URI Master of Environmental Science and Management

05/06/2026

Congratulations to Yvonne Wingard, CELS Communication Fellow, for winning Best Virtual Presentation at the Fourth Annual International Graduate Student Showcase!

As our world becomes more urban, digital, and fast-paced, we risk losing not only our connection to the Earth but also the language and understanding that tie us to it. Yvonne’s research explores how this decline in ecological literacy - our awareness of our deep interconnection with natural systems - shapes how we care for nature and may inspire more environmentally responsible behavior.

This work was completed as part of Yvonne’s culminating experience in the Master of Environmental Science and Management program.

05/04/2026

Meet Roni Murray, one of our 2026 URI Energy Fellows 💡

A Master’s student in Environmental Science and Management, Roni is gaining hands-on experience with the City of Providence Office of Sustainability while working toward a future in municipal government.

From advancing sustainability initiatives to leading community hikes, she’s making an impact both professionally and locally.
We’re excited to see where her journey leads next.



City of Providence College of the Environment and Life Sciences

05/04/2026

Now is your chance to sign up for the longest continuously running BioBlitz in the region! Identify all the species you can (and learn to recognize some that you can't) at URI's East Farm and Kingston bird banding station while spending time with a lot of great folks.

04/22/2026

04/15/2026

As our world becomes more urban, digital, and fast-paced, something important is slipping away: our connection to the Earth.

Research by CELS Communications Fellow Yvonne Wingard explores how this growing disconnect isn’t just about losing natural spaces—it’s also about losing the language, meaning, and understanding that tie us to the land. At the heart of this issue is ecological literacy, or our ability to recognize how deeply interconnected we are with the natural systems that sustain life.

Why does this matter? Because how we understand nature shapes how we care for it.

Completed as part of their master’s in Environmental Science and Management, Yvonne’s research examines how scientists define and measure our “connection to nature,” and how strengthening that connection may inspire more environmentally responsible behavior.

Rebuilding our relationship with the Earth might start with something simple: learning to see ourselves as part of it again.

Congratulations to Yvonne on an outstanding presentation today at URI’s 15th Annual Graduate Student Conference!

04/15/2026

Lincoln Dark '21, M.E.S.M '22 uses geographic information systems technology to manage critical water infrastructure for Rhode Island communities.

03/12/2026

Department Department of Environmental Management Division Environmental Services Salary $24.00 - $24.00 Job Profile JC-09340084-99 - Seasonal Boat Greeter Program Coordinator (Non-Union Executive Branch Agency Employees) Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours 2026 Department of Environmental Manageme...

03/11/2026

📢 Calling all municipalities, non-profits, and organizations looking to enhance community green spaces - know of an area that could benefit from free design support (think parks and trails) 🌲?

DEM’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is joining forces with the University of Rhode Island’s Regenerative Community Design Lab to help communities create conceptual green space plans that conserve, enhance, connect, and protect natural resources 🌱.

📅 Apply now! Applications for Summer 2026 projects are being accepted through March 20th at 4:00 PM.

🔗 Details and application information: dem.ri.gov/urbanforestry

03/10/2026

Congratulations to Lincoln Dark on being recognized by the URI Foundation as one of 10 under 10 for embodying the true spirit and values of URI. If you know Lincoln, you know he is exuberantly enthusiastic, generous, and an all around fantastic human being.

Meet Lincoln Dark ’21, M.E.S.M ’22 - 10 Under 10 recipient from the College of the Environment and Life Sciences!

Lincoln Dark ’21, M.E.S.M ’22 is a geographic information system specialist for the great city of Providence, Rhode Island. He is a two-time graduate of URI, earning a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and conservation biology in 2021 and his master’s in environmental science and management in 2022. While in school, he enjoyed working as a bird ba**er at the Kingston Wildlife Research Station, where he assisted with tagging migratory birds as part of a decades-long university research program.

Since graduating, he has taken the skills and values he gained from URI into the community, serving two AmeriCorps service terms and dedicating time to volunteering for the Rhode Island Osprey Nest Monitoring Program with The Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Looking forward to the next 10 years, Lincoln is excited to continue proudly serving the Providence community.

Favorite URI memory? Four best friends moving into Eddy Hall sophomore year—finally everyone got a single room!

02/17/2026

Join us for an upcoming MESM Alumni Panel on Friday, February 20 at 9:00 AM. Hear from six MESM graduates representing a range of track specializations who are now working across diverse professional fields.

The event will begin with brief introductions from each panelist, followed by breakout sessions that provide an opportunity for more focused conversation and questions. The panel will be held via Zoom, and all are welcome to attend. (Zoom link: https://uri -edu.zoom.us/j/98886901440)