Environmental Change Initiative (University of Notre Dame)

05/14/2026

05/01/2026

Last weekend, ND-ECI director Jennifer Tank and students from Notre Dame Science welcomed 26 5-8th graders to the Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF)!

From scooping aquatic insects to catching frogs, students got hands-on experience exploring freshwater ecosystems. They encountered turtles, worms, leeches, snails, and more, while practicing identification and gaining a better understanding of each organism’s role in the environment. They also discovered how aquatic insects can be used to assess water quality, an exciting way to connect biology to real-world environmental challenges.

Huge shoutout to Emma, Caroline, Gracie, and Allison for sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation of scientists!

St. Joseph County Parks (IN) | St. Patrick's County Park

04/30/2026

Spring has come early at ND-LEEF this year — and fire is the reason why 🔥

Last November, a thin line of fire moved steadily across the prairie at the Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF), marking the site’s first prescribed burn. For many watching, it was their first time witnessing controlled fire used as an ecological tool.

Setting fire to a landscape can feel counterintuitive. But step into a burned prairie in spring and the purpose becomes clearer. At ND-LEEF, the burn serves four goals: managing prairie health, advancing ecological research, educating students, and engaging the broader community.

Prescribed burns clear built-up plant material and suppress invasive and cool-season species, making space for native grasses and forbs like little bluestem and switchgrass that support biodiversity and store carbon through deep root systems. Below the surface, darkened soil and the ash left behind warms the ground more quickly, giving warm-season grasses a head start over competing species. As a result, spring arrives earlier in burned areas!

Since prairie restoration began in 2012, mowing has been the primary management tool at ND-LEEF, the University’s field ecology site embedded in St. Patrick's County Park. The facility has worked to balance research and education, with fire now playing a critical role in that mission. Prescribed burns offer a more ecologically aligned approach and provide new opportunities for research and teaching at ND-LEEF.

04/29/2026

A special shoutout to ND-ECI’s Brett Peters, who presented at last week's Coffee with the Eagles hosted by St. Joseph County Parks Foundation. Thank you to everyone who came out to learn more about the Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF). Even without an eagle sighting, it was a great opportunity to connect with the local community!

04/27/2026

ND-ECI is excited to welcome Dr. Carlos Calvo-Hernandez, a postdoctoral researcher, to our community!

Carlos specializes in socio-environmental systems, climate risk, and data analysis. Since joining ND-ECI in February, he has been conducting a Global Synthesis of the socioecological contexts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) under the mentorship of Richard (Drew) Marcantonio and Arun Agrawal. This project aims to build a comprehensive database to support research and policy decisions across the ASM sector.

We are thrilled to have Carlos join ND-ECI and look forward to the research and collaboration ahead.

04/24/2026

New research led by Santosh Kumar Gautam, associate professor of development and global health economics at the Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame, shows that improving access to safe drinking water in Mozambique can reduce childhood stunting by ~20%. Drawing on data from more than 3,500 children, the study highlights the powerful role environmental conditions can play in child health and development.

This research underscores why investing in clean water access is essential for supporting long-term health and equity in communities around the world.

Read more here: https://environmentalchange.nd.edu/news-events/news/clean-water-access-improves-child-health-in-mozambique-study-shows/

04/23/2026

Calling all girls in grades 5–8 who love science and the outdoors! 🌿🔬
Join us for GALS (Girls Ambitious about Learning Science), a full day of outdoor exploration packed with hands-on, high-energy activities led by inspiring women in science from our local community.

📅 Saturday, April 25
⏰ 9:30 AM – 3:15 PM
📍 St. Patrick’s County Park (Brown Barn)

Lunch and snacks are included, and best of all—it’s completely free!

Spots are limited, so be sure to register by Wednesday, April 22 by calling 574-654-3155.

04/23/2026

🌸 Stay connected with ND-ECI this season!

Explore our Spring Newsletter to catch up on research highlights, grant awards, and the impactful work of our community.

Read it here: https://t.e2ma.net/message/kcw2ej/w9hjkc6i

04/22/2026

ND-ECI works on solutions to some of today’s biggest environmental challenges through “Science Serving Society,” connecting research to real-world impact. From global research to campus efforts like our annual lake clean-up for World Water Day, every gift helps keep this work going.

Support ND-ECI via this : https://notredameday.nd.edu/organizations/environmental-change-initiative

04/17/2026

The Indiana Catholic Conference has issued a new pastoral letter on integral ecology, “Integral Ecology, A Sacramental Vision,” with key contributions from Rev. Terrence P. Ehrman, C.S.C. of the University of Notre Dame

Published in conjunction with Holy Thursday, the letter invites readers to reflect on a deeper, faith-informed understanding of our relationship with creation that is rooted in stewardship, community, and the sacramental life of the Church.

Drawing on his interdisciplinary background in theology and aquatic ecology, Father Ehrman helped shape a document that addresses pressing environmental challenges, from biodiversity loss to water and energy use, while encouraging what Pope Francis calls “ecological conversion.”

The letter also highlights the importance of seeing ourselves as both ecological and ecclesial citizens who are called to care for our shared home with responsibility and hope.

Read more: https://environmentalchange.nd.edu/news-events/news/indiana-bishops-issue-letter-on-integral-ecology-with-key-contributions-from-theologian-rev-terrence-ehrman-c-s-c/

04/16/2026

A new study from the University of Notre Dame and ECI-affiliate Gary Lamberti reports that shallow ponds in Alaska’s coastal wetlands are warming at nearly the same rate as air temperatures, projecting that these ponds could warm by 7–11°F by the end of the century.

Scientists estimate there is an 80–90% chance that water temperatures will exceed about 68°F during parts of the year creating conditions that can prevent salmon from growing in these habitats.

Since these wetlands serve as nursery areas for salmon and are used by other species, the changes could affect ecological interactions across the region.

Read more here: https://environmentalchange.nd.edu/news-events/news/alaskas-vital-coastal-wetlands-vulnerable-to-additional-stress-from-warming-climate-notre-dame-study-finds/