Summary
Organization name
IES Institute for Environmental Solutions
other names
IES
2004
Tax id (EIN)
84-1153561
Category
Environment
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
761 Newport StreetDenver, CO 80220
Denver County, CO, US
Addressing environmental issues with a multi-disciplinary technical approach allows us to prevent waste and unwanted side effects, provide opportunities to optimize environmental improvements, and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Testimonials
FROM THE BOARD CHAIR and/or EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IES is advancing important environmental projects designed to improve the health of local residents and the environment. It is a pleasure for IES to be a part of so much effective collaboration among local stakeholders, community members, and our two project teams.
The Tree Project continues to provide ecological science workshops to students in Sheridan and Wheat Ridge while improving local trails. The Sheridan Quincy Community Trail Improvement Project marks the fourth year that IES and Fort Logan Northgate School made sustainable environmental improvements along the Quincy Trail in Sheridan, Colorado. Fort Logan Northgate Leadership students participated in new planting projects, built and installed new benches along the trail, and took care of trees and plants planted in previous years.
The Wheat Ridge Greenbelt Improvement Project marks the seventh successful year of planting in Wheat Ridge in collaboration with the Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Department. Working with the wonderful students, teachers, and staff members in the Kullerstrand Elementary Teaching Responsibility and Independence with Learning Supports (TRAILS) program, IES implemented ecological workshops and oversaw tree planting near Clear Creek in the Greenbelt.
The Chemical Footprint Project continues its work to prevent water pollution and protect human and environmental health by reducing chemical footprints with a focus on contaminants of emerging concern in common household and personal care products. An analysis of many of these contaminants is now provided in the new IES Contaminants of Emerging Concern Guidebook, created by dedicated Associates and Interns compiling years of research. To help advance the goal of reducing chemical footprints, project team members hosted a pollution prevention workshop at the Ocean First Dive Shop in Boulder, presented to members of the South Platte River Urban Waters Partnership, and took part in the Water4Life Symposium at the Genesis Presbyterian Church in Littleton, Colorado.
Successfully engaging with dedicated students, stakeholders, and community members to advance these important projects was extremely rewarding. IES looks forward to strengthening these community connections and continue delivering scientific solutions to improve our health and environment.
Carol E. Lyons, Executive Director
Mission
The Institute for Environmental Solutions delivers scientific solutions to improve our health and environment.
The Institute for Environmental Solutions (IES) is an independent non-profit organization that partners with individuals, businesses, and communities in Colorado to clean the water we drink and the air we breathe. We tackle problems such as climate change, community health, ozone air pollution, and contaminants from personal care and household products in waterways that do not lend themselves to traditional regulatory solutions.
Too often, well-intended environmental improvement strategies fail or result in unintended negative consequences, because the problem and proposed solutions were not fully and objectively measured and analyzed using a well-rounded scientific approach. The problem is not effectively solved, whether due to compartmentalized technical disciplines or inadequate consultation with key business and community stakeholders.
IES has identified critical multi-faceted environmental problems that are not being adequately addressed. We seek to engage a broad spectrum of participants in examining these problems on a project basis, developing sound, cost-effective solutions. The key elements of IES's approach are 1) objectivity; 2) no assumptions or agenda - just proven science; and 3) involvement of stakeholders in project design and implementation. Science provides accurate solutions free of emotion or bias.
IES developed the process for tackling complex and sometimes controversial environmental issues using objective scientific measurement and proactively involving stakeholders, encouraging feedback in a neutral forum.
We emphasize communication and integration across technical, organizational, economic and social barriers. Working with a broad range of stakeholders is challenging, unpredictable, and often thought to be more difficult. But the results of projects conducted in this manner are sound and effective - more so than via conventional methods.
Background Statement
IES was founded in 2004 to tackle complex environmental and health problems using stakeholder involvement and a science-based project approach.
Problems like climate change, ozone air pollution, and contaminants from household and personal care products in waterways do not lend themselves to traditional regulatory solutions. In many cases, government agencies, business, industry, and academia are not designed or equipped to develop sound, independent, scientifically proven strategies. Only an independent, objective nonprofit organization, grounded in science and guided by diverse voices, can produce the effective, efficient solutions we desperately need.
IES created the Tree Project in 2004 to help communities, businesses, and individuals achieve multiple environmental improvement goals using one tool - city trees. The Tree Project uses community tree-plantings and education workshops for environmental, human health, social, and economic improvement. The Tree Project conducts research, independent scientific inquiry and analysis, education, and outreach for greater understanding of urban forestry impacts
IES Tree Project planting initiatives:
• Sheridan Community Trail Improvement Project (2019 to 2020)
• Greenbelt Improvement Project (2019)
• Greenbelt Restoration and Environmental Education Network (2015 to 2018)
• Sheridan Quincy Trail Project (2014 to 2018)
• Growing the Greenbelt Project (2014 to 2015)
• Preserve the Greenbelt Elementary Education Program (2013 to 2014)
• Revive the Greenbelt Project (2012 to 2013)
• Trees for a Healthy Community and Economy (2012)
• Trees for Healthy Kids and Community (2011)
IES created the Chemical Footprint Project (formerly the Contaminants of Emerging Concern Project) in 2007 to prevent water pollution and protect human and environmental health by reducing household and commercial chemical footprints. A person's chemical footprint is their total contribution to chemical pollution in the environment. The Chemical Footprint Project (CFP) team demonstrates to communities how to reduce chemical footprints through strategies of shopping smart, using less, and making your own products. The CFP team uses community based social marketing to inform communities why prevention of these contaminants is preferable to treatment, and provides them with smart, cost-effective alternatives and solutions.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Denver, CO 80220