A dozen ways the University of Minnesota is protecting the environment | University of Minnesota Topics Agriculture & Environment Architecture & Design Arts & Humanities Business & Management Campus Affairs Education Health Law & Policy Science & Technology Social Sciences Sports & Recreation All News For Journalists Events Feature A dozen ways the University of Minnesota is protecting the environment April 21, 2026 Minnesota’s landscape includes more than 150 miles of coastline of the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, the convergence of four major North American biomes, and the headwaters of one of the world’s greatest rivers. The University of Minnesota mirrors this strength through its sustainability leadership, ranking as the #1 university in the U.S. for clean water and #3 for climate action. From forests and wetlands to laboratories and field sites, our researchers and students are confronting some of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. Here are just a few of the many ways the University of Minnesota is working to combat issues that matter to Minnesota and our world. Fungi from Minnesota could be the key to protecting ash trees Decades of research have gone into developing management tools to protect ash trees from emerald ash borer, to varying effect. But a breakthrough in research led by graduate student Colin Peters reveals that several species of parasitic fungi are effective at killing the infamous ash borer. It might sound like something out of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” but showing that biological control of the beetle using fungi is possible is nothing short of a blockbuster hit for the billion ash trees in Minnesota. The next step is figuring out how to get it to work in the field. A cold plasma boost for sustainable farming Research led by Professor George Annor is exploring cold plasma technology as a promising, sustainable innovation in agriculture. By applying electricity to air, this method can enhance seed germination — boosting soybean sprouting rates by up to 30 percent — and create plasma-activated water that naturally fertilizes crops by capturing nitrogen from the air. This water also helps control pests and disinfect plants, potentially reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides while increasing yields. The fight against ‘forever chemicals’ Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which were once celebrated for their durability and versatility in products such as non-stick cookware and firefighting chemicals, have become a widespread environmental and health concern due to their persistence and mobility. Researchers at the School of Public Health, including Bruce Alexander and Matt Simcik, have spent decades studying PFAS exposure, finding potential links to cancers, immune and reproductive issues, and other health risks. While the full extent of harm is still being studied, University researchers are developing ways to reduce exposure, such as underground barriers that prevent PFAS from contaminating water sources. Seeing the forest and the trees The University of Minnesota plays a central role in advancing global forest research through its leadership in the Forest Global Earth Observatories network, including a newly established study site at Itasca State Park – headwaters of the Mississippi River. By helping fill a key geographic gap between temperate and boreal forests, University students and researchers are contributing to a worldwide effort to understand how forests change over time in response to environmental factors and climate change. The research provides hands-on training for students and local communities, empowering the next generation of environmental stewards. Guarding Minnesota’s wetlands from disease There’s still time to get involved on and around campus, with Earth Month events ranging from exhibits about nature’s inspirational powers at the Bell Museum to educational lectures about “forever chemicals” in our local waterways. See the full schedule of Earth Month events Amphibians worldwide are under threat from a group of deadly pathogens known as chytrid fungi, including Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). Though it hasn’t been detected in North America yet, Bsal has caused mass die-offs of salamanders in Europe, and studies show Minnesota’s native species are highly susceptible. For amphibians like the Eastern Newt, found at the western edge of its range in Minnesota, Bsal infection can be deadly. Amy Kinsley, assistant professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, and a team of researchers are taking a proactive approach to protecting Minnesota’s amphibian population. Since 2024, they’ve gathered hundreds of samples, helping establish baseline data on amphibian health across Minnesota. Collecting and studying the bugs we avoid to address a public health challenge As climate change and human activity drive insects and animals and their pathogens into unfamiliar regions, the likelihood of zoonotic diseases — those that jump from animals to people — continues to rise. Associate Professor Jon Oliver’s Field and Laboratory Methods in Public Health Entomology class headed out to the Sarita Wetland on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus to find mosquitoes. After searching for and collecting these pests, students microscopically identify what disease-causing pathogens they were