Center for Regional Excellence Northern Indiana Consortium for the Environment (NICE)

NICE Vision and Goals
The colleges and universities, government agencies, industries, and environmental organizations collaborate to consolidate environmental information; to enhance public access and education; and to facilitate and encourage research and policy activities that positively influence the quality of life in Northern Indiana. Its goals include:

•  Research applied to solving regional environmental issues (a collaborative effort among Northern Indiana colleges and universities with specialized research interests and community partners, e.g. Regional Development Agency, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission [NIRPC], Northwest Indiana Forum). Environmental issues that affect Northern Indiana are extremely broad, so initial efforts will support research applied toward sustainable (economic, social, environmental) development using the Marquette Plan as a framework. This plan calls for the reutilization of the land bordering Lake Michigan from the Illinois border in the west to the Michigan border in the east. The Lake Michigan shoreline in Northwest Indiana is a globally unique and ecologically rich environment on a large body of fresh water. The goal is to recreate the biodiversity that was the hallmark of the region in the past, converting, where feasible, industrialized land to public and other uses, including a 200' setback from the shoreline. For purposes of this funding, NICE will focus initially on two issues: remediation of contaminated land, especially urban brown fields, for economic development, and green technologies and green industries to support jobs in reutilized land.

•  Information Base/Database/ web site for Northern Indiana environmental initiatives.

•  Education and training programs for citizens; business/industry, public/governmental sector agencies, including the development and implementation of a new IU Northwest Master of Science Degree in Environmental Studies (in final development at IU Northwest).

•  Public Outreach : Dissemination of information regarding environmental activities in Northern Indiana to local schools and community organizations.

NICE, administratively based at IU Northwest in the Center for Regional Excellence (CRE), will coordinate and fund a competitive research program, awarding seed grants for collaborative projects proposed by consortium members; and will disseminate research findings through conferences and programs, a web site, and reports on progress on environmental issues in the region. NICE will maintain a consulting service and consultant directory. It will serve as a resource for schools, will create and manage a speakers' bureau, and will provide community training programs. CRE at IU Northwest draws on expertise from across the region and has extensive experience in managing competitive research awards programs, with specific outcomes and evaluation measures. CRE has been designated the lead institution in NICE to host think-tank gatherings, create collaborative opportunities, award seed grants to NICE partners, link academics with regional partners, and facilitate NICE's work.

Meet our Advisory Board