Gund Institute for Environment

Gund Institute for Environment is a research center at the University of Vermont focused on solving critical environmental problems. It brings together scholars from diverse fields to conduct interdisciplinary research on sustainability challenges. The institute aims to connect science with policy and management decisions at local and global scales. Its work spans themes from climate change and biodiversity loss to water quality and sustainable agriculture.

History and mission

The institute was formally launched in 2017, building upon the legacy of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics which was founded in 2002. A transformative gift from the Gund family, including Gordon Gund, provided the foundational support for its creation and expansion. Its core mission is to accelerate the development of solutions to the world's most pressing environmental issues. This mission is pursued through collaborative, use-inspired science that engages with partners in government, business, and non-governmental organizations like the World Wildlife Fund.

Research and initiatives

Research is organized around dynamic, cross-cutting initiatives that address complex systems. A major focus is on natural capital and ecosystem services, quantifying the benefits nature provides to people, such as pollination, water filtration, and climate regulation. The Vermont EPSCoR program, supported by the National Science Foundation, is a key partnership for studying Lake Champlain and regional watershed resilience. Other initiatives investigate sustainable food systems, global change biology, and the health connections between environmental and human well-being, often collaborating with institutions like the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The institute's scholars frequently publish in leading journals such as *Science* and *Nature*.

Organizational structure

The institute operates as an interdisciplinary hub within the University of Vermont, reporting through the UVM Office of the Vice President for Research. It is not a traditional academic department but a center that draws its fellows from across the university's colleges, including the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources and the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. This structure facilitates collaboration among faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students from disparate fields. The institute also hosts visiting scholars from other leading global institutions and maintains advisory boards that include leaders from science, philanthropy, and industry.

Notable people and leadership

The institute is directed by ecological economist and MacArthur Fellow Taylor Ricketts. Founding director and renowned systems ecologist Robert Costanza played a pivotal role in establishing its predecessor and intellectual direction. Notable faculty fellows have included conservation biologist Joe Roman, climate scientist Gillian Galford, and environmental policy expert Asim Zia. The institute's community also includes influential affiliated scholars such as Brendan Fisher and Stephen Polasky. Its leadership and fellows often contribute to major international assessments like the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

Impact and recognition

The institute's research has directly informed environmental policy and conservation practice. Its natural capital mapping tools have been used by governments, including the United States Department of Agriculture, and corporations to guide land-use and investment decisions. Work on pollinator health and tropical deforestation has influenced international conservation strategies. Fellows have received prestigious accolades, including the Volvo Environment Prize and being named American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows. The institute's annual events and public lectures, such as the Gund Conversation Series, engage broad audiences on critical sustainability topics.

Category:University of Vermont Category:Environmental research institutes Category:Research institutes in Vermont