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. Core participating Colleges include Natural Resources and the Environment, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Engineering, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Public Health Sciences.
Our Charge
- To support high quality, high impact interdisciplinary environmental research
- To offer venues for developing new collaborations in research and education
- To develop new interdisciplinary initiatives to expand environmental research and education
- To provide an information portal for linking to and sharing environmental expertise
INITIATIVES
TEI develops connections through a number of interdisciplinary initiatives: facilitation of faculty working groups focused on core environmental themes, sponsorship of lectures and seminars, organization of conferences and public forums, and management of 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.
Environmental Working Groups
TEI organizes and facilitates Environmental Working Groups to bring together faculty from diverse disciplines and perspectives to collaborate on emerging research and educational initiatives. Working groups change over time as new research needs and ideas emerge.
TEI Environmental Lecture Series
The TEI Environmental Lecture Series brings the campus together around a central environmental theme each semester. Each Series features four lectures by leading natural scientists, social scientists, engineers, and policy makers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. The speakers participate in a series of discussions with faculty and student groups, culminating in a public lecture open to all. Featured environmental issues have included:
- Global Environmental Challenges
- Building Green Communities
- Emerging Technologies and the Environment
- Water Sustainability
- Food Systems and the Environment
- Energy for the Future
- Disasters, Environment, and Public Policy
- Global Environment and Health
- Climate Change: Impacts, and Solutions
- Science, Policy, and Engineering of Hazardous Waste
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. WRRC 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 storm water evaluation and management. WRRC organizes an annual conference which brings together stake-holders 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 the environmental information portal for the UMass Amherst campus. Information that can be accessed online includes:
Environmental Research
Links to research activities across campus • On-line feature stories highlighting faculty research written by UMass student authors (Updated throughout the year and archived within the TEI website).
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.