Environmental Policy Clinic

Environmental Policy Clinic collaborative, project-based learning

The Environmental Policy Clinic is an interactive, 20 week class from January-June annually. Small student teams conduct policy analyses or environmental management related projects for client partners. A student team, usually 4-5 students, will spend two quarters working on a client project, providing substantive deliverables in June, including reports or policy briefs. Projects may be on a wide range of topics and disciplines. The student teams are overseen by an instructor and report to a client supervisor at the partnering organization.

The EPM program has developed the Policy Clinic as an integral part of the curriculum, giving students experience working on a project team project to address a current policy issue or natural resources management need. This helps prepare our students to develop the essential skills to solve multifaceted, multidisciplinary environmental issues before they enter the workforce. The Policy Clinic is also an opportunity for external partners to build a working relationship with the EPM program.

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Application Process

Organizations interested in partnering with us for the Clinic will need to submit a project proposal form by the priority deadline 9/15/2025. 

Projects ideally would:
  • Have clear applications to applied policy or management issues
  • Be 4-5 months in duration (20 weeks in total)
  • Be a multi-disciplinary project addressing an emerging issue
  • Be clearly defined and prioritized by the client
  • Have a high-level client coordinator
You will need the following information for your proposal:
  • Organization name
  • Client contact information
  • Short project description
  • Anticipated activities (e.g. policy and economic research, creation of surveys, data analysis)
  • Anticipated deliverable(s)
  • Goals associated with your proposed project (equity and inclusion, sustainability, governance)

Timeline

July- September 15, 2025The program solicits project proposals.
October 2025
  • The program reviews proposals for fit and feasibility.
  • EPM students will be sent a description of project proposals and a survey to rank their preferred projects.
  • After the program collates the survey results, informational interviews will be scheduled.
  • Once informational interviews are complete, Program Staff will assign final project placements.
October 9-15, 2025
  • Program staff will finalize details in collaboration with the client.
  • Students will be notified of their group assignment.
November 19, 2025Student teams will meet with client to develop a Scope of Work and identify a regular meeting schedule for January-March. 
January 5, 2026Projects begin.
March 23-27, 2026
  • Spring break begins
  • Clients receive a mid-point survey and will meet with the Instructor. 
March 30, 2026Spring quarter instruction begins
June 3, 2026Symposium
July 12, 2026Final deliverables due to client and program

 

Featured projects

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Photo by Hermansyah on Unsplash

What can blue carbon ecosystems do for California's most vulnerable communities?

This team of students partnered with the CA Ocean Science Trust to research existing data on blue carbon ecosystems and frontline communities in California, along with conducting informational interviews to provide research and policy recommendations.

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Photo by Caden Drysdale Courtesy of Unsplash. Photo of the San Joaquin River

Missing Salmon in the San Joaquin River Prompts Student Research

This team of students worked in coordination with NOAA fisheries to analyze the impacts of salmon extirpation on communities in the San Joaquin River Basin.

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Photo by Wil Stewart on Unsplash

Examining Regulatory Code to Support Climate Smart Communities in Tahoe

This team of students examined regulatory code changes with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, a bi-state regional environmental planning agency, to increase climate resiliency in the Tahoe Basin.

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