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
Tuesday Oct 10th, 2023

Workshop: What is Your Climate Story?

Creating Effective Communication About Climate Change: Interviewing Others Workshop
Ursinus Shield with leaves
Monday Oct 23rd, 2023

Workshop: What is Your Climate Story?

Creating Effective Communication About Climate Change: StoryMap Skills Workshop

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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

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Headshot of Catherine Buczek

Catherine Buczek

Class of 2018 | Tallahassee, Florida

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Allie Cook works with the Food Corps in Maine

Allie Cook

Class of 2018 | Indian Township, Maine

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Gabe Haug explores Oregon forests.

Gabe Haug

Class of 2016 | Eugene, Oregon

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Jessie Kemper working to remove invasive species from our waterways.

Jessie Kemper

Class of 2012 | Schwenksville, PA

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

Beth Myers

Class of 2017 | Schwenksville, PA

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Headshot of Lauralee Lightwood-Mater

Lauralee Lightwood-Mater

Class of 2011 | Philadelphia, PA

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Photo of Regan Dohm holding a bird of prey

Regan Dohm

Class of 2012 | Madison, Wisconsin

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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

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Adam Schwemin

Adam Schwemin

Class of 2013 | Rockville, MD

Delivery Experience Specialist, Tesla Motors, Inc.

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ENV Alum Pete Sosinski is studying law in New York.

Pete Sosinski

Class of 2013 | White Plains, New York

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Pfahler Hall 112
Environmental Studies

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