The buzz at Carolina: Connecting bees, students and sustainability at Carolina - UNC Institute for the Environment
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you’ve never met a honey bee.”
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you’ve never met a honey bee.” - Nathan Halsey '27
Read our latest blog post to learn more about how Halsey is connecting Carolina's pollinators, students and sustainability.
ie.unc.edu/news/the-buz...
21.07.2025 15:51 — 👍 5 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Millions of gallons of sewage flowed into the Eno River. Is it harmful?
Experts weigh in on what risk the sewage overflows pose to the environment.
.@unc-ie.bsky.social Director @mpiehler.bsky.social weighs in on wastewater contamination during flooding events caused by Tropical Depression Chantal.
Read more ⬇️
www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...
17.07.2025 14:15 — 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Carolina’s water warrior, Hans W. Paerl retires after nearly 50-year career - UNC Institute for the Environment
After nearly 50 years at Carolina, Hans W. Paerl set aside his beakers of slimy, green algae water.
Congratulations to our good friend Hans W. Paerl on his retirement. After nearly 50 years at Carolina, Paerl set aside his beakers of slimy, green algae water and retired at the end of June. Read more about his remarkable life and career. 🔽
ie.unc.edu/news/carolin...
07.07.2025 15:04 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
NC Collaboratory funds critical environmental research - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Check out three projects on water quality, lithium mining and marsh restoration that are protecting the state and its residents.
“This research benefits the citizens of North Carolina because the marsh problem is not just localized to Currituck Sound. It is across North Carolina and the world." - Troy Walton, senior research associate at @unc-ie.bsky.social.
Read more ⬇️ www.unc.edu/posts/2025/0...
01.07.2025 13:04 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Compost, Croissants and Community: A Taste of Freiburg - Sustainable Carolina
Story by Nicky Coursey, our summer 2025 traveling intern.
"It’s a regenerative, continuous cycle made possible by community members who care deeply."
When she's not analyzing net zero pathways through her summer internship, Nicole Coursey has found herself spending time in Freiburg's community gardens.
sustainable.unc.edu/2025/06/comp...
24.06.2025 13:56 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State offering free drinking water testing in Buncombe County - UNC Institute for the Environment
Researchers are testing drinking water, mold and assessing water security in Buncombe County homes.
Researchers from UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State are testing drinking water, mold and assessing water security in Buncombe County homes following Hurricane Helene. Testing will take place June 27-28.
Full details ⬇️
ie.unc.edu/news/unc-cha...
24.06.2025 18:04 — 👍 4 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 0
Read our latest blog post by #UNC rising senior Hannah Weas about the 2025 Sustainable Triangle Field Site’s study, which makes policy recommendations to establish a connected network of valuable habitats.
Full post 🔽
environmentblog.web.unc.edu/2025/05/sust...
23.06.2025 15:17 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
A new study by researchers at @unc-ie.bsky.social examined two rapidly growing coastal regions and found that water quality patterns and processes varied between them—highlighting the importance of managing water quality in developing coastal areas.
Read more: go.unc.edu/Hm7e3
18.06.2025 13:49 — 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0
I also rode the city bus to elementary school (77C Shady Side for yinz old folks), but I think it is clear that that sweet 70s hair got me on Mr. Rogers.
11.06.2025 00:23 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
A champion for environment and sustainability, Piehler named Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor - UNC Institute for the Environment
Piehler is a renowned leader in coastal environmental science.
Since he was just a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, @unc-ie.bsky.social Director @mpiehler.bsky.social has enjoyed #sustainable transportation 🚲 He may have even achieved fame on a certain children's television show!
09.06.2025 12:45 — 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1
🌱 Our June e-news is out today! Read about the new solar field at the former Horace Williams Airport ☀️
Plus: Honors for @unc-ie.bsky.social's Director @mpiehler.bsky.social and Board of Visitors Members Frances Seymour & more.
Read it here: go.unc.edu/Xn4y5
02.06.2025 17:32 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
UNC Research is creativity and intellect.
For 26 years, the UNC Office for Undergraduate Research has hosted the Celebration of Undergraduate Research. For three years, UNC OUR has given hashtag#SustainableCarolina the opportunity to award outstanding research related to topics like energy, water, waste, air quality, biodiversity and more.
