Theme 6: Workforce Development
Fostering systemic change through collaboration and innovation, and cultivating a skilled workforce to enhance climate resilience - particularly in underserved areas.
The Delta Project collaborates with regional and national organizations to offer young individuals firsthand experience in environmental activities and policies. Through partnerships with community organizations like Legacy Village and the Alliance of Sustainable Farms, as well as national agencies like the Student Conservation Association (SCA), the project aims to develop workforce development opportunities for youths in underserved communities.
In collaboration with SCA, the project establishes a summer internship program and Conservation Teams program for undergraduate and graduate students from underserved communities. The Leader Teams program, a 16-week initiative, recruiting three young adults from underserved communities. The SCA internship program, will recruit two students per year for a total of two years, offering fully funded internships. The collaboration ensures students gain conservation awareness, leadership skills, and exposure to climate-related career opportunities.
Collaboration with Legacy Village Inc., a community organization in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, involves engaging K-12 students in climate literacy and community research. The collaboration aims to develop climate literacy materials, offer advanced training, and involve students in climate research. The project aligns with Legacy Village's mission of providing academic support and personal development training to underserved communities in the South Delta.
The collaboration with the Alliance of Sustainable Farms focuses on enhancing climate smart farming technologies for minority farmers in the Delta. Activities include developing training and workshops, organizing farm visits for K-12 students, implementing long-term weather monitoring, and introducing moisture control technology. The Alliance's expertise in sustainable farming aligns with the project's goals of promoting resilience to climate-related challenges in the agricultural sector.
A mentoring program is also established for the post-doctoral fellow working on this project. In addition, the project offers mentoring arrangements for early career faculty members in the project.
Community Events & Engagement
To see community events and engagement involved in the Delta Project, visit News and Events.