Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Alaska

Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL) combines concepts in environmental studies, ecology, and leadership, with a mission of developing socially responsible leaders. This summer, Brown University, in affiliation with the Cook Inlet Tribal Council and Kenai Peninsula College, will travel to south-central Alaska to introduce students to the beauty and complexities of present-day Alaska.

At BELL, students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to create positive change on environmental issues facing their local communities and the planet as a whole.

Over the course of two weeks, students will explore issues Alaskans face in balancing cultural and environmental preservation with economic growth. Learning will be fast-paced, experiential, and include diverse perspectives.

Areas of Focus:

• Alaska Native history and cultural preservation
• Arctic marine and terrestrial ecosystems
• Climate change's impact on culture, economics, and the environment
• Oil exploration and extraction
• Socially-responsible leadership
• Sustainable harvest of salmon

Our days will start early and each one will be packed full of activities, including field observation, educational discussions and panels, and time for team-building, recreation, and reflection. The two weeks of BELL: Alaska are divided into three distinct segments: Anchorage, Peterson Bay by Boat, and The Kenai Peninsula. A large amount of our time will be spent outdoors. Together, our goal is to explore some spectacular landscapes both through formal study and also by spending time listening and observing. You can expect a moderate level of physical activity every day, and should be ready to get dirty as we will be out and about, rain or shine.