In addition to offering a full spectrum of design services at RMF Engineering, their Master Planning and Decarbonization group is specialized to complete a full analysis of existing conditions to develop a roadmap for a zero-carbon future. Examples of work include energy load profile modeling, energy audits and conservation measures, equipment replacement and renewal, and conversion of steam systems to hot water. Many campuses begin with the master planning effort to better understand their campus’s needs before moving to design services.

See their brochure for recent case studies and reach out to Alex Sherf (who used to be a UMACS Leader!) to schedule a consultation at alexandra.sherf@rmf.com.

UMACS 2026 Community of Practice-Apply by December 19!

Community of Practice applications are still open! This year-long program is a great way to share best practices, resources and struggles with your peers in the region through facilitated discussions, joint activities, resource sharing, and relationship building,

Meetings are January-December 2026 on the 2nd Fridays of the month except February (we will meet 2/20) from 1:30-3:00 CST.

Cost:

Supporting Member: Free

Limited Member: $150 (Scholarships Available)

Propose topics for future Coffee Chats here.

December 17: Integrating Applied Learning Projects

Sarah Fortner (Director of Sustainability at Carleton College) and Alan Turnquist, (Director of Sustainability and Resilience at Michigan Technological University) will host this conversation about how to move from theory to action by integrating real-world sustainability projects directly into student learning. They will share case studies featuring campus as a living laboratory and engaging local climate resilience and invite others to do so too. Join us to discuss the strategies for identifying and overseeing meaningful projects, and the structural support needed to facilitate these projects to make student-driven sustainability a foundational element of campus culture and operations

Missed the November Coffee Chat on Campus Farm Programs and Student Learning? Check out this resource folder with campus resources for starting, funding, and managing campus farms, as well as student and community outreach and engagement strategies!

January 7 from 9-10 am CST: Saving Money through Energy Conservation: a Successful Case Study



Universities are being asked to balance budgets, plan for energy rate increases, and achieve sustainability goals. Why not do all three? Brad Spanbauer, MS, Sustainability Director from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will cover the University's Strategic Utility Management program born out of addressing structural deficit, while also integrating internal and external units to help the institution live out its values of sustainability through energy conservation measures. In the end, UW Oshkosh saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single fiscal year. Can they do it two years in a row? Join this session to find out!

2025-26 UMACS MEMBERSHIP-SIGN UP TODAY!

If your campus does not sign up for 2025-26 membership by December 3, anyone from your campus that is on the Member listserv will be removed.

• Limited Membership: Free! (takes 3 minutes to sign up)
• Supporting Membership: $600
• Campus Conference Sponsorship and Membership: $1200
• System Discount: 10% off for five or more campuses

"Wicked's" Green for Good Challenge in Collaboration with Re:Wild

Help our sponsor Re:Wild plant trees through Wicked's Green for Good Challenge! For each action you take towards sustainability, NBCUniversal will donate the cost of planting one tree to Re:Wild. Just make sure to post your action with the hashtag #GreenforGood, your city, and @Wickedmovie tagged on Instagram, X, or TikTok! This challenge is open until January 15, 2026, so act now!

Climate Wayfinding Facilitator Training-Apply by December 11

The All You Can Save Project is offering a highly subsidized retreat on August 2-7 to train you to facilitate their Climate Wayfinding program that helps people figure out what they can do to contribute to addressing climate change.

Order Native Seeds from Central Community College!

Order seeds ($1 packet plus $2 shipping, see list here) from Brayden Adrian and William Gordon. They make great stocking stuffers!  The native seeds were collected from their pollinator gardens to benefit the Students 4 Sustainability club.

2026 Conferences

• March 8-10, 2026: 2026 Second Nature Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit in Chicago, IL.
• March 30-April 1, 2026: Midwest Climate Collaborative Summit in Cleveland, OH
• June 12, 2026: Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit in Cincinnati, OH
• September 25 and 26, 2026: UMACS Conference!
• October 4-6, 2026: AASHE 2026 Conference & Expo in Baltimore, MD

The Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability (UMACS) is a network of staff, faculty and students from colleges and universities working together to promote sustainability throughout the Upper Midwest. We welcome everyone in higher education who wants to create a culture of sustainability on campus and in their community, working to meet the needs of all people without harming future generations' ability to meet their own needs.  Reach out to Megan Voorhees, Executive Director to share ideas about how we can best support your work.