Today鈥檚 the Day: MENV Students Get Their 2025 Capstone Assignments! 馃帀

What Is the Capstone Project?
The Capstone Project is a key part of the 麻豆影院鈥檚 Masters of the Environment (MENV) program. Since 2017, students have worked with organizations from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to solve real-world environmental challenges.

This hands-on experience is more than just a project鈥攊t鈥檚 a chance for students to gain the skills, connections, and confidence to step into the environmental field after graduation and make a difference.

How Does It Work?
Here鈥檚 a quick look at how MENV students take on their Capstone Projects, from start to finish:

• Mid-Summer: MENV asks new and returning partners to submit project proposals.
• Fall Semester:
  • MENV reviews proposals for academic and professional value.
  • Students start Capstone Innovation Lab 1 (CIL 1) to explore project ideas.
  • Students attend the Capstone Networking Event to meet potential partners and rank their top choices.
  • Teams are matched with projects right before winter break.
• Spring Semester:
  • Students begin Capstone Innovation Lab 2 (CIL 2).
  • Teams work with their Capstone Advisors to set goals and create a Team Charter and Scope of Work.
• Summer: Students dedicate 300 hours to their projects. They might do fieldwork, collect data, engage with communities, or travel to project sites.
• Fall Semester:
  • Teams create Capstone Posters and Project Briefs.
  • Before Fall Break, they present their work at the Capstone Symposium.
  • Final deliverables are submitted after Fall Break, marking the end of the Capstone journey.

2024 Capstone Stats

This year鈥檚 Capstone Projects show how diverse and impactful the program is:

• 26 projects total.
• 10 nonprofit, 8 public, and 8 private sector projects.
• 69% of projects include financial compensation for students.

Student's Perspective

Mikey Jacobs, first-year Environmental and Natural Resource Policy specialization student, shared his take on his pairing for his Capstone Project with Z2 Entertainment. 

"When applying to CU 麻豆影院鈥檚 MENV program, I was drawn to the faculty鈥檚 clear commitment to supporting innovative, interdisciplinary research. I saw an opportunity to pioneer a largely untapped field: music sustainability. As an artist deeply immersed in the music world, I yearned to bridge my passions with my academic pursuits.

The MENV program exceeded my expectations. My advisors and project leads provided invaluable guidance, from strategic planning and helping me secure industry partnerships to supporting the development of my project. This support system fostered an environment where I could confidently pursue my vision, creating a unique niche within the music industry. 

Through this experience, I鈥檝e not only gained valuable academic knowledge but also developed practical skills and built meaningful connections. I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Forever Buffs community and confident that my work will contribute to a more sustainable future for the music industry." 

Spotlight on Partners and Projects

We鈥檙e thrilled to introduce this year鈥檚 lineup of incredible partners and projects.

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Last month, professional graduate students in the Masters of the Environment (MENV) Program presented their Capstone projects at the annual MENV Capstone Symposium. The 28 Capstone presentations attracted more than 350 guests virtually and in-person, including industry and community partners. MENV was thrilled to welcome Justin Schwartz, CU 麻豆影院 Chancellor, and Jonathan Asher, Director of the Colorado Governor鈥檚 Office of Climate Preparedness and Disaster Recovery and recipient of the 2023鈥�24 Charles F. Kettering Award for partnerships with MENV, as the first-ever keynote speakers. 

Each year, the MENV Capstone Program pairs nearly 30 MENV professional graduate student teams with professional partners to engage in hands-on projects focusing on sustainability, resilience, and equity challenges in Colorado and beyond. Students build professional consulting experience by responding to partner organizations鈥� proposals under the guidance of their faculty mentor. Students collaborate with their partner organizations very closely for the full year through weekly meetings 鈥� but many may get additional opportunities to be immersed in the partner鈥檚 work through office days and site visits. 

The Capstone Program is required for all students who enroll each fall, making it an integral part of the curriculum that intentionally combines theoretical knowledge with real-world problem-solving. Alice Reznickova, Capstone Lead and Teaching Associate Professor, believes that this approach needs to be more common in higher education. 鈥淲e need to break silos that isolate the academic community and practitioners to have real impact 鈥� both in providing excellent education and working towards sustainability transformations. Our program supports the development of sustainability ecosystem on the Front Range 鈥� and we look forward to building more partnerships!鈥� 

As MENV students presented the outcomes of their capstone projects, they demonstrated

 the inherently multi-faceted nature of sustainability work across and within spheres. Projects were presented under five themes: Embracing Outdoor Recreation, Climate Action at Scale, Sustainable and Community-Centered Development, Infrastructure in the Energy Sector, and Resilient Food Systems.  In one of the projects, students worked with Albertson鈥檚 Companies Inc, the second-largest supermarket chain in the US, to develop an electric vehicle charging station deployment strategy for grocery retail locations. Josh Radoff, Teaching Associate Professor and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialization Lead in MENV commended the student work: 鈥淭he EV charging strategy that the students designed for Albertson鈥檚 is worth whatever a consultant would have charged a lot of money to provide.鈥�

Other teams worked with not-for-profit organizations and public institutions. One team partnered with Colorado Department of Corrections and the Governor鈥檚 Office of Climate Preparedness to identify climate-related health and resiliency risks for Colorado prison staff and inmates. And one even more local team helped the 麻豆影院 Valley School District design their decarbonization plan. 

