Building Bridges in Buffalo Country

Entrance of University of Colorado Boulder

A crisp April breeze swept across Colorado’s Front Range, the peaks rising sharp against a bright spring sky. In Boulder, conversations on climate, justice, and storytelling carried both a sense of urgency and a belief in what is possible for our environmental movement. Over several days of engagement, the Rachel Carson Council strengthened its presence at a Colorado leading environmental institution, University of Colorado Boulder, deepening partnerships with students, faculty, and community leaders working to build a more just and sustainable future.

On Friday, April 10, 2026, Director of Policy and Strategic Development Joy Reeves and Director of Campus and Civic Engagement Diego Tovar arrived in Denver and traveled to the University of Colorado Boulder. Long recognized as a national leader in environmental research and climate science, CU Boulder has built a reputation for advancing interdisciplinary solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. From cutting-edge climate modeling to community-centered environmental justice initiatives, the university continues to position itself at the forefront of environmental leadership.

From Left to Right: Reeves, Franks, Dr. Carrico, Tovar

While on campus, Reeves and Tovar met with current National Environmental Leadership Fellow Symone Franks and Dr. Amanda Carrico, Chair of the Department of Environmental Studies. Their conversation focused on expanding collaboration between CU Boulder and the Rachel Carson Council, with an emphasis on elevating grassroots advocacy, strengthening community partnerships, and creating new opportunities for students to grow as environmental leaders.

The visit continued with a guest lecture introducing students to the work of the Rachel Carson Council. Reeves and Tovar shared RCC’s documentary Wood Pellet Wasteland: Inside the Fight to Stop Big Biomass and engaged in a broader discussion on the power of storytelling as a tool for environmental advocacy. During this time, they also connected with Dr. David Ciplet, Associate Chair of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and Dr. Phaedra C. Pezzullo, founding Director of the Sustainability and Storytelling Lab and Director of the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Justice. These conversations highlighted CU Boulder’s growing investment in the intersection of narrative, justice, and environmental action.

By the end of the visit, the Rachel Carson Council proudly welcomed CU Boulder as its 95th Campus Network partner, marking an important step in expanding RCC’s national footprint of student-led environmental leadership.