UNC Institute for the Environment

CMAS Center hosts third Asia-Pacific air quality modeling conference in Seoul, South Korea  - UNC Institute for the Environment The conference was held at Konkuk University in South Korea.

CMAS Center, housed at the @unc-ie.bsky.social, hosted its third Asia-Pacific air quality modeling conference in Seoul, South Korea, bringing together collaborators on environmental challenges specific to the Asia-Pacific region.

Read more ⬇️

ie.unc.edu/news/cmas-ce...

Five Questions with Anne Smiley '24 - UNC Institute for the Environment Meet postdoctoral research associate Anne Smiley!

We were lucky to have @annesmiley.bsky.social analyze data that our water quality intern gathered from our campus creeks. And we're so excited to share the beautiful graphs in an upcoming story. But for now, check our her Q&A with @unc-ie.bsky.social 👩‍🔬

ICYMI: Last week, @unc-ie.bsky.social's @mpiehler.bsky.social shared insights on the potential impacts stemming from the 6.8 million gallons of untreated wastewater that spilled into the Eno following Tropical Depression Chantal.

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...

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...

UNC study sees flooding outside NC high-risk areas. Can AI reveal blind spots? FEMA determines areas at high-risk for flooding. UNC-Chapel Hill researchers see evidence of additional and repeated flooding outside of these areas in North Carolina.

“Not all places that flood are mapped or regulated from a regulatory standpoint,” Antonia Sebastian, an assistant professor in the Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill, said in an interview.

Read more ⬇️ www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n...

Sustainable Triangle Field Site unites policy and practice in immersive lesson on urban sustainability  - UNC Institute for the Environment Students investigated the spatial and ecological connections among natural areas in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Students in the spring 2025 cohort of the Sustainable Triangle Field Site investigated the spatial and ecological connections among natural areas in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Read about their findings and recommendations on our website 👇

ie.unc.edu/news/sustain...

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...

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...

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...

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...

@mpiehler.bsky.social @annesmiley.bsky.social

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

@annesmiley.bsky.social
@mpiehler.bsky.social

MegaMove Publishes Landmark Global Study showing Where Marine Megafauna Needs Protection - MegaMove MegaMove paper identifies top-priority ocean areas for whales, sharks, turtles & more. Protection still lags.

Lindsay Dubbs, director of Carolina's Outer Banks Field Site (OBXFS), is an author on this landmark study published in Science on marine megafauna.

Read more ⬇️

megamove.org/marine-megaf...

Coastal areas flood more frequently than thought: Study | Coastal Review Coastal communities are inundated more often than previously believed, with levels taking longer to recede in rural areas, and the way government agencies gather data to predict floods fails to provid...

A study by UNC Chapel Hill and NC State researchers published Monday found that coastal communities are inundated more often than previously believed, and floodwaters take longer to recede in rural areas than in urban areas.
coastalreview.org/2025/06/coas...

Get to know the trees on campus | UNC-Chapel Hill University arborist Tom Bythell shares his favorite stories about some of Carolina’s thousands of trees.

Not every university can say they have a tree doctor on campus, but we can! Tom Bythell's job is more than simply diagnosing trees; it's about creating a thriving, picturesque and inviting campus.

Join us this Fri, June 13 for a virtual seminar on "The Study and Practice of Science Communication" with Aaron McKinnon.

🗓 Fri., June 13, 2025
🕐 1-2 p.m.
🔗 Zoom details on our website.

ie.unc.edu/event/the-st...

Heavier rainfall from hurricanes is causing water quality concerns at the coast Poor water quality after a storm can have an affect on health.

WATCH: W.R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor Hans Paerl talks to Spectrum News about increased water quality concerns due to heavier rainfall from storms.

Five Questions with Peggy Mullin '19 - UNC Institute for the Environment Meet Carolina Drone Lab research technician Peggy Mullin!

Meet @unc-cardnl.bsky.social research technician Peggy Mullin '19!

Read all about Peggy's Carolina journey and her work in the Carolina Drone Lab in our latest Q+A.

ie.unc.edu/news/five-qu...

Student Internships - Sustainable Carolina Sustainable Tar Heel Internship Program: How to Apply Applications are now open for fall 2025 and will close Monday, June 9 at 11:59 pm. We are currently offering one position: Water Quality &…

Our campus water quality data repository is growing robust! We are looking for the next intern to nurture this campus stewardship project 💧 🌱 Our water quality and biodiversity internship is open to #UNC students. Apply by June 9. @unc-ie.bsky.social‬

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!

Gillings on the Ground trains students for Helene-level disaster response - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health April 30, 2025 In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which devastated many parts of Western North Carolina in September 2024, the course featured community experts in emergency management and public health...

Yesterday, June 1, marked the start of hurricane season. Western NC is still feeling Hurricane Helen's impact. But through unique experiential education training, Gillings on the Ground participants made a difference in Ashe County. #UNC
sph.unc.edu/sph-news/gil...

🌱 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

From the blog: Student-powered and community-driven, SolarEquity is transforming affordable housing across North Carolina with rooftop solar—making clean energy accessible where it’s needed most.

Read the full blog post by #UNC rising senior Macy Floyd ⬇️
environmentblog.web.unc.edu/2025/05/powe...

The 11th annual UNC Cleantech Summit brings professionals and students back to the Friday Center  - UNC Institute for the Environment The two-day event considers new advancements in clean technology.

🌎 The 11th annual UNC Cleantech Summit convened more than 1,000 leaders, students and innovators to shape the Southeast’s clean energy future. From AI to hydrogen, read a recap of this year's event on our website.

ie.unc.edu/news/the-11t...

@datadrivenlab.bsky.social

Climate Action in the Age of AI: Can Intelligent Systems Save the Planet?

🗓️ Tuesday, May 27
⏰ 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
📍 Hyde Hall (University Room), UNC Chapel Hill

Register: eventbrite.com/e/claim-work...

UNC Research is @mpiehler.bsky.social.

A renowned researcher in coastal environmental science, Piehler and his team are at the forefront of understanding natural systems in coastal regions.

Explore more: www.unc.edu/carolinas-re...

#UNCResearchisNC
#UNC

UNC Research is rooted in N.C. communities.

When Hurricane Helene devastated communities in western North Carolina, @unc-ie.bsky.social mobilized educators to provide a day of hands-on learning for kids displaced by flooding.

Explore more: www.unc.edu/carolinas-re...

#UNCResearchisNC
#UNC