The Gund Institute for Ecological Economics
www.uvm.edu/giee
The Gund Institute for Ecological Economics (IEE) was designed to fill
a growing need to integrate the study and management of "nature's
household" (ecology) and "humankind's household" (economics).
Ecological economics is the name given to the effort to transcend traditional
disciplinary boundaries in order to address the interrelationships between
ecological and economic systems in a broad and comprehensive way. Ecological
economics is not intended to replace either ecology or economics, but
to draw on the best of both disciplines without being bound by them
in order to create an effective and essential synthesis.
A gift from the Gordon and Llura Gund Family Foundation helped bring
the Institute from its original home at the University of Maryland to
The University of Vermont in August of 2002. The Gund Institute is housed
at the University of Vermont School of Natural Resources. Dr. Costanza
is Gund Professor of Ecological Economics and Director of the Gund Institute,
which includes 7 other research professors, 2 research scientists, and
several other researchers and staff members. Research faculty have joint
appointments in the School of Natural Resources, Community Development
and Applied Economics, Life Sciences, the Business School, and other
departments.
Ongoing research programs of the Institute include dynamic spatial
modeling of ecological-economic systems at multiple scales from local
to global, extensive publishing of research in peer reviewed journals,
and hosting visiting scholars. The Institute has an electronic discussion
group and paper series. Academic programs include a graduate certificate
in Ecological Economics, support of graduate students research, and
a seminar series. Institute faculty are offering numerous courses at
the university dealing with sustainability, ecosystem services, green
business, and related topics.
Research funding for the Gund Institute currently totals approximately
$3 Million/yr. Three current projects deal with ecosystem services valuation
including a web-accessible database. Several projects evaluate watersheds
and ecosystems including human settlements. Field workshop courses address
tropical ecosystems including the Brazilian forest and Philippine mangroves.
An ongoing program develops a computational infrastructure for collaborative
spatial modeling. Capturing the larger picture are two visionary projects
including Envisioning a Sustainable and Desirable America, and an Earth
Shareholder Report.
Over the years Dr. Costanza and his colleagues have received millions
of dollars to support their research initiatives on sustainable forestry,
watershed planning, envisioning a sustainable and desirable future,
ecosystem services valuation, sustainable ecological tourism, and ecological
economic modeling. Major funders have included:
· Ford Foundation
· John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
· US National Science Foundation
· US Environmental Protection Agency
· Santa Barbara Family Foundation
· Gordon and Llura Gund Family Foundation
