Hudson River Ecology Course at the Center for the Urban River

The classes in the Hudson River Ecology Course are taught by experienced scientists and researchers at Sarah Lawrence’s Center for Urban River at Beczak (CURB). The main faculty for the course is the Center’s Director of Education.

The Hudson River Ecology Course is capped at 20 students.

This is an introductory ecology course suitable for beginners or anyone interested in learning more about the ecology of the Hudson River.

Classes are a mixture of lectures and group work, and take place at the Center for the Urban River at Beczak. There is also a self-guided component to be completed at home each day.

The course has a large practical element. In addition to learning about local geography, water quality, ecosystem relationships, populations, aquatic habitats, and human impacts, you will engage in outdoor and laboratory data collection, such as sediment surveying, plankton collection, fish identification, and bacteria monitoring.

If you choose to take the course for credit there is also a final project requirement that you will work on in your own time, due two weeks after the course ends.

The Hudson River Ecology Course is a non-residential program, so there is no option to stay on campus. Classes are held in-person and take place from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Coffee, a light breakfast, and snacks are provided. Lunch is not. Class ends at 1 p.m.

Families can drop students off at the Center for Urban River at Beczak, located at 35 Alexander Street, Yonkers, NY. Please note that this is not the same address as the Sarah Lawrence College main campus.

The nearest train station is Metro North Yonkers station, which is a block from the Center. The station is on the Hudson line.

The Hudson River Ecology Course takes place Monday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Asynchronous work is assigned to be completed at home.

Between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., students are not permitted to leave the Center for the Urban River at Beczak.

We seek motivated, curious, and engaged students. Admission is also limited by class size. We encourage any student who is interested in river ecology or environmental science to apply.

Tuition is $950 for one week. If you would like to earn one transferable college credit, the tuition is $1,450.

Tuition includes:

• Three-and-a-half hours of in-person instruction per day (Monday – Friday) with experienced faculty who are experienced river ecologists
• One hour per day or less (Monday – Friday) of asynchronous work
• Use of college-level ecology research facility
• All supplies
• Light breakfast/snacks

A deposit of $250 is required upon acceptance into the program to hold your spot. The balance is payable by the payment deadline June 29, 2026.

Refunds are available within a defined window before the program start date; details are provided at registration.

Scholarships may be available for Yonkers Public Schools students only.

Yes. Upon successful completion of the course, students will, if they chose tuition option, be granted one credit by Sarah Lawrence College. This can be used towards a bachelor's degree at Sarah Lawrence, or it can be transferred to another institution at the discretion of that institution. If you have a particular institution in mind, please check with them beforehand to confirm that they will accept transfer credits.

Yes. Students have access to their phones during free time, and urgent messages can be relayed through program staff.

You’ll receive a dedicated contact list for key program staff, including the program director.