Elevating the Carbon Farming Initiative: Agroforestry in Action
This project increases the diversity and resilience of the Carbon Farming Initiative plot by introducing moisture-appropriate tree species, such as persimmons and mulberry, to wetter site areas. The team is building out interactive data collection through an ArcGIS StoryMap to track tree cultivation and food production.
Team Members
Orchard Hill Habitat Restoration
A student-led habitat restoration project in a high-priority area dominated by non-native species. By removing invasive plants and seeding native meadow mixes, the team aims to create a more resilient ecosystem that allows UMass Grounds to reduce mowing frequency and fossil fuel emissions.
Team Members
Biogas-based Bioenergy with Carbon Capture Storage for Indoor Farming
This solution tests a simple water dissolution system to extract CO2 from biogas produced at the on-campus anaerobic digester. The captured CO2 will supplement ambient levels in greenhouses to potentially increase plant yields while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Team Members
The Long-Term Impact of Information Intervention on Sustainable Food Choices
A solutions-focused randomized controlled trial evaluating how different messaging—such as environmental sustainability and animal welfare—impacts meat consumption. By tracking actual purchases over the year, the project identifies which narratives drive a transition to plant-based diets.
Team Members
Assessing UMass Amherst’s Transportation Baseline
This team is running surveys and focus groups to collect data on student transportation emissions that are currently not measured by the university's standard accounting. The findings will inform future investments in low-carbon transportation shifts.
Team Members