The keynote speakers highlighted the need for programs such as MENV to support the new generation of sustainability leaders. Jonathan Asher highlighted the demand for sustainable change that he sees in his work and beyond. 鈥淒ata and science will continue to drive outcomes regardless of political wins. [...] Opportunities are always there, and [the importance lies in] seizing those opportunities. Successes come with finding opportunities through the skills that you're gaining, just like those that the MENV program is helping you understand, learn from, grow, foster.鈥�

Chancellor Schwartz echoed Asher鈥檚 sentiments and spoke to his plans within CU 麻豆影院 to meet the rising demand for sustainability education, citing MENV as the basis of that growth: 鈥淭his kind of work and this program are examples of what CU 麻豆影院 should be known for nationally and globally, in terms of bringing our academic focus and our student enthusiasm 鈥� I keep telling people, we need to do more programs in sustainability because students want it and society needs it, and all I need to prove that point is a picture [of this room].鈥�

MENV will continue to set the example within CU 麻豆影院 for professional student excellence and sustainability impact in our community as the new class of MENV students is ready to begin their Capstone projects in January! 

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We asked our first-year MENV students to reflect on their experiences during their first semester. Scroll down to see their insights, or read their highlights below! If you have any questions,  with us or email us at MENVAdmissions@colorado.edu. 

Brooke Miller (she/her)

Specialization: Environmental and Natural Resource Policy (ENRP)

Hometown: Wheeling, West Virginia

How did you choose your specialization, and what factors influenced that decision?

The policy specialization appealed to my larger academic and career interests. I was drawn in by the curriculum and the potential to develop strong research, writing, and presentation skills. Students learn a little bit about a lot of topics in the first semester which has allowed me to explore my different interests in the program.

If you moved to 麻豆影院 from another city, how was the transition, and what helped you adjust to the new environment?

I moved to 麻豆影院 from DC, and it鈥檚 my first time living in the Western US. I鈥檝e found that it's easier to make the transition if you keep an open mind and commit to trying new things. I went to almost every MENV event offered in the first semester. Not only did I learn a lot of valuable information from second-year students who have already transitioned into 麻豆影院, but I met a lot of other first-year students who were having similar experiences. Prioritizing this community building really helped me in the first few weeks.

What advice would you give to incoming students starting their first semester in the program?

Explore! There are so many interesting classes, students, professors, alumni, collegiate competitions, and ways to be involved. Casting a wide net in your first semester allows you to figure out what you鈥檙e interested in and can guide subsequent capstone and class choices. It also allows you to meet students and professors outside of your specialization.

Demi Zuo (she/her)

Specialization: Renewable & Sustainable Energy (RSE)

Hometown: Beijing, China

How did you choose your specialization, and what factors influenced that decision?

My university major was in Environmental Engineering. Although it has been seven years since I completed my studies, I still find environmental research and practice incredibly meaningful and engaging. My recent work experience at an energy company has given me a firsthand understanding of the critical role that clean energy and decarbonization play in today鈥檚 world. This experience inspired me to specialize in RSE to contribute more directly to these essential areas.

If you moved to 麻豆影院 from another city, how was the transition, and what helped you adjust to the new environment?

The transition to 麻豆影院 was quite an adjustment, but my classmates and other international students were incredibly supportive. People here made a huge difference, helping me feel more comfortable and settled in this new environment.

What advice would you give to incoming students starting their first semester in the program?

I suggest incoming students connect with second-year students as much as possible鈥攖hey can provide valuable insights into the courses and community here. Also, there are plenty of social events, which are great opportunities to meet people and get involved right from the start.

Sam Cochrane (he/him)

Specialization: Sustainable Food Systems (SFS)

Hometown: Manchester, Vermont

How did you choose your specialization, and what factors influenced that decision?

Hearing Damien, the SFS spec lead, speak about his vision for sustainable farming and design was a big factor in my decision. Having past experience on farms and in food service, I had spent a lot of time around food and wanted to better understand how to heal our broken relationship with what we eat. Another big factor was the realization that land use, deforestation, and biodiversity loss are some of the largest drivers of climate change, and are closely related to agricultural systems around the world.

