshops and resources—are provided

free of charge to organizations. However, in order to utilize NWF’s curriculum and materials, we ask that organization’s follow a few guidelines.

We ask that you:

• Host at least one training workshop of local volunteers and community

members during the year. • Do not make any major changes to the training curriculum, without prior

approval from NWF. • Do not remove any references to NWF, BLM or any of their partner

organizations in the program materials. • Provide support to your volunteers as they schedule presentations, and help

them advertise and promote their speaking engagements. • Require that volunteers give the presentation at least five times during the

year, and mail back all necessary paperwork to NWF. • Forward a copy of the workshop sign-in sheet and evaluations to NWF.

• Communicate with NWF staff, and provide them with feedback and

information as requested.

We will:

• Provide all training materials and resources to organizations free-of-charge. • Provide support to organizations and their volunteers.

• Update materials and presentations as new information/data becomes available.

• Provide organizations with feedback and contact information for people attending volunteer presentations.

• Host an online community where volunteers can share information and communicate with other presenters.

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Organizational Objectives Worksheet

1. Where does your organization stand on the issue of global warming?

2. What is your organizational commitment to talking about global warming?

3. What are your organization’s top three priority areas right now?

4. How does the Gardener’s Training On Global Warming presentation align with

those priorities?

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5. How can you utilize the presentation to:

• Connect with volunteers?

• Reach your constituents?

• Reach your program goals?

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Training Volunteers

When you hold training sessions for your volunteers, members, or the community we recommend that you incorporate the following components into

your presentation:

ο An overview of volunteer roles and expectations.

ο A modeling of someone giving the presentation.

ο A detailed discussion of (1) the science of global warming (2) specific

regional impacts (3) backyard and community solutions.

ο An overview on how to give a good presentation.

ο Details on what resources are available to volunteers.

Handout Materials When you host a training workshop you will want to include the following items in your Volunteer packets:

ο An agenda for the workshop

ο A copy of the volunteer manual (make sure to add information about your

organization to the manual in the space provided on page 4)

ο A copy of the “Gardener’s Training on Global Warming” presenter’s guide

ο A CD that you create with the following materials burned to it:

• “Gardener’s Training on Global Warming” Power Point presentation • Native plant list template

• “How to Give a Good Presentation” presenter’s guide • Sample event invitation

• Gardeners Advocacy Toolkit

ο A copy of the training evaluation form (which should be filled-out and

returned to NWF shortly after the workshop)

* All of these items are copied on your Trainer CD, or available for download

from the Gardeners Against Global Warming Website. (See page 14 for more

information)

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Sample Workshop Agenda A copy of this agenda has been burned to your CD. Feel free to make revisions and format it for your workshops.

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The Volunteers Role

Volunteer presenters will represent your organization, NWF, and BLM. As a

presenter they commit to giving the presentation at least 5 times throughout the year. You can request that they give the presentation more, but this is our

minimum requirement. For each presentation they will need to:

• Secure a location where they can give the presentation.

• Invite people to their presentation and publicize the event. • Figure out logistics for the event.

• Gather all necessary equipment/materials. • Revise the presentation (this can be at a very basic level) so it is more

personal and locally specific. • Send back postcards and evaluation forms to NWF after attendees fill them

out.

Slide-By-Slide Discussion The presenter’s guide that accompanies the presentation should help answer

many of the questions your volunteers may have as they review the slides. However we understand that in some cases your volunteers may ask more

in-depth questions that go beyond the scope of what’s covered in the presentation.

Because of this we have provided you with additional resources to help you as

you review the slides with your volunteers:

Detailed Science Slides

These slides, which build on what is already in the presentation, offering more

detailed science-based info and data. We suggest that you share these slides with your volunteers as an educational tool, but do not recommend that you

incorporate them into the Gardener’s Training on Global Warming presentation. They tend to be too detailed for most audiences. You will find these slides on the

CD in your packet.

Web Resources

On the next page are additional web resources that will help you as you talk to volunteers about global warming science, impacts and solutions.