This year, Sustainable Carolina judged 27 posters for its Prize for Excellence in Sustainability Research. A group of first-year students took home first prize.
UNC Research is North Carolina.
UNC Research is creativity and intellect.
It's an honor to present the Prize for Excellence in Sustainability Research at the #UNC Office for Undergraduate Research's Celebration of Undergraduate Research.
Discover the impact: www.unc.edu/carolinas-re...
#UNCResearchisNC #UNC #SustainableCarolina
21.05.2025 20:23 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
A student in graduation robe stands in front of Carolina's Old Well.
Two students hold research tools in a river.
A student installs an audio recording device in nature.
Paul Hollis headshot.
UNC Research is future-ready leaders.
The @unc-ie.bsky.social helps provide students with the tools, experiences and opportunities to take the study and understanding of the environment to the next level.
Discover the impact: www.unc.edu/carolinas-re...
#UNCResearchisNC
#UNC
19.05.2025 13:24 — 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
UNC Research is excellence in sustainability.
Five years ago, sustainability at Carolina found a new home in the UNC Institute for the Environment. Sustainable Carolina advances and amplifies efficiency initiatives in campus operations, research and academics.
In 2025, Sustainable Carolina reintroduced its lab sustainability program, piloting it in four labs on the medical side of campus. Any lab can become certified by taking on sustainability measures in their space.
UNC Research is North Carolina.
UNC Research is excellence in sustainability.
Working under the @unc-ie.bsky.social, #SustainableCarolina provides guidance to capstone courses, the Sustainable Triangle Field Site and campus labs.
Discover the impact: www.unc.edu/carolinas-re...
#UNCResearchisNC #UNC #SustainableCarolina
19.05.2025 20:12 — 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
I am honored and humbled by this recognition. I am also exceptionally grateful to all of my amazing collaborators throughout the years.
15.05.2025 00:27 — 👍 13 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
UNC Sustainability Council
YouTube video by UNC Institute for the Environment
The Carolina Sustainability Council meets this morning. You can stream the spring meeting live or watch it later on the @unc-ie.bsky.social YouTube channel. @mpiehler.bsky.social www.youtube.com/live/YZmT4IA...
13.05.2025 12:51 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
📬 Our May e-news hit inboxes this morning! Read about Carolina hosting the Collegiate Drone Racing Championship, the 11th UNC Cleantech Summit, Carolina's research impact and more!
Dive into all these stories at: go.unc.edu/May25News.
05.05.2025 16:54 — 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
April Sustainability News
Classes are over and Earth Month is coming to an end. What a spring its been for sustainability on campus 🌸 @unc-ie.bsky.social @mpiehler.bsky.social
Check out April's #SustainableCarolina newsletter: mailchi.mp/unc/april-25
29.04.2025 19:48 — 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
New solar field provides opportunities for student enrichment - Sustainable Carolina
Energy modeling course students visited the former Horace Williams Airport to learn about the University's first ground-mounted solar field.
For the first time ever, Noah Kittner didn't have to take his class off campus to visit a solar field.
That's because #UNC is now home to its own 900-panel system ☀️ Learn how it's enriching students' studies. @uncfacilitiessvcs.bsky.social @unc-ie.bsky.social
sustainable.unc.edu/2025/04/new-...
22.04.2025 17:16 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Graphic with a background that looks like cardboard. The middle of the graphic reads, "Festival on the Green Roof + CDS Farm Stand." The top reads, "Monday, April 21 @ 3:30 - 6:30 pm, Chase Plaza."
Graphic with a cardboard background reads,"We're collecting reusable tote bags to donate to the Carolina Cupboard and Inter-Faith Council."
Happy #EarthWeek 🌎 We are kicking off our celebrations today with our Festival on the Green Roof. We are thrilled to partner with Carolina Dining Services this year to bring their farm stand to the event!
Full list of events here: sustainable.unc.edu/events/earth...
21.04.2025 16:14 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Discover how #UNC junior Grace Layman is fostering a vibrant ecology community through the SEEDS Program, promoting ecology, education, diversity and sustainability to other students. From research trips to building networks, she's helping students find their path!