If you moved to 麻豆影院 from another city, how was the transition, and what helped you adjust to the new environment?

The transition to 麻豆影院 was great! Some things I would recommend are: get a bike! Explore the Front Range: hiking is the ultimate de-stressor. Find a 鈥渢hird space,鈥� somewhere apart from home and school where you can hang out and get work done.

What advice would you give to incoming students starting their first semester in the program?

For incoming students, I would say that you get out what you put in. It鈥檚 not always easy to keep up with every reading, every assignment, or every social event at MENV. Pick and choose to support your vision for the future, and always keep your career goals in mind as you navigate your first semester. That being said, you don鈥檛 need to know everything鈥搈ake sure to leave space for new ideas. It鈥檚 okay if your career ideas change over the semester. Just keep some notes and make sure to set aside time for introspection and reflection.

Joaquin Landivar (he/him)

Specialization: Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry (SOI)

Hometown: Cuenca, Ecuador

How did you choose your specialization, and what factors influenced that decision?

I chose this specialization to obtain a U.S. higher education degree. I already hold a Master鈥檚 degree in Science and Technology from a university in Spain, but I have experienced challenges launching my career in the U.S. I selected SOI because of its hands-on applications and real-world impacts. Much of my inspiration is rooted in my past experiences in farming, where I became aware of the power of connecting people with the environment, through interaction and appreciation of outdoor spaces.

What are some of your highlights from the semester?

I really like the personalization of the program. You are not treated as an empty bucket that needs to be filled with knowledge; you are treated holistically. In environmental sciences, you deal with facts that are not 100% pleasant, and that can take a psychological toll. The elective course 鈥淟eadership and Ethics鈥� emphasizes leadership and also provides psychological tools, support, and hope to reshape how we deal with different scenarios and facts in the field.

What advice would you give to incoming students starting their first semester in the program?

For international students, I would highly recommend coming to 麻豆影院 before the program starts to adapt to and interact with the nuances of American culture and the 麻豆影院 lifestyle. I also can鈥檛 speak highly enough of the International English Center at CU 麻豆影院. Their English language programs provide newcomers with the skills they need to succeed. I took three sessions of IEC English language courses before starting MENV, and the proficiency I developed has played a critical role in building my confidence and preparing me for the rigor of a Master鈥檚 degree in my second language.

Nicholas Cordova (he/him)

Specialization: Urban Resilience & Sustainability (URS), MBA candidate

Secondary Specialization: Renewable & Sustainable Energy (RSE)

Hometown: Vernon, Texas

How did you choose your specialization, and what factors influenced that decision?

A big influence in choosing URS as my primary specialization was my experience cycling across Europe and living in Japan. During each of those experiences, I came to really appreciate how much more inclusive a society is when affordable and reliable public transit is offered to a country鈥檚 citizens. I鈥檇 like to one day help lead in implementing that type of infrastructure here in America if given the opportunity.

What advice would you give to incoming students starting their first semester in the program?

Come in with an open mind. There are so many different ways to tackle the sustainability issue, and this program does a good job of exposing you to the multitude of ways to help make our planet a better place for current and future generations.

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A team of graduate students from the 麻豆影院's (CU) Masters of the Environment (MENV) program won the to transform Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles, California into a sustainable and resilient community. 

C40 is a global network of nearly 100 mayors from the world鈥檚 leading cities, representing over 700 million people and 25% of the global economy, united to confront the climate crisis. Committed to using an inclusive, science-based and collaborative approach to cut their share of emissions in half by 2030, C40 is helping the world to limit global heating to 1.5掳C and build healthy, equitable, and resilient communities. Since 2020, the network has hosted the global Students Reinventing Cities competition each year to harness the power of youth to reimagine urban areas into green and thriving neighborhoods. 

The CU 麻豆影院 team (left to right: Joe Josleyn, MENV Sustainable Food Systems 鈥�24; Mia Westphal, MENV Urban Resilience and Sustainability (URS) 鈥�25; Mikayla Zeitlin, MENV URS 鈥�24; and Benji Satloff, MENV URS 鈥�25)鈥攕elf-titled 鈥淣ova Heights鈥� in the spirit of innovation and progress鈥攚as drawn to the historic Lincoln Heights Jail site in Los Angeles, one of the competition鈥檚 17 participating sites to choose from. After three months of proposal brainstorming, planning, development, and review, the team proudly put forth their submission: 鈥�鈥�

Understanding the historical and cultural significance of the Lincoln Heights Jail鈥攁s well as the greater Lincoln Heights area鈥攖he team prioritized community values throughout the iteration process. Starting with key stakeholder engagement interviews, the team consulted community activists, urban developers, and local government representatives to inform site design that would authentically serve the local community. This engagement ensured that the team approached their work with a community-first mindset, especially important as an external student team that lacked personal ties to the community at hand. 鈥淥ur goal for this project was to understand how we could best serve the local community, and then design a site that provides housing, community services and job opportunities. We hope Valverde Commons will stand for generations to support the people of Lincoln Heights,鈥� said team member Benji Satloff.

