Centers and Institutes

Agricultural Experiment Station -Administers and distributes federal experiment station funds and monitors research-related activities in applied management, plant and animal systems, and the environment.

Archaeological Services -UMASS conducts a broad range of archaeological surveys and cultural resource management studies for federal and state agencies, municipalities, and industry. 

Biostatistics Consulting Center -Operates within the Biostatistics and Epidemiology Program in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and has access to a broad range of expertise in modern statistical practice to address all areas of research.

Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy -Provides technological and economic solutions to environmental problems resulting from energy production, industrial, manufacturing, and commercial activities, and land use practices.

Center for Fueling the Future -Carries out research that addresses several fundamental aspects of proton transport, the molecular level process that underlies the functioning of a central component of fuel cells.

Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing -Conducts to leading research in nanotechnology and to foster the development of new advances from laboratory innovation to manufacturable components and devices.

Center for Public Policy and Administration -Conducts research and analysis in a broad range of policy areas including environmental policy.

Center for Rural Massachusetts -Strives to employ the most advanced tools and techniques to local planning, rural and small town development.

Center for UMass-Industry Research on Polymers -A National Science Foundation established Industry / University Cooperative Research Center (NSF-I/UCRC) since 1980 that develops collaborations between university researchers and industrial and government partners in polymer science and engineering.

Climate System Research Center -Focuses on climate system, climate variability and global change issues, including the causes and consequences climate variations.

Earth Sciences Information Office -ESIO operates as the Massachusetts branch of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Sciences Information Center, and provides maps and other cartographic information, including aerial photographs and space images available from federal, state, and local governmental agencies, and private sources.

Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere -Seeks to revolutionize the way we observe, understand, and predict hazardous weather by creating distributed collaborative adaptive sensing networks taht sample the atmosphere where and when end user needs are greatest.

Environmental Biotechnology Center (Geobacter Project) -Geobacter species are of interest because of their novel electron transfer capabilities, impact on the natural environment and their application to the bioremediation of contaminated environments as well as their ability to harvest electricity from waste organic matter and renewable biomass.

Institute for Cellular Engineering -Exploits the synergistic interface between engineering and the life sciences to enable novel graduate training in areas of cellular form, function, and processing.

MassNanoTech -Coordinates research on nanoscale materials, devices and systems, collaborates with industry, advances nanotechnology commercialization, educates students, and fosters outreach activities.

Massachusetts Center for Renewable Energy and Science Technology (MassCREST) -Brings together complementary expertise in molcular design and synthesis, physical characterizations, device fabrication, and theoretical modeling from at least five different departments within UMass Amherst.

Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center -The Center supports research, education, and outreach on water resources issues of state, regional, and national importance as one of 54 centers nationwide belonging to the National Institutes for Water Resources.

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center -Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, coordinates research in interdisciplinary and fundamental polymer research.

Northeast Center for Urban and Community Forestry -Responds to Urban and Community Forestry needs, facilitates and supports new and existing research, and coordinates the exchange of information among the states in the region in order to contribute to healthy and sustainable communities.

Northeast Regional Environmental Public Health Center -Provides education and training, conducts research, and focuses on the analysis, assessment, and remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater and the biological effects of low levels of exposure.

Office of the Massachusetts State Geologist -Conducts research on the land, mineral, and water resources of the state; coordinates and facilitates research and communication among agencies, researchers, and stakeholders; collects, analyzes, and preserves data pertaining to the geological environment; and disseminates maps, databases, reports and other publications. 

Political Economy Research Institute -Conducts research and policy advising related to the environment through its globalization, peacekeeping and the environment program.

Science, Technology and Society Initiative -Promotes multidisciplinary collaboration among the natural, physical and social sciences, engineering and public policy.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Educational Institute -Considers how it might be possible for Western Massachusetts teachers to take science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, courses at the University.

Transportation Center -Conducts interdisciplinary research to find innovative, applied, and long term solutions to transportation problems.

