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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.

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

04/27/2026

Climate-Smart Municipalities (CSM) is celebrating 10 years of accelerating the transition to a climate-friendly energy future!

CSM is a unique, multi-partner, intergenerational collaboration between Minnesota and Germany. Through this initiative, over two dozen cities – and, most recently, counties – partner to pursue comprehensive sustainability and climate goals that generate measurable local benefits.

The program also supports students from the University of Minnesota and FH Münster University of Applied Sciences through an annual study abroad program, internships and more to help build the next generation of climate leaders.

This milestone was marked with 10 roses presented by Olmsted County Commissioner Dave Senjem to Jessica Hellmann, IonE executive director, and Sabine Engel, IonE program director of international partnerships.

The recognition took place during the annual dinner celebrating University of Minnesota students who served as delegates in the January study abroad program in Germany. The event also marked the arrival of 12 FH Münster engineering students, who will be supporting local sustainability projects for the next five months as full-time technical interns in communities across Minnesota.

Learn more: https://www.climatesmart-mn.org/

04/21/2026

Know a University of Minnesota Twin Cities student interested in sustainability and real-world experience? Encourage them to enroll in SUST 4096, an interactive, IonE-led course.

Students can apply to one of the identified sustainability internships, or bring their own. The course provides hands-on opportunities to promote sustainability, design your own internship experience and build meaningful connections. Ecolab Scholarships (~$16/hr) are available for eligible students in unpaid internships.

Learn more & register for fall at z.umn.edu/sust4096

Check out a few internships offered this fall:

• Climate Youth Lab Intern | UMN Extension: Engage youth in climate resilience education and action once a week at a local middle school.

• Repair Event Coordinator | Recycling Electronics for Climate Action: Expand free, community lead repair events promoting electronic device sustainability.

• Program Assistant | Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability: Support communications, help design new online programming and plan for summer retreats and the 2026 conference.

• Leaf Communications Coordinator | Greenstep Schools: Interview and gather content, develop communication materials and support their social media and newsletter.

• Legislative Policy Intern | Vote Solar: Schedule meetings with legislators, support a pre-session webinar, attend coalition strategy calls and write a blog for their website.

• Assistant Energy Researcher | Green Neighbor Challenge: Research program details for green energy, energy assistance, efficiency rebates and occasionally contact utilities.

04/02/2026

Last Friday, the Institute on the Environment hosted the 15th annual Sustainability Symposium – an event designed to celebrate and connect emerging sustainability leaders across the University of Minnesota system.

The multi-campus event provides students with a platform to practice communicating about the issues they care about, engage with diverse perspectives and explore real-world sustainability challenges. Designed not only for students but by students, the symposium is led by a student-driven planning team.

This year’s Sustainability Symposium was remarkable in so many ways, featuring a new presentation coaching model, a career-focused panel, cultivated networking opportunities and a community organizing workshop. Over 200 people joined from across the University of Minnesota system and beyond, including 32 individual presenters or teams, 20 volunteer judges from external partner organizations and the University, and 21 individuals or teams recognized with Student Impact awards.

The symposium reflected the talent of our student staff, the breadth of sustainability passion systemwide and the cross-campus collaboration behind the event. The Sustainability Symposium is an annual signature event organized by IonE and made possible through collaboration with sustainability offices and other University and external partners.

03/18/2026

Speaking Science returns Thursday, April 16, with keynote speaker Caitlin Looby.

Looby is a scientist-turned-journalist and the Great Lakes reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, where she covers environmental issues, climate change and history within the Great Lakes basin. She draws on more than a decade of scientific research, including fieldwork in tropical cloud forests, to make complex science accessible to readers.

Before joining the Journal Sentinel in 2022, she taught science communication and trained scientists to engage the public at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

In her keynote, Looby will share practical lessons from both journalism and science, highlighting where academia and media can collaborate. Looby will also lead a discussion-based afternoon breakout for graduate students preparing for careers in science communication or journalism.

Come listen to Looby and strengthen your skills: speakingscience.umn.edu/2026conference.

03/16/2026

Looking to turn a sustainability idea into action at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities? Apply for an Institute on the Environment Mini Grant.

The IonE Mini Grant request for proposals is now open, offering up to $3,000 to support interdisciplinary projects across the University. Proposals that foster new collaborations – across disciplines, ways of knowing and partners – are especially encouraged.

Applicants will be asked to identify a primary domain focus aligned with our strategic plan, with topics including environmental justice, clean energy, biodiversity, food systems, planetary health and more.

Apply by April 26: https://environment.umn.edu/fellows-grants/grants/

02/27/2026

Don’t miss your chance to connect with our current postdoctoral fellows and learn more about the IonE Postdoctoral Fellowship program at a virtual Q&A next week!

Trina Van Schyndel, a postdoctoral fellow in learning and development, shares that the program has allowed her to pursue projects aligned with her expertise and interests in a way that she has “never experienced in the 20+ years of her career.”

Join Trina and fellow postdocs Katherine Charton, Snigdha Nautiyal and Madisen Gittlin, next Wednesday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to hear about their experiences and get your questions answered: https://umn.zoom.us/meeting/register/WCbW-mvMRjeG6LLf1ry82Q #/registration.

02/25/2026

University of Minnesota Twin Cities science communicators, mark your calendars! Join us Thursday, April 16, for Speaking Science: a full-day opportunity for faculty, staff and graduate students to strengthen SciComm skills and build connections across the University.

This year we’ll welcome keynote speaker Caitlin Looby, Great Lakes reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and round out our day with faculty lightning talks; an array of new skills-based and topical breakout sessions; and an afternoon networking reception.

Tickets are available at $10 for University graduate students and postdocs, and $20 for faculty and staff.

Check out the full lineup of offerings including our keynote speaker bio, descriptions of our breakout session topics and a full agenda: speakingscience.umn.edu/2026conference.

— —

Speaking Science is organized by the Institute on the Environment and the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences with 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.

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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