Contact: Bari Samad, Communications & Marketing Director, Second Nature;
[email protected]; 619-343-6509.
Six Colleges and Universities Recognized with Climate Luminary Honors for Exemplary Climate Leadership
Higher education climate awards spotlight impactful climate action in decarbonization, justice, community, workforce, research, and climate resilience
Cambridge, Massachusetts (March 10, 2026) – Second Nature, a national nonprofit dedicated to accelerating climate action in and through higher education, proudly announces the 2026 recipients of its Climate Luminary Honors program. Six colleges and universities are recognized for their leadership and innovative approaches to addressing the climate crisis across six categories: Decarbonization, Justice, Community, Workforce, Research, and Climate Resilience.
The annual awards program celebrates member institutions of Second Nature’s Climate Leadership Network that are advancing bold, effective, and equitable climate solutions on their campuses and in partnership with surrounding communities. Honorees will be formally recognized at the 2026 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, where they will share their work and lessons learned with peers from across the higher education sector.
“Climate Luminary Honors recognizes what’s possible when institutions pair ambition with action,” said Tim Carter, President of Second Nature. “This year’s recipients reflect the diversity of the higher education sector and demonstrate that impactful climate leadership can take many forms, across institution types, geographies, and focus areas. We are proud to celebrate their work and the real-world impact they are creating.”
The 2026 Climate Luminary Honors recipients are:
DECARBONIZATION: Miami University (Oxford, OH)
Miami University’s Sharon and Graham Mitchell Sustainability Park supports the institution’s 2040 carbon neutrality goal through the first co-located solar and geothermal project on a college campus, generating approximately 2,000 MWh of clean electricity each year. Made possible by a $5 million alumni gift, the park combines renewable energy infrastructure with accessible educational and community spaces.
JUSTICE: Mt. San Antonio College (Walnut, CA)
The Mt. San Antonio College Sustainability Launchpad prepares students for sustainability and environmental justice careers through hands-on internships, externships, and fellowships that translate classroom learning into real-world climate action. Centering equity and community partnership, the program equips students with practical skills, professional experience, and mentorship to advance inclusive and resilient climate solutions.
COMMUNITY: Bowie State University (Bowie, MD)
Bowie State University’s Peace Park Restoration Project transformed a neglected memorial site into a vibrant, solar-powered green space that advances climate justice, stormwater management, and community healing. Led by students and campus partners, the project integrates education, native landscaping, and community engagement to deliver a scalable model for inclusive campus climate action.
WORKFORCE: Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
Indiana University’s McKinney Climate Fellows program connects undergraduate and graduate students with paid, full-time summer placements where they support real-world climate, sustainability, and resilience projects for public, private, and nonprofit partners across Indiana. Since 2017, more than 250 fellows have contributed over 100,000 hours to climate action, building a strong in-state sustainability workforce and multisector professional network.
RESEARCH: University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)
The University of Virginia’s Decarbonization Academy is a paid, full-time summer program that brings students, faculty, and staff together to advance real-world campus decarbonization projects. Faculty contribute research-driven perspectives and mentorship, guiding students through ideation, research, and implementation. Academy projects expand on research and climate action efforts that are already under consideration or in place at the University.
CLIMATE RESILIENCE: Agnes Scott College (Decatur, GA)
Agnes Scott College and the City of Decatur’s joint Climate Resilience Plan builds local capacity to address climate impacts like extreme heat and flooding through collaborative planning and implementation. The initiative leverages shared resources to advance both institutional and community priorities, creating scalable solutions, new partnerships, and opportunities for student workforce development.
For more information on the Climate Luminary Honors initiative, visit Second Nature’s website.
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About Second Nature:
Second Nature is committed to accelerating climate action in and through higher education. By mobilizing a diverse array of higher education institutions to act on bold climate commitments, Second Nature scales campus climate initiatives and creates innovative climate solutions. Learn more at secondnature.org.