UMass Extension Natural Resources Conservation -Provides educational programs and materials statewide to help inform citizens and promote the preservation of natural resources and systems.

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Regional Partners

Conte Andradomous Fish Research Center -Established in 1990, the Center's research encompasses both basic and applied research related to biological, engineering and management concerns regarding anadromous fish populations and their associated ecosystems.

Northeast Regional Fish and Wildlife Service -The University has a cooperative research and education partnership with the Service located near campus, which works to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats.

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Massachusetts Agencies and Organizations

STATE AGENCIES

MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs -Works to establish sound environmental policies to protect the environment In Massachusetts, champions special environmental initiatives, and oversees a number of environmental offices.

MA Department of Environmental Protection -Works to protect human health and the environment by ensuring clean air and water, safe management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

MA Department of Conservation and Recreation -Oversees the state's parks and recreation systems.

MA Department of Agricultural Resources -Works to keep agriculture economically and environmental sound.

MA Department of Fish and Game -Works to protect and enhance the state's marine fishery resources and wildlife.

PRIVATE NATURAL RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS

Trustees of Reservations preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts.

Mass Audubon maintains wildlife sanctuaries around the state, protects conservation land, conducts education programs, and advocates for environmental policy.

Land Trust Alliance is an association of state land trusts and conservation organizations.

Environmental League of Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization focusing on state environmental policy, advocacy, and public education.

Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions is a private nonprofit providing education and support for conservation commissions as well as advocating for environmental policy.


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Federal Agencies

Department of Agriculture works to support production of agriculture to ensure a safe, affordable, nutritious, and accessible food supply; manages agricultural, forest, and range lands; supports rural development; provides economic opportunities for farm and rural residents; expands global markets for agricultural and forest products and services; and works to reduce hunger. Includes the U.S. Forest Service.

Department of Energy is responsible for developing secure and reliable energy systems that are environmentally and economically sustainable, providing stewardship of the nation's nuclear weapons, managing facility clean up, and supporting related science and technology.

Department of the Interior is the nation's principal conservation agency with responsibility for the management, preservation, and operation of the nation's public lands and natural resources. The Department includes the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Park Service.

Environmental Protection Agency works to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment, including air, water, and land.

EPA New England is the regional U.S. EPA office for the six New England states - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Fish & Wildlife Service works to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats; major responsibilities include migratory birds, endangered species, some marine mammals, and freshwater and anadromous fish.

Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration works to describe and predict changes in the earth's environment, and to conserve and wisely manage the Nation's coastal and marine resources.

National Park Service works to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system.

U.S. Geological Survey provides reliable scientific information to describe and understand the earth; works to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters; and manages water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.

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Other Sites of Interest

Environmental Defense Fund links science, economics, and law to create innovative, equitable, and cost-effective solutions to the most serious environmental problems.

Environmental Literacy Council offers links to environmental resources on the web, particularly focusing on environmental education.

National Council for Science and the Environment works to improve the scientific basis for environmental decision making by promoting interdisciplinary research, scientific assessment, and communication of science-based information to decision makers and the general public.

Natural Resources Defense Council works to protect the environment and human health through advocacy, litigation, research, and education.

Nature Conservancy preserves habitats and species by buying the lands and waters needed for survival.

Resources for the Future conducts independent research, primarily in economics and other social sciences, on environmental and natural resource issues.

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center has links to environmental sites hosted by the Smithsonian Institution museums and organizations that address biodiversity, global climate change, and understanding ecosystems.

United Nations Environment Programme works to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, addressing a wide range of issues, from atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems, the promotion of environmental science and information, to an early warning and emergency response capacity to deal with environmental disasters and emergencies.

World Resources Institute assists governments and private organizations in addressing environmental, resource, and development challenges of global significance.

World Wildlife Fund works to reverse degradation of the environment by promoting biodiversity and sustainability while minimizing pollution and consumption.

WorldWatch Institute works to promote an environmentally sustainable society, carrying out inter-disciplinary non-partisan research on emerging global environmental issues, and widely disseminating the results throughout the world.

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