FLC launches River Studies & Leadership Certificate program

This fall, FLC students who are passionate about rivers will have the opportunity to dive into the history, science, and management behind one of the planet’s most important systems. In partnership with the nationally acclaimed River Management Society, FLC is now one of 13 colleges in the country to offer RMS’s River Studies & Leadership Certificate. 

The RSLC anchors knowledge, skills, and experience in river-based science, policy, conservation, education, and recreation for undergraduates who aspire to be river professionals. With the completion of river-focused coursework and a 40-hour project, graduates can navigate careers in environmental education, resource management, hydrology, biology, and other exciting fields with the skills needed to lead the next generation of river-related decision-making. 

“This unique certificate gives students hands-on experience and fits perfectly with FLC’s experiential learning focus, natural resource courses, and programs like the Four Corners Water Center and Fort Lewis on the Water,” says Gigi Richard, director of the Four Corners Water Center and instructor of Geosciences.

A perfect complement to the RSLC program, FLC launched a new college-wide river program called Fort Lewis on the Water (FLOW) in 2020 in collaboration with Four Corners Water Center, Outdoor Pursuits, and academic departments. FLOW opens the door to next-level experiential learning opportunities, leadership development, recreation and wellness outlets, service-learning components, and programs that serve to advance partnerships with regional schools.

Besides boosting their resumes and connecting with professionals in a tight-knit field, students enrolled in the RSLC will also enjoy a free year of membership with the River Management Society. Based in Washington, D.C., RMS serves as a basecamp for river rangers and professionals working with the Bureau of Land Management, Parks & Wildlife departments, and other federal and regional organizations centered on riparian challenges and solutions. Students will also be invited to present their research at RMS’s acclaimed biannual symposium. 

The RSLC program and coursework are open to any major and complementary to any river-focused career endeavor. To learn more, please visit fortlewis.edu/river-studies or contact Gigi Richard at garichard@fortlewis.edu. 

Richard’s research focuses on watershed hydrology in Colorado, from snowmelt-driven systems to intermittent desert streams. She also studies human impacts on river systems including the downstream impacts of dams, levees, and other human activities on rivers in Colorado, New Mexico, and New Zealand.