The team then researched sustainable development principles such as social housing, energy efficiency, and nature-based solutions. Combining each team member鈥檚 respective expertise in urban planning, food systems, and sustainable development, they crafted an equitable and resilient design that both honors the site鈥檚 history and empowers its future. Their concept transforms the 210,800 square-foot brownfield into a vibrant, mixed-use community hub replete with affordable housing options, local food production, and economic development opportunities. 

The team named the redeveloped site after Nancy Valverde, a local LGBTQ+ activist who was unjustly imprisoned at the Lincoln Heights Jail, in an effort to pay tribute to her legacy and foster a sense of place, healing, and community pride. The completed Valverde Commons plan boasts numerous urban green spaces, a market hall, a community resilience center, and an apartment complex. 

The team presented their winning proposal to L.A. District 1 Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, Director of Environmental Justice, Lizzeth Rosales from Mayor Karen Bass鈥� office and urban development representatives, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. Councilmember Hernandez highlighted the Valverde Commons proposal as intentional, feasible and inspiring for the Lincoln Heights Community and beyond. Councilmember Hernandez and the mayoral staff plan to circulate the team鈥檚 proposal to inspire new sustainable development projects in L.A.

The CU 麻豆影院 team鈥檚 success in the C40 competition could not have been made possible without the expertise and support from MENV program faculty Alice Reznickova, Megan McCarrol, William Shutkin and two other MENV teams that submitted strong proposals for sites in Salvador, Brazil and Copenhagen, Denmark. This rare and rewarding opportunity provided them with practical experience directly applicable to their aspiring professional careers in climate resilience planning, local government, and sustainable development. 鈥淭his project gave me an amazing opportunity to apply all the concepts I was learning in the classroom to a real world case study. I plan to utilize this project and the proposal to enhance future projects and careers in urban development and sustainability planning鈥� said team member Mia Westphal. The students鈥� achievement reflects their dedication and forward-thinking approach, exemplifying the transformative power of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling complex urban challenges.

Alice Reznickova, Teaching Associate & Capstone Lead in MENV, who supported the logistics of the competition, highlighted the exceptional talent of MENV students: "I am beyond impressed with what the three groups accomplished in this competition - their collaboration brought three innovative proposals for sustainable, resilient, and community-centered approaches to urban redesign. This is the third competition MENV students won in the last year - along the and the Net Impact Case Competition hosted by the CU 麻豆影院 Leeds School of business . It's exciting to see MENV emerge as a hub for innovation and student excellence at CU 麻豆影院!"

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We're excited to announce the launch of three dynamic curricular Pathways as part of the Master of the Environment (MENV) professional graduate program. These pathways exist within and across the five specializations and are designed to help students signal to employers that they鈥檝e accumulated a range of knowledge, skills, and practical application within a given area of expertise relevant to the sustainability field. What is a Pathway? 

A Pathway is a curated suite of courses focused on key areas of relevance to the sustainability field. Pathway options focus on a particular industry, a particular subject matter area, or a suite of skills applicable across the field.  Different from specializations, Pathways offer a flexible yet focused learning experience, guiding students on the relevant courses to take within a given area of expertise so that they gain the necessary skills and tools to stand out to potential employers after graduation. Although Pathways are not included on your academic transcript like specializations, completing a Pathway allows students to develop and highlight expertise in a particular area鈥攁n invaluable asset when applying for jobs. 

At MENV, we are offering three Pathways to help you shape your educational journey based on your career interests:  

Corporate Sustainability Pathway (CSP) 

As sustainability becomes a core business priority across industries, professionals equipped with the tools to balance profitability with social responsibility are in high demand. The Corporate Sustainability Pathway focuses on teaching students how to integrate sustainability into business strategies by addressing economic, social, and environmental factors. 

This pathway emphasizes: 

• Ethical governance 

• Reducing environmental impacts 

• Promoting social responsibility 

Whether you're aiming to work in corporate sustainability teams, sustainability consulting, or environmental responsibility roles, CSP equips you with the knowledge to create long-term value for businesses and society. 

 Law, Policy, and Planning Pathway (LP3) 

For students passionate about driving policy change, the Law, Policy, and Planning Pathway offers a deep dive into the intersection of law, public policy, and planning. LP3 is ideal for those looking to influence climate action, resilience, and sustainable development in both public and private sectors. The pathway covers a wide range of disciplines鈥攆rom legal frameworks to planning and stakeholder engagement. 

