The Department of Environmental Sciences is an academic department in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia, offering instruction and conducting research in the areas of Ecology, Geosciences, Hydrology, and Atmospheric Sciences. This unique juxtaposition of several sciences in one Department fosters cooperation and exchange among traditional disciplines that share similar methodological and philosophical problems. The research endeavors of both faculty and graduate students, whether disciplinary or interdisciplinary, deal largely with problems of fundamental scientific interest and to a lesser extent with applied science, management or policy making.

Danielle Wood will present on  "Sustainability in Space and on Earth: Research Initiatives of the Space Enabled Research Group." The mission of the Space Enabled Research Group is to advance justice in Earth’s complex systems using designs enabled by space.  Their message is that six types of space technology are supporting societal needs, as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  These six technologies include satellite earth observation, satellite communication, satellite positioning, microgravity research, technology transfer, and the infrastructure related to space research and education.  While much good work has been done, barriers remain that limit the application of space technology as a tool for sustainable development.  The Space Enabled Research Group works to increase the opportunities to apply space technology in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and to support space sustainability.