Environmental science majors are at the forefront of the critical efforts needed to identify and control threats to our biosphere, ecosystems, and human health. They accomplish this by using skills and knowledge from multiple disciplines that allow them to work with businesses, industry, government, communities, and individuals on issues that affect the natural environment and therefore the quality of life for humanity. Because of its five physiographic regions and extensive river systems and watersheds, Alabama is one of the most biodiverse states in the United States. At the same time, it has a long history of mining, heavy industry, forestry, and farming that continues into the present day. This dual reality makes Alabama an excellent place to study environmental science from a variety of perspectives. From the conservation of the Watercress Darter, the effects of water quality on public health, application of environmental law, to the development and defense of conservation policies such as Alabama's Forever Wild program, Samford University's Environmental Science major offers access to the many intersections between human activity and the natural world.