UMN Education Resources
Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve
The University of Minnesota’s Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is an internationally renowned ecological research and education facility, featuring 5,400 acres of land that encompasses a diverse mosaic of prairie, savanna, wetlands, open water, and forests. Just 35 miles north of the Twin Cities, there is no place of comparable beauty and biological diversity so close to the metropolitan area. Since its establishment in 1942, the people of Cedar Creek have been dedicated to understanding our planet’s ecosystems and how they are changing under human pressures. Cedar Creek has been designated as one of the National Science Foundation’s Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites since 1982. Today, it supports the largest number of long-term ecological experiments in the world, including the world’s largest and longest-running experiment on biodiversity. More information can be found at www.cedarcreek.umn.edu.
The following resources are all within short walk of the Conference Center…
College of Biological Sciences
CBS is one of only a few colleges nationwide that focus exclusively on biological sciences. Our research and education programs, which span molecules to ecosystems, are aimed at improving human health and quality of life, and providing food and energy for the Earth’s growing population without depleting ecosystems. More information can be found at www.cbs.umn.edu.
Institute on the Environment
The Institute on the Environment (IonE) pursues research-based solutions to global grand challenges in five key areas: energy, food and land use, freshwater, population and development, and whole systems. Through fellows and grants programs, the brightest minds are brought together from across the University of Minnesota and beyond. Established experts team with emerging leaders in science, technology, business, education, policy and other areas to envision and create enduring positive change. More information can be found at www.environment.umn.edu.
STEM Education Center
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (or STEM) Education Center applies interdisciplinary research in learning and cognition, STEM integration, instructor development, and evaluation and assessment to STEM teaching from early childhood through graduate education. More information can be found at www.cehd.umn.edu/stem/.
The Raptor Center
Established in 1974 as part of the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center rehabilitates more than 700 sick and injured raptors each year, while helping to identify emerging environmental issues related to raptor health and populations. An internationally renowned education facility, The Raptor Center trains veterinary students and veterinarians from around the world to become future leaders in raptor medicine and conservation. In addition, The Raptor Center reaches more than 200,000 people annually through its unique public education programs and events. More information can be found at www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu.