Geography, Planning & Recreation
Building Better Communities…Building a Better World


The Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation is made up of four programs:

The Geography, Environment and Society program offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that specialize in Community Planning and Development, Geospatial Technologies and Human-Environmental Systems.

The Parks and Recreation Management program prepares professionals for rewarding positions in the field of parks, recreation and leisure services through traditional campus and web based courses.

The Sustainable Communities program enables students to address the root causes of socio-ecological dilemmas and contribute to positive change in our communities.

The Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy prepares students to be natural resource law enforcement officers and police officers.



Our faculty and staff are committed to nurturing a vibrant learning environment that empowers students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Through innovative teaching, research, and hands-on experiences, we prepare students to excel in their fields and contribute meaningfully to society.



Your support to these funds empowers the programs to directly impact students, faculty, and the broader community. Donations enable access to cutting-edge resources that prepare students to make immediate impacts in their communities and the workforce. Together, we can create a lasting legacy of academic excellence.


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Empower the Future: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Challenge
$100,000
Empower the Future: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Challenge
Maximize your impact on the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and unlock an additional $100,000 in funding for the college. Once 100 gifts are made to any College of Social and Behavioral Sciences funds, we will release a generous $100,000 gift from NAU alumni Mitch and Carrie Ettinger to the Gerald Ladhoff Scholarship and the SBS Future Readiness Fund. Every gift counts—join us in making a difference! #WeAreLumberjacks
18 / 100 Gifts
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True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board
$11,750
True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board
Help us start off the day with our first milestone and show the Lumberjack community we are True Blue! When we reach 125 alumni gifts of $125 or more on #NAUGivingDay the following NAU Alumni Association Board members will release a collective $11,750 in gifts. Thank you to: Blaise Caudill ’13; Dave Cook; Trina George, ’09; Alex Gutierrez, '85 '90; Jana Harper, ’90; Veronica Hipolito, '97, '02; Jim Jayne, ’91; "Kari" Kent, '91; Rick Koch, ’72; Mary O'Driscoll, ’82; Nancy Serenbetz, '75; Maggie Thom, ’12; , Wayne Watson, ’84; and (3) anonymous members. Go Jacks!
7 / 125 Gifts
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Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
$25,000
Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
Join the NAU Foundation board and show your pride with a gift to support this challenge on #NAUGivingDay. The following NAU Foundation Board members have committed to a collective impact totaling $25,000, which will be released when 125 first time donors make a gift. Thank you to: Lisa Bagwell; Eric Baker; Teresa Bartels; Bob Bement; Bob Braudy; Robin Braun; Booker Evans; Victoria Fimea; Bill Heibel; Mary Huntley; Tim Kinney; Any Peña; Rick Rodriguez; Katrina Rogers; Steve Sanghi; Tony Tewelis; and (1) anonymous member. WE Are Lumberjacks!
96 / 125 Gifts
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Or you can contact us at givingday@nau.edu.

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Help us unlock a $100,000 reward!