Geography & Planning Department

Geography & Planning is now Geography & Environmental Studies!

Spring Semester 2024. Let's weather the storms!

Geography invites critical and creative thinking about our impact on the Earth, the equal distribution of resources, and sustainable living across the globe. Our programs cover social, cultural, economic, and natural science topics including landscape analysis, water resources, fire management, landscape ecology and biogeography, ecological restoration, climatology, and climate change.  In July 2024 the Department of Geography and Planning will reallign its curriculum to the new options of Landscape Studies and Environmental Studies.  And then our new department name will be official!

What it's like being a Geography & Planning Student at California State University, Chico

Our students create the world they want to see. Here's how:

      Majors

Majors

     Minors

Minors

 Certificates

Certificates

Faculty & Staff

 Faculty & Staff

  Resources

Resources

    Alumni

Alumni

  GeoPlace

GeoPlace

Map Gallery

Map Gallery

Quick Links

Announcements

"This Way to Resilience!" is a climate change and resilience symposium(opens in new window) on March 29, 2024 in Colusa Hall 100.  All are welcome to both the symposium and film premier that week!

Chico State's GIVING DAY was March 6, and did you ever come through forGeography & Planning student awards (opens in new window)- a huge THANK YOU!!! Your contributions help students to excel in:

  • Professional conference travel
  • Research project support
  • Academic achievement recognition
  • Supplemental study materials
  • Job search & interview preparation
  • Alternative transportation solutions

Get Inspired!  Watch the 9-min. film, Paddle Tribal Waters(opens in new window), about youth kayaking on the Klamath River, and this year's dam removal efforts. 

GOOD NEWS -- you're in demand as geography, planning, and env'l studies jobs and internships pile up!  Check this section(opens in new window) for opportunities and specialized resource links. 

Note for our Distance Learners:  access GIS software remotely via Chico State's online Wildcat Lab! Wildcat Lab is a cloud service (web browser-to-PC) with 50+ software programs licensed by our campus. These are the same programs found in our physical labs, including ArcGIS Desktop and Pro programs. For a full list of software, visit the Wildcat Lab Knowledge Base(opens in new window). See also our GIS Software and Support(opens in new window) page.

Geography in the News:

Professor Don Hankins was awarded(opens in new window) by the California Invasive Plant Council for his work with prescribed fire (Oct. 2023).

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) recognized Professor Mark Stemen's Faculty Learning Community in Teaching Climate Change and Resilience(opens in new window) as one of eight award-winning, innovative pedagogy programs(opens in new window) in the nation (Aug. 2023).  

New state fund to support prescribed, cultural burning: Chico State’s Don Hankins promotes traditional practice getting $20 million boost(opens in new window) (Chico Enterprise-Record, Jun. 2023)

Professor Hankins is one of five faculty members recognized for professional achievement(opens in new window) in pyrogeography research and service (May 2023)

The Climate-Conscious College(opens in new window), article interview with Dr. Stemen et. al., by The Chronicle of Higher Education (Feb. 2023)

Thousands of Physical Maps Need a Home—Students Helped Find One(opens in new window) (Chico State Today, 2022)

Faith Churchill, a geography and planning student earns recognition for her project in helping Chico State to become a designated safe-place for beneficial pollinators. Learn more about the article.(opens in new window)

See Chico State Today's 2020 issue with Dr. Jacquelyn Chase and Peter Hansen on their work on "population displacement due to the 2018 Camp Fire". Learn more about the article.(opens in new window)

Don Hankins' 2020 interview with NPR's Science Friday reporters: how indigenous burning practices could prevent massive wildfires. Click here to listen.(opens in new window)