Key areas include: 

• Climate resilience 

• Sustainability planning 

• Legal and policy advocacy 

Students in this pathway will be prepared to take on roles where they can shape visionary sustainability strategies in government, nonprofit, and corporate environments. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation Pathway (SEFP) 

Sustainability projects involve many stakeholders, from local communities to global organizations. The Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation Pathway helps students develop skills in communication, outreach, and inclusive engagement鈥攃ritical tools for creating collaborative solutions in sustainability.  

This pathway prepares students to: 

• Engage diverse stakeholders 

• Facilitate inclusive decision-making 

• Advocate for underrepresented voices 

If you鈥檙e passionate about fostering dialogue and ensuring all perspectives are included in the decision-making process, SEFP will equip you with the tools to drive meaningful and ethical outcomes in sustainability projects. 

Chart Your Own Path 

Choosing the right Pathway is an important step in customizing your educational experience. Depending on your interests and career goals, each Pathway offers unique opportunities for growth. If you鈥檙e unsure which Pathway is the best fit, we鈥檙e here to help! Feel free to reach out to our team at MENVAdmissions@colorado.edu for personalized advice. 

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Five MENV classmates and I spent the last two weeks in Brazil for a class titled, 鈥淪ustainability in Brazil.鈥�  The purpose of the course was to investigate socio-environmental development, governance, and leadership in the Amazon and Atlantic forests of Brazil.

Our two-week trip broke out into two parts: one week in the Amazon Rainforest in the state of Acre, and the other in the Atlantic Forest in the southern region of the state of Bahia. For context, the two locations are about as far apart as Washington D.C. and Las Vegas, NV with equally divergent socio-environmental contexts. 

Despite their differences, Acre and Southern Bahia share awe-inspiring rainforest ecologies that are known worldwide for their biodiversity. In both cases, development pressures threaten the existence and function of local ecologies and the livelihoods of those who depend on the forest.  

In Acre, we visited a state that is relatively sparsely populated where many residents depend directly on the land for their livelihoods. Most of the state is covered by primary Amazon forest (about 87%), but pressures are mounting to convert forests into grazing lands for cattle ranching 鈥� an activity that is intended to increase economic output per unit area.

Cattle husbandry serves as a source of assurance and economic stability for local people. We heard from residents that cattle function as a bank account for those who own them 鈥� their value grows over time and they can be sold off quickly in economically challenging times. Thus, many Brazilians perceive the conversion of forest to ranchlands as a desirable economic development pathway.

The value of the Amazon Rainforest is unquantifiable yet often difficult to access. The forest holds an incredible abundance in food, timber, medicine, and cultural value, not to mention a major stabilizing force for global carbon and water cycles. Forest-dependent economic development pathways offer a major opportunity to conserve the forest but must deliver sufficient economic value to provide comparable livelihoods to that of local ranchers.

While in Acre, we visited with individuals and organizations that are demonstrating strategies for dignified forest-based livelihoods. Throughout the week, we visited with forest extractivists (brazil nuts, rubber, timber), factory workers, indigenous leaders, and environmental educators. Through their work, these individuals and communities are proving the immense value of the forest and perpetuating its preservation.

Leaving behind the truly incredible Amazon Rainforest, we flew to Southern Bahia where we spent the last week of our trip. The region is densely populated with people living in and among primary Atlantic Forest, cabrucas (shade-grown cacao agroforests), and beautiful beaches. Southern Bahia has been recognized as one of the world鈥檚 top five biodiversity hotspots for its incredible diversity of vascular plants. 

Forest clearing has been commonplace for several decades with recent estimates suggesting only about 16 to 25 percent of the land area remains covered by original forest. Cacao production constituted the main economic activity in Southern Bahia for about two centuries before a disease outbreak devastated cacao production. The recent decline in cacao production has left the region in immediate need of economic development. 

麻豆影院 a decade ago, a development project was proposed with the purported benefit of providing a much-needed boost to the economy of Southern Bahia. The project entails the construction of a deep-sea port to enable the international export of iron ore from inland Bahia. Major railroad construction will accompany the deep-sea port as a means for transporting iron ore across Bahia. All told, the deep-sea port and associated railroad construction project will likely produce a relatively small number of jobs for a limited period of time (predicted about 30 years) and cause a host of environmental damage to the Atlantic Forest, beaches and marine ecosystems. 

Our class met with the individuals and organizations that are actively exploring sustainable development the produces long-term economic returns without degrading the surrounding environment. Over the course of the week, we met with agricultural producers (cacao, fruit), value-added processors (chocolate, furniture), a professional development organization, a community-based tourism organization and environmental organizations, each of whom are creating value to the local economy without collateral environmental damage. Currently, a collaborative effort is underway to reverse the decision to build a port and manifest a community-driven economic future that can provide for Southern Bahia for generations to come. 

