Initiatives

Our initiatives exemplify our commitment to the community through outreach activities both within and outside the University, as well as through conversations and actions toward fostering justice, accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion for all. 

We are committed to AccessibilityJusticeDiversityEquity, and Inclusion.  Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Statement is a general overview of our commitment and actions.  The department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee's webpage highlights the passion and commitment to these extremely important issues.

Statement Against Racism: The School of Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities stands firmly against the systemic racism that has long afflicted our society and still causes immeasurable daily harm to Black People, Indigenous Peoples, and People of Color. In this time of sorrow and anger at the events in Minneapolis and in so many other places, please read our collaboratively-written document that expresses the values of our community of Earth & environmental scientists: UMN ESCI Statement Against Racism.

Commitments To Indigenous Peoples And Their Lands: The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus occupies stolen Dakota lands that were acquired through legalized land theft and the government-mandated dispossession and exile of the Dakota people from the state of Minnesota. We will be developing a departmental Land and Water Acknowledgement, but we are first ensuring that this is preceded and substantiated by tangible commitments towards conducting work and research that is accountable to the Indigenous peoples of the lands where our activities take place. Please read our Interim Departmental Statement of Intent

Learn more about how this statement came to be by reading our Commitments To Indigenous Peoples And Their Lands news article

Outreach

student showing a mammoth tooth to a youngster

The Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences is involved in three basic activities: scientific research, education, and community service.  We are committed to sharing our research and excitement about the earth and environmental sciences to the larger community via a variety of Outreach activities.  Please read more on the Outreach website.

K-12 Education

Elementary Student

The department is an enthusiastic participant in an initiative to help Minnesota K-12 teachers gain knowledge about the Earth and environmental sciences. Starting in summer 2021, department members will collaborate with teachers to develop learning activities centered on Earth processes and systems, including climate, water, landscapes, rocks, and Earth history. The program involves workshops, field trips, and other events during the school year.

Student Symposium

SRS Group Image

The Earth & Environmental Sciences Student Research Symposium (UMNEarthSRS) is an event where graduate and undergraduate students can present their scientific research in a friendly, constructive setting. Started by a few graduate students in Spring 2015, this event continues to be planned and run by a committee of graduate students. The symposium is a great chance for students to receive feedback from researchers and faculty as well as from their peers, and to connect with a broad, environmentally-minded audience. ​

Community Partners

Galaxy Photo

A priority for outreach within our department is to work with community partners. Here are some of the organizations and groups we are currently work with or hope to work with soon (*).