Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for social time with light refreshments before the program!
Free, in-person or on Zoom, with no registration required. Zoom details will be posted below by the day of the program.
Join BCAS for our first Masters of the Environment (MENV) Capstone Showcase on October 27. Hear from University of Colorado Boulder graduate students as they share the results of year-long projects with real-world partners.
The MENV program is a professional master's degree that prepares students for impactful careers in environment and sustainability. Its capstone projects put that training to work. Each team includes 2-4 students, a mentor from the partner organization, and a faculty advisor. Students serve as graduate-level consultants rather than traditional interns.
At this event, four student teams will present summaries of their projects, completed in partnership with communities, governments, nonprofits, and industry.
Storytelling and Increased Accessibility in Marine Conservation - with Ocean First Institute
Ocean First Institute (OFI) is a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation through research, education, and community engagement. This capstone project combines high-impact shark policy research with science communication to make shark conservation more accessible, build public awareness and support, and strengthen the connection between science and policy. By examining existing shark and ray policy landscapes, the team’s research scientifically identified regulatory strengths, gaps, and areas where future conservation efforts may have the greatest impact.
Highway 36 Wildlife Crossings and Bikeway Safety for All - with Boulder County Parks and Open Space
This team of student researchers is conducting frequent roadkill surveys on foot, and have deployed remote cameras along the Highway 36 corridor. Their data will help Boulder County staff identify problem areas, especially smaller-animal collisions that are often underreported, to increase understanding of animal movements.
The Business Case for Conservation - with The Conservation Alliance
This capstone project examines the economic and business case for conservation, exploring how protected lands and natural resources can generate lasting value for communities and businesses. Through economic research, case studies, and interviews with business and conservation leaders, the student researchers assess how conservation supports local economies while creating value through risk management, market differentiation, talent attraction, and access to capital. Their goal is to translate these findings into practical, evidence-based tools that help policymakers and private-sector leaders better understand conservation as an investment in long-term economic resilience.
Pollinators & Waterwise Landscapes: Exploring the Link Between Habitat and Conservation in Colorado - with Resource Central
Colorado faces two linked crises — water scarcity and declining pollinator populations. Resource Central's ‘Garden In A Box’ program tackles both by replacing traditional turfgrass with climate-adapted, pollinator-friendly gardens, saving millions of gallons of water statewide. This project examines the relationship between pollinator presence and water conservation, as well as the multitude of socio-ecological benefits xeriscaping provides to the community.
In-Person Gathering - BCAS welcomes everyone to attend our in-person programs at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for socializing with light refreshments, and the program begins at 7:15. We will provide free masks for anyone who needs one. Please stay home and watch on Zoom if you feel unwell.
An FM hearing assistive system is available in the Earth room where BCAS programs are held. The receivers and headsets can be found in a basket on the table as you enter the double doors to the Earth room. There are four receivers of this type. They are fed sound directly from the sound system and the user can control the volume. See this website for more information on how to use these systems.