Environmental Studies Program
The Environmental Studies major is a liberal arts program that focuses on the interactions of humans and the natural environment. Specifically, the Program studies the structure and functioning of natural systems and the ways that human social, political, and economic activity affects those systems.
While all areas of environmental policy are covered, the central program focus is on land management, which Western State College of Colorado is uniquely qualified to offer. Over 80% of the region surrounding Western is public lands, and virtually every state and national land management agency is represented in Gunnison.
Many students are attracted to Western because of its location, and the Environmental Studies major allows students, in the words of the College's Role and Mission Statement, to "develop the relationship between learning and locality."
Environmental Initiatives at Western
President's Climate Committee
When Western President Jay Helman signed the President’s Climate Commitment last May, the College became a Charter member of this important endeavor that has now gathered commitments from more than 340 campus presidents. Western Environmental Studies majors brought the commitment to President Helman’s attention and serve on the council he established to create a plan.
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment supports the efforts of campuses which are committed to environmental stewardship through achieving climate neutrality by reducing their greenhouse gas footprint. Joining in the effort commits Western to completing an emissions inventory, taking a minimum of two steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the first year, and developing a plan which sets a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
Becoming a charter member of the Presidents Climate Commitment is only one of the many steps that Western is taking to implement the Environmental Charter approved by the campus and the Board of Trustees in 2006.
For information on Western’s progress, please see meeting notes from the team gathered to work on the developing a baseline study and a draft plan for further campus consideration.
Green Building at Western
The newly completed Borick Business Building was Certified LEED Silver in 2008. The LEED program promotes a “whole building” approach to sustainability through emphasis on performance in five “key areas of human and environmental health”: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, it’s the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of “high performance, green buildings.”
Currently, LEED Gold Certification is sought for the 2008 Kelley Hall renovation which will house the Environmental Studies Program and the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department. The new 26 million dollar Student Center (opening January 2010) will seek LEED Gold certification as well.
Internships and field studies
Experiential learning is incorporated throughout the major. and involve extensive field work using the Gunnison region as a laboratory.
By the end of their senior year students will have worked with professionals in the land management field and carried out projects requested by the agencies. This field work culminates in the student production of a professional quality report.
In this program students do not just learn about the environment, they do real world environmental work, from monitoring wilderness conditions to developing trail use plans, to working with guide services.
Careers in Environmental Studies
According to national statistics, graduates with degrees in Environmental Studies enter related careers at a higher rate than most other majors.
Find out more about Careers in Environmental Studies
Updated 01/2008