Institute on the Environment

Complex environmental problems can’t be solved with business-as-usual thinking. To meet global-scale challenges such as protecting biodiversity and feeding a growing population, we need to develop a better understanding of Earth’s environmental and human systems and better strategies to protect them.

The Institute on the Environment (IonE) at the University of Minnesota is doing just that in four key areas – energy, food/land use, freshwater and population/development – by conducting research to discover solutions, preparing leaders to carry them out, and engaging partners in business, government and nonprofit organizations to multiply impacts.

We invite you to help us create secure, sustainable and economic solutions to Earth's most pressing challenges as best fits your interests and needs.

Gifts for leadership development will help:
• provide scholarships to students to envision and launch successful social businesses through our Acara Program
• equip students and postdoctoral fellows with skills they need to become environmental leaders through our Boreas Leadership Program
• provide undergraduates with opportunities to connect society and the environment through the Sustainability Studies Minor.

Gifts for partner engagement will help:
• provide environmental leaders a platform for gaining and sharing game-changing ideas and insights through our award-winning Momentum magazine
• produce our Momentum event series, bringing thought-provoking presentations from leading environmental visionaries to Minnesota
• give industries, governments and individuals opportunities to move together beyond marginal greening efforts to more meaningful, systemic change through our NorthStar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise.

Gifts for solution-driven research will help:
• improve understanding of land use changes and improve our ability to balance human needs with environmental stewardship through our Global Landscapes Initiative.

Please give now - and help move Minnesota and the world from global challenges to game-changing solutions.