Introducing the new RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
4/10/2025
It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of climate change. The numbers are daunting:
Butterfly populations in the U.S. dropped 22% from 2000 to 2020.
Nine of Minnesota’s 16 warmest years have happened since 2000.
Our growing season is now two weeks longer than it was in the 1950s.
By 2050, Minnesota could see four times as many days with a heat index over 90°F.
So—what can you do?
As environmentalist Bill McKibben puts it: "Stop being just I, stop just being you. Start to see yourself in this broader collective… a collective actually has kind of effects where the sum is greater than the parts.” a collective actually has the effects where the sum is greater than the parts." (Source: Hidden Brain podcast, “When It's All Too Much”)"
That’s exactly what the RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project is all about: building momentum together.
In January and February, 33 RCMG volunteers completed an online Climate Action Leadership course, developed by Christy Marsden of the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership. Participants reflected on how climate change is impacting their lives—from shifting seasons to disappearing pollinators—and shared stories of concern for the future.
The group also brainstormed ways RCMG can increase our support for climate adaptation and mitigation horticultural practices. A smaller planning team has been meeting in March and April to refine the ideas and plan around the following themes:
Defining and communicating key climate responsiveness strategies to our community
Expanding climate education opportunities for RCMG volunteers
Weaving climate strategies into more RCMG programs
Expanding our support for pollinator corridors
Exploring a “Climate Responsive Landscape” certification
The team is now ready to shift from planning to action, and they’ll be checking in with other groups for input along the way.
Please contact Karen Randall with any comments or questions.
Karen Randall
RCMG Volunteer
