Institute of Ecosystem Studies
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies (Cary Institute), formerly known as the Institute of Ecosystem Studies, is an independent, not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to the scientific study of the world’s ecosystems and the natural and human factors that influence them. Research is communicated in scholarly publications for scientific peers, educational programs for students and public audiences, and focused outreach to elected officials, policy makers, and the media.
Located in Millbrook, New York (United States), at the 2,000-acre (8.1 km2) Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum, the Cary Institute has about 120 employees, of which about 20 (including the core scientific staff, and post-doctoral researchers) are scientists with Ph.D.’s in ecology and allied fields. While the Cary Institute is not itself a degree-granting institution, numerous graduate students are trained under the mentorship of the scientific staff who have adjunct appointments at many universities. The Cary Institute has hosted research experiences for undergraduates since 1987.
The Cary Institute is organized as a 501c3 corporation with financial support from multiple sources which include the Mary Flagler Charitable Trust, research and education grants from federal and state sources (e.g., the National Science Foundation, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Institutes of Health), private foundations, and private donors.