Environment and Sustainability

Environment and sustainability aren’t just study subjects for Plymouth State students but are integral to both the campus culture and the regional sense of place.

The lakes, rivers, and mountains that surround the campus provide an incomparable setting for immersion in topics involving stewardship and appreciation of natural assets, and University programs take full advantage through field studies and collaborations with partnering businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations. 

The interdisciplinary climate studies program is the first of its kind in New Hampshire and one of the very few in the country that is offered as an undergraduate degree. The major responds to a growing need for trained professionals to work in various aspects of the climate crisis.

The sustainability studies program explores how to make a more resilient, healthy, and socially equitable future. Students are invited to be part of the solutions needed to ensure that future generations have access to needed resources.

Adventure education features field-based courses and sessions in wilderness expedition, ropes courses, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, and winter camping, among other skills. Students learn how to involve children and adults in educational adventures and challenges.

The Plymouth region, with easy access to the White Mountains and New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, is a prime area for outdoor experiences, and the University’s Outdoor Center has high-quality equipment that can be rented by students of all majors at no charge. Hiking, kayaking, paddling, and climbing are among the many activities that students can enjoy with friends or through trips and activities organized by the University.