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Science

ο Climate Classroom - Even though this curriculum is geared towards teens, it

provides good basic information about what global warming is and how it works.

You can download the teen curriculum by registering on the website. www.climateclassroom.org/

ο The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - This group has issued a very

useful list of frequently asked questions about climate change.

http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/Report/AR4WG1_Print_FAQs.pdf

ο Global Climate Change: Research Explorer - This site explains how scientists

gather data related to global warming and how they develop their conclusions. www.exploratorium.edu/climate/index.html

ο The Mauna Loa Observatory website - This site discusses how the Mauna Loa

Observatory has been monitoring and collecting data to detect atmospheric

changes since the 1950’s. www.mlo.noaa.gov/

ο NASA Global Climate Change - This site developed by NASA which highlights data

and news as it relates to climate change. http://climate.nasa.gov/

Impacts

Regionally

ο “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States” - This report by the United

States Global Change Research Program highlights the impacts of climate change on the United States now and in the future, broken down by regions.

www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts

ο Global Warming Fact Sheets - These fact sheets on the NWF website feature

global warming policy and impacts by state. www.nwf.org/globalwarming/statefactsheets.cfm

ο Union of Concerned Scientists Global Warming Impacts - This site provides basic,

and more in-depth information about global warming, as well as analysis of im-

pacts in certain areas of the United States. www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/impacts/

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Impacts (continued)

ο Global Warming Effects Map - Map developed by the National Geographic Society

highlighting likely scenarios if climate change continues. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-impacts-

interactive.html

Wildlife & Plants

ο Audubon - This organization has a website where they explain how global warming

will impact birds and other wildlife. www.audubon.org/globalWarming/ImpactsBirdsWildlife.php

ο “Plants and Climate Change: Which Future?” - A report by Botanic Gardens

Conservation International which outlines how plants are, and it is anticipated will

be, impacted by global warming. www.bgci.org/files/Worldwide/climate_change.pdf

ο “Wildlife At Risk” - NWF report explaining how wildlife will be effected by global

warming. www.nwf.org/globalwarming/pdfs/WildlifeAtRisk.pdf

ο Effects on Wildlife and Habitat - Web page from the NWF website that discusses

the impacts of global warming on wildlife and their habitats. www.nwf.org/Global-

Warming/Effects-on-Wildlife-and-Habitat.aspx

ο American Bird Conservancy—This organization issued a report where they explain

how global warming is impacting many bird species. www.abcbirds.org/conservationissues/globalwarming/global_warming_factsheet.pdf

ο Arbor Day Foundation - Their website offers a number of features related to its

updating of the U.S. hardiness zones in 2006. www.arborday.org/media/zones.cfm

ο Global Climate Change: Research Explorer: Biosphere - Page that highlights

research into the impacts of climate change on plants and animals.

www.exploratorium.edu/climate/biosphere/index.html

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Solutions

Native/Natural Habitat

ο “Selecting Native Plant Material for Restoration Projects” - This document created

by Oregon State University provides detailed information on how to select native plants. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/em/em8885-e.pdf

ο Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Has a site where you can gather

information about native plant species and look for plants that are native to your

state. www.ladybirdjohnson.com/

ο US Botanic Garden - Has a webpage that describes invasive plants, and provides

links to regional information. www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/invasives.html

ο Wild Ones - Their site explains how to create a bird-friendly yard with native

plants. www.for-wild.org/land/nbirdscaping.html

ο North American Pollinator Partnership - Offers regionally specific planting guides

for pollinators. www.pollinator.org/guides.htm

ο Michigan State University - They have a website that discusses how you can plant

natives to encourage beneficial insects. http://nativeplants.msu.edu/

ο Backyard Conservation - A report by NRCS highlighting how conservation practices

can be adapted for use around the home. www.nrcs.usda.gov/FEATURE/backyard/

ο Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment - Information from the EPA about caring for

your lawn in an environmentally responsible way. www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/lawncare.pdf

ο Eartheasy - Website discussing how you can reduce the size of your lawn.

