The Smithsonian Institution has announced a $10 million gift from philanthropist and businesswoman Adrienne Arsht to advance climate resilience research and education. 

The gift will launch the Adrienne Arsht Community-Based Resilience Solutions Initiative, a multiyear program that will research tropical resilience and educate the public about the role resilience in shaping the world around us. It also will fund the establishment of a center for resilience and sustainability within the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama. STRI will develop a suite of bilingual educational and outreach tools focused on resilience. 

“People and communities around the world are increasingly threatened by changing climates, and Adrienne’s generous donation will help the Smithsonian in its efforts to help find solutions,” said Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch. 

“The Smithsonian Institution shares my vision on how to build a more resilient world where people and nature can thrive together,” said Arsht, who has long supported the arts. “I am excited to see how this gift, combined with the Smithsonian’s 175-year history of data collection and educational leadership, helps the institution inspire the next generation of leaders.”