Life on Land

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework to turn global ambitions into local action. Florida International University is ranked No. 32 in the world for positive impact on Life on Land according to the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Our faculty, students and staff are addressing the environmental and economic realities of climate change, protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems, and working on the frontlines of conservation to support Life on Land.

15 Life On Land

It doesn't fall to somebody else. It's not another person's duty. It's not another generation's responsibility. It's ours.
Dr. Paul Reillo, Director of the FIU Tropical Conservation Institute and Founding Director of the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation

As the State of Florida’s University of Distinction in Environmental Resilience, FIU is providing the science for a healthier and more sustainable planet including Life on Land. Explore our efforts In the World, For the Community and On Campus.

Life on Land

FIU is working across all targets set by the United Nations General Assembly in Sustainable Development Goal 15 to achieve a sustainable future for the world’s forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems.

FIU scientists in the field — 15.1 Conserve and restore
From the Arctic to the Tropics, FIU is providing scientific solutions to the devastating and complex challenges of natural disasters, climate change, wildlife trafficking, species extinction and other man-made impacts. Find out more on FIU’s efforts to conserve and restore Life on Land.

Liu and researchers in the forest — **15.2 Manage and protect forests**
Through conservation, community forest management, species research and new species discoveries, FIU is promoting the sustainable management of forests all across the world. Find out more on FIU's efforts to manage and protect forests.

DeVito in the field — 15.3 Restore land and soil
Located in Miami, where the land is subsiding and the seas are rising, FIU is not just researching land degradation. We are living it. Our scientists are focused on developing solutions for environmental resilience here and all across the planet. Find out more on FIU's efforts to restore land and soil.

Catenazzi researching in the mountains — 15.4 Conserve mountain ecosytems
From high atop the Andes to the mountainous regions of China, FIU researchers work in the toughest of terrains, discovering new species and protecting the plants and animals that give life to these biodiversity hotspots. Find out more on FIU's efforts to conserve mountain ecosystems.

Paul Reillo with Bongo — **15.5 Reducing degradation of natural habitats**
From in-the-field conservation to innovative captive breeding programs,, FIU scientists are leading global initiatives to save species, establish protected habitats and provide the science needed to reverse the degradation of natural habitats on every single continent. Find out more on FIU's efforts to reduce degradation of natural habitats.

Matt Shirley — 15.6 Promote access to genetic resources
FIU researchers are rapidly adding to global knowledge about the world’s plants, animals and ecosystems they occupy, including scientific understanding of species, identification of previously unknown species, disturbances and threats, conservation opportunities, and genetic innovations that could lead to a more sustainable future. Find out more on FIU's efforts to promote access to genetic resources.

Pangolin — 15.7 End poaching and trafficking
FIU leads international campaigns in the fight against illegal trafficking of wild orchids, sharks, turtles, tropical birds and even pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammal. The innovations in DNA science and technology being developed here can be used to protect species anywhere. Find out more on FIU's efforts to end poaching and trafficking.

Invasive species — 15.8 Prevent invasive species
From the Florida Everglades to the illegal wildlife trade in Asia, FIU scientists are providing the science to improve wildlife management strategies, trafficking interventions and other tactics to combat existing and prevent new introductions of invasive species to ecosystems. Find out more on FIU's efforts to prevent invasive species.

15.9 Integrate ecosystems and biodiversity values
FIU researchers are developing assessment frameworks for determining inclusion of biodiversity in Strategic Environmental Assessments, identifying new methods for cross-collaborations in research and providing the scientific data needed to evaluate ecosystem and biodiversity values. Find out more on FIU's efforts to integrate ecosystems and biodiversity values.

15.a-c Mobilize resources
Providing the science, tools and training needed for Life on Land, FIU researchers are developing low-cost solutions and expertise needed to conserve biodiversity, sustainably manage ecosystems and combat illegal wildlife trafficking of species of all kinds. Find out more on FIU's efforts to mobilize resources.

Degree Programs

Across biology, chemistry earth and environmental sciences, FIU provide hands-on instruction for students interested in careers supporting sustainable Life on Land. This includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability and the Environment. The university also offers degrees in Global Sustainable Tourism, environmental engineering, politics and international relations, public policy and administration, and other related fields. We equip our students with the knowledge and skills needed to find solutions for a sustainable and inspiring future.

Learn more about FIU's academic offerings

Global Learning for Global Citizenship

FIU’s Global Learning initiative provides a foundation for students to create innovative, equitable, and sustainable solutions for our interconnected human and natural communities.

Every FIU undergraduate is student is required to take at least two Global Learning courses as part of their degree program. FIU offers 268 courses to fulfill this requirement, all focused on global, sustainable and responsible citizenship.

Learn more about FIU Global Learning

Featured Events

FIU's Institute of Environment as well as academic departments host a variety of campus and community events to promote conservation and sustainability for Life on Land.

Regional Nile Virtual Conference
Feb. 6 - 7, 2025
This conference will discuss ideas and potential collaborative frameworks in the Nile River Basin. Abstract submissions deadline is Dec. 15, 2024.
Submit an abstract
Earth and Environment Graduate Seminar Series
Weekly
FIU MMC Campus, WC 130
Seminars are hosted several times a month, featuring experts discussing the issues facing our natural world and solutions for more sustainable communities.
Seminar schedule
FIU Environment Forum
Annual
This annual event is hosted every spring, focusing on the latest issues impacting policy and strategies to support environmental sustainability.
Recordings from past forums

News

Featured
FIU conservation scientists give trafficked, endangered parrots fighting chance
Two dozen rare Amazon parrot chicks left orphaned and homeless by a sophisticated wildlife smuggling operation are receiving round-the-clock care by FIU conservation zoologists. The birds were poached from their nests and smuggled while still eggs, though some had hatched by the time they were discovered in a Chinese national’s carry-on bag (a cleverly disguised incubator) by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents on March 23 at Miami International Airport.

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Life on Land

Life on Land

Degree Programs

Global Learning for Global Citizenship

Featured Events

Regional Nile Virtual Conference

Earth and Environment Graduate Seminar Series

FIU Environment Forum

News