Sustainability-focused capstones leave impact on Boulder and beyond
For more than a decade, CU Boulder’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) program has connected graduate students with sustainability projects that local communities often lack the time, capacity or resources to tackle on their own. Last year, MENV students left their mark on Boulder’s schools, landscapes, food systems and entertainment scene.
Implementing a decarbonization plan for Boulder Valley School District
In 2024, MENV students Ryan Brown, Andrew Neely and Sarah Nick worked with Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) to create their first district-wide decarbonization plan, which would result in the entire district’s electrification and decarbonization by 2050.Ìý
All three students, who were specializing in urban resilience and sustainability, added a secondary specialization in renewable and sustainable energy to benefit their understanding and experience in this role. The team's dedication and hard work did not go unappreciated by their BVSD partner, Sustainability and Energy Officer Ghita Carroll:
“It has been so exciting to see the many MENV graduates filter into sustainability roles across this community. Their real-world experience plus knowledge base brings a level of expertise that makes them stand out among other candidates. At BVSD, we were thrilled to work with a team of outstanding MENV students to create our first decarbonization plan.Ìý
“When the opportunity arose with an open position, we were thrilled once again to select an MENV graduate, Sarah Nick, to fill that role. She has been an outstanding addition to our team. We both enjoy crossing paths with other MENV graduate students in our day-to-day work.â€
Since entering the role of sustainability and energy analyst, Nick has been able to embed the decarbonization plan she created with her team into BVSD's full climate action plan.
Assessing the local market for regionally native plants
Throughout 2025, students Erin Bucchin, Ilanna Gipple and Jesse Stahl worked directly with landscape designers, installers and industry experts to assess the viability of a wholesale market for regionally native plants in Boulder County. They found demand remains limited, in part because current restrictions on non-functional turf do not apply to residential properties, giving many homeowners little incentive to replace traditional lawns with native landscaping.
The students describe their work as part of a broader movement toward more water-conscious landscaping. With many of the landscape designers, installers and suppliers feeling similarly, students believe their report has the potential to organize a coalition or network to share resources.Ìý
Bucchin and Stahl presented their findings at the Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference in February 2026, continuing to promote their hard work and expand its reach.
Connecting the community to local foods
MENV students specializing in sustainable food systems, Sam Cochrane and Alexandra Rodriguez , have been working with the Boulder County Farmers Markets (BCFM) to help strengthen their food hub.Ìý
µþ°ä¹ó²Ñ’s food hub sells fresh produce, meats and provisions that originate in the county at prices set directly by farmers. It connects ranchers and producers to shoppers and institutions. The student team met with many institutions around the county, including schools, hospitals and assisted living facilities to help them connect to local foods.
Rodriguez and Cochrane also built a vendor resource guide to help educate farmers market vendors on the food hub and an institutional partner development toolkit to educate institutions on the importance of sourcing locally.Ìý
Much was achieved in this 2025 capstone project, but the students believe there is still room for growth—hinting that a future partnership with MENV could further elevate µþ°ä¹ó²Ñ’s food hub.
Advancing sustainability at Boulder’s historic theaters
Nick Cordova, Haylee Grace, Mikey Jacobs and Lydia McElderry's 2025 capstone project provided a holistic perspective on sustainability for Boulder Theater and Fox Theater, historic sites managed by Z2 Entertainment.Ìý
The team completed one water audit, three waste audits and a greenhouse gas inventory at the theaters. They also surveyed more than 250 theatergoers about sustainability initiatives they would like to see at the venues.Ìý
By the end of their project, the student team had developed a five-year sustainability action plan for Z2 Entertainment and helped secure a grant for a heat pump to improve energy efficiency. They also created a toolkit for other venues interested in integrating more sustainability into their practices.Ìý
91´ó»ÆѼ MENV
The Masters of the Environment program is a two-year professional master's program. With specializations available in environmental and natural resource policy, sustainable food systems, sustainability in the outdoor industry, renewable and sustainable energy, and urban resilience and sustainability, the program offers a holistic approach to studying sustainability and the environment.Ìý
Between their first and second year, MENV students are partnered with professional organizations to tackle sustainability-focused capstone projects. The impact of past projects is still visible around Boulder, across Colorado and even around the world—evidence of what another decade of MENV students can accomplish as they help communities tackle complex sustainability challenges.
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