FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bari Samad, Communications & Marketing Director, Second Nature
[email protected]
Second Nature Awards Six Higher Education Institutions Pro Bono Consulting Services Valued at $30,000 Each
Consulting services provided by Brailsford & Dunlavey, ERM Coho, and Ever-Green Energy
Cambridge, Massachusetts (May 13, 2026) – Second Nature, a leading organization advancing climate action in higher education, is pleased to announce the six higher education institutions selected to receive pro bono consulting services valued at up to $30,000 as part of the 2026 Pro Bono Consulting Round VI opportunity. Offered exclusively to Climate Leadership Network member institutions, this initiative provides targeted technical expertise to accelerate campus climate action, planning, and implementation.
Through this round, participating institutions will receive customized consulting support from industry-leading partners to advance projects focused on decarbonization, energy systems planning, climate resilience, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and institutional sustainability leadership.
“Second Nature is committed to ensuring our member institutions have access to the expertise and capacity needed to turn climate commitments into action,” said Steve Muzzy, Climate Programs Senior Manager. “The 2026 Pro Bono Consulting recipients represent the depth and diversity of leadership across higher education. We are grateful to our consulting partners for their continued collaboration and generosity in supporting this work.”
2026 Pro Bono Consulting Awardees and Project Summaries:
- University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN) – The University of Minnesota will use the pro bono consulting services to develop a comprehensive funding and financing framework to support implementation of its Climate Action Plans and Energy Utility Plans. The project will evaluate and prioritize a range of capital financing tools and approaches to enable large-scale decarbonization and infrastructure investment. By strengthening financial strategy, the University aims to accelerate progress toward its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 or earlier. This work will help scale and advance implementation of the University’s climate commitments while serving as a model for peer institutions.
“This opportunity comes at a critical moment as we move further into implementation of our climate action goals. The University has set ambitious targets through our Climate Action Plans and our strategic roadmap, Elevate Extraordinary 2030, and this work will help us build the financial strategies needed to deliver on them. By strengthening how we fund and scale decarbonization efforts, we can accelerate meaningful, cross-campus impact. We look forward to partnering with Second Nature and Brailsford & Dunlavey to advance this work.” – Shane Stennes, Chief Sustainability Officer, University of Minnesota
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania (West Chester, Pennsylvania) – With the technical assistance of Brailsford & Dunlavey, West Chester University will evaluate select projects identified in its recently completed Campus Facilities Master Plan and assess opportunities to integrate decarbonization strategies on a project-by-project basis. The focus will be on meeting two core WCU commitments: to responsibly use limited financial resources and to effectively reduce carbon emissions from the construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance of campus buildings. Building on a 20-year track record of investments in geo-exchange heating and cooling systems, energy efficiency upgrades, and LEED-certified new construction and renovation projects, WCU will evaluate new design approaches, technologies, financial analysis tools, and funding opportunities for pursuing our ongoing project-specific climate action commitments.
“The resources Second Nature provides – webinars, workshops, Higher Education Climate Leadership Summits, decarbonization academies, and more – have supported our climate action initiatives resulting in significant and noteworthy reductions in Scope I emissions. Brailsford & Dunlavey have played a prominent role as a partner in Second Nature’s programming, we’ve benefited from their many contributions, and we look forward to working with them in this year’s round of pro bono consulting. With the participation of an interdisciplinary team of representatives of WCU Facilities, Administration and Finance, Sustainability, and faculty, we expect to learn from B&D’s team of experts, make good progress during the consultancy, and carry these lessons into our work in the coming years.” – Todd E. Murphy, Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Lane Community College (Eugene, Oregon) – Lane Community College (LCC) is excited to work with Ever-Green Energy to determine a technical roadmap, actionable within the next five years on how to significantly reduce carbon emissions related to fossil fuels used for campus heating and increase efficiencies. At the same time the plan seeks to improve the resilience and reliability of LCC’s main campus central plant. Scope 1 emissions from the natural gas used at the central plant boilers for heating buildings represents a significant source of carbon emissions for LCC. Hence, our urgent need to accelerate climate action in the form of central plant decarbonization leveraging the technical expertise of Ever-Green.
“Receiving this Pro-Bono award is crucial for Lane Community College to move forward with the current update process of the Climate Action Plan 2.0 and 2027 Strategic Plan. At this point, the college is in need of the technical expertise that Ever-Green’s engineers can provide regarding the most effective solutions to decarbonize our central plant to meet our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. We are deeply grateful and excited for this opportunity and plan to take full advantage of it to help to ensure a sustainable future for the communities we serve.” – Luis Maggiori, LCC Sustainability Coordinator.
- Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York) – Skidmore will partner with ERM Coho to identify additional renewable power solutions to support the college’s Strategic Plan, 2025-2030 commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action. Advisory services will provide the technical and financial analysis needed to assess and advance a renewables strategy as a key part of Skidmore’s ongoing decarbonization planning efforts.
“We are grateful to be awarded the opportunity to advance our sustainability goals through Second Nature’s pro bono consulting program. Working with experts to investigate renewable energy options will be a valuable and strategic step in our decision-making process.” – Tarah Rowse, Director of Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives
- Clark University (Worcester, Massachusetts) – This project will focus on a deep evaluation of Clark University’s central utility plant and existing cogeneration approach to determine its long-term viability. The university is seeking solutions that will support campus energy needs over the next 50 years while aligning with climate commitments. A key component of this work is ensuring that any path forward is both environmentally responsible and financially sustainable. The results will inform a long-term energy strategy that supports the institution’s mission and operations.
“The leadership at Clark University is thankful to Second Nature and Ever-Green Energy for their partnership and investment through this initiative. This opportunity aligns closely with the university’s commitment to be a leader in higher education in addressing climate change and taking responsibility for its environmental impact. Through this work, Clark will strengthen its approach to reducing its carbon footprint and advancing climate action on campus. This represents an important step in a long-term commitment to meaningful change.”
– JD Head, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management
- Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, Michigan) – Western Michigan University will partner with ERM Coho to develop a decarbonization roadmap focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from campus energy systems. This work will align with the university’s strategic goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and support ongoing campus planning efforts. The project will evaluate potential pathways for implementation, including considerations of cost, feasibility, risk and emissions impact.
“We are grateful to Second Nature for this opportunity to advance Western Michigan University’s sustainability goals. Partnering with ERM Coho will help us take an important step in developing a clear, actionable roadmap for decarbonization—particularly as we evaluate the future of our campus energy systems. This work aligns directly with our strategic plan and strengthens our ability to make informed, responsible decisions. Ultimately, it positions us to better serve our students and community as we work toward a more sustainable future.” – Chris Cheatham, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
About the Consulting Firms:
- Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) – is a trusted advisor to colleges and universities nationwide, partnering with institutions to translate ambitious climate commitments into actionable, financially viable strategies. With deep expertise at the intersection of campus planning, infrastructure, and energy systems, B&D helps higher education leaders evaluate decarbonization pathways, align capital investments with sustainability goals, and implement solutions that reduce emissions while strengthening institutional resilience. Through data-driven analysis and an integrated approach to planning and execution, B&D supports campuses in advancing practical, scalable climate action. Learn more about B&D’s energy and decarbonization expertise at https://www.bdconnect.com/expertise/energy/
- ERM Coho – a division of ERM, 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. ERM Coho specializes in renewable energy procurement, decarbonization planning, and sustainability strategy development.
- 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.
Through the Pro Bono Consulting initiative, Second Nature has supported numerous colleges and universities in advancing their climate goals by providing direct access to technical expertise and strategic guidance. The program reflects Second Nature’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and accelerating climate solutions across higher education.
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.
