![Students working in a field](/sites/default/files/styles/editor_full/public/2021-05/Environmental-Studies---Hero.jpg?itok=4uOYlGbY)
![An aerial view of the Saint Lawrence University campus.](/sites/default/files/styles/320x176/public/2023-12/jpg%20%285%29.jpeg?h=e695f0e6&itok=3d4ClCvS)
Center for the Environment
At St. Lawrence, our Center for the Environment is here to help you solve environmental questions that are at the heart of some of today's greatest shared challenges.
St. Lawrence University's brand-new Center for the Environment empowers the next generation of leaders to develop the skills necessary—through education, advocacy, and action—to be agents of change in their communities, the region, and the world.
Combining our existing programs with innovative new initiatives, our Center for the Environment expands on decades of research, teaching, and experiential opportunities for students, and spans the globe—from our beautiful 1,000-acre green campus in the heart of the North Country to our living/learning compound in Nairobi, Kenya.
Liberal Arts in Action
Regardless of your academic major, you’ll work closely with faculty, staff, and alumni who bring expertise on the issues you’re most interested in, like climate change, energy, conservation, sustainability, environmental justice, and outdoor leadership.
The work you do through the Center for the Environment will help you develop the leadership, critical thinking, and communication skills you’ll need to make an impact in our rapidly changing world. You'll have opportunities to immerse yourself in experiences like research on microplastics in nearby waterways, interning at an environmental nonprofit or alternative energy company, advocating for climate action legislation, or joining your living-learning community to assist on an organic farm.
New Initiatives
You care about the environmental issues and challenges that shape our global community, and we do too. We'll tackle them together with bold new resources, opportunities, and programs.
![A student, wearing a bright orange vest, crouches in a river and dips their hand into a box while collecting samples from the river. Several students are in the background, standing in low water, collecting samples.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-12/cfe%20diff%20card.png?h=73541a1f&itok=FzNCVsFt)
Green Innovation Grants
No matter what you're inspired to explore or how you're determined to make our community better, we offer funding for environmental research and innovation on campus so you can turn your ideas into action.
![A Saint Lawrence student explains his Adirondack research project to a professor.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-11/scholar%20diff.png?h=73541a1f&itok=8bQhUI24)
Environmental Scholars Program
As an Environmental Scholar, you’ll join a specialized pre-orientation trip and choose from First-Year Program courses that focus on sustainability, climate change, conservation, or related topics.
![Shedrack Bogonko stands in front of a North Country traditions display.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-11/intern%20diff.png?h=73541a1f&itok=BuydCJuT)
Green Internships
We know the value hands-on experience can have. With our new green internships, you’ll explore your interests, apply your knowledge to real-world experiences, and prepare for a career that excites and inspires you.
Existing Programs
Our Center for the Environment is built on strong partnerships with programs that extend from our campus in Canton to the peaks of the Adirondack Mountains and classrooms around the globe. Here are just a few highlights of the numerous environmental education opportunities on campus and beyond.
![Two people, wearing green rain jacket, examine a wild game camera attached to a tree.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-11/innovation%20diff.png?h=73541a1f&itok=qhX9pj_v)
Nature Up North
This community-based organization connects people to the North Country environment through citizen scientist projects and offers internship and volunteer opportunities for students.
![Laurentians on a dock near a canoe](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2021-06/Outdoor-Studies-Header.jpg?h=e5aec6c8&itok=Zw9BzHpB)
Outdoor Studies Minor
As you grapple with some of today’s biggest ethical questions regarding climate change, natural resources, and preservation, you’ll learn how you can make a positive impact while empowering others to do the same—starting right in your North Country backyard.
![A professor holds up a piece of paper in explanation to a group of students in a yurt.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-12/adk%20sem.jpeg?h=e5aec6c8&itok=cb5hZj7w)
The Adirondack Semester
Not everyone has the Adirondack park in their backyard. As part of the Adirondack Semester, you'll live off the grid in a remote yurt village, forage food, cook meals, enjoy the wilderness, and take classes like nature writing and environmental ethics.
