The White Mountains Project Center is a domestic, residential project center. Students complete their IQP in Grafton County during A term of their junior year. The Project Center’s mission is to facilitate environmental stewardship, beginning with the White Mountain National Forest.

In addition to completing their IQP, students participate in a Wilderness Ethics Certificate Program. The certificate program was developed in coordination with and is awarded by the Waterman Fund and the World Trails Network-Hub for the Americas.

The goal of this certificate program is to increase student connection with nature and to help students become environmental stewards in whatever they do. The fireside/riverside chats and accompanying experiences will introduce the students to some of the complexities in the conservation field and ask them to examine their own relationship with the environment.

To earn this certificate, students:

Participate in a full day Leave No Trace Awareness training (so they are prepared to recreate responsibly and safely),
Regularly read and contribute to environmentally oriented discussion board questions,
Participate in regular fireside/riverside chats (around a campfire in the middle of the Sandwich Mountains, or along the Pemigewasset River) on the week's short assignment,
Volunteer with WTN-Americas, the United States Forest Service, the Appalachian Mountain Club or NH State Parks, to repair or rebuild a trail,
Consult with the Cowasuck Band of the Penacook-Abenaki People to ensure their project incorporates and respects the indigenous perspective; and lastly,
Participate in a reflective, solo-ish hike.

White Mountains, New Hampshire Project Center - IQP