The Department of Environmental Studies at Lake Forest College gets students out of the classroom and into the field. Students are immersed in an interdisciplinary conversation with their local and global environments, and discover their place within them. Whether it’s on-campus initiatives like composting research on behalf of the the campus garden, or volunteering with community organizations like the Lake Forest Open Lands Association, students develop the knowledge and skills to engage with current environmental opportunities and challenges.
Our Department
Our Department of Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary program that looks at the environment from a diversity of disciplinary perspectives. The environment can be studied as the set of natural systems that determines the health of the planet, or as the variety of ways humans have influenced the environment around them. Our program values the perspectives of many different disciplines from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, and guides students through an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing and addressing environmental issues. Its majors also learn the value of using an interdisciplinary approach to understanding issues in the environment. Majors are encouraged and given the flexibility to develop their individual interests as they can be applied to efforts in environmental studies.
Learning in and out of the classroom
The Environmental Studies program provides opportunities for students to learn in the classroom and in the field. We currently have students volunteering at several organizations in the city of Lake Forest—including the Wildlife Discovery Center and the Lake Forest Open Lands Association—as well as on campus, including the Lake Forest College Student Garden at Glen Rowan. Students here have the opportunity to direct and develop their interests into real learning experiences.
Department News
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Students and faculty started planting on the Lillard Science Center’s rooftop garden this week, creating a new outdoor research lab and roof ecosystem demonstration space. -
The grand opening of the Lillard Science Center drew more than 700 guests who toured the renovated and expanded facility and experienced science in action on October 12. -
Lake Forest College’s 5,600-square-foot Student Garden is up and growing again this summer for the eighth season since its inception in 2010.
View All Majors & Minors
| Field Research |
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| Internships and Practica |
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| Student Garden |
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Check out The Lake Forest College Student Garden’s Facebook and Instagram to learn what is being planted and harvested: |
| Social Media |
Department Instagram
Check out the Environmental Studies Instagram to stay updated on current happenings within the department: Restoration Instagram
Check out our restoration Instagram to keep up with current restoration projects: Revery PrarieAlso, check out our new hashtag on Instagram #whatsinflowerinrevery to discover what plants are in flower in Revery Prarie. |
Meet Recent Students
#LFENVIRONMENTALSTUDIES
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As you diligent environmentalists know, plastic bottle caps have to be recycled separately from other plastics (tell your friends!). Bring your caps to the Lodge by Monday morning so we can take ‘em in for you! #lfces #plastic #caps #recycle
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A swamp white oak sprouted from seed! We’re very excited about this rare treat, and will plant this tree on campus once it gets a little bigger and stronger! #lfces #arborday #forestry #growth #spring
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Students sit for a bit at the shores of Lake Michigan while at the Toft Point State Natural Area on the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin. #greatlakes #lfces #inthefield#es203 #students #springflora
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Happy Arbor Day! What a great day to be a #Forester. We had a great turn out to our ceremonial planting today, and managed to get 4 different oaks and a maple in the ground. Thanks to everyone who came out! #arborday #forestry #lfces #plantatree
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There’s a lot coming to life if you stoop down to take a look! Beautiful male flowers of early meadow rue. #meadowrue #natives #ravines #spring
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Ravine Lodge is growing! Native prairie plants and garden edibles, that is. We’ve amped up our restoration game to include the propagation of native plants right here on campus. #lfces #growing #studentinitiatives #campusrestoration
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It’s a warm and rainy first day of summer courses! Glenn’s class on the Spring Flora of the Western Great Lakes met this morning in the back of Ravine Lodge, overlooking Witchhazel Ravine. #spring #flora #lfces
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Here’s a shot from one of our last days in Louisiana - hiking in the Barataria Preserve wetlands, park of the Jean LaFitte National Historic Park and Preserve. We’re currently headed north, back to Chicagoland!
