A cornerstone of the University of San Francisco’s Master of Science in Environmental Management (MSEM) program is connecting classroom learning with real-world environmental practice. Through field trips to leading Bay Area agencies, students engage directly with the organizations shaping regional environmental policy and management. These visits offer more than scientific insight—they expose students to the complex, multi-partner nature of environmental projects, the decision-making roles of different organizations, and the practical challenges of managing large-scale initiatives. By interacting with professionals in the field, students gain a deeper understanding of how environmental science translates into environmental management, while exploring a range of potential career paths in public agencies, regulatory bodies, and allied organizations.
Over the past month, two of our classes visited local agencies at the forefront of climate resilience and water management—giving students an inside look at the challenges, innovations, and career pathways in the field.
In September, students in the Water and Wastewater Treatment course toured the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) wastewater treatment plant in Oakland (a tour so popular, tickets sell out within minutes). Founded in 1923, the facility treats an average of 50 million gallons of wastewater per day from homes and businesses across the East Bay before it can flow safely into San Francisco Bay. Students witnessed firsthand each step of the process: from preliminary screening and grit removal, to primary and secondary treatment, to the digesters that generate and capture methane to power the facility, making EBMUD the first treatment plant in North America to become a net energy producer. The class learned about the plant’s strategies for handling storm surges, controlling odor, and collaborating with other businesses — from restaurants, supermarkets, dairy farms and the vineyards of Napa valley — to generate more methane and more energy. After the tour, students discussed the logistics of interdepartmental collaboration and communication, the specifics of waste management, and the breadth of careers involved in the process with two of the plant engineers. The complexity of the work that happens at the plant to serve the people and protect the ecosystems of the SF Bay Area perfectly demonstrates the wide array of potential career opportunities for environmental management students.
Students in the Urban Resilience in Climate Change class visited the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). Founded by three women in 1961, BCDC became the nation’s first coastal planning and regulatory agency. While it was initially formed to stop the San Francisco Bay from being filled indiscriminately, harming the Bay’s delicate ecosystem, the agency now faces a much greater threat.
Despite its deceptively small footprint, the SF bay represents a staggering one third of California’s massive coastline. Of the total statewide economic damage projected to result from rising sea levels, two-thirds will occur in the Bay. In the face of this threat, BCDC stands on the frontlines of climate resilience. During their visit, students learned about the Bay Plan, which now includes climate adaptation, habitat protection, public access initiatives and social equity policies, as well as the Bay Adapt initiative that brings scientists and community members together to plan for the future. GIS certificate pursuers were able to see their learning in action as well: using GIS, BCDC has created RSAP Atlas, a free planning tool to see the effects of sea level rise on coastal cities. This tool was designed for local planners who may not be technically skilled and ensures consistency with Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP) guidelines.
As the group toured San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront, they saw the vulnerabilities of aging seawalls, crumbling fill and transit infrastructure exposed to both flooding and seismic risk. They also studied examples of adaptation in action, like the newly elevated ferry terminal, floating fire department and pilot ecological projects testing concrete textures that promote marine life growth. Throughout the visit, BCDC staff emphasized how planning, policy, engineering, and public engagement all come together in shaping strategies for a more resilient Bay.
By engaging with local agencies like EBMUD and BCDC, students deepen their technical knowledge and are able to see tangible examples of environmental management playing out in the real world, bringing theory into practice. These experiences open doors to future careers, demonstrate how interdisciplinary skills are applied, and inspire students to imagine their own roles in shaping sustainable solutions for the Bay Area and beyond.