Throughout our time in Brazil, we observed the challenge of creating economic development that can support human communities without adversely impacting the surrounding environment. Both in Acre and Southern Bahia, development that prioritizes short-term economic gain threatens local environments with unique ecologies. Although the challenge is formidable, I feel inspired by the individuals that challenge prevalent socioeconomic pressures and are working to discover and develop truly sustainable pathways to economic development. Inspired by these individuals, I will even more fervently advocate for the adoption of agricultural systems that give back to the land as much as they take, allowing future generations to inherit more fertile soils and cleaner water than their parents received.

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Over the course of Summer 2019, MENV will feature various Capstone Projects to keep the community updated on the accomplishments of our students and partner organizations. The Capstone is the centerpiece of the MENV program and is a year-long project that partners students with an organization from the public, private, or non-profit sector. Students gain real-world, professional experience that serves as a springboard for their future careers.

 Capstone Project: A New Agrarian Paradigm

Partner Organization: Mad Agriculture

Student Team: Jane Cavagnero, Brian De Corte, Sarah Meade, Garrett Stoll

With a mission to restore society's "relationship with Earth through the story, community, and practice of good agriculture," has very ambitious goals. Founded by Phil Taylor 鈥� a farmer and sustainable agriculture advocate who is a food systems research associate that teaches in the Masters of the Environment program 鈥� the non-profit organization is working with farmers in Colorado and beyond to instill sustainable practices in the industry.

For Mad Agriculture, these sustainable practices mean regenerative agriculture. While many definitions of the practice exist, it is generally agreed that regenerative agriculture is a set of farming methods that provide ecosystem services through increased biodiversity, enhanced soils, and improved watershed quality. According to Terra Genesis International, regenerative agriculture also aims to capture carbon, provide safeguards against the effects of climate change, and increase farmers' yields.

Four MENV students joined the Mad Agriculture team this fall to help the organization meet its Colorado goals. The group of four, which consists of Jane Cavagnero, Brian De Corte, Sarah Meade, and Garrett Stoll, is working with Front Range farmers to encourage and solidify regenerative practices in local agriculture. To promote regenerative methods, the Capstone team is utilizing a systems-thinking approach that relies on already-developed best practices, ecological context, economic constraints, and the region's political landscape.

At the end of the project, Cavagnero, De Corte, Meade, and Stoll will produce a regenerative demonstration farm plan, a bi-annual magazine for radical agriculture writing, a farmers market outreach program, and a carbon economy service package. Additionally, the team will further grow Mad Agriculture鈥檚 Community Forums 鈥� a monthly event series that facilitates conversations surrounding issues facing the Front Range agriculture community. 

Given the rising popularity of regenerative agriculture, the team of four is thrilled to be at the forefront of a shifting economic model. 鈥淥ur Capstone team is excited to be immersed in regenerative agriculture-focused projects, as the movement is steadily growing and gaining traction around the globe,鈥� said Meade. 鈥淪ince Mad Agriculture focuses their efforts on many domains of the regenerative agriculture movement, we have broad exposure to varying activities such as farm planning, policy, emerging markets for regenerative products, and new community-based structures.鈥�

To date, the Mad Agriculture Capstone team has immersed itself in Front Range farming through meetings, farm visits, outreach events, and community forums. In doing so, the team has begun to find solutions to the barriers that prevent farmers from adopting regenerative agriculture practices. Additionally, they have also seen what it takes to instill change in Colorado farming communities.

"As Mad Agriculture begins developing its structure, our team of fellows has been right alongside," said Cavagnero of the organization's work. "Working with such a fast-paced startup has given us all insights into what it takes to get a nonprofit off the ground."

As the team works to produce their deliverables over the summer, several exciting events are on the horizon. One such event is , an international food festival and gathering of food systems thinkers. Additionally, the team will partake in a "field trip across the Great Plains" to better understand farmer needs for transitioning to regenerative agriculture.

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A sportsmen鈥檚 group that found 9.52 million acres of federally managed public lands in the West can鈥檛 be accessed by public roads is now looking at state-owned lands. In Colorado, a majority of those are off-limits to the public.

 and , a Montana-based digital mapping company, released their findings on Colorado on Wednesday at the Outdoor Retailer, a national outdoor recreation trade show that runs through Thursday in Denver. The Colorado analysis is the first TRCP has unveiled, with reviews of 10 other Western states expected later this summer.

