The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center plays a key role in the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future’s Life on a Sustainable Planet initiative.
Its research provides society with the knowledge it needs to meet the critical environmental challenges of the 21st century, with a diverse array of scientists applying advanced technologies to understand global change and support conservation.
Endowments to support the director and a senior research scientist will provide flexibility to address the center’s evolving needs, and resources to recruit the world’s top environmental scientists and leaders in the continuing struggle against growing climate threats. Ongoing funding ensures that the center will continue to advance research throughout the Smithsonian’s global network of marine and forest sites— including comparative studies across latitudes—from Earth’s poles to the tropics, and along both coasts of the Americas. The center’s Rhode River base is and will continue to be a model and hub for partners and other Smithsonian museums and research centers pursuing environmental research.
With the help of forward-thinking partners, philanthropists and agents of change, the center will become a space to convene thought leaders and find answers to the world’s most pressing environmental questions. Funds will support brand-new infrastructure projects and initiatives, such as the Environmental Leadership Center: a state-of-the-art, iconic facility for hosting international meetings, seminars and conferences; the Smithsonian Institute for the Environment, a platform for sharing and discussing environmental research with dedicated personnel, virtual hosting technologies and more; and the Green Village, Platinum LEED-certified housing for visiting researchers, collaborators and presenters.