GEOG-Led Project Featured in Sustainability Fund’s 15-Year Impact Celebration

A high-angle, scenic view of Hornbake Plaza at the University of Maryland on a sunny day. Students are scattered throughout the plaza, some sitting at black metal picnic tables under the shade of large, leafy green trees, and others walking along the paths. In the foreground, a small circular stone fountain sits nestled among mulch, wooden benches, and manicured green bushes.

The University of Maryland Office of Sustainability highlights the Campus Forest Carbon Project, an undergraduate-led initiative with strong ties to GEOG's Global Ecology Lab, as the 15 Years of the Sustainability Fund Celebration takes place at 3 p.m. in Prince George’s Room at Stamp on March 11.

In a recent article, SustainableUMD's Taylor Brinks and ENSP student Vivian Maneval reflect on 15 years of the Student Sustainability Fund and and the more than 200 projects it has helped launch across the University of Maryland campus. Created through a student-led initiative and funded by the Student Sustainability Fee, the program provides grants that allow students, faculty and staff to turn sustainability ideas into tangible projects that improve campus operations, research and learning.

Among the initiatives highlighted is the Campus Forest Carbon Project, an effort connected to the Department of Geographical Sciences that uses satellite imagery and modeling to measure and monitor carbon stored in UMD’s trees. By combining geospatial analysis with climate research, the project helps assess how campus forests contribute to broader carbon reduction goals.

The project also illustrates the role students play in advancing sustainability research at Maryland. Led by undergraduate researchers, the initiative provides hands-on experience with geospatial tools and environmental data while contributing to the university’s climate and sustainability efforts.

Read the article on SustainableUMD

Image: Students work outside in Hornbake Plaza, shaded by a canopy of trees. Courtesy of SustainableUMD
 

Published on Mon, 03/09/2026 - 12:19