With nearly 50% of the earth's
human population now living in urban settings, physical, life and
social scientists are faced with challenges that require new paradigms
and partnerships. The Institute for Urban Ecosystem Studies (IUES)
at Kean University is a diverse alliance of scholars united by a common
interest in the interactions between people and nature in New Jersey
and a shared concern for environmental and human health.
The mission of IUES is consistent
with the overall mission of the Kean University. For the diverse student
population of the College of Natural, Applied and Health Sciences,
the faculty and staff of IUES are committed to providing education
and services that will heighten their awareness and concern for the
dependence of human health on a functioning ecosystem. The goal is
to prepare students to think critically and creatively so that they
can adapt to changing social, economic and technological conditions,
particularly as they pertain to urban ecosystems.