麻豆影院 16 percent of the roughly 2.8 million acres of state trust lands in Colorado is landlocked, meaning the land can鈥檛 be reached by public roads. Another 20 percent of the state lands are open to hunters and anglers from September through February, thanks to leases or easements acquired by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The majority of the lands, or 64 percent, are closed by the state to recreation. Joel Webster, director of TRCP鈥檚 Center for Western Lands, said Colorado is an outlier because other Western states generally allow the public to recreate on state-owned lands.

鈥淲e all know the importance of access for the outdoor industry,鈥� Webster said. 鈥淭he $887 billion (industry) depends on access to public lands.鈥�

Outdoor recreation generates about $887 billion in spending annually and supports jobs, according to the 

 released in 2018 said fishing, hunting and wildlife watching in Colorado produce about $5 billion in economic contributions annually.

Gov. Jared Polis said Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado State Land Board are working together to open more trust lands to hunting and angling.

鈥淐olorado is arguably the most beautiful state in America, and I鈥檓 committed to expanding the public鈥檚 access to our treasured federal and state-owned land,鈥� Polis said in a statement. 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that Colorado Parks and Wildlife鈥檚 Public Access Program for sportsmen and women will be growing by more than 100,000 acres in time for the upcoming 2019 hunting season. We will continue looking at more opportunities to increase access in the near future.鈥�

鈥淚f we鈥檙e serious about recruiting, retaining and reactivating hunters and anglers, we really need to prioritize and simplify public access,鈥� said Liz Rose, a sportswoman and a University of Colorado-麻豆影院 graduate student.

Rose is working with another sportsmen鈥檚 group, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, on a study of public recreation on Colorado state trust lands.

Although state trust lands are public lands, they aren鈥檛 managed the same as federal public lands. The law requires federal lands, including those overseen by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, to be managed for multiple uses.

 and onX, known for its hunting app, found that 9.52 million acres of federally managed lands across the West cannot be accessed by public roads. So, the public cannot use them unless they can access them by other means 鈥� aircraft or water 鈥� or they get permission from surrounding private landowners. In Colorado, 269,000 acres are landlocked.

However, state trust lands are generally managed under a different mandate. Most Western states were granted the trust lands upon statehood with the objective of managing them to raise money for schools and other public institutions.

The approach to managing the lands has varied among the states. In some cases, states have sold big chunks or nearly all of the trust lands. Many times they are leased for livestock grazing, mining and drilling or private recreation. Colorado voters in 1996 created the  which said that 10 percent of the trust lands be managed to maintain the natural values and are held to a higher standard of care.

Webster said some Western states, including Arizona and New Mexico, charge the public fees to recreate on the lands, which allows access while still meeting financial obligations. Some activities, like off-roading, might be prohibited, he said.

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In May 2019, 13 representatives from the University of Colorado 麻豆影院 traveled to Chamonix, France to study the policy and science surrounding climate change in the Mont Blanc region. Led by Mark Squillace, an acclaimed professor of natural resources law at Colorado Law, the group consisted of a mix of 12 Masters of the Environment and law students.

For 10 days, the group partnered with a local science non-profit to examine the areas in which the tri-country region has succeeded and failed in addressing a warming future and rapidly-changing ecosystem. The town of Chamonix served as an ideal basecamp from which the team conducted fieldwork, traveled to the alpine tundra, and learned from local experts.

Chamonix is a French town of 10,000 people that sits near the borders of Italy and Switzerland. Residents live in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the highest point in the Alps at 15,781 feet, and its surrounding massif. The mountains serve as Europe's launchpad for alpine adventure, with visitors traveling from around the globe to ski, mountaineer, trail run, ride, and paraglide among the jagged peaks.

Chamonix wasn't always an adventure hub. Prior to the influx of European travelers, Chamonix and the surrounding valley was sparsely populated and mainly used for agriculture. The valley rapidly changed with the arrival of British adventurers in the 1700s, which jumpstarted the area's recreation economy. The town now sees five million visitors every year 鈥� roughly the same as Yellowstone National Park, but in a much smaller place.

The Mont Blanc Massif is also unique in its management scheme. Three countries 鈥� France, Italy, and Switzerland 鈥� all manage significant parts of the range. Because of the separated ownership, coordinating land management is a particular challenge, as each country has different priorities, goals, and history. This has become particularly clear as ecosystems rapidly evolve due to climate change.

Fortunately, several local organizations are working to study the ecological changes occurring in the region, with the hope of educating policymakers in all three countries. The , or Research Center for Alpine Ecosystems in English, is one of those organizations, as was the leading partner of the Colorado team during their time in France.

Founded in 1996, CREA specializes in the study of natural mountain environments. According to the organization's website, CREA "is a pioneer and leader of citizen science in France and maintains a strong commitment to participatory science, aiming not only to encourage the understanding of ecology, but also to directly involve the public in innovative scientific research."

