Initiatives

The Institute on the Environment is collaborating with colleges and centers at the University of Minnesota to pursue several research, education and outreach initiatives.

Geospatial Research and Teaching Collaborative

The goal of this initiative is to strengthen the University’s leadership in geospatial research and education by coordinating activities system-wide and creating opportunities for collaboration. To dynamically engage community stakeholders, the collaborators are building Visual Interactive Planning tools to aid communities in planning, design and development. The Institute on the Environment and the Humphrey Institute are leading this initiative, with support from the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Design, and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences.

Initiative for Renewable Energy & the Environment

Launched in 2003, the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment is working to promote statewide economic development; sustainable, healthy and diverse ecosystems; and national energy security. IREE capitalizes on the substantial renewable resources of Minnesota, including biomass, wind and solar, as well as the unique strengths of the University of Minnesota to facilitate research, collaboration and policy development.

River Life: The Mississippi and U

As the largest educational institution on the Mississippi and the only one located in a national park unit, the University of Minnesota strives to represent excellent river stewardship. The River Life: the Mississippi and U initiative, in partnership with the College of Design and the Water Resources Center, strengthens the connections between the University, the Mississippi River, and the communities and organizations along the river.

Sustainable U

Partnering with University Services and the College of Design, the Institute on the Environment is coordinating efforts to implement the Board of Regents Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Policy. A steering committee is setting goals and evaluating options, and will recommend long-term strategies to maximize sustainability practices.

2008 Sustainability and U Report (pdf)
Regents Policy (pdf)