Institute on the Environment — University of Minnesota

Take a closer look at this year’s Impact Goals-funded projects!
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These interdisciplinary projects bring together University of Minnesota researchers and community partners to advance sustainability outcomes across Minnesota.
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“What makes these projects especially compelling is their commitment to pursuing cutting-edge research while forming new collaborative teams and having measurable impact,” says Jessica Hellmann, IonE executive director.
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Explore the projects and partnerships shaping sustainability solutions: https://environment.umn.edu/news/2026-impact-goal-projects-advance-sustainability-across-minnesota/

Through its Impact Goals grantmaking program, the Institute on the Environment is supporting 10 outcomes-driven projects across the University of Minnesota system, totaling $1.5 million in funding.
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The projects address six of IonE’s sustainability focus areas, with stewardship of Minnesota’s water and land emerging as a central theme. Teams are assessing cyanobacterial threats in Lake Superior, creating decision support tools to assess water demand from hyperscale data centers, developing scientific support for local lake managers and more.
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This year, IonE received 40 proposals, resulting in 10 funded projects spanning 18 University of Minnesota units, engaging 20 external partners and supporting 62 unique collaborators.
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Congratulations to the awarded teams! Learn more about the projects and partners advancing sustainability solutions across Minnesota: https://environment.umn.edu/news/2026-impact-goal-projects-advance-sustainability-across-minnesota/.

Thank you to everyone ​ who joined this year’s IonE Community Celebration!
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Staff, affiliates, partners and supporters came together to connect and reaffirm a shared commitment to sustainability. The evening highlighted the relationships and collective effort that continue to move this work forward.

Speaking Science 2026 brought together more than 275 University of Minnesota Twin Cities science communicators – representing more than 100 different departments and corners of the University – for a day of learning, connection and shared practice.
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SciComm skills, successes and stories were shared throughout the day, with a keynote by scientist-turned journalist Caitlin Looby and lightning talks from faculty speakers Silvia Balbo, Solomon David and Jim Kakalios, alongside eight varied breakout sessions.
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Thank you to our co-organizers at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences and partners in the Bell Museum, College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Office of Academic Clinical Affairs.
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Interested in joining our SciComm community? Sign up for the Speaking Science newsletter: https://umn.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=30096ed179f1b77b6ddc4afa2&id=d82758f148

Climate-Smart Municipalities (CSM) is celebrating 10 years of accelerating the transition to a climate-friendly energy future!
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CSM is a unique, multi-partner, intergenerational collaboration between Minnesota and Germany. Through this initiative, over two dozen cities – and, most recently, counties – partner to pursue comprehensive sustainability and climate goals that generate measurable local benefits.
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The program also supports students from the University of Minnesota and FH Münster University of Applied Sciences through an annual study abroad program, internships and more to help build the next generation of climate leaders.
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This milestone was marked with 10 roses presented by Olmsted County Commissioner Dave Senjem to Jessica Hellmann, IonE executive director, and Sabine Engel, IonE program director of international partnerships.
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The recognition took place during the annual dinner celebrating University of Minnesota students who served as delegates in the January study abroad program in Germany. The event also marked the arrival of 12 FH Münster engineering students, who will be supporting local sustainability projects for the next five months as full-time technical interns in communities across Minnesota.
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Learn more: https://www.climatesmart-mn.org/

Know a University of Minnesota Twin Cities student interested in sustainability and real-world experience? Encourage them to enroll in SUST 4096, an interactive, IonE-led course.
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Students can apply to one of the identified sustainability internships, or bring their own. The course provides hands-on opportunities to promote sustainability, design your own internship experience and build meaningful connections. Ecolab Scholarships (~$16/hr) are available for eligible students in unpaid internships.
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Learn more & register for fall at z.umn.edu/sust4096
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Check out a few internships offered this fall:
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• Climate Youth Lab Intern | UMN Extension: Engage youth in climate resilience education and action once a week at a local middle school.
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• Repair Event Coordinator | Recycling Electronics for Climate Action: Expand free, community lead repair events promoting electronic device sustainability.
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• Program Assistant | Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability: Support communications, help design new online programming and plan for summer retreats and the 2026 conference.
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• Leaf Communications Coordinator | Greenstep Schools: Interview and gather content, develop communication materials and support their social media and newsletter.
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• Legislative Policy Intern | Vote Solar: Schedule meetings with legislators, support a pre-session webinar, attend coalition strategy calls and write a blog for their website.
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• Assistant Energy Researcher | Green Neighbor Challenge: Research program details for green energy, energy assistance, efficiency rebates and occasionally contact utilities.

Last Friday, the Institute on the Environment hosted the 15th annual Sustainability Symposium – an event designed to celebrate and connect emerging sustainability leaders across the University of Minnesota system.
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The multi-campus event provides students with a platform to practice communicating about the issues they care about, engage with diverse perspectives and explore real-world sustainability challenges. Designed not only for students but by students, the symposium is led by a student-driven planning team.
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This year’s Sustainability Symposium was remarkable in so many ways, featuring a new presentation coaching model, a career-focused panel, cultivated networking opportunities and a community organizing workshop. Over 200 people joined from across the University of Minnesota system and beyond, including 32 individual presenters or teams, 20 volunteer judges from external partner organizations and the University, and 21 individuals or teams recognized with Student Impact awards.
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The symposium reflected the talent of our student staff, the breadth of sustainability passion systemwide and the cross-campus collaboration behind the event. The Sustainability Symposium is an annual signature event organized by IonE and made possible through collaboration with sustainability offices and other University and external partners.