In their 10 days with CREA, the University of Colorado team studied the organization鈥檚 approach to researching ecosystems 鈥� both in the classroom and in the field. It also learned how the organization approaches policy not from a place of advocacy, but rather with the goal of providing information to decisionmakers. Throughout the partnership, the visiting students helped CREA brainstorm ways in which to better present information to policymakers and techniques to create meaningful policy action.

Other highlights of the partnership with CREA included the study of frogs, where students confirmed observations of alpine wetlands made through remote sensing. Additionally, students traveled to the for two nights to immerse themselves in the alpine ecosystems they were studying. While the entire landscape was covered in snow, it served as a stark reminder of the harshness and uniqueness of the area.

The University of Colorado also partnered with local alpinist and activist, . Hart, an ambassador for Patagonia, gave students the perspective of local advocacy organizations. She discussed Patagonia鈥檚 environmental work in Europe and the U.S. and how individuals can best create change within their communities.

She also highlighted the conflict surrounding dams and hydroelectric energy production. The student team learned about Patagonia's approach (anti-dam) but also had the opportunity to visit a local hydroelectric project. The Nant de Drance plant, located across the border in Switzerland and currently under construction, will utilize pumped storage to produce energy when production is low across the bridge. While proponents laud its potential efficiency, many believe that new dams are not the answer to a need for clean energy.

After 10 jam-packed days with CREA and Hart, Squillace and the majority of the students traveled to Italy to enjoy a hike to the Refugio di Bonatti outside of Courmayeur. The 14-mile hike provided a new perspective of the massif and a light-hearted conclusion to the course.

Now that the University of Colorado team is back in 麻豆影院, students are taking time to reflect on their experience and record their findings. With many entering future careers in land management and policy creation, they hope their time in Chamonix will provide examples of how science and policy can partner to create outcomes that are in the public interest.

Policy & Climate Change in the Mont Blanc Region is a yearly course offered by the Masters of the Environment program at the University of Colorado 麻豆影院. For more information about the course, please contact Mark Squillace at mark.squillace@colorado.edu.

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Over the course of summer 2019, MENV will feature various Capstone Projects to keep the community updated on the accomplishments of our students and partner organizations. The Capstone is the centerpiece of the MENV program and is a year-long project that partners students with an organization from the public, private, or non-profit sector. Students gain real-world, professional experience that serves as a springboard for their future careers.

Capstone Project: Updating the Colorado Water Plan 鈥� Analysis & Basin Integration

Partner Organization: Colorado Water Conservation Board

Student Team: Bianca Valdez, Hannah O鈥橬eill, Jakki Davison

With its soaring Rocky Mountains, Colorado is home to many watersheds, including the Colorado River Basin. From the West鈥檚 most famous river to the smallest mountain tributary, the state鈥檚 water is in increasingly high demand as the regional climate changes.

In other words, Colorado water is a pretty big deal.

In 2015, the importance of conserving Colorado鈥檚 water resources brought together state agencies, hundreds of stakeholders, and 30,000 public comments to create the Colorado Water Plan. Overseen by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the plan examined the state鈥檚 water needs with respect to a growing population and an increasingly dry climate. Since its start, the plan has successfully integrated statewide climatic, population, and water modeling with local concerns to identify future needs and target water infrastructure projects.

As the state approaches a 2020 update to its original plan, the Colorado Conservation Board has tapped the MENV student team of Bianca Valdez, Hannah O鈥橬eill, and Jakki Davison to support the charge for a revamped plan. Over the course of 2019, the team of three will analyze past planning documents to better inform the 2020 version.

Since the Colorado Water Plan is only in its first iteration, the opportunity for impact from the Capstone Project is high. 鈥淭his is only the second iteration of the [Colroado Water Plan], and we have the opportunity to influence not only the current update of this important planning document but future cycles as well,鈥� O鈥橬eill said in an interview.

Since starting the project in January, O鈥橬eill, Valdez, and Davison have thoroughly studied the 鈥淏asin Implementation Plans鈥� for the state鈥檚 nine water basins. The task was a major undertaking, with each plan consisting of roughly 950 pages. However, the team created a unique coding system to create a narrative around the potential changes the Water Conservation Board could take 鈥� a process all three maintained has been the most exciting part of the project so far.  

For the remainder of the summer, the O鈥橬eill, Valdez, and Davison are planning to research the water planning processes for other states and countries with a similar climate to Colorado. In September, the team will present a summary of their recommendations to the Colorado Water Conservation Board at the Basin Roundtable Summit in Winter Park. In December, the team will provide the state with an official write-up of their recommendations and materials to engage and educate the various parties affected by the plan.  

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