Students, faculty, and staff partner on a range of experiential projects to connect global challenges to local solutions, strengthening both the curriculum and the stewardship of Grounds.

UVA’s approach to Grounds-engaged learning positions UVA as an active site of experiential education and research. Through structured partnerships between faculty, staff, and students, this program connects global sustainability challenges to local action. Examples include interdisciplinary coursework, student contributions to Office for Sustainability projects, and hands-on research on sites across Grounds.

“What makes this work so exciting is how it brings staff, students, and faculty together to take on sustainability challenges across Grounds. Through Grounds Engaged Learning – from hands-on projects like the student garden to bigger conversations about decarbonization – this shared experience builds real connections and sparks creative solutions.”

--Lela Garner, Student Outreach and Engagement Manager
 

Major Programs

Decarbonization Academy: The UVA Decarbonization Academy kicked off its fifth year in 2026 with students working alongside a team of faculty and staff mentors on a range of initiatives that directly support sustainability at UVA.

Nitrogen Working Group: Nitrogen Working Group (NWG) students track, analyze and explore strategies to reduce UVA’s nitrogen footprint, including nitrogen added carbon footprint calculations for Morven Sustainability Lab.

Morven in Summer: Morven in Summer is an intensive, project-based experience hosted on Morven’s 3,000 acres, a landscape for multidisciplinary learning. Summer 2025 courses included Politics of Food, Sound and Sustainability, and Sustainable Ventures in Working Landscapes.

Courses

Sustainability Leadership: Sustainability Leadership from the Grounds Up, taught by the Office for Sustainability gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills by translating ideas into action through engaged learning on UVA’s Grounds. Standout projects have included an off-Grounds food donation drive, a native plant curriculum for community youth, and an edible food map of Grounds.

Designing a Carbon Neutral Future Seminar: Sustainability Manager Ethan Heil’s students recently worked with UVA and community partners to develop decarbonization plans. One class partnered with the Darden School of Business as well as local organizations, such as Tiger Fuel/ Tiger Solar and Habitat for Humanity. Student work from a prior seminar helped the City of Charlottesville’s Parks & Recreation department transition gas-powered equipment to electric options. Read more: UVA students’ class project sparks change in Charlottesville.

Recent Course Collaborations

Writing About Food Justice: OFS continued partnering with Dr. Kate Stephenson’s “Writing about Food Justice” first-year class during the 24-25 academic year. Each class contributed to the creation of a “Food Justice Story Walk” in the Student Garden, highlighting inspiring stories of food access changemakers.

Talking Trash: Since 2022, Professor Lean Sweeney’s class, “Talking Trash,” students have helped conduct waste audits in spaces including UVA Library, revealing opportunities for future waste reduction projects.

Engineering Foundations: OFS collaborated with the year-long “Engineering Foundations” class to address ongoing sustainability challenges on Grounds during the 23-24 academic year. Students produced innovative solutions to improve the student garden, reduce contamination in outdoor recycling bins, and incentivize sustainable transportation options.