Read it here 🔽
go.unc.edu/Sd5z3
14.04.2025 18:11 — 👍 5 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
Graphic that reads, "Happy Earth Month." There is a globe in the center of the graphic, popping up behind some green hills. There are trees to the left and right of the globe. A bag and a cup are also on the graphic and both have a recycling symbol on them.
Our monthly newsletter came out yesterday, just in time for you to make all the plans for your Earth Month celebrations.
Check out what's happening this month: mailchi.mp/unc/march-25
01.04.2025 19:48 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
UNC-Chapel Hill to host CDRA Drone Racing Championship Apr. 5-6 - UNC Institute for the Environment
For the first time ever, the Institute will host the Collegiate Drone Racing Assoc. Drone Racing Championship.
The Collegiate Drone Racing Championship will be in Chapel Hill this weekend! Finalists begin racing at 12:30 p.m. on Sun., Apr. 6.
Don't miss it, it's sure to be a drone-tastic time!
Full details 🔽
go.unc.edu/dronerace
01.04.2025 17:29 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
I am a biogeochemist studying blue carbon ecosystems. My research focuses on the coastal carbon cycle, including lateral exports, carbon stocks, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientist | Collaborative Leadership Consultant for STEM Leaders and Organizations at BridgUs Lab
PhD candidate in the Lohmann Lab @UNC | sensory biology, animal behavior & neurobiology | from the land of 10,000 lakes | she/her
Latina | Geographer | First Gen | PhD Student | Clean Air Advocate 😷🌪️🏔️🌈
University of Missouri • Lincoln University • Assistant Extension Professor • Peri urban Entomology • Chemical Ecology • Science Education • She/Her/Hers • Opinions are my own
Principal Scientist @Genentech | Former postdoc @theChaudhuriLab | Ph.D. @StearnsLab | B.S. @FletcherLab_UCB | Hometown: Stockton, CA | 3D culture | Cancer immunology
Wildlife, trees, terrestrial ecology, night, trees, corvids, coffee, cats. | Nocturnal (DSPD). AuDHD. They/them.
My nonhuman animal equivalent is the badger.
"Night is a world lit by itself."
—Antonio Porchi
Professor at the University of South Florida. Marine microbiology and virology, with a smattering of eukaryotes here and there because focus is for losers. Characterizing the global virome, one virus at a time. Owned by a very cute dog and cat. She/her
Maps, History, Geography/GIS, Tar Heels. Not always in that order.
Co-director at @outlandish.com, designing + building socially positive tech. Also UX at https://openux.design
PhD student studying coral ecophysiology and microbiomes | UNC E3P | Castillo & McCoy Labs | NSF GRFP | #forthecorals #WomeninSTEM | Carleton College alum | she/her 🏳️🌈
https://mayapowell.weebly.com
Stanford Oceans Department PhD Student studying coastal community driven marine management and marine migratory species 🦈🌊
I am a marine conservation biologist studying sharks and a science writer. Posts are about science and the environment, science communication, and more! He/him
Lover of fish and marine science, mother, partner, daughter, citizen of the world, professor and promoter of diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM
Biogeochemical Oceanographer ⚓️
UEA - UNC - VIMS
Algae enthusiast, Associate Professor @UniofExeter, joint appointment @thembauk #ERC-CoG, former #NERC IRF
Algal ecophysiology | signalling | microbiome | molecular microbiology | diatoms!
Hydrology cal/val for the NASA SWOT mission 🛰️ | remote sensing, water resources, glaciology | she/her 🚵♀️🏳️🌈🏔️
she/her | PhD Student in Biology at UNC Chapel Hill 🩵 | Coral symbiosis and resilience 🪸 | NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of South Florida alum 🤘🏻
Director, Water Innovation & Research Consortium @ Bath.
@wirc-bath.bsky.social
Leading work on Water & Circular Economy for Water Europe & the UK Water Partnership.
Dept. Chemical Engineering, @uniofbath.bsky.social
#water #circulareconomy #reuse #netzero
WIRC unites people from all disciplines across the campus under the umbrella of water innovation & research at the University of Bath.
@uniofbath.bsky.social