University Of Maryland Center For Environmental Science STRATEGIC .

University of Maryland Center for Environmental ScienceST R AT E G I C I N I T I AT I V E S2019Environmental intelligence for resilient environments and communities

SCIENCE FOR SOLUTIONSVISION: UMCES RECOGNIZED AS A GLOBAL LEADER IN UNDERSTANDING ANDSOLVING MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES FACING MARYLAND AND THE WORLDThe University of Maryland Center for EnvironmentalScience (UMCES) strategic initiatives build on ourrich tradition of scientific innovation and discovery,supporting citizens and agencies of Maryland for nearly100 years. Our scientists conducted the cutting-edgeresearch that supported large-scale restoration effortsfor Chesapeake Bay with measurable improvements inits water quality, fisheries, and ecosystem health. We alsoexport our environmental expertise around the world andtrain the next generation of environmental leaders.Since our founding, UMCES’ highly collaborative,interdisciplinary scientists have tackled important societalchallenges. Their diversity of expertise, willingness towork in teams, and use of cutting-edge methods andapproaches provide a powerful scientific force forgenerating actionable science and tackling majorenvironmental issues. New environmental challenges areemerging, and UMCES scientists will continue to pioneerinnovations to address these challenges.UMCES remains dedicated to continuing ourcore research capabilities across the spectrum ofenvironmental sciences. We also look to invest in fourstrategic initiatives to create knowledge to a) maintainsustainable landscapes and seascapes, b) build coastalresilience, c) create healthy urban waterfronts, and d)accelerate the science of changing oceans and climate.Addressing these strategic initiatives demands wechange the way we conduct science and education.First, we envision forming strategic partnerships withacademic partners, agencies, NGOs, and privateindustries to achieve this vision. Second, we need todevelop a more diverse and inclusive workplace sothat our faculty, students, and staff better reflect society.Third, we aim to become a leader in environmentalsustainability by exporting our expertise, experience,and educational programs around the nation andacross the globe.CO R E R E SE A RCH A R E AS Biodiversity & invasive species Climate & energy Coastal & estuarine science Environmental chemistry & toxicology Fisheries & aquaculture Genes & microbes Ocean science Restoring & sustaining ecosystems T errestrial ecology & landmanagementUMCES scientists support large-scale restoration efforts forChesapeake Bay health. Water resources & watersheds

PRESSING RESEARCH CHALLENGESMaintain sustainable landscapes and seascapesUMCES has developed internationally recognizedexpertise in terrestrial and aquatic ecology, fish andwildlife management, agriculture, and environmentaleconomies. Building from our Chesapeake Bay focus,To help maintain and promote sustainable landscapes and seascapes,we aim to enhance our understanding of the structure, function, anddynamics of these ecosystems.we have studied landscapes and associated seascapeswith urban and rural communities around the worldas living laboratories. The challenges presented byclimate variability, land-use change, and emergingcontaminants are placing demands on these ecosystemsthat will require innovative science to inform adaptationand resilience strategies.To help maintain and promote sustainable and desirablelandscapes and seascapes, we will enhance ourunderstanding of the structure, function, and dynamicsof these ecosystems. We will also undertake researchto elucidate the ways to maintain biological diversity,improve climate resilience, and yield economic returns.In addition, we will employ new sensor systems,apply molecular assessments of biodiversity, and useinnovative analytics and modeling of increasingly largedata sets (“big data”) produced by these technologies.UMCES will actively engage and collaborate withdiverse stakeholders to apply our science to promotesustainable policies and communities.Build coastal resilienceCoastal resilience is the ability of communities andecosystems to adapt to changing conditions. Effectivemanagement of our coastal resources requiresimprovements in understanding vulnerability and risk.UMCES scientists have been improving our understandingof coastal resilience in terms of predictive ecology,fisheries, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. However,the increasing severity of storms and flooding due tochanging land use and climate change are testing theresilience of coastal communities and ecosystems.To help build coastal resilience, UMCES scientists willassess the relative merits of built (gray) infrastructureand natural (green) infrastructure. A holistic approachto understanding how marshes, wetlands, livingshorelines, aquatic grasses, and beach vegetationcan help stabilize coasts will be employed. We will alsodevelop scientific expertise and partnerships to spanand integrate natural sciences, engineering, urbanplanning, and social sciences needed for innovativesolutions. UMCES will also build on its record oftranslating scientific discoveries and innovationsinto effective management actions.Effective management our coastal resources requires improvements inunderstanding vulnerability and risk.

