National
Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center

Bridging boundaries for research & discovery.

The National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) brings together the science of the natural world with the science of social systems and decision making to solve problems at the human-environment interface. For 10 years, SESYNC has accelerated research and learning that seeks to understand the structure, functioning, and sustainability of coupled social and environmental systems. To further this work, we invite you to explore our research and learning resources.

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Center Highlights

An image of a Philadelphia city street lined with trees. On the right side of the street, trees are much taller and larger than trees on the left-hand side of the street.

Redlining & Tree Cover Lesson: Measuring Environmental Inequality

This lesson uses online databases for redlining maps and tree surveys to explore historical inequality and its enduring consequences. It explores how cities may implement proactive measures to increase environmental equality across a metropolitan area.

Our Latest Newsletter – May 2026

Explore our collection of resources on Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), a series of techniques that help individuals understand the context in which materials are produced—within socio-environmental research and beyond.

A man mowing the lawn into a striped pattern with trees behind him

Fertilize Like the Joneses Lesson: The Ecology of Prestige

Using applied science in lawn care regimes, tree cover canopy, and birdwatching locales, this lesson explores how human social pressures may promote resilient and sustainable urban-suburban land use futures.