![People at a mud hut](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2022-08/Gobal-Perspectives.jpg?h=4997dc06&itok=ebtvblop)
Kenya Semester Program
Coordinated by our Center for International and Intercultural Studies, our 50-year-old Kenya Semester Program gives you the chance to explore the culture, environment, and development of East Africa while living and studying on our home base in the suburbs of Nairobi.
![A large teal house with a string of small, yellow, blue, and red flags hanging on the porch. A student sits in a hammock on the front porch.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-07/theme-cottage_diff-card.jpg?h=73541a1f&itok=i407Xvn7)
Theme Houses
Live with students who are just as committed to being environmentally responsible as you are in the Green House. This low impact living community also hosts legendary locally sourced dinners for different students each week.
![A student wearing a helmet and a harness, prepares to climb the rock face in front of them.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2021-07/Nina%20Haynie%20Rock%20Climbing.jpg?h=790be497&itok=CY-gyBbb)
Outdoor Program
The Outdoor Program offers wilderness first responder training and takes you off campus for trips and excursions, from backpacking in the Adirondacks to rock climbing in Spain.
Environmentally-Focused Academics
The Center for the Environment will connect you with endless opportunities to connect your liberal arts education to the environmental topics and issues you care about.
How St. Lawrence Does Sustainability
![A student, sitting on a yellow and blue striped hammock set between two large trees, works on a laptop during a sunny day on campus. Several students sit in the grass on the quad in the background.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-07/tree-campus_diff-card.jpg?h=73541a1f&itok=QXZPXp_G)
Official Tree Campus
A student-faculty research project found that St. Lawrence's campus tree population is growing—with special emphasis on planting trees that are native to the North Country. The Arbor Foundation recognized our commitment to maintaining and growing green spaces by naming us a Tree Campus.
Our Green College Rating
The Princeton Review, 2021
LEED Gold Science Facility in NYS
The Johnson Hall of Science was the first LEED Gold Certified science facility in New York, a recognition of our goal to build an environmentally sustainable building.
![Class outside](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2021-06/Second-differentiator-card---Tree-Ratio.jpg?h=0c2904f9&itok=0B3w8qmp)
Tree-To-Student Ratio
At St. Lawrence, there’s a tree with your name on it (at least for four years).
![A student, wearing overalls, holds a basket dull of bright red peppers.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-12/sustainability%20diff.png?h=73541a1f&itok=SjAurDAt)
Sustainably St. Lawrence
To minimize our environmental impact, we’re investing in efforts to be more efficient, preserve and protect natural habitats on campus, and support local food systems.
Acre Living Lab
Featuring fields, forests, raised garden beds, and outbuildings with energy-conserving lighting
![Two assembly lines of Saint Lawrence students, wearing scarlet aprons, flank the sides of a long metal food prep table and put together meals.](/sites/default/files/styles/300x225/public/2023-11/campus%20kitchens%20diff.png?h=73541a1f&itok=OC4jw1sZ)
Campus Kitchens
A student-powered hunger relief organization reducing food waste and food insecurity in the North Country. Every week, St. Lawrence students and community volunteers turn food that would otherwise be wasted into delicious, nutritionally balanced, three-course meals.
Sustainably Focused Students
Our students are passionate about the environment and making an impact on local and global level. Explore some of their environmentally-focused research, projects and internships.
Academic Programs That Make a Difference
![Students working in a field](/sites/default/files/styles/editor_full/public/2021-05/Environmental-Studies---Hero.jpg?itok=4uOYlGbY)
Our Center for the Environment encourages all students, regardless of academic interest, to dig deeper into environmental issues. Pursue majors like conservation biology or environmental studies, or explore and combine courses across academic departments to develop a new passion, discover an untapped talent, or find an exciting, unexpected path. Where will your next academic adventure take you?