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Envisioning the Environmental University:What Role Can Each of Us Play?

Don DeHayes, DeanThe Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

The University of Vermont

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The Environmental University: Why Does it Matter?

Situation:• growing “global environmental debt”• alteration of ecosystem processes threatens quality

of life and economic vitality just as economic deficits• ecological, social, political, & economic implications

Need :• to educate a new generation of leaders, citizens, and

ecosystem thinkers who understand “interconnectedness”• have knowledge and skills to imagine solutions, design

alternative systems, develop ecologically based economies• build capacity for new ecologically based enterprises

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The Environmental University is about commitment to change through creative,

integrated solutions that advance society’s welfare.

“to find our way we need to better understand how the natural world works; and how environment, politics, and society interact to affect how the world works; and how humans can work more effectively with, and not against nature. We need to question many assumptions deeply ingrained in ourselves and our societies.”

Ecologist Dr. F.H. Bormann

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Why UVM?--Vermont - history, ecology, culture, economy, and working landscape

-- Strong Academic Programs - environmental interest and expertise across the campus; history and reputation for environmental excellence

-- Environmental Council - proactive, engaged, institutional conscience

-- Centers/Institutes - focal areas of strength in key arenas

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ELEMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL UNIVERSITY

1. Academic Programming-- environmental focus - major, research,

professional pursuit-- ecological literacy

2. Institutional Operations and Practices3. Environmental Outreach

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ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

• quality courses/programs/projects are important, but not sufficient - everyone has these

• teams of faculty and students/ecosystem approach/problem solving

•bridge biophysical and social sciences•able to think, converse, and analyze across

disciplines•hands-on, field-based, real world -- forests, lakes,

farms, town meeting, etc.• enrichments -- internships, problem-based and travel courses, research, service learning

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Academic Challenges

“Society has problems, our institutions have disciplines” and they don’t match upKellogg Commission

•Faculty are mostly discipline-focused, speak different languages• Curricula are more often fragmented than integrated• Tradition of reductionism in conducting research• University structures and incentives often celebrate disciplines, isolate faculty into specialty areas, and create academic silos

Must find a way to encourage and reward teaching and research that integrates across disciplines, e.g., ecology & economics, resource & business mgmt, nature and

culture, etc…

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Assessments of Future Needs Call for:

• “integrated approaches that emphasize ecological and social sustainability” NRC Report

• “ability to integrate biological, physical, and social sciences” USFS Workforce Analysis

• emphasis on “coupled human and natural systems”, “people and technology”, “interdisciplinary … research” NSF

•“Multi- and Interdisciplinary Understanding of Environmental Issues - EPA Assessment

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• “a Need to Build a New Science of Sustainability” - National Council of Science and the Environment

• a Greater Understanding of Ecosystem Processes, including Human Systems as Drivers of Natural Cycles, and Valuation of Ecosystem Services

• Issues Related to Environmental Degradation are Among Society’s Top Concerns for the Future - Yale National Survey on Environment-2004

“Good Science” is necessary, but not sufficient; scientific evidence needs to be put into a context of long-term societal welfare

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Opportunities for Leadership and Distinction

Environment and Business -- env. responsible and profitable business, triple bottom line

Ecological Economics -- valuation of ecosystem services

Ecological Design -- human-based systems that mimic natural systems -- energy, buildings, waste trtmt, etc.

Human and Ecosystem Health -- connections of human health, ecosystems, pollution -- medicine, health science

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ECOLOGICAL LITERACY

• appreciate importance of environmental issues to society and quality of life

• responsibility toward achieving a healthy and sustainable natural world

• informed citizens• liberal education -- engaging minds, critical

thinking about environmental matters

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ECOLOGICAL LITERACY

• general ed. requirement for all students focused on ecosystem thinking, respect for nature, interdependency of humankind and natural world

•Ecological Literacy certificate or minor - broad context involves all academic units

• perhaps our most important responsibility and contribution as an environmental university is to insure our graduates are ecologically literate

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INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS AND PRACTICES

UVM should serve as a model for environmentally responsible operations with minimal local impact

• Mgmt of campus, stormwater, and buildings• Reduction and innovation-use of water, energy,fuels• Safe and progressive waste disposal & recycling• Healthy working and living environment• land stewardship, working landscape, model forests• Progressive transportation and parking plan

Follow the lead of the Environmental CouncilSet goals, track progress, engage the community

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PRACTICE WHAT WE TEACH

Incorporate ecological design principles intobuilding design, renovation and construction

and follow LEED guidelines

• model for energy efficiency•minimize harmful substances

•“green certified” forest products (from our lands)•recycled steel, wood, and other materials

• innovations in heating, cooling, wastewater trtmt•cost effectiveness

Buildings become active “learning centers”, part of the curriculum, and models for what can be done

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Environmental Outreach

Deploy the universities intellectual and human resources to address real problems in the real world• problem courses - teams of students and faculty• student research, honors projects, service learning• certificate programs for community

Land ConservationEcological EconomicsEnvironmental Business Ventures

• annual “Summer Environmental Institute” and Lake Champlain Field Station connected to other institutions

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PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

Extend our impact and exposure to new ideas (other institutions, agencies, non-profits)

Examples

Environmental Law Center at Vermont Law SchoolVermont Monitoring Cooperative

ECHO at The Leahy Center on Lake Champlain

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UVM is poised to become the premier environmental university

-Capitalize on our strengths and the special Vermont sense of place-Everyone in our community can pitch in, everyone

in our community can benefit-Educate a new generation of thoughtful,

accountable citizens and leaders, and model how it can be done

-Ultimately, reduce the Global Environmental Debt and improve quality of life

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The UNIVERSITY of VERMONT The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources “c Envisioning the Environmental University: What Role Can Each of