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The Environmental Science and Sustainability Program at TCU

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Louise Dilworth Davis College of Science and Engineering
Lead On, Sustainably.

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At the Environmental Science and Sustainability Program at TCU, students explore the connections between science, society, and sustainability while preparing for impactful careers that address today’s environmental challenges. 🌿

✨ We offer majors, a minor, and graduate programs designed to fit different interests and career paths, from hands-on environmental science to interdisciplinary sustainability and advanced graduate study.

Whether you're interested in research, policy, consulting, conservation, or industry, our programs equip students with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to lead sustainable solutions across sectors.

👉 Swipe to explore our program offerings and find the path that’s right for you.

#TCUENSC #LeadOnSustainably #EnvironmentalScience #Sustainability #TCUStudents taken in TCU – Texas Christian University by @tcuensc

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7 months ago

Kim Drenner ’08 (MS ’10) arrived at @texaschristianuniversity as a soccer recruit planning to study journalism. She left as a double @tcuensc alumna with a thesis researched in a Costa Rican cloud forest and a clear mission: hold industry accountable to the planet.

Today, as head of environmental impact at @patagonia, she’s doing exactly that, leading a global decarbonization effort, advising on environmental legislation and helping set the standard for the entire outdoor apparel industry.

Catch her story in 𝘛𝘊𝘜 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘦’s newest installment of 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 via the link in our bio.

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Written by Kristin Baird Rattini
Photos by Christina Gandolfo Kim Drenner stands on a beach with closed eyes, smiling softly. The scene is bright with clear blue skies and gentle ocean waves in the background. A warm, soft yellow light obscures the lower part of the image, adding a serene, dreamy atmosphere. by @tcuensc

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7 months ago

🎓🌿 Celebrating the ENSC Class of 2026

This May, the Environmental Science and Sustainability Program is proud to celebrate 10 undergraduate students and 4 graduate students as they begin their next chapter.

From research and fieldwork to study abroad experiences and community partnerships, the Class of 2026 has made a lasting impact across the program.

💬 Graduating Senior Reese Braun (@rreesebraunn) shared one of her favorite memories from the program:
“One of my favorite memories from the TCU Environmental Science and Sustainability Program was studying abroad in South Africa—it truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I got to meet incredible people, make unforgettable memories, and be hands-on with wildlife in a way I never imagined. It made everything I have learned feel so real, and I am so grateful for the people and experiences that made my time at TCU so special.”

✨ The majority of graduates have already secured employment, graduate school, and research opportunities after graduation, reflecting the wide range of career pathways supported through the ENSC program.

To the ENSC Class of 2026: thank you for the passion, curiosity, and dedication you brought to the program. We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll continue to make in your careers, communities, and beyond. 💚

👏 Congratulations, Class of 2026!

#TCUENSC #ClassOf2026 #TCUGrad #LeadOnSustainably #SustainabilityInAction taken in TCU – Texas Christian University by @tcuensc

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5 months ago

New publication from TCU Environmental Science & Sustainability faculty and alumni 🌿

We’re proud to share a new publication coauthored by Dr. Brendan Lavy and TCU M.S. alumnus Peter Fahey Jr., in collaboration with Dr. Elyse Zavar (UNT) and Jenna Eastham, a UNT alumna now pursuing her master’s degree at Texas State University. The article, “Evidence-Based Land Management Strategies: SOPARC Analysis for Flood Buyout Open Space,” was published in the International Journal of Mass Emergencies & Disasters.

Using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC), the team documented how people actually use post–flood buyout land along Rush Creek in Arlington, Texas, across five target areas and nearly 200 observations. They found that spaces with visible, active amenities, like paved trails, dog parks, and playgrounds, see much higher and more diverse use than areas with minimal or hidden amenities. The study also highlights the underrepresentation of some demographic groups and shows how simple observational methods can guide more equitable, evidence-based investments in recreation, ecological restoration, and hazard mitigation.

This work gives local governments a practical tool to prioritize amenities, target outreach to underrepresented groups, and identify where restoration makes sense on open space for flood buyouts without requiring extensive funding or technical capacity.

🔗 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02807270261442551

@tcu_cse @tcuresearch @txstgeo

 #LeadOnSustainably #TCUENSC #TCUResearch #EnvironmentalScience #Sustainability taken in Arlington, Texas by @tcuensc

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6 months ago

We love our trees! 🌳💜🌳

For the 10th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation recognized TCU as a Tree Campus. In honor of the 10 years, our amazing grounds crew planted 10 new trees to join the approximately 3,000 trees on campus.
Link in bio to learn more. A vibrant outdoor scene with a group of people walking on a brick pathway surrounded by lush green trees. The words "Arbor Day" are artistically written across the top of the image in large, stylized white text. The sky is partly cloudy, and a large building is visible in the background. by @tcuensc

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6 months ago

In the News — Dr. Mike Slattery

Dr. Mike Slattery, Professor in the Environmental Science & Sustainability Program and Research Director at TCU’s Ralph Lowe Energy Institute, was recently featured in Renewable Energy World as the author of the article “Winds of Change in Texas Energy Sector Serve as Playbook for Rest of Nation.”

In the article, Dr. Slattery examines how Texas’s energy system demonstrates the importance of energy diversity in strengthening energy security and grid resilience. Drawing on decades of policy, investment, and infrastructure development, he highlights how wind energy and other sources have contributed to meeting growing electricity demand while maintaining reliability.

His perspective underscores how a diversified, market-driven energy approach can offer valuable lessons for regions facing similar energy challenges.

👉 Read his article here: https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/wind-power/winds-of-change-in-texas-energy-sector-serve-as-playbook-for-rest-of-nation/.

