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

September 24, 2021

College of Ag Sciences senior finds path in environmental academics and action

Penn State senior Elka Hoelsken is exploring environmental and natural resource issues as a student in the Environmental Resource Management program.

September 14, 2021

Software tool that finds spots for water-quality devices will work in Northeast

A computer software package widely used in the Midwest to strategically position riparian buffers and other structures aimed at protecting water quality on agricultural land can be used effectively in the eastern United States, with some limitations, Penn State researchers report in a new study.

September 14, 2021

Urban stormwater study finds little difference between managed, unmanaged flows

At a time when many municipalities are seeking to control urban stormwater by investing heavily in green infrastructure — such as water-quality ponds, infiltration basins, porous pavement and riparian plantings — a new study suggests that these expensive efforts may not have much of an impact.

August 31, 2021

By reducing forest floor temperature, invasive shrubs stifle native species

Invasive shrubs in Northeastern forests that sprout leaves earlier in the spring and keep them longer in the fall not only absorb more sunlight than native shrubs, but their foliage lowers air temperatures on the forest floor, likely giving them another competitive advantage.

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