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School of Environmental Studies

Environmental Studies

At the School of Environmental Studies, we're a passionate community exploring how people and the planet can thrive together. We bring ecological science, social insight and Indigenous ways of knowing into conversation to better understand—and respond to—complex environmental challenges.

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ES undergrads cycle through nature on a field day with the Redfish School of Change

Our world, our future

Learning here goes beyond the classroom. You’ll work with communities, ask difficult questions and learn to approach environmental problems from different perspectives.

Through research, field and community-based learning, you’ll build practical skills while learning how to communicate clearly, work collaboratively and turn evidence and ideas into thoughtful action.

Whether your interests lead toward conservation, policy, research, community work or somewhere you haven’t discovered yet, ES gives you the knowledge, experience and adaptability to begin shaping your own path.

Build a career that fits you ➔

News and Stories

James Rowe co-edits new collection on contemplative practice and politics

August 17, 2026

School of Environmental Studies professor Dr. James Rowe has co-edited a new book, Contemplative Praxis and Politics, with Shannon L. Mariotti of Trinity University and Farah Godrej of the...

Image from Power House Cliff showing the aftermath of the 2024 Jasper Wildfire Complex in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. Photo credit: Mountain Legacy Project (https://mountainlegacy.ca) under a Creative Commons License.

New review examines ecological novelty in a changing climate

August 13, 2026

A new study led by Environmental Studies PhD student Claire Wright, with Dr. Eric Higgs and an international team of co-authors, examines how climate change is creating new ecological conditions...

Lindsey Schneider

Researcher profile: Lindsey Schneider

July 14, 2026

New Associate Professor Dr. Lindsey Schneider brings an Indigenous-led, community-centred approach to research and teaching in Environmental Studies. Her work explores settler colonialism,...

President’s Fellowship Award Recipients – 2026

July 5, 2026

Congratulations to Walter Homewood and Claire Wright, who have both been selected to receive a 2026 President’s Fellowship in Research-Enriched Teaching!This prestigious fellowship...

Above & Beyond Award Recipients – Spring 2026

May 5, 2026

Congratulations to our faculty and staff who were nominated for an Above and Beyond Award this spring! And thank you to all those who nominated them. Caolan Barr As a Sessional...

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Our commitment to racial justice and decolonization

The School of Environmental Studies at UVic acknowledges that the field of environmental studies has mostly included white individuals, which Dorceta Taylor refers to as the "Green Insiders Club." This white colonial dominance has not only weakened the discipline but also the larger environmental movement. We are dedicated to changing and questioning these old ways by using new approaches focused on decolonization and racial justice. Our goal is to highlight and learn from perspectives and experiences that have been overlooked in the past.

Learn more about our shared commitments and annual actions.

If you believe that we are not living up to this vision, please share your thoughts with us.

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close up of cedar branches

Territory acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.

Indigenous initiatives at UVic