Environment

The natural environment shapes Northern Arizona University, from the San Francisco Peaks that define the northern horizon to the biologically diverse bosque forests along the lower Colorado River near the Yuma campus. Similarly, the environment is a central theme uniting our faculty and students. The wealth of public lands, open spaces, and diverse ecosystems of rural Arizona attract faculty and students with interests in the environmental sciences and a commitment to conservation, sustainable use, and appreciation of the natural beauty and fascinating natural history of the Southwest.

As the largest research university on the vast Colorado Plateau, NAU has attracted many internationally renowned researchers who have made NAU a destination for world-class environmental scholarship, from the undergraduate to post-doctoral level. Our faculty are found in the classroom as well, teaching all levels and providing unequaled opportunities for students to experience a fresh approach to education, enlivened with cutting-edge research and innovative approaches to environmental policy and problem-solving.

Several prominent national University Centers for environmental research, public outreach, and education link academic programs in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Forestry, Geology, Political Sciences, and many other departments, and students are encouraged to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries while pursuing innovative and rigorous new approaches for addressing the region’s—and the world’s—emerging environmental challenges.

Visit the websites of these NAU centers and programs to get a taste of the exciting opportunities NAU has to offer!

Take a look at Navigating the Green Road, A Guide to Northern Arizona University's Environmental Resources (PDF, 38 MB)