www.eartheasy.com/article_lawn_reduce.htm

ο National Tree Benefits Calculator - This website has a tree calculator that allows

you to calculate the annual economic and ecological benefits of specific trees. www.itreetools.org/treecalculator/

Conservation & Waste Reduction

ο USDA - Website that explains what community supported agriculture is, and

provides links to additional information. www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/

csa.shtml

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Solutions (continued)

ο Stormwater Solutions - A report by the Oregon Environmental Council talking

about the impacts of stormwater runoff and community-wide solutions. www.oeconline.org/resources/publications/reportsandstudies/sstreport

ο Rain Garden Network - They have a website that explains how to make a rain

garden and how to harvest rain water. The site also discusses storm water management issues. www.raingardennetwork.com/

ο EPA - Information about green roofs, composting and garden equipment

emissions. www.epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/greenroofs.htm; www.epa.gov/

osw/conserve/rrr/composting/index.htm; www.epa.gov/otaq/equip-ld.htm

ο Energystar - Has a list of common home problems and solutions on their website,

and information about how you can make your home more energy efficient. www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index

Community Action

ο “Green Infrastructure: Smart Conservation for the 21st Century” - Report

explaining what green infrastructure is, and providing examples and information

on how communities can plan for land conservation. www.sprawlwatch.org/greeninfrastructure.pdf

ο Wildlife Watch - A citizen science program run by NWF which encourages

participants to report on what they observe about wildlife and plants in the area

where they live. www.nwf.org/wildlifewatch/Home.aspx

ο Citizen Science Central - A website created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

where visitors can learn about citizen science projects, and potentially start their

own. www.birds.cornell.edu/citscitoolkit

ο Project Budburst - Has information on their website explaining what phenology is,

and how people can become citizen scientists. www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/

ο Wild Ones - Has a webpage where you can learn about weed laws and view model

weed law ordinances. www.for-wild.org/weedlaws/weedlaw.html

ο NWF’s Climate Action Center - Site where you can learn how citizens can take

action to push for climate change legislation. http://online.nwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ClimateAction

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Volunteer Resources

There are a number of ways volunteers can connect with each other, NWF, and

your organization after the training workshop to obtain the information, materials and support they need:

Gardeners Against Global Warming Online Resources

ο Website - On this site volunteers will find handouts from the training

workshop, additional resources, and information about the program. This

site also has resources and information specifically for trainers. Volunteers and trainers can access it at www.nwf/volunteer.

ο Facebook Group - When your volunteers join this group they will be able to

communicate with other people trained to give the presentation. They will have the opportunity to share information and get updates on the program.

Volunteers can access the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=318513666796.

ο Flickr Group - When they join this group volunteers will be able to share

images with other volunteers and download new images that they can

incorporate into their presentations. Volunteers can access the Flickr group at

http://www.flickr.com/groups/gwgardeners.

ο Sharepoint Site - Volunteers and trainers can download all of the regionally

specific power point presentations (and accompanying presenter’s guides) from our sharepoint site at www.nwf.org/gardenersguideresources. Login:

gardener@nwf.org / Password: wildlife.

Softrac

Your volunteers can order their handouts using Softrac, the material ordering webpage for NWF volunteers. You should familiarize yourself with the webpage

and might want to order sample materials for yourself so you can show them to volunteers at your training workshops.

Unfortunately, because the materials on Softrac are pre-created, you cannot

add your logo to them. We suggest you provide volunteers with additional handouts that highlighting your organization’s work.

See page 13 of the volunteer manual for information about accessing Softrac.

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Identifying Volunteers Power Mapping Exercise

Using the guidelines below, create a brief map of your community on the next page. The end result of such a map is to demonstrate how the community is

organized, what organized groups exist and how the connections between different community sectors are structured.

As you create the map, you will want to consider the level of interest among community members in gardening or other environmentally-related work. Try to

assess whether the community is ready to address global warming, and who the major leaders or supporters might be.

Free associate with words Ask yourself what words instantly spring to mind when you hear the

community’s name? Is there a particular recreational activity, annual event,

industry or notable resident that comes to mind? For example, do you think of a large park nearby? An annual festival?