@tcu_cse @tcuresearch

#TCUENSC #TCUFacultySpotlight #TCUResearch#LeadOnSustainably taken in TCU – Texas Christian University by @tcuensc

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6 months ago

Celebrate Earth Day (4/22)! 🌍💚

Join TCU's Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Environmental & Geological Sciences for giveaways, hands-on demonstrations, and food trucks in the Sid Richardson 2nd floor atrium.

📅 Tuesday, April 22
🕛 12–3 PM
📍 TCU – Sid Richardson, 2nd floor Atrium

Come learn, connect, and take action for our planet. #EarthDay #TCU #Sustainability by @tcuensc

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6 months ago

ENSC in San Francisco!

Dr. Brendan Lavy and graduate students Hill Nystrom and Portia Asare recently traveled to San Francisco to attend the 2026 Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting, where they presented their research on urban environments, resilience, and environmental change.

🌳 Dr. Lavy presented research on how communities in Oklahoma City experienced and recovered from ice storm tree damage, highlighting the social, emotional, and infrastructural impacts of extreme weather.

🌿 Hill Nystrom presented research on urban tree removals, using real-world data to better understand changes in biodiversity and the functional role of trees in growing cities.

💧 Portia Asare presented research on PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in urban watersheds, mapping contamination sources in the Upper Trinity River and examining how urban infrastructure influences water quality and potential human health risks.

Together, their work emphasizes the importance of community-informed, data-driven approaches to managing urban environments in a changing climate.

🤝 While in San Francisco, they also connected with ENSC alum Tristan Knowlton (’25), now an Environmental Assessor at Partner Engineering & Science, Inc., always great to see Frogs making an impact in the field!

@tcu_cse

#TCUENSC #AAG2026 #ResearchInAction #TCUResearch #LeadOnSustainably Dr. Brendan Lavy and graduate students Hill Nystrom and Portia Asare recently traveled to San Francisco to attend the 2026 Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting, where they presented their research on urban environments, resilience, and environmental change. taken in San Francisco, California by @tcuensc

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6 months ago

We’re proud to share that Dr. Brendan Lavy, Associate Professor in the Environmental Science and Sustainability Program, has been selected as the College of Science and Engineering’s nominee for this year’s Deans’ Award for Teaching, one of the highest honors awarded to faculty at TCU.

This nomination recognizes Dr. Lavy’s exceptional dedication to teaching, mentorship, and his ability to challenge and support students.

💬 A former student shared: “One of the most important aspects of my experience with Dr. Lavy was his guidance in research. Under his supervision, I worked on multiple different research projects in topics such as heat index, microclimates, and ecosystem services. Dr. Lavy helped me develop critical research skills that have been essential in my professional career. His feedback was always thoughtful and constructive, pushing me to improve while building my confidence and independence.”

💬 A colleague noted: “What particularly distinguishes Dr. Lavy's teaching is his dedication to creating authentic learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. He has developed a robust service-learning course, which has strengthened TCU's collaboration with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. In this course, students engage in meaningful, real-world research that directly contributes to ongoing conservation efforts.”

👏 Congratulations, Dr. Lavy, on this well-deserved recognition!

@tcu_cse

 #TCUENSC #FacultySpotlight #LeadOnSustainably #TCUFaculty We’re proud to share that Dr. Brendan Lavy, Associate Professor in the Environmental Science and Sustainability Program, has been selected as the College of Science and Engineering’s nominee for this year’s Deans’ Award for Teaching, one of the highest honors awarded to faculty at TCU. taken in TCU – Texas Christian University by @tcuensc

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6 months ago

Dr. Michael Slattery, professor in the Environmental Science & Sustainability Program and research director at TCU’s Ralph Lowe Energy Institute, was recently featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram discussing the importance of energy resilience in today’s global landscape.

His key insight: energy security and energy diversity go hand in hand.

Drawing on Texas’s energy model, Dr. Slattery highlights how a mix of energy sources from wind to traditional fuels helps stabilize supply, reduce risk, and meet growing demand.

🌎 As energy challenges continue to evolve globally, his research and perspective emphasize the importance of balanced, forward-thinking energy systems.

👉 Read more here: https://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/living/article315304726.html.

#TCUENSC #InTheNews #TCUResearch #LeadOnSustainably taken in TCU – Texas Christian University by @tcuensc

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6 months ago

Fall 2026 Course Offerings 🌿

Looking ahead to next semester? The Environmental Science and Sustainability Program is offering a range of courses designed to help you explore environmental challenges, build practical skills, and apply what you learn to real-world impact.

From service learning to lab-based courses, there’s something for every interest and pathway.

👉 Swipe to see featured courses for Fall 2026.

#TCUENSC #LeadOnSustainably taken in TCU – Texas Christian University by @tcuensc

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6 months ago

Faculty in the News — Dr. Mike Slattery

Dr. Mike Slattery, Professor in the Environmental Science and Sustainability Program, was recently featured on the podcast Phases and Stages: The Texas Energy Story, produced by the Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin.

In Episode 8: “High Plains | What Does a Massive Solar Plant Mean for a Small Texas Town?”, Dr. Slattery shares insight into the rapid expansion of renewables in Texas and its impacts on local communities, raising important questions about economic benefits, land use, and energy equity.

🎧 Listen to the podcast episode here: https://energy.utexas.edu/phases-stages-texas-energy-story.

You can hear Dr. Slattery’s segment beginning around the 6:20 mark. The episode also aired on Texas Standard via KUT.

We’re proud to see ENSC faculty contributing to conversations shaping the future of energy in Texas and beyond.

#TCUENSC #FacultyInTheNews #TexasEnergy #LeadOnSustainably by @tcuensc

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7 months ago