Geography invites critical and creative thinking about our impact on 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 and resilience, climatology, and climate change. In Last year the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies realligned its curriculum to the new options of Landscape Studies and Environmental Studies. Click on the globe "Majors" icon, below, to explore our solutions-driven academic program for 2025-2026.
Geography & Environmental Studies
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How do salmon connect everything? And how do we sustain both the natural and built environment after wildfire? In the April issue of Chico State Today(opens in new window), Zeke Lunder (Geography '96) discusses the importance of salmon, and how their story ties so many different disciplines together: forestry, wildfire, watersheds, agriculture, water quality and storm/urban water use, and more.
Zeke is a geographer and wildfire specialist who has dedicated over 20 years to fire mapping and intelligence. He founded The Lookout, a platform created to provide context-rich storytelling about wildfires, including how they behave, impact landscapes, and contribute to ecological processes. His work focuses on the Feather River Watershed near his NorCal mountain hometown and aims to help communities better understand and respond to wildfires. The salmon that live on the Pacific West Coast are near and dear to his heart.
This Way to Resilience returned March 27-28, 2025 with resounding impact. "Magical," is one way participants described one of the keynotes. Presenters Mark Stemen, Zeke Lunder,Lindsey Nenadal & Erin Kennedy, and Tom Maiorana gave participants much to ponder over in their communities. Many previewed Evacuate!, a new disaster-preparedness educational board game, designed with our region in-mind by Chelsea Barron (Geography '22). A panel of California Climate Action Corps Fellows and Americorps members rounded out the event, and everyone was treated to a thrifted fashion show plus cool items from the Green Campus team.
STUDENTS & ALUMNI -- GOOD NEWS: geography, planning, GIS, and environmental studies jobs/internships abound! Check this section(opens in new window) of our webpage for opportunities and resources.
Note for our Distance Learners: access GIS software remotely via Chico State's online Wildcat Lab with 50+ licensed programs, just like in our physical labs, including ArcGIS Desktop and Pro programs. More info and software list is at 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
After Park Fire Devastation, a Boon for Butterflies, as reported by Danielle Venton, KQED(opens in new window)(Sept. 2024)
Chasing Fire and Rain, Geography Student Builds Career Documenting Natural Disasters, Chico State Today(opens in new window) (Sept. 2024)
Geography & Environmental Studies major Michael Steinberg was interviewed by The Guardian (Aug. 2024) for a student's perspective on the ongoing Park Fire(opens in new window).
Bounce back or bounce forward?: This Way to Resilience springs (opens in new window)out of Chico State sustainability conference(opens in new window), article on 2024's "This Way to Resilience!"
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)