About the Center

Purpose

The Ecosystem Science Center at Michigan Technological University was established in 2004 and aims to advance knowledge through research on ecosystems. The Center strives to foster a vibrant, and inclusive community of scholars who conduct research with relevance to ecosystems, enhance member efforts to acquire external funds for ecosystem research, and support and grow internal and external partnerships and capacity to achieve novel broader/research impacts.

Diversity and Inclusion

We first acknowledge that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands and waters of many Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe — the Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. We also acknowledge our more-than-human relatives, including those with roots, wings, fins, and feet, who have called this region home since time immemorial. Finally, we acknowledge that Michigan Technological University is located within the Ojibwa (Chippewa) ceded-territory established by the Treaty of 1842, and we share lands, waters and responsibilities with several Lake Superior Bands of Chippewa Indians, including the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. (Statement courtesy of TECH SCEnE)

Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion are ethical imperatives. Furthermore, science requires creativity and should welcome diversity simply for the pragmatic reason of increasing ingenuity. Yet, that has not been the case in practice and the realm of science, technology, engineering and mathematics continues to see a lack of women, Black, Indigenous and other minority group members, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities in the field. The ESC is working to support underrepresented people in the field of ecosystem science from undergraduate students to faculty.

Learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at MTU.