Explore Wisconsin’s Living Landscape
Just a few hours north of campus, students immerse themselves in southern Wisconsin's rich ecology, geology, and sustainability practices. This weekend field course introduces majors to hands-on learning in natural and restored environments through site visits, hikes, and guided exploration. From the glacial landscapes of Devil’s Lake to the conservation legacy of Aldo Leopold, students gain a deeper understanding of the Midwest’s environmental heritage and its ongoing sustainability challenges.
ESE 289 Environment & Sustainability Field Study
This course combines in-class learning with a weekend field trip to Baraboo, Wisconsin. Students investigate the region’s forests, wetlands, and geological history while engaging with conservation efforts past and present. Activities include guided hikes, tours of renowned ecological sites, and collaborative student-led presentations.
- Credit: 1 hour
- Open to: ESES majors, minors, and Sustainability Living-Learning Community students (non-majors may join the waitlist)
- Grading: Letter or S/U
- Course Fee: $150 (the majority of costs are generously covered by the Buckley Student Fund)
Dates:
- Class meets once a week for the first 8 weeks of the fall semester, both before and after the trip
- The field trip takes place over the course of one weekend
Highlights of the Baraboo Trip
Students experience a wide variety of hands-on activities that bring classroom lessons to life, including:
- Touring the Aldo Leopold Shack and Farm, where the American conservation movement began.
- Exploring the Leopold Center’s Green Building and learning about sustainable design.
- Visiting the International Crane Foundation, home to all 15 species of cranes worldwide.
- Hiking the glacial landscapes of Devil’s Lake State Park to study geological formations and local ecology.
- Evening community-building at Durward’s Glen Retreat and Conference Center, where students stay surrounded by forests and wetlands.
Why take this course?
Students return from Baraboo with a stronger foundation in ecological thinking, a clearer understanding of sustainability challenges in the Midwest, and an appreciation for the connections between history, geology, and conservation today. Thanks to the support of the Buckley Student Fund, the course remains one of the most affordable ways for ESES majors to gain immersive field experience.