Geography and Earth Science Department Initiatives and Programs

Initiatives and programs backed by faculty and students of the Geography and Earth Science Department ensure excellent networking, service learning and research opportunities that are centered around solving real problems. All of these platforms allow students to apply themselves and their knowledge in hands-on settings.

Bird Run Interdisciplinary Watershed Research Laboratory

The Burd Run Interdisciplinary Watershed Research Laboratory provides field training through collection and analysis of related hydrologic, geologic, biologic and geographic data from a single watershed. Learning is linked across courses and disciplines, allowing students to build and integrate scientific skills throughout their education using the watershed.

Campus Farm

The Shippensburg University Campus Farm provides hands-on learning experiences and allows the campus and community to improve sustainability. The farm also provides great volunteer opportunities and opportunities to give back to the community.

Center for Land Use and Sustainability

The mission of the Center for Land Use and Sustainability (CLUS) at Shippensburg University is fostering healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities through applied research, experiential learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary, cross-sector partnerships. CLUS promotes interdisciplinary research, supports sustainable solutions, and provides professional development opportunities.

Chincoteague Bay Field Station at Wallops Island

Ship students can take advantage of great opportunities involving the Wallops Island Marine Science Consortium program. The Chincoteague Bay Field Station in Accomack County, Virginia is adjacent to Chincoteague Bay, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the Assateague Island National Seashore and NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. Students can:

Take courses at Ship that include field experiences at Wallops Island and the Marine Science Consortium
Take part in faculty-student research that uses the facilities
Take summer courses at the Marine Science Consortium

Delaware River Basin

Based out of CLUS, the Delaware River Basin research team is working to address challenges facing the basin, which provides water resources for over 15 million people. With support from the Delaware Watershed Research Fund, team efforts are focused on addressing needs of the basin through three components: