We empower students to foster community transitions to ecologically resilient, economically sustainable and socially-just energy, food, water and land-use systems. Our students have monitored forests on snowshoes, managed a campus organic farm, addressed climate change and collaborated with diverse global communities.
Tackling the environmental challenges of the twenty-first century.
The most serious environmental problems of our time have the potential to change the course of life as we know it. Issues like global warming, toxic waste, water and air pollution and diminishing energy supplies threaten our future–if we don’t have the leadership and expertise to counteract it.
The School of Environment and Sustainability offers a truly experiential and personalized education that focuses on interdisciplinary learning, global networks of place-based change, cultural inclusivity and cross-boundary environmental stewardship. We cultivate the environmental leaders that our natural world needs.
Focused on the future
Master of Science in Ecology student, Courtney King, gazes through a telescope at bighorn sheep during her Wildlife Techniques Class.
ENVS Network
Connecting people and organizations worldwide.
Master in Environment Management (MEM) students have completed over 80,000 hours of projects serving community organizations across Colorado, the American West, and as far as Kenya, the Himalayas and Costa Rica. Together, faculty researchers, student project leaders and thought leaders come together at Western Colorado University to tackle the most pressing environmental issues of our time.
Sustaining growth
MEM students, Cassidy Cichowicz and Aubrey Schoff, visit Castle Valley, Utah to connect with local stakeholders and learn about sustainable food and energy practices.
Giving
Help students cultivate their future.
How can students from a small liberal arts university in the heart of the Rockies find ways to combat global climate change? How can generations of students dedicate their talent, vision and energy to help build socially and ecologically resilient communities internationally? These are the questions that inspired us to launch the School of Environment and Sustainability. We invite you to help support our mission by donating to our capital campaign that provides scholarships for MEM students.
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Department Information
School of Environment & Sustainability (ENVS)
Campus Location
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81230