Institute for the Environment and Sustainability

11/12/2025

Earlier this week the 10th Annual GEO-GLG-IES Alumni Career Panel and Roundtable was hosted at Shideler Hall. The Institute for the Environment & Sustainability at Miami University was thrilled to invite three excellent and engaged alumni back to campus! Huge thanks to Madalyn Warnimont, Bamidele Osamika, and Todd Foster for joining us to share their career paths and advice with our undergraduate and graduate students. *Project management* and *problem-solving* skills were highlighted by all three as they reflected on their time with IES!

Thanks to our colleagues in Miami University Geology and Environmental Earth Science and Miami University Geography Department for co-hosting this event each year, and kudos to the Center for Career Exploration and Success for event planning and marketing support.

Are you an IES alum interested in participating in a future Alumni Career Panel and Roundtable? Let us know - we'd love to hear from you! [email protected]

09/11/2025

Tonight! Join us virtually at 5:30 PM for the 18th Annual Gene and Carol Willeke Frontiers in Environmental Sciences Distinguished Lecture at Miami University featuring Dr. Becky Schewe with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Register to receive the virtual link here: https://events.miamioh.edu/event/willeke-lecture-budget-reconciliation-the-farm-bill-and-the-future-of-agricultural-conservation

08/21/2025

As summer comes to an end, we are eager to welcome the new cohort of MEn students and the class of 2029 IES undergraduate Environmental Science, Sustainability, and Energy Co-Majors to Miami University. Your support in any amount can help fund scholarships for conferences, field trips, and unpaid internships. Please consider giving in honor of Dr. Jonathan Levy - who has led IES for the last 10 years. Jonathan’s legacy and commitment to academic excellence provide a strong foundation for future generations of IESers. Please consider giving to Miami’s annual day of giving IES Scholarship fund.

Help in the development and training of environmental professionals. Any amount would help us build the scholarship fund. Your gift of $50 can help cover the cost of travel to visit environmental professionals in the field. $100 can help cover the cost of registration for conferences. $500 or more c...

12/13/2024

Congratulations to our December M.En. graduates! Alex Gamrat, Brennen Testa, Gillian Hart, and Andreanna Zaverl (pictured left to right with Dr. Jonathan Levy, center) are all ready to launch their careers in the new year. We are proud of each of you and your accomplishments during our program. Wishing you all the best, and keep in touch!

10/29/2024

Students in IES, the Western Program, and the Student Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition helped grow over 700 pumpkins at our farm this fall. Today we donated 130 gourds to our local pantry, Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services. Happy Halloween 🎃 Happy Fall! 🍂

09/24/2024

Congratulations to M.En. Student Trevor Russell, 2024-2025 recipient of the Dr. Gene Willeke Institute for the Environment and Sustainability Scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative! The $3,000 scholarship will help Trevor continue his studies in the Master of Environmental Science program as he strengthens his skills in environmental problem solving and team project management. Upon graduation, Trevor plans to put these skills to use in his hometown near Indianapolis as communities there build resilience and prepare for a changing future. IES is grateful to Butler Rural Electric for their continued support, as its history and current operations exemplify environmental problem solving. Congratulations, Trevor!

09/13/2024

The 17th Annual Gene and Carol Willeke Frontiers in Environmental Sciences Distinguished Lecture Series was held Wednesday evening, September 11, featuring environmental lawyer Mr. Rob Bilott. Rob shared his journey with an environmental suit that defined his career as he exposed extreme chemical pollution, drinking water contamination, and corporate coverup. Rob exemplifies interdisciplinary problem solving and inspires our students to consider the sacrifices and perseverance necessary to make a difference in this world.

Many thanks to our co-sponsors from Miami University: Office of Sustainability, Western Program, Global Health Research Innovation Center, Center for Pre-Law Education, Focus Program, and Departments of Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Political Science, and Miami University Geology and Environmental Earth Science

05/06/2024

Our current cohort of M.En. students were well-represented at the 11th Annual Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit hosted in downtown Cincinnati by Green Umbrella last Thursday, May 2nd. Nine out of our 11 M.En. students presented posters on their Professional Service Projects, featuring renewable energy assessments for the City of Fairfield, Ohio and a wildflower reintroduction plan for Miami University Natural Areas!

10/20/2023

Check out this article by Sophie Kwiatkowski - our Master of Environmental Science (M.En.) program was featured in the Miami Student yesterday!

Take a look into the lives of students enrolled in Miami's unique and historic five-year combined Masters of Environmental Science program.

09/06/2023

Join us for the 16th annual Gene and Carol Willeke Frontiers in Environmental Sciences Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted by the Institute for the Environment and Sustainability at Miami University. -- Thursday, September 7, 5:30-6:30pm in Shideler Hall Room 152, with reception to follow. -- Dr. Jonathan Foley, Executive Director of Project Drawdown, will speak on "A Hopeful, Science-Based Roadmap to Stop Climate Change and Build a Better World" -- This year the Willeke Lecture is part of Miami's FOCUS theme on Environmental Justice in partnership with 2023-2024 John W. Altman Program in the Humanities. This event is free and open to the public.

Jonathan Foley, Executive Director of Project Drawdown will speak on "A Hopeful, Science-Based Roadmap to Stop Climate Change and Build a Better World"

08/29/2023

There are both institutional and personal approaches to combating climate change. This might be one of the most important personal choices.

Cattle are a surprisingly large producer of greenhouse gases

07/15/2022

So happy to have Jared Nally joining our M.En. program in the fall. Check out the work he's been doing as an undergrad:
https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2022-07-15/native-american-twine-weaving-is-a-dying-art-this-kansas-artist-taps-surrogate-ancestors-to-revive-it

Jared is a recipient of the Myaamia Center our Aanchtaakia Fellowship. Looking forward to his work here in IES and with the Myaamia Center.

A Haskell Indian Nations University student journalist gained national recognition during the pandemic advocating for free speech. Now he’s turning his attention to bringing back traditional textile weaving.