We put Bard’s dedication to the environment, science, and social change into practice to support the fair management of our shared natural resources. We solve problems using tools that span academic disciplines. We conduct quantitative research in the natural and social sciences, craft communication, participate in policy making, and bridge academic inquiry with community need. In doing our work, we strive to shift the understanding of “environment” to include humans and the urban ecosystem. And we recognize that real solutions to environmental issues must acknowledge the barriers that race, class, and gender inequities present to the cultural shifts required to make real change.
Center for the Study of Land, Air + Water: Employment Opportunities
What do we need right now to advance water stewardship in the Hudson Valley? More water sampling? More community involvement? More laws? Science can be used as a tool to address many of these important questions, and help map a way forward in these complicated times. M. Elias Dueker, the Center’s director, presents a framework for community-centered science in this webinar hosted by the Hudson River Watershed Alliance.
Dr. Eli Dueker installing a MetOne 212-2 particle profiler at a field site atop the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center in Midtown Kingston. Courtesy City of Kingston
Bard Center for the Study of Land, Air + Water Partners with City of Kingston to Monitor Air Quality
“Although Kingston's air quality is, for the most part, doing well, we know that increased traffic, train activity, wood burning, and household heating systems can contribute to short-term air quality issues and long-term health issues if not appropriately managed,” says Eli Dueker, director of the Bard Center for the Study of Land, Air, and Water, which has partnered with the City of Kingston’s Conservation Advisory Council to form the Kingston Air Quality Initiative. “This research addresses what Kingston needs to be able to meet its sustainability goals long-term.”
Bard College and Hudsonia recently concluded a water quality and biodiversity assessment of South Twin Lake in New York’s Columbia County. Lakes and ponds make important contributions to biological diversity. Understanding the water quality and the kinds of organisms living in these water bodies allows an assessment of their condition as well as potential management actions. Read the Report
Antibiotic Pollution in the Environment
The ability to fight bacterial infections with antibiotics has been a longstanding cornerstone of modern medicine. However, widespread overuse and misuse of antibiotics has led to unintended consequences, which in turn require large-scale changes of policy for mitigation. Read the Article
Community Science
Watersheds connect people in multiple communities through a shared interest in water. Water doesn’t respect municipal boundaries, so watershed protection encourages water users to form partnerships—not only among towns and villages but also with colleges and universities.