Create healthy urban waterfrontsUrban waterfronts, including harbors and ports, are adefining feature of coastal cities and serve as gatewaysUrban waterfronts like Baltimore’s Inner Harbor are particularly vulnerableto intensified coastal development and to storms and flooding.to the rest of the world. These urban waterfronts, likeBaltimore, Maryland, are particularly vulnerable tointensified coastal development and to storms andflooding, leading to increased risk to people andcoastal resources.UMCES will partner with academic, governmental,NGOs, and corporate partners to advance thescience underpinning the revitalization of urbanwaterfronts. UMCES will apply our expertise in greenports, ship innovations, aquatic sensor technology,environmental genetic analysis (e.g., eDNA), chemicalanalyses, toxicology, environmental scorecards, andenvironmental socioeconomics to promote the futurehuman and ecosystem health of urban waterfronts.UMCES WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1925 TO “CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVEPROGRAM TO DEVELOP AND APPLY PREDICTIVE ECOLOGY FOR MARYLAND TOTHE IMPROVEMENT AND PRESERVATION OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT,THROUGH A PROGRAM OF RESEARCH, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND EDUCATION.”Accelerate the science of changing oceans and climateThe global ocean is inextricably linked to climate.The oceans are an important driver of climate, andunderstanding atmospheric and oceanic processesis important for assessing vulnerability to climatechange. Already the impacts of sea level rise,ocean acidification, extreme weather events, anddeclining oxygen levels are evident. Nonetheless,we are increasingly relying on the ocean for energydevelopment, recreation, fisheries, and aquaculture,which will be vulnerable to climate change impacts.UMCES oceanographers and fisheries scientists areat the forefront of what is one of the most globallyintegrated and interdisciplinary scientific fields. UMCESwill increase engagement with diverse stakeholdersand partners to develop new and innovative researchprograms that focus on the many impacts of climatechange on our oceans. UMCES will use its capacity,networks, and innovation for a global effort to resolveand ultimately safeguard the impacts of a changingclimate on our global ocean.UMCES oceanographers and fisheries scientists are at the forefrontof what is one of the most globally integrated and interdisciplinaryscientific fields.

ST R AT E G I C D I R E C T I O N SUMCES transforms livesthrough educationUMCES will build on its outstanding educationalprograms of research-based graduate programs,internship programs for undergraduates, outreachprograms to K-12 students and teachers, and informallearning programs for the public. UMCES will expandprofessional training for our current students andworking environmental professionals. We will cultivatenew collaborations with University System of Marylandpartners. We will develop innovative programs toenhance diversity and inclusion, grow our studentbody, expand our educational reach, and offergreater service to the citizens of Maryland.UMCES engages policy makersand communitiesAchievements in restoring Chesapeake Bay haverelied upon an informed citizenry and science-baseddecisions that have become a global example. UMCESwill offer communication and media training for studentsand faculty, expand our informal learning networksand citizen science programs, and establish a fellowsprogram to export Maryland’s successes to other coastalsystems across the nation and globe. UMCES will createan Environmental Challenges Collaborative to helpidentify and address emerging environmental threatsfacing Maryland.UMCES cultivates inclusivity, equity, anddiversity in a supportive environmentUMCES promotes environmentalentrepreneurshipUMCES will be an exemplar of environmental scienceprofessionals reflecting the face of the communitiesserved by its work. Knowledge discovery acceleratesand the societal relevance of scientific researchimproves when supported by a diverse workforce.Building this culture requires new commitments. Wewill enhance diversity of interns, graduate students,faculty, and staff. We will cultivate inclusivity throughprofessional development and innovative mentoring.We will incentivize change via individual andinstitutional performance metrics.UMCES will foster entrepreneurship in faculty andstudents through programs that encourage themto develop scientific partnerships with emergingand established businesses and to start their owncompanies. We will facilitate the development ofnew technologies and support the transition of newinnovations into operations for solving environmentalproblems nationally and internationally. We will alsopromote innovative approaches to science that directlyimprove the Maryland economy.