School of Earth & Sustainability
Integrating physical, biological, and social perspectives on our changing earth: At Northern Arizona University, we train undergraduate and graduate students to be leading researchers and practitioners in geology, environmental sciences, and sustainability, often collaborating across disciplinary boundaries. Our students spend time learning in the field, working on cutting-edge research, and collaborating with agencies.
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Divisons of NAU’s School of Earth & Sustainability
SES teaching in the field
Interdisciplinary SES faculty, graduate students, and alumni take to the river: Field-based learning about geology and policy on the Yampa River
SES in the news
Research highlights Accordion Open
NAU's Laura Huenneke is the new President of the Ecological Society of America
This summer, NAU's Dr. Laura Huenneke began her term as President of the world's largest society of ecologists, after her election a year ago. As Laura explains in the ESA press release, the job is not just about keeping things running smoothly: “[w]e live in an increasingly complicated and interconnected world that requires sound ecological science to improve management of the human and natural environment. ESA’s members provide that scientific understanding of the world around us, and we need their expertise…
Does that river have water in it? Your smartphone can help SES researchers find out
Rivers in the Southwest are increasingly intermittent: flowing when it's wet, but converted to a series of isolated pools when it's dry. This has major effects on the types of aquatic plants and animals that live in and near rivers. As part of a new $3 million NSF grant, Ben Ruddell and Abe Springer are working to develop a smartphone app that lets everyone contribute to documenting dry and wet river conditions. Read more at NAU News.
Student news Accordion Closed
Congrats to our award-winning grads!
Graduating Environmental & Sustainability Studies major Chandler Emerald McCormick has been awarded the prestigious President's Prize as well as the Gold Axe award. Many congrats on your success Emerald, and thanks for all your excellent work engaging students at the NAU Office of Sustainability! Additional congrats to Julia Hernandez, who was selected to be the Standard Bearer for the College of the Environment, Forestry & Natural Sciences Commencement Ceremony this Fall! Julia is graduating from NAU's intensive Interdisciplinary Global Programs with a joint degree in…
SES HURA students start their projects
Every year, a few carefully selected NAU undergraduates embark on a year of NAU-funded independent research projects, thanks to the Hooper Undergraduate Research Award. This year, a full 10 of these students are from the School of Earth & Sustainability! We're looking forward to your discoveries Morgan Andrews, Leah Brennan, William Carter, Jenna Chaffeur, Ray Eckland, Lauren Mason-Sarantopulos, Jill Miller, Chelsea Seaton, Andrew Thomas, and Amber Treadway! Follow them and other undergrad researchers at on the NAU Undergrad Research facebook…
Alumni Accordion Closed
Geology Alum Mike Kelly puts climate change on display
Mike Kelly (MS ’91 and Adjunct Professor) is helping illustrate future climate change at a new visitor center exhibit at Acadia National Park, ME. From the article: "Displays such as 'Open ocean tomorrow?' ask visitors to consider some scenarios of climate change consequences in the park. 'As sea levels continue to rise, scientists question if some of Acadia’s salt water marshes might permanently flood, creating an open ocean where a tidal marsh once existed'...the exhibit, which includes a 3D topographic map of the park…
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