ANNAPOLIS, MD — The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), a global leader in environmental research and education, has formally entered into a strategic partnership with Council Fire, a purpose-driven sustainability consultancy and Certified B Corporation. The collaboration, formalized through a newly executed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aims to advance science-informed, systems-scale sustainability solutions for resilient communities, healthy ecosystems, and equitable economic systems.
While the partnership is rooted in the Chesapeake Bay the initiatives will inform sustainability transitions on a global scale, extending to international deltas and emerging sustainability economies.
“The global scale of our environmental, social, and economic challenges demands partnerships that go beyond disciplines, sectors, and borders,” said Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, President of UMCES. “Combining UMCES’s world-class research and environmental innovation capabilities with Council Fire’s unique strategy, collaboration, and storytelling abilities will enable us to dramatically scale our impact and meet the challenges of this moment.”
The partnership leverages the complementary strengths of both organizations in areas such as climate resilience, stakeholder engagement, data-driven reporting, and science communication.
Under the MOU, UMCES and Council Fire will pursue joint work in several key areas:
- Sustainability Frameworks: Developing reporting and implementation frameworks for both corporate and ecosystem applications.
- Applied Research: Conducting strategic analysis and applied sustainability research.
- Global Knowledge Sharing: Utilizing platforms like the new UMCES Chesapeake Global Collaboratory to accelerate cross-sector knowledge exchange and environmental solutions.
- Economic & Climate Initiatives: Engaging the private sector in science-informed ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and climate readiness efforts.
"This partnership reflects our shared belief that science and strategy must work hand-in-hand to address today’s most complex sustainability challenges," said George Chmael II, CEO of Council Fire. "We’re building solutions that connect rigorous research with real-world action".
Beyond technical projects, the two organizations will co-develop public-facing thought-leadership materials, including white papers, webinars, and convenings, designed to foster new partnerships and share critical environmental insights.