able to transmit. Ultimately, Oliver wants students to leave his class not fearful of what’s out there in the woods, but equipped with knowledge they can use to help prevent disease spread. Old ice yields new discoveries about climate history You may have heard about recent research from Antarctica, where a research team, including the University of Minnesota, discovered six-million-year-old ice — the oldest dated ice on the planet. Those cores provide insights into Earth’s climate history, helping scientists better understand the planet’s climate during a time of warmer temperatures and higher sea levels. But the quest for the world’s oldest ice isn’t the only icy science Assistant Professor Peter Neff has been working on. At the Minnesota NICE (Neff Ice and Climate Exploration) Lab, Neff and his team also lead efforts looking at glaciers in West Antarctica and British Columbia. Historical data from ice cores in this region could be key to contextualizing the glacier’s modern behavior and making predictions for the future. How researchers are using AI and satellite data to address global challenges Artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning are rapidly reshaping how researchers understand complex systems — especially when paired with satellite data and remote sensing technologies. By analyzing vast streams of information collected from space and airborne sensors, researchers across the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences are using AI to monitor croplands, track air quality and identify invasive species more efficiently and accurately. At the same time,  researchers are asking important questions about when — and how — these powerful tools should be used responsibly. Seeds of change University of Minnesota researchers have gone all in on perennial grain Kernza, the kind of deep-rooted plant that many believe will prove essential for both feeding humanity and meeting the challenges of our changing climate. Unlike annual crops, which currently occupy most of Minnesota’s farmland and provide cover for soil less than four months of the year, Kernza, a perennial grain related to wheat, sinks its roots 10 feet or more into the soil — more than twice as deep as annual wheat. By covering soils and rooting deeply, Kernza improves water quality, builds soil health and pulls carbon from the atmosphere. Clearing the air of carbon Speaking of carbon, a University of Minnesota chemical engineering professor and alumnus is building a low-cost, scalable technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Paul Dauenhauer and his business partner, chemical engineer alumnus Andrew Jones, believe they have invented a way to trap carbon dioxide and return it to the earth, effectively undoing some of the damage in the atmosphere. Through their startup company, Minneapolis-based Carba, they have developed a proprietary process that converts plant-based waste material into biochar, a stable material that sequesters carbon and can be buried underground for more than 1,000 years. Supporting clean energy entrepreneurs Speaking of which, private industry will be key to solving Earth’s many environmental challenges. That’s why University of Minnesota alumna Nina Axelson launched clean energy accelerator Grid Catalyst in 2021. The company works with startups and innovators to clear a path to commercialization for their ideas. The organization also developed Cleantech Innovation Pathways, a program for entrepreneurs that includes workshops, training, networking and coaching. Last year, Grid Catalyst announced its fifth cohort, a group of nine energy startups that pitched pilot projects to key partners such as the University of Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy, 3M, Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Mortenson and others. How Indigenous fire stewardship shaped the Upper Midwest A collaborative research project from the University of Minnesota, tribal partners and others highlights how combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science can improve fire management practices. Drawing on five centuries of tree-ring data alongside traditional ecological knowledge, researchers found that Indigenous communities historically used controlled burns to maintain ecologically important pine barrens around Lake Superior. This practice declined sharply during the mid-1800s, leading to reduced forest resilience and diversity. Researchers found that restoring Indigenous fire stewardship can reduce wildfire risk, support ecosystem health and strengthen tribal sovereignty. Categories: Agriculture and Environment Climate Change Environmental health Sustainability Share this story More stories in Agriculture and Environment Feature Minnesota Master Naturalists guide children to green spaces The nonprofit organization Project Get Outdoors is powered by University of Minnesota Extension volunteers. Feature A look inside Minnesota NICE: Using ice cores to study climate history Researcher Peter Neff and his team are studying glaciers in Antarctica and British Columbia to gain insights about Earth’s recent climate history captured in ice. Editor's picks Feature Students embrace ‘Free Mom Hugs’ with open arms A group of mothers has been offering “Free Mom Hugs” to University of Minnesota students this semester, brightening their days whether they knew they needed it or not. 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