Environment

Two scuba divers collaborate on the restoration of a thriving coral reef in an underwater environment.

The Difference You'll Make

In this program, volunteers will:

Lead grassroots efforts in their communities to protect the environment and strengthen understanding of environmental issues.
Teach environmental awareness in elementary schools, secondary schools youth groups, and community organizations, empowering communities to make their own decisions about how to protect and conserve the local environment.
Address environmental degradation by promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

Students who choose Environment will take three courses in either environmental studies or biology. Recommended courses include:

50 hours of related field experience is required to complete the Peace Corps Prep Program. Activities that can help satisfy this requirement include:

Educating the public on environmental or conservation issues, i.e. LEAF student club (Leadership for Environmental Action at Fairfield), Campus Sustainability Committee
Working on environmental campaigns (i.e. the federal government through a semester-long program of study, i.e. Washington Internship Institute)
Conducting biological surveys of plants or animals as a faculty-led research project
Gardening, farming, nursery management, organic or low-input vegetable production, or landscaping an on-campus garden, ie., Sporthill Farm, etc.
Providing technical assistance and training in natural resource management to local NGOs, community groups, or school children
Enrolling in a service learning or practicum course such as:
- ENVR 3980 Environment Internship*
- BIOL 3319 Zoology Field Experience
  - *Choose an internship from a variety of organizations involved in environmental science, environmental policy, environmental economics, and environmental law. Please see the website for a list of past Environmental Studies internships.
Students can work with the career counselor in their school or college to assist them with finding internships, volunteer, research, or experiential learning opportunities to support their sector of choice.