Resources and Opportunities

Benefiting from the Western Michigan University environmental studies program faculty's expertise are numerous local, regional, and national organizations focusing on:

  • Environmental science research
  • Social justice
  • Sustainability

These organizations include:

The Gibbs House for environmental research and education

The Gibbs House for environmental research and education is a program of Western Michigan University's Office for Sustainability that focuses on undergraduate research and community engagement. Research fellows live at the house and undertake research projects that center around residential sustainability.

Students for a Sustainable Earth

Students for a Sustainable Earth members promote attitudes and practices in the University and the surrounding community that are ecologically and culturally sustainable.

Kalamazoo Nature Center

Kalamazoo Nature Center is located on 1,100 acres of forest and marshland among rolling hills beside the Kalamazoo River just north of Kalamazoo, Mich. The nature center offers interpretive trails and a variety of educational opportunities in environmental science and ecology.

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

The Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is one of the newest biological field stations in North America, offering students, professionals, naturalists and novices a wonderful place in which to learn from and experience nature.

Kalamazoo Collective Housing

Kalamazoo Collective Housing provides nonprofit, sustainable housing, empowers people to create democratic cooperatives, and strengthens the community through shared resources and education.

Tillers International

Tillers International is a nonprofit organization devoted to helping farmers in the developing world improve their agricultural productivity and their communities. Tillers also:

  • Offers a variety of classes at the working farm just outside Kalamazoo, where students learn about farming, blacksmithing, and a range of useful farm crafts.
  • Promotes the use of economically sustainable and technologically appropriate solutions to farming issues throughout the world.

Environment and science news

News and resource sites are recommended by Western Michigan University's environmental studies program for students, educators, and the community.