Welcome to the WMU Environmental Studies Program!

Environmental Studies at Western Michigan University is a dynamic and evolving interdisciplinary program, comprising faculty from a range of specialties in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. Established in 1972, ours is one of the oldest Environmental Studies programs in the nation. We presently offer a "coordinate" Major in Environmental Studies, a Minor in Environmental Studies, and a Minor in Environmental Studies Teaching. Our major curriculum requires that students enroll as dual majors; one major being ENVS and the other a second major of the student's choice. Both minor curricula are available to all undergraduates.

The ENVS program teaches concern for the long-term health and well-being of our planet, and we encourage our students to develop a personally fulfilling, environmentally responsible way of living. At the same time, we offer rigorous pre-professional training that prepares our students for careers in a wide range of environmentally-related fields. These emphases are coupled with sound academic standards and principles that continually challenge our students to excel.

The ENVS program regularly hosts guest scholars of national and international reputation. We have hosted public lectures by such environmental luminaries as William Cronon, Huey Johnson, David Orr, and Julia "Butterfly" Hill. We also work extensively with local, regional and international NGOs, such as the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Tillers International, The Fetzer Foundation, The Kalamazoo Nature Center, The Pierce Cedar Creek Biological Field Station, Wild Ones, The Audubon Society, The Sierra Club, the United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies Education for Sustainability Program, University Leaders for a Sustainable Future, and the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

The mission statement of WMU enshrines an ethic to "advance responsible environmental stewardship". We view the ENVS program as crucial to WMU's mission promoting and advancing this fundamental tenet of sensible and ethical behavior, and we invite you to join us in this ongoing and hopeful enterprise.

For further information, please contact:

Nancy Arneson, ENVS Coordinator
3930 Wood Hall
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008
telephone (269) 387-2716
fax (269) 387-2272