About the Department
Our vision is to