The mission of the Environmental Science Institute is to advance our understanding of the environment and sustainability through the development of interdisciplinary research, education and outreach programs. Interdisciplinary research efforts that cross traditional boundaries of academic departments are necessary to understand the complex interactions of the biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere in the Earth system, as well as the human dimensions of these interactions. The Institute serves as a focal point on campus for a wide scope of interdisciplinary research and teaching. Through the Institute, state-of-the-art research and technology is brought to bear on scientific aspects of environmental change, with dissemination of approaches and findings through graduate and undergraduate teaching as well as public outreach.