Summer Institute in Ecology & Policy of the Chesapeake Watershed

The Georgetown University Summer Institute in Ecology & Policy of the Chesapeake Watershed—hosted by the Earth Commons at Georgetown University—offers undergraduates a 5-week, 6-credit immersive experience that explores the Washington, D.C., region's unique ecological and political landscapes.

Students enrolled in this Institute will engage in cohort-based learning (lectures, discussions, research, and experiential opportunities) to accomplish the following goals:

• Understand ecological systems: Students will gain a foundational understanding of the watershed’s ecosystems, focusing on biodiversity, species interactions, and ecological processes. In the field, students will develop proficiency in biodiversity sampling techniques and ecological data collection methods.
• Analyze environmental challenges: Students will be guided through identification and analysis of key environmental challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay watershed, such as pollution, habitat loss, and climate change impacts. Exercises will push students to evaluate how human activities and natural processes shape the watershed’s health and biodiversity.
• Explore the policy landscape: Students will become familiar with the structure and function of environmental policies and regulations that govern the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Students will analyze how local, state, and federal policies interact in the Washington, DC region to address ecological and social challenges within the watershed.
• Link environmental science and environmental policy: Students will explore the interdisciplinary connections between ecology and policy to learn how scientific findings inform environmental regulations, conservation efforts, and resource management strategies. This work will prepare students to critically assess how environmental science supports socially and environmentally just policy decisions.
• Engage with Policymakers and Practitioners: Students will gain exposure to real-world policy-making by engaging with government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations involved in management of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Through this work, students will develop understanding of the role of advocacy and public engagement in shaping environmental policy.
• Cultivate Career-Related Skills: Students in this Institute will prepare for careers at the intersection of environmental science and policy by developing skills in ecological fieldwork, data analysis, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary communication. Through completion of these courses, students strengthen their ability to communicate complex ecological and policy issues to diverse audiences, including policymakers and the public.