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 Community Garden. Students here have the opportunity to direct and develop their interests into real learning experiences.
Department News
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The Chicago Tribune recently published a story on the increased interest in science fields at Lake Forest College. -
Julia Lovelace ’18 is a double major in Environmental Science and Studio Art studying in Otago, New Zealand. -
Students met environmental industry professionals in a small-group networking event to learn about the variety of careers that will allow them to have an impact on the environment and apply their investigative skills to advance environmental science and related initiatives.
The Department of Environmental Studies is very active on campus during the summer, working on ecosystem restoration and cultivating & growing in the student garden.
Check out restoration’s Instagram to keep up with what they are doing:
Check out The Lake Forest College Student Garden’s Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what is being planted and harvested:
Garden Facebook
Garden Instagram
Head of the Environmental Studies Department, Glenn Adelson, is on sabbatical for the year. He is traveling around the world learning as many wildflowers as possible. If you want to follow his travels and discoveries follow him on Instagram @thoughtstoodeepfortears.
Ecosystems of Meaning: A Place Based Environmental Psychology Course
by Professor Kathryn Dohrmann
#LFENVIRONMENTALSTUDIES
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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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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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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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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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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!
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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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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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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
