Environmental Studies

Our students are empowered to create a more ecologically vibrant and economically and socially just world by engaging environmental problems in all their complexity.

Ursinus students Madison Moses (left) and Jess Greenburg work on the Ursinus farm.

Students develop problem-solving skills through integrative course work and experiential learning both inside and outside the classroom. When confronting the challenge of fostering sustainability our students get their boots muddy and their hands dirty with work on applied projects in the areas of climate change, action, and justice; biodiversity and ecosystem conservation; agriculture and food systems, with emphasis on food security and sovereignty; circular economies, waste studies, and recycling; Geographic Information Systems (GIS); land-use change; urbanization and planning; ocean and freshwater systems; geology; and stewardship of natural resources. 

Students hone their theory-informed insights; analytical, technical, and laboratory skills; and creative solutions in a variety of ways, including

  • working with community partners on ecological restoration, ecological reconciliation, and environmental management projects in the area
  • seasonal engagement with production at the campus farm and the Whittaker Environmental Research agroecological field site
  • field trips to regional conservation areas and facilities
  • and meetings with champions of sustainability
Ursinus Shield with leaves
Friday Apr 7th, 2023

Ursinus College Waste Summit

Please join us to help us envision better systems for reducing, reusing, and recycling materials at Ursinus College and beyond. Space is limited!
Ursinus Shield with leaves
Thursday Apr 20th, 2023

Mending Our World

Learn the radical art of visible mending with Kevin Devine, President of the Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild. Kevin will lead two workshops on mending, combining elements of a climate teach-in with a sewing circle as we learn skills that can keep textiles in use and out of landfills. Two 90-minute Sessions: 5 & 7 p.m.

More Events

As part of their learning, students also have the opportunity to  shape the College’s commitment to the Welcome Home Project, working both 1) to affirm the acknowledgment of our campus’ location in Lenapehiking, or the traditional lands of the Lenape people, and 2) realize key aspects of the Statement of Mutual Intentions signed by the College with the five federally recognized Tribes (U.S. and Canada) that comprise the Lenape.

Quick Environmental Studies Facts

100%

of Environmental Studies majors get substantial real-world experience during their four years.

Meet Our Alumni

Photo of Amos Almy working in a national park

Amos Almy

Class of 2013 | Mount Rainier National Park

See Full Profile
Headshot of Catherine Buczek

Catherine Buczek

Class of 2018 | Tallahassee, Florida

See Full Profile
Allie Cook works with the Food Corps in Maine

Allie Cook

Class of 2018 | Indian Township, Maine

See Full Profile
Gabe Haug explores Oregon forests.

Gabe Haug

Class of 2016 | Eugene, Oregon

See Full Profile
Jessie Kemper working to remove invasive species from our waterways.

Jessie Kemper

Class of 2012 | Schwenksville, PA

See Full Profile
Planting trees as part of watershed conservation efforts in the Perkiomen.

Beth Myers

Class of 2017 | Schwenksville, PA

See Full Profile
Headshot of Lauralee Lightwood-Mater

Lauralee Lightwood-Mater

Class of 2011 | Philadelphia, PA

See Full Profile
Photo of Regan Dohm holding a bird of prey

Regan Dohm

Class of 2012 | Madison, Wisconsin

See Full Profile
ENV alum Sarah Huang at the Beaufort Sea for ethnographic field work as part of her graduate degree.

Sarah Huang

Class of 2014 | West Lafayette, Indiana

See Full Profile
Adam Schwemin

Adam Schwemin

Class of 2013 | Rockville, MD

See Full Profile
ENV Alum Pete Sosinski is studying law in New York.

Pete Sosinski

Class of 2013 | White Plains, New York

See Full Profile
Pfahler Hall 112
Environmental Studies

610-409-3609
E-mail
  Facebook
  Instagram