The Center for Earth and Environmental Studies (CEES) was established in 1997 and in 2010 received the Signature Center designation, an initiative of the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research to recognize and support flagship research organizations across the IUPUI campus. CEES is sponsored by the IUPUI School of Science and relies on grants, gifts, and donations for its operations. Beginning in 1997, the Center and the Department of Earth Sciences have coordinated environmental leaning projects throughout central Indiana. Past projects include investigations of water quality in central Indiana watersheds and their reservoirs in 2003, creation of a 3D hydrologic model of the Eagle Creek Reservoir, and Urban Stream Restoration of Pleasant Run in 2011. In 2000, the center planted nearly 1400 trees in what is nown known as the Lilly ARBOR, in collaboration with the Indianapolis Parks, Department Office of Stewardship and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2009, CEES and Indyparks worked together to naturalize the Pleasent Run Stream Corridor to turn thea area into a multifuctional stream corridor.