One of the first master’s-level environmental studies programs in the country is celebrating its fortieth year. The Department of Environmental Studies (ES) at Antioch University New England (AUNE) can count more than 2,000 graduates from around the world who have made a profound impact on the environment over the past four decades. They live and work around the world, from China to Rwanda to Canada, and all over the United States, and many will be coming to Keene, New Hampshire, to celebrate and reflect on their work.
The department has grown and adapted since it was founded by faculty emeritus Ty Minton. Over the years it has anticipated and responded to relevant issues and challengesclimate change, wildlife protection, habitat destruction, and educating citizen scientists and science teachers, among others. As an experiential learning program, its students and graduates have literally been in the field of environmental studies advocating for changes in policy and human behavior.
The ES department is hosting many events to observe their anniversary year. Find out more about these events, which are open to the public.
In addition, an ES anniversary celebration with alumni and friends will take place on November 8 at the Keene Country Club, with Mitch Thomashow, chair of AUNE’s Department of Environmental Studies from 1979 to 2006, and Robin Kimmerer, author and scientist, as guest speakers.
Whole Terrain, AUNE’s journal of reflective environmental practice, is also celebrating an anniversary: its twentieth year. This well-regarded publication began as an ES student internship. Today, it goes out to a national readership.
