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Institute on the Environment — University of Minnesota

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Institute on the Environment — University of Minnesota

The Institute on the Environment is leading the way toward a future in which people and planet prosper together.

We envision a future in which sustainable agriculture feeds the world; renewable energy powers healthy homes, efficient vehicles and flourishing businesses; every person has access to food, clean water and shelter; oceans, lakes and rivers are unimpaired; cities have vibrant economies, neighborhoods and cultures; and thriving ecosystems support thriving economies and societies. That's why the Univ

ersity of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment (IonE) is taking a new approach. IonE discovers solutions to Earth’s most pressing environmental problems by conducting transformative research, developing the next generation of global leaders and building world-changing partnerships.

09/03/2026

Seven scholars have been appointed as the Institute on the Environment’s first-ever research professors, establishing a new academic home at the University of Minnesota for interdisciplinary, outcomes-oriented work in sustainability.

Congratulations to Dana James, Melissa Kenney, Nathalie Lambrecht, Deepak Ray, Jennifer Schmitt, Kaihui Song and Nathaniel Springer!

Together, they represent expertise spanning global land use, food systems, industrial ecology, planetary health, energy, data science and more.

Meet IonE’s first research professors and learn more about their work: https://z.umn.edu/ione-first-ever-research-professors

08/31/2026

IonE is looking for an organized project manager, analytical thinker and relationship builder to join our team as a Grantmaking Program Manager.

This is an opportunity to build strong systems, improve the experience of applicants and funded teams and help shape the future of grantmaking at one of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities’s leading interdisciplinary institutes.

Apply by Sunday, September 20: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/375627.

Interested in learning more? Register for our informational webinar on Wednesday, September 9, at 4 p.m. CT: https://z.umn.edu/GrantmakingJob.

07/20/2026

Where do you turn to for environmental and sustainability stories – and what keeps you engaged? 🔍🌱

Your perspective will inform how IonE communicates. Take our anonymous survey to help us do that in ways that feel useful and accessible to you. The survey takes about 5-7 minutes to complete and will close on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Take the survey: https://z.umn.edu/IonE-Comms-Research-Survey

07/15/2026

The Institute on the Environment will be hosting the Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience for Undergraduates (SLAWR REU) research symposium on Thursday, August 6, from 12 to 2:30 p.m.

SLAWR REU is a 10-week community-centered and tribally focused summer research program that explores the interactions between physical, natural and social processes. The experience culminates in a poster session, which is open to the public.

Everyone is welcome, please RSVP: z.umn.edu/slawr_symposium.

07/08/2026

We are looking for a full-time, one-year temporary Research Project Manager, Level 2, to support a diverse portfolio of interdisciplinary sustainability research initiatives.

This is a temporary position supported through external funding, with the potential for continuation beyond the initial appointment period based on performance, funding availability and organizational needs.

To learn more, register for our informational webinar on Wednesday, July 15, at 12:30 p.m. CT: https://z.umn.edu/tempPMwebinar.

Visit the UMN employment website to apply by Sunday, July 26: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/374548.

07/06/2026

This spring, IonE awarded Mini Grants to 12 interdisciplinary, community-centered sustainability projects. While the projects vary in focus and involve researchers from across University of Minnesota Twin Cities departments and colleges, several shared themes emerged.

Many teams are partnering with Indigenous communities in ways that include co-creating agroecological knowledge and offering hands-on solar energy demonstrations at Tribal
pow wows.

Native plants are another focus across this year’s projects. Two teams are exploring sustainable foraging practices, while another is engaging Twin Cities residents through workshops that combine nettle and willow crafts with soil science, public history and environmental stewardship.

Students are also playing an active role in several projects, from studying bird-window collisions on University buildings to investigating water quality in local waterways.

Explore the spring Mini Grant-supported projects and meet their principal investigators below.

06/08/2026

Take a closer look at this year’s Impact Goals-funded projects!

These interdisciplinary projects bring together University of Minnesota researchers and community partners to advance sustainability outcomes across Minnesota.

“What makes these projects especially compelling is their commitment to pursuing cutting-edge research while forming new collaborative teams and having measurable impact,” says Jessica Hellmann, IonE executive director.

Explore the projects and partnerships shaping sustainability solutions: https://environment.umn.edu/news/2026-impact-goal-projects-advance-sustainability-across-minnesota/

06/02/2026

Through its Impact Goals grantmaking program, the Institute on the Environment is supporting 10 outcomes-driven projects across the University of Minnesota system, totaling $1.5 million in funding.

The projects address six of IonE’s sustainability focus areas, with stewardship of Minnesota’s water and land emerging as a central theme. Teams are assessing cyanobacterial threats in Lake Superior, creating decision support tools to assess water demand from hyperscale data centers, developing scientific support for local lake managers and more.

This year, IonE received 40 proposals, resulting in 10 funded projects spanning 18 University of Minnesota units, engaging 20 external partners and supporting 62 unique collaborators.

Congratulations to the awarded teams! Learn more about the projects and partners advancing sustainability solutions across Minnesota: https://environment.umn.edu/news/2026-impact-goal-projects-advance-sustainability-across-minnesota/.

05/29/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined this year’s IonE Community Celebration!

Staff, affiliates, partners and supporters came together to connect and reaffirm a shared commitment to sustainability. The evening highlighted the relationships and collective effort that continue to move this work forward.

05/01/2026

Speaking Science 2026 brought together more than 275 University of Minnesota Twin Cities science communicators – representing more than 100 different departments and corners of the University – for a day of learning, connection and shared practice.

SciComm skills, successes and stories were shared throughout the day, with a keynote by scientist-turned journalist Caitlin Looby and lightning talks from faculty speakers Silvia Balbo, Solomon David and Jim Kakalios, alongside eight varied breakout sessions.

Thank you to our co-organizers at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences and partners in the Bell Museum, College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Office of Academic Clinical Affairs.

Interested in joining our SciComm community? Sign up for the Speaking Science newsletter: https://umn.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=30096ed179f1b77b6ddc4afa2&id=d82758f148

Address

1954 Buford Avenue
Saint Paul, MN
55108

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16126269553

Website

http://environment.umn.edu/, http://www.facebook.com/UMNIonE, http://www.youtube.com/user/UMNIonE, http://www.linkedin.c

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