Make a mini-map of each of these words

Who or what is connected to each of these major elements of the community?

Start drawing lines out of the word you’ve identified.

Make mini-maps of certain sectors of the community

The mini-map you made above is a starting point for additional mini-maps organized by different sectors of the community. These involve service

organizations, groups that meet regularly, political campaigns, camps, parental involvement in children’s activities, events organized by groups of individuals,

cooperatives or enterprise associations. Make mini-maps for several of these

sectors.

Look for Correspondence between the maps

Where are common people, groups, interests or activities listed? These common points will be useful to you when making an efficient communications plan. You

may want to go beyond this internal perspective on the community by interviewing individuals from each sector about the

various aspects. Research can be augmented by reading local newspapers or

other publications (including online information) to gauge the ethos of the community.

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Community Map

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Sample Workshop Invitation

A copy of this invitation has been burned to your CD. You can personalize it by adding specific event

details and information about your organization.

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Customizing the Workshop

There are a couple things you can do to customize the workshop so that it

appeals to your members and better represents your organization.

Add additional slides Incorporate Slides into the presentation that are more specific to your region or

community. These slides can help you tell a more meaningful story about global warming, and how it is impacting individuals—not just across the country or in

another state—but locally.

Provide Pamphlets and Handouts

Provide your volunteers with pamphlets and handouts about your work, so they can better represent your organization when giving the presentation. Have them

highlight how your organization is approaching global warming and encourage them to discuss how your organization is approaching some of the solutions. For

example, if you hold workshops teaching people how to make rain barrels make sure that your volunteers mention that.

Update the Volunteer Manual

On page four of the volunteer manual you will notice we have left space for you

to provide a description of your organization and its goals and objectives. This is a good space for you to describe your commitment to global warming and/or

the role volunteers play in your organization.

Add your logo

You will find that on all of the materials (excluding those ordered directly from Softrac) there is space for you to add your organization’s logo.

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Common Audience Questions

When you train your volunteers to give the presentation it is likely that they will

have a number of questions for you about what your organization is doing to

combat global warming, and how state and local agencies are taking action.

Here are just a few of the questions you can expect:

ο Does the governor have a plan to address global warming?

ο Are there tax right-offs for purchasing energy efficient appliances, installing

new windows, etc?

ο Are there hands-on classes I can take locally to learn how to build a rain

garden, select native plants, etc?

ο What is your organization’s position on global warming and what are you

doing to address it?

ο What does your organization think of cap and trade? Implementing a carbon

tax?

ο How can I and others influence policy and advocate for change? (The

Gardeners Advocacy Toolkit can help you with this question)

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Training Workshop Checklist

Before the Workshop

ο Identify potential volunteers and advertise the workshop (page 14 and 16)

ο Set-up a registration process. Decide whether you want people to call, email

or register through your organization’s website.

ο Secure a location for the workshop

ο Arrange tables and chairs

ο Prepare workshop agenda (page 7)

ο Add information about your organization to the Volunteer manual and your

logo to handouts.

ο Add additional slides to the presentation tying it into your region and/or

organization

ο Prepare training packets (page 6)

ο Gather additional handouts and/or displays

ο Provide refreshments and/or beverages (optional)

During the Workshop

ο Ask attendees to fill-out the sign-in sheet

ο Pass-out training packets

ο Provide an overview of volunteer roles and expectations. (page 8)

ο Modeling giving the Gardeners Training on Global Warming presentation.

ο Review in detail slides included in the presentation. (page 8)

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ο Provide an overview on how to give a good presentation.

ο Provide details on what resources are available to volunteers. (page 13)

ο Handout the training evaluation form

After the Workshop

ο Send sign-in sheet, evaluation forms, and Goal Setting Forms (If volunteers

finish them) to NWF at: 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190 attn: Luisa Grant. You can also email them to garden@nwf.org

ο Follow-up with attendees to confirm that they are ready and prepared to give

the presentation

ο Provide NWF with feedback on the workshop and suggestions for

Improvements.

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