DURHAM, N.H.—The University of New Hampshire’s Sustainability Institute has received a grant from the Barr Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in New England, to bolster climate and resilience efforts among local governments across New England, reinforcing the university’s leadership in sustainability initiatives. The $100,000 funding will enhance UNH’s ongoing support of the New England Municipal Sustainability (NEMS) Network, a regional collaborative of nearly 40 cities and towns representing approximately 2.5 million residents. The NEMS Network serves as a hub for municipalities to share strategies, align resources and develop joint solutions to pressing climate and sustainability challenges. UNH’s Sustainability Institute has served as the administrative backbone of the...

DURHAM, N.H.—The following students have been named to the Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire for the spring 2025 semester. Students named to the Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire are students who have earned recognition through their superior scholastic performance during a semester enrolled in a full-time course load (12 or more graded credits). Highest honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.85 or better out of a possible 4.0. Students with a 3.65 to 3.84 average are awarded high honors and students whose grade point average is 3.5 through 3.64 are awarded honors. Dean’s list New Hampshire by county Dean’s list New England states: Connecticut Maine Massachusetts Rhode Island Vermont Dean’s list non-New England states Deans...

DURHAM, N.H.—A new study by researchers at the University of New Hampshire and University of Hawaii’s Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) Marine Ecological Theory Lab reveal that coral reefs are creeping toward both the North and South poles in response to warming oceans, but the pace is too slow to threatening their survival. However, the study also shows that immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could significantly improve the future outlook for coral reefs globally. The breakthrough paper, published in Science Advances, outlines how the team turned to sophisticated simulation models and used software created at UNH, called EZfate, to predict changes in coral reef distributions. “We wanted a publicly available software program that could easily take lots of bulky...

DURHAM, N.H. — A new report from the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (IOD) highlights significant gaps in workplace lactation support across New Hampshire, just before a landmark law goes into effect. The IOD’s NH Occupational Health Surveillance Program (NH OHSP) 2024 statewide business survey found that while many employers are physically equipped to support employees who may be nursing, they are falling short in policy and communication. “Supporting nursing mothers isn’t just the law, it’s smart business,” said Liu Yang, project director and principal investigator of the NH Occupational Health Surveillance Program. “Clear policies and effective communication make a measurable difference in employee well-being and retention. New Hampshire employers have a great...

DURHAM, N.H. — The Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems at the University of New Hampshire has donated close to 60 pounds of smoked steelhead trout to Gather, a non-profit that helps feed those experiencing hunger in New Hampshire’s Seacoast and southern Maine. The responsibly grown fish is a product of UNH's AquaFort, a floating aquaculture platform located off the coast of New Hampshire. “We’re really excited to see our locally grown fish make a difference in solving the problem of hunger through the good work being done at Gather,” said David Fredriksson, professor of ocean engineering and director of the Center for Sustainable Seafood System at UNH. “We feel it is an important part of our operation to donate high quality, locally sourced food that is conscientiously cultivated while...

DURHAM, N.H. — Not a fan of mowing the lawn? Good news, cutting the grass less may actually be better for the environment. Research shows that trimming the number of times you run the mower around the yard can help create more biodiverse ecosystems, reduce carbon emissions, build soil organic matter and encourage lawn flowers to bloom providing important food for bees after a long hibernation.  “The concept of mowing less started a movement known as No Mow May, encouraging people to stop mowing for the entire month, but the idea is to inspire people to change mowing habits and yard care for the whole year and viewing our lawns differently,” said Alexandra Contosta, research associate professor in the department of natural resources and the environment, and assistant director at UNH’s...

DURHAM, N.H. — This Mother’s Day tell mom you love her with flowers found in an island garden by booking her an adventure to the historic garden of beloved writer Celia Thaxter. Tickets are now available to experience the sights and sounds of the enchanting and colorful cottage garden on Appledore Island in the Isle of Shoals. The annual summer pilgrimage attracts gardeners, poets, literary lovers and anyone looking for a unique outdoor experience. Visitors can tour the iconic garden by the sea which has been restored and maintained by the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML), which is jointly run by the University of New Hampshire and Cornell University. “The historic garden is a destination trip for many of our visitors to soak in the beauty and the color of the flowers as they grow against...

DURHAM, N.H. — University of New Hampshire researchers are partnering with local communities, farmers and residents to make the Earth a better place, often using participatory science which directly involves the public in the process. Home to the country’s first endowed Sustainability Institute, UNH fosters a healthy planet spirit that permeates the civic, professional and personal lives of our neighbors, near and far. As Earth Day approaches on April 22, here are 10 ways UNH is helping local communities, and those around the world, preserve the planet. PFAS Community Testing Working with residents from local communities, UNH researchers have been testing foam that forms on top of rivers, streams and beaches for substances known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) — byproducts of plastics...