About the Department
The Department of Ecosystem Science and Management is Penn State’s home for the conservation and sustainable management of our natural resources.
We are united by our mission to solve conservation problems by conducting innovative research and training tomorrow’s natural resource leaders.
We believe an environment of diversity and respect is critical to achieve and sustain excellence in learning, teaching, and research.
We closely follow our industry and take the lead with new ideas. We boast state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty with years of working experience in their fields.
Student success drives the department. Our undergraduate majors offer hands-on science with real-world applications, excellent internship experiences, and robust scholarship opportunities. Our graduate programs offer master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees rooted in research through our core science and management disciplines.
Research is conducted in the science, technology, and management needed to sustain our natural resources. This critical work is facilitated through the core disciplines of forest health, ecosystem function and service, ecosystem management, and watershed resilience. Research includes the ecology of natural and agricultural ecosystems, wildlife and fisheries sciences, forest sciences, hydrological sciences and soil sciences. Our wide range of disciplines provides opportunities to tackle complex environmental problems in a wide array of ecosystems. It also allows for diverse training for students, citizens, and youth in advanced ecosystem management.
Meet our faculty, staff, and students, and learn more about our academic home. Welcome!
Latest News
January 25, 2022
Agroforests in the tropics provide key conservation landscapes for amphibians
Although tropical forest ecosystems around the world have been modified and fragmented by agroforests planted to produce commodities such as coffee, rubber and areca palm, amphibian communities can survive in those transformed landscapes — if the agroforests are managed to support biodiversity.
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January 7, 2022
Noted ornithologist Margaret Brittingham retires from Penn State after 33 years
Margaret Brittingham, professor of wildlife resources, extension wildlife specialist and one of the state’s leading ornithologists, recently retired from Penn State after a 33-year, innovative career in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
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December 15, 2021
Although most support avian conservation, few recognize current plight of birds
The vast majority of Pennsylvanians responding to a recent survey conducted by Penn State researchers said they strongly support bird conservation and indicated they believe future efforts will be needed to protect avian species. But there is good and bad news in those responses to questionnaires that were part of a study to examine public attitudes toward bird conservation, government involvement in private lands issues, and private forest management.
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December 7, 2021
Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Society announces 2021 Alumni Award winners
Each fall, the Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Society announces the Alumni Award winners for that year. Honorees are selected based upon the impact they have in their communities, outstanding professional achievements, and embodiment of Penn State values. This year’s cohort includes Michael G. Messina (class of 1979), Scott C. Price (class of 1985), and Abigayle Kaiser (class of 2020).
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Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
- Office 814-865-7541
- Fax 814-865-3725
