About the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability

The Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability (INRS) was created in July of 2008 to house four state scientific surveys — Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), and the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) — as a group under the auspices of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Institute's mission and vision statement reflect the importance of sustaining our state's natural resources.

Mission Statement

To provide objective integrated scientific research and service, in cooperation with other academic and research units of the University of Illinois and elsewhere, that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that assure sustainable economic development and enduring environmental quality for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois.

Vision Statement

In providing our citizens with proactive research to assure wise and sustainable management of Illinois' natural resources, the Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability will serve as a national and international model of cooperative, multidisciplinary research and service as a key to economic development and environmental quality. The integration of multidisciplinary, natural resource research institutions with a major university is a unique opportunity that will continue to be an example for the nation and the world.

Updated 9/16/09 AW