In the late 1980's, there was a general sense of urgency within the Dartmouth Community about the importance of understanding the range of newly recognized environmental problems. At this time, the Environmental Studies Program (ENVS) was in its adolescence and there was a recognized need for support for the program, and the community surrounding it.

Founded in 1989 by Tom Burack '82, Peter Forbes '83, and other alumni, the Dartmouth Environmental Network (DEN) was formed as an alumni response to these concerns. Its purpose, as summarized in its Constitution, is "... fostering and strengthening the role of Dartmouth College in all facets of environmental education, research and leadership..." Eight points are spelled out to achieve that goal, one of which is "to assist the Environmental Studies Program with its community outreach program." Appropriately, at its inaugural meeting, DEN was singled out as the only Friends group formed specifically to support an academic department.

DEN's activities during the first decade concentrated in two areas: first, identifying alumni with environmental interests and informing them of new activities at the College; and second, providing mechanisms to stimulate interaction among these alumni and between them and current students. This has been accomplished though such successful programs as membership directories, periodic newsletters, career conferences, and biannual symposia on contemporary ecological topics.