FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bari Samad, Communications & Marketing Director, Second Nature
[email protected]
Second Nature Awards Seven Higher Education Institutions Pro Bono Consulting Services Valued at $25,000 Each
Consulting services provided by Brailsford & Dunlavey, Coho, and Ever-Green Energy
Cambridge, Massachusetts (March 25, 2025) – Second Nature, a leading organization advancing climate action in higher education, is pleased to announce the seven institutions selected to receive pro bono consulting services as part of the fifth round of its Pro Bono Consulting opportunity. This initiative, offered exclusively to Climate Leadership Network member institutions, provides technical support to accelerate campus climate action efforts. The consulting firms generously providing their expertise for this initiative include Brailsford & Dunlavey, Coho, and Ever-Green Energy.
The selected institutions and their proposed projects demonstrate a strong commitment to climate action, sustainability, and resilience on campus and beyond. Each institution will receive specialized consulting from our expert partners to support their initiatives in decarbonization, climate resilience planning, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and more.
“At Second Nature, we are dedicated to equipping our member institutions with the resources and expertise needed to drive meaningful climate action,” said Steve Muzzy, Climate Programs Senior Manager at Second Nature. “This year’s Pro Bono Consulting awardees exemplify the leadership and innovation that higher education brings to the forefront of climate solutions. We are thankful to Brailsford & Dunlavey, Coho, and Ever-Green Energy for their continued partnership in this initiative, which would not be possible without their generous support.”
2025 Pro Bono Consulting Awardees and Project Summaries:
- Furman University (Greenville, SC) – Furman’s new strategic plan, FUture Focused, recommits the university to sustainability leadership on campus and in the community. Through this initiative, Coho will provide a clear and actionable roadmap for transitioning to renewable power within the next five years, allowing Furman to meet its goal of a 60% net carbon footprint reduction by 2030. “When tackling complex sustainability challenges, we recognize the value and expanded capacity that external experts can provide. Sourcing renewable electricity is a critical part of Furman’s carbon neutrality journey, and we are grateful to have Coho’s expertise to guide us.” – Elizabeth Davis, President, Furman University
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL) – The university will collaborate with Coho to explore effective and financially feasible pathways to reach its sustainability goals by studying clean energy technologies, analyzing their potential impact on emissions, and identifying the best combination of technologies for future use. “We are excited to partner with Coho to reach our ambitious climate goals. This collaboration aligns with our comprehensive strategies in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) to develop and implement a clear pathway for the university to become carbon neutral and build resilience to climate change.” – Lowa Mwilambwe, Interim Vice Chancellor for Administration and Operations
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Stevens Point, WI) – Partnering with Coho climate advisors, UW-Stevens Point will conduct an energy study to define decarbonization options for its updated Carbon Neutrality Plan. The study will inform and support the drafting of the university’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, set to begin in Summer 2025 and finalize in Spring 2026.“This award fits into UW-Stevens Point’s decades-long commitment to innovative sustainable practices,” said Pratima Gandhi, vice chancellor for Finance and Administration. “We are grateful for the opportunity to ensure a more sustainable future for our communities.”
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (Madison, WI) – Brailsford & Dunlavey will support the university in identifying pathways to reduce emissions associated with purchased goods and services (Scope 3 emissions), which are key to UW–Madison’s target of Net Zero emissions by 2048. The project will ideally offer insights applicable across the broader higher education sector.“Collaborating with Brailsford & Dunlavey and Second Nature presents a unique opportunity to develop strategies to meet one of the more complex components of our ambitious environmental sustainability goals.” – Missy Nergard, Director of Institutional Sustainability
- Penn State University (University Park, PA) – Through its partnership with Ever-Green Energy, Penn State Harrisburg will revisit and enhance its 2020 Biomass Study. This effort will build on the university’s long-standing progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate its sustainability goals.“This initiative strengthens our commitment to integrating sustainability into campus operations, research, and student experiences while fostering impactful partnerships.” – David Callejo Pérez, Chancellor and Dean, Penn State Harrisburg
- NC State University (Raleigh, NC) – With technical assistance from Brailsford & Dunlavey, NC State will refine its strategies, evaluate new approaches, and develop a data-driven roadmap for reducing emissions on its growing campus.“NC State is grateful for the support of Second Nature’s Pro Bono Consulting and looks forward to partnering with Brailsford & Dunlavey to explore innovative and sustainable solutions that will enhance campus efficiency and stewardship while also providing impactful opportunities for applied learning.” – Carla Davis, Director of the University Sustainability Office
- Macalester College (St Paul, MN) – Brailsford & Dunlavey will assist the college in drafting a climate action plan that outlines a technically and financially feasible roadmap toward an equitable, carbon-free future aligned with Macalester’s education and research mission.“We look forward to outlining an ambitious and innovative new plan that engages campus stakeholders, reflects Macalester College’s core values, and outlines a path towards decarbonization and climate resilience.” – Megan Butler, Sustainability Director
About the Consulting Firms:
- Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) – is a national development advisory and program management firm dedicated to serving public agencies, professional sports organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofit clients. With comprehensive in-house planning and implementation capabilities, B&D helps clients advance sustainability initiatives through data-driven strategies and innovative solutions.“Higher education plays a vital role in mitigating the climate crisis through innovative operational advancements combined with expansive, solutions-based academic programming. As a business community partner, we look forward to advancing initiatives to address the planet’s most pressing issue.” – Dave Karlsgodt, Head of B&D’s Energy and Sustainability Practice Group
- Coho, an ERM Group Company – is a trusted energy, climate, and water advisor that partners with impact-oriented clients to develop actionable strategies, implement tailored solutions, and optimize performance over time. Coho specializes in renewable energy procurement, decarbonization planning, and sustainability strategy development.“Coho is proud to support the decarbonization of higher education in the United States. Second Nature and its member campuses are wonderful partners, and we look forward to a new round of high-impact projects,” said Gary Farha, President of Coho, an ERM Group Company.
- Ever-Green Energy – works across sectors to advance and operate energy systems with a commitment to financial and environmental stewardship. As an innovative utility system operator, Ever-Green Energy offers expertise in energy infrastructure planning and optimization.“Ever-Green Energy continues to see higher education institutions leading the way in embracing innovative, efficient, and sustainable heating and cooling system technologies. We are proud to provide tangible steps toward their goals of increasing capacity and reducing emissions.” – Luke Gaalswyk, President and CEO of Ever-Green Energy
The Pro Bono Consulting initiative has provided tailored climate action guidance to numerous higher education institutions, supporting them in achieving their carbon neutrality and climate resilience goals. Through this initiative, Second Nature continues to equip colleges and universities with the resources they need to lead in climate action and create positive environmental impacts within their communities.
For more information about Second Nature’s Pro Bono Consulting opportunity, please visit the Second Nature 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.
