Our goal is to inspire the next generation and engage the greater South Florida community in the solutions-based work at FIU that is helping to create a more sustainable future. Through education and outreach programs, we are working with communities to promote sustainable use of water and to protect the Florida Everglades and the Biscayne Aquifer locally and precious water resources throughout the world.
UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security
Bringing together research and education, the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security in FIU's Institute of Environment is addressing regional, national and global water security issues through interdisciplinary research and partnerships for sustainability.
National Science Foundation LTER
As part of our work in the Florida Everglades, we are the host institution for the National Science Foundation’s Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program for the Florida Coastal Everglades. We work with local, state and national government agencies including the General Council of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, South Florida Water Management District, National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Global Council for Science and the Environment
FIU is a member of the Global Council for Science and the Environment, an organization that promotes the use of science and actionable knowledge to inform decision-making about complex environmental and sustainability challenges. The council engages scientists, educators, citizens, policymakers, business leaders, and officials at all levels of government.
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
FIU scientists are members of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, which was established by the United States Congress and includes city and county governments in South Florida along with several state and federal agencies. The Task Force facilitates the coordination of conservation, restoration, and scientific/research efforts being planned and implemented in the South Florida Ecosystem.
Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact
The compact unites counties in Southeast Florida to articulate a proactive plan for increasing resilience to climate change. FIU researchers work with counties to develop science-based plans around exposure data. At the city level, we work with experts from the City of Miami Beach to help establish socio-ecologically resilient systems in vulnerable regions globally.
South Florida and Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU)
The South Florida and Caribbean CESU (SFC CESU), which is hosted by FIU's Institute of Environment, was created by the federal government under the leadership of the Department of the Interior to provide assistance to managers in federal land management and environmental and research agencies. The partnership includes nine federal agencies, 21 academic institutions and NGOs.
Resilient305
The Resilient305 Collaborative is a joint academic-government research partnership among Florida International University, Miami-Dade College, University of Miami, and government and non-government organization (NGO) leaders of Greater Miami & the Beaches. Find out more about the research we are doing with the Resilient305 Collaborative.
Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay Task Force
FIU scientists were part of and contributed data to the county-directed task force to inform future policies and initiatives related to issues affecting residents and property owners. The task force issues a report in 2020 that identified problem areas for water quality, prioritized projects and provided recommendations for state and federal legislation, activities and appropriations.
Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves
FIU researchers from the Seagrass Ecosystems Research Lab work with the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves, a program under the direction of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This program develops plans for management and public access of Biscayne Bay as well as management of archaeological resources. FIU researchers assist with seagrass monitoring for the bay.
Florida Keys
FIU researchers manage a water quality monitoring project for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and another for canal remediation, both under the direction of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Our researchers also manage a water quality monitoring program for the Village of Islamorada.
International Water Programs
FIU’s international water programs in the Institute of Environment have delivered clean water, sanitation and hygiene solutions to places throughout the world including Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the Caucasus through initiatives supported by the United States Agency for International Development. All of these efforts require collaborative partnerships with local governments.
UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security
FIU’s Institute of Environment holds the UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security, which is charged with bringing together research and education to address regional, national and global water security issues. Among our many efforts on behalf of this program, we have convened a summit on cybersecurity for water security and maintain an ongoing program focused on the Nile River, both of which involve government agencies.
Partners
Our researchers and scientists have fostered collaborations with dozens of organizations across the world, from local government agencies to international nonprofits to private concerned citizens. Our work to protect the planet is an arduous task that requires as many helping hands as possible. We strive to include all who hope to contribute to our mission. Below you can browse our list of partners:
Featured Partners
The Institute collaborates with many organizations to ensure that we are all doing our part to protect our planet. The Institute actively partners with state and federal agencies to support the management of our most important ecosystems, including the Florida Keys and the Everglades.
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force
The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force brings together federal, state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as other organizations, in an effort to restore and protect America's Everglades. For years, FIU has provided research to the Task Force to support the importance of these collaborations.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Together with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, we are engaging the Keys community to support a vibrant economy, educational opportunities and the environment. This partnership allows FKNMS to strengthen research and outreach programs.
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
In partnership with RBNERR, we provide field-based instruction in environmental studies to students while promoting shared use of facilities, vessels, vehicles and resources. Our collaboration provides shared access to long-term water quality, fisheries and biological data for analysis and joint research.
Institute-Hosted Federal Partnerships
The Institute leads several membership groups, locally and nationally. These groups consist of other university partners and non-profits aimed at achieving a healthy and striving planet.
The Florida Climate Institute and FIU partnership allows for both organizations to work together to tackle regional climate challenges.
We are a member of the Florida Climate Institute, a multi-disciplinary network of national and international research and public organizations, scientists and individuals concerned with developing a better understanding of climate variability and change. Over 200 individual affiliates, including university researchers and representatives from government and industry, have joined FCI. We also work closely with the Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities (USF, FSU and FIU) and the neighboring South Florida universities (e.g., UM, FAU and Nova Southeastern University) as the first-of-its-kind collaborative organized research unit.
FCI fosters interdisciplinary research, education, and extension to:
- Improve our understanding and the impact of climate variability, climate change, and sea level rise on the economy, ecosystems, and human-built systems;
- Develop technologies and information for creating opportunities and policies that reduce economic and environmental risks; and
- Engage society in research, extension and education programs for enhancing adaptive capacity and responses to associated climatic risks.
Documents
- FCI and SE FL Regional Climate Compact Agreement
- Miami Dade County SE FL Climate Change Compact Update
- Broward County Commission - Adoption of FCI and SE FL Regional Climate Change Compact Partnership
- Broward Resolution to Adopt Partnership - Exhibit 1
- Palm Beach County, Board of County Commissioners Agenda - Adoption of FCI and SE FL Regional Climate Change Compact Partnership
The South Florida and Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (SFC CESU) hosted by the Institute of Environment at Florida International University is one of the 17 CESUs created by the federal government under the leadership of the Department of the Interior to provide assistance to managers in federal land management, environmental and research agencies. The SFC CESU, formed in 2000, is a partnership between nine federal agencies and 21 academic institutions and NGOs. The ecosystems covered by the SFC CESU include the terrestrial and coastal ecosystems of South Florida (Everglades, Florida Bay, Ten Thousand Islands Area, Biscayne Bay), the marine resources including the Florida Keys from the Dry Tortugas to West Palm Beach, and the marine and terrestrial resources of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The members of the SFC CESU have an international reputation for excellence in the study of the marine environment. This includes the 9 federal partners as well as the 21 non-federal partners.Memberships
The Institute is represented as a member with several different organizations:
Saving Biscayne Bay
In August 2020, Biscayne Bay went into respiratory distress. High water temperatures coupled with significant excess nutrient pollution nearly killed our bay. FIU research teams responded immediately, deploying special autonomous surface vessels and buoys to collect data. We worked with local officials to help re-oxygenate the bay. Our work continues as the bay continues to show signs of an ecosystem in trouble.
More than just science, our work is focused on collaborations with local communities and local, county, state and national government agencies to save Biscayne Bay. Learn more about our efforts for Biscayne Bay