MISSION
The Environmental Institute (TEI) provides a central coordinating structure reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement to encourage and support collaborations across colleges and disciplines in environmental research and education. Our mission is to:
- To support high quality, high impact interdisciplinary environmental research
- To support engagement and the development of broader impacts of research activities
- To facilitate, develop, and support interdisciplinary environmental initiatives across colleges and departments on campus
- To provide an information portal for linking to and sharing environmental expertise
INTERDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES
TEI interdisciplinary activities include support of proposal and project development; sponsorship of lectures and seminars; organization of conferences and public forums; support of interdisciplinary working groups; and management of interdisciplinary environmental projects and programs. TEI also serves as an environmental information portal for the campus and as a gateway for local, state, and federal stakeholders to easily connect with University environmental expertise.
CENTERS & PROGRAMS
Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center
The Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) supports research, education, and outreach on water resources issues of state, regional, and national importance as one of 54 Water Centers nationwide belonging to the National Institutes for Water Resources. The Center serves as the liaison between federal, state, and local representatives and water /environmental expertise on campus and addresses water resource needs of the Commonwealth and New England through research, creative partnerships, and information transfer. The Center pioneered the use of volunteers to monitor water quality of lakes, rivers, and estuaries and has created nationally known programs such as the Acid Rain Monitoring Project and the Massachusetts Water Watch Partnership. The Center sponsors an annual research program and manages water resources projects ranging from acid rain monitoring to stormwater evaluation and management. The Center also organizes an annual conference which brings together stakeholders to showcase and discuss critical water resources issues, from research to practice.
Environmental Analysis Laboratory
In partnership with the Chemistry Department the Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL) provides a range of inorganic analyses of water (nutrients, inorganic anions, metals, phosphorus), as well as sediments, tissue samples, and microbes for environmental research and monitoring activities. Services are provided to on campus researchers and to public agencies and non-profit clients. EAL is a leader in providing analysis and quality control for volunteer water quality monitoring groups across the state.
Earth Sciences Information Office
The Earth Sciences Information Office (ESIO) distributes maps and other cartographic information, including aerial photographs and space images from federal, state, and local governmental agencies, and private sources. The Office also manages GIS site licenses for the University system, the Five College Consortium, and numerous state and community colleges across the state.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION PORTAL
The TEI website serves as an environmental information portal for the UMass Amherst campus. Database information that can be accessed online includes:
Faculty Expertise Database
Searched by keywords to locate faculty environmental expertise on campus.
Acid Rain Monitoring Database
Searchable MA WRRC database of detailed information on the sensitivity of Massachusetts lakes and streams to acid rain • Includes water chemistry data records beginning with the project inception in 1983 • Current samples collected semiannually • More than 43,000 records from nearly 5,600 lakes and streams .
Storm Water Database
Searchable MA WRRC featuring an extensive catalogue of innovative Best Management Practices (BMPs) for managing storm water pollution.
Tri-State Connecticut River Initiative
Data collected on temperature and bacteria at 26 sites • Weekly sampling • Web posting of results.