Transitions and Tipping Points in Complex Environmental Systems

About the Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education
In 2000, the National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Advisory Committee for
Environmental Research and Education (AC-ERE) under the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA) to:
Provide advice, recommendations, and oversight concerning support for the NSF’s
environmental research and education portfolio.
Be a base of contact with the scientific community to inform NSF of the impact of its research
support and NSF-wide policies on the scientific community.
Serve as a forum for consideration of interdisciplinary environmental topics as well as
environmental activities in a wide range of disciplines.
Provide broad input into long-range plans and partnership opportunities.
Perform oversight of program management, overall program balance, and other aspects of
program performance for environmental research and education activities.
The AC-ERE has a particular interest in those aspects of environmental science, engineering, and
education that affect multiple disciplines. Each of the directorates and major offices of NSF has an
advisory committee that provides guidance on the disciplinary activities within that directorate.
The AC-ERE includes scientists from many disciplines, including a member from each of the
other NSF advisory committees, and focuses on coordination, integration, and management
of environmental programs across the Foundation. AC-ERE interests include environmental
education, digital libraries, and cyberinfrastructure, as well as interdisciplinary programs, centers,
and major instrumentation.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/geo/ere/ereweb/advisory.cfm