Environmental Studies Program

                                                        Mission Statement

It is our mission to reach the following goals:

To utilize faculty and courses from different departments for an
interdisciplinary emphasis.

To investigate and teach about the natural (physical and life sciences) and
social systems necessary for understanding environmental concerns.

To help students understand the complexity of environmental problems.

To provide students with internships, field experiences in diverse
eco-systems, and opportunities for scholarly research.

To prepare students through an interdisciplinary emphasis to pursue careers
such as wildlife managers, field biologists, wetland specialists, naturalists,
park interpreters, horticulturalists, water quality technicians, fisheries or
forestry managers or technicians, environmental analysts, environmental
journalists, and environmental activists.

Unique Features of Our Program include  important resources singularly available to use
to produce unique ENVS graduates with an exceptional and distinctive understanding of both
regional and international environmental issues. These resources include (but are not limited to):

 1.  Location:  We are near important field research areas of regional, national, and international importance;
    near important governmental offices involved in environmental issues. near diverse eco-systems visited regularly
    in courses and field work, and are centrally located within the continental US to facilitate travel to all parts of the US.

 2.  History:  Our faculty, students, and alumni have been and continue to be involved in key governmental
    agencies, advocacy groups, and private profit and non-profit corporations which work with
    environmental issues.

 3.  Field Courses which take students off campus:   Field courses are required of all majors that investigate
    diverse eco-systems in the Midwest, as well as the Northern Woods, Florida and the Everglades, the
    Tropics, and the Southwest.

4.  Required Internships:  Through required internships and research opportunities a primary part of our
    mission is to provide students with on sight learning and work experiences in many different areas of
    Environmental Studies.  Past Interns have worked at The Department of Natural Resources,
    The Nature Conservancy, The US Fish and Wildlife Service, DNR Wildlife Rehabilitation Sites, Local
    Zoos, Local Landscape Nurseries, Public Gardens,  and various Parks.

5.  Research Opportunities:  Our students have the opportunity to participate in research, particularly in the
    fields of wetlands restoration ecology and the ecology of small mammals.  Students have presented
    their findings at regional and national meetings.   Students have particularly been involved with the Midwest
    Fish and  Wildlife Society, The Animal Behavior Society, Regional Nature Conservancy Symposiums, The
    Illinois River Coordinating Council meetings and The Upper Mississippi River Research Constortium.

Program Description:
How we assess our program:

This mission statement is intended to provide information for current students, alumni, prospective
students, and accrediting bodies.  For more information, please contact:
                Dr. Deborah Beal, Coordinator, Environmental Studies.