Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation

**Our Vision** Switzer Fellows are recognized leaders driving positive environmental change for the benefit of natural and human communities. **Our Mission** The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation identifies and nurtures environmental leaders who have the ability and determination to make a significant positive impact and supports initiatives that have direct and measurable results to improve environmental quality. The foundation accomplishes this by awarding academic fellowships and project grants, sponsoring professional development activities, and fostering a growing network of Switzer Fellows, environmental practitioners, and organizations. **Our Values** The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation holds the following values: - **Belief in Individuals**. We believe that talented and committed individuals from varied backgrounds can make a difference in this world and create positive change. With funding, training, and engaged networks and collaborations, individuals can achieve greater impact. - **Environmental Stewardship.** We seek to protect, improve, and sustain our natural environment for the well-being of people and the planet. Switzer Fellows use science, policy, and public engagement to advance environmental goals. - **Sustainability.** We recognize the urgency of living within our ecological and physical means and embrace holistic approaches that support and maintain the complexity and interconnectedness of natural and human systems. - **Social Equity and Diversity.** We believe environmental progress requires systemic approaches that include social equity and justice as a lens through which we evaluate success. Selecting fellows from a range of social, cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds as well as from varied expertise and professional sectors will build a stronger environmental field. - **Systems Thinking and Problem Solving**. How we define “environmental issues” continues to expand with the knowledge that they are always situated within a constellation of social, scientific, environmental, and economic issues. We believe that working at the intersection of a wide range of perspectives will yield innovative solutions. - **Maximizing Impact.** We seek to maximize positive environmental impact through individual and collective activities and leveraged grant resources. The foundation has an ongoing commitment to promote excellence, increase effectiveness, and adapt to changing needs and circumstances in the environmental field.