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Geography? Environmental Studies? Land Use Planning? GIS? YOU'VE GOT THIS!

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.

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Have a general campus question? We have answers!(opens in new window)

Fall 2023 class Add or Drop may be made through Census Day (Sept. 18) via your instructor, advisor or Dept. Chair, Dr. LaDona Knigge(opens in new window).

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).

Geography in the News:

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.