The Program
There’s no denying it: Alaska is one of the most stunning places on earth. With more than 57 million acres of designated wilderness, Alaska is one of the few places in the US with large, intact natural landscapes. These vast and dynamic areas offer clean air, water, and habitat protection for many of our most iconic wildlife --grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, and thousands of other plant and animal species. Yet with climate change, Alaska is warming at more than twice the global average rate. This remarkable new program will investigate the relationship between air quality and climate change, and how we as citizen scientists can use air quality data to influence policy, and individual choice and behavior. With the largest region of untouched wilderness in North America as our classroom, we will delve into how air quality, climate change, and environmental policy are shaping the last frontier.

Over two weeks, our field studies will take us to the shores of a glacier-fed lake, alpine tundra dotted with wildflowers, the flanks of North America’s highest peak, and finally the mineral-rich waters of geothermal springs in America’s far north. We will start in a region known for its pristine air quality, establishing a benchmark for understanding the effects of human activity on visibility, health, and atmospheric conditions. Here we will learn how to research and measure air quality firsthand with specialized equipment. Utilizing our knowledge of the Clean Air Act and its profound implications for U.S. policy, we will compare air quality at each location and build our understanding of the different factors that affect the air we breathe. Through hands-on fieldwork, case studies, and group activities, our team will discover the critical role environmental policy plays in resource management and community planning, and in protecting the iconic wildlife that depend on Alaska’s pristine environment for their well-being and existence. Throughout the program, we will build our naturalist and identification skills by paying close attention to the key flora and fauna that characterize these diverse landscapes.

As we unravel the intricacies of air pollution, our field studies will shift to understanding the short-term and long-term effects of climate change in Alaska, and the decision-making process involved in managing these critical natural resources. We will discuss how science and air quality monitoring can be used to address this critical environmental challenge and mitigate its impact on ecosystems and communities.  Further, we will assess the state's reliance on natural resource industries, such as oil extraction, and discuss crucial questions about sustainability, conservation, planning and policy. With hands-on experience and skilled observations gained in these remarkable Alaskan landscapes, you will leave Alaska with a deeper understanding of the critical concerns of climate change and inspired to help address this key environmental challenge. 

Program Details
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Dates: Summer 2025: June 24 – July 8, 2025
Accommodations:  Primarily camping, short backpacking trip
Credits: 5 quarter credits or 3.35 semester credits
Language: English instruction
Courses: Environmental Wildlands Studies
Prerequisites: One college level course in environmental studies, environmental science, or similar. 18 years of age

Program Costs
Alaska Summer 2025
$    150    Application Fee
$ 2,800    Program Fee
$ 1,400    Group Logistics Fee
$   850     Estimated Airfare and Mandatory Travel Insurance
$  400      Estimated Personal Expenses

$5,600     Total Estimated Cost
Summer 2025: Program fees due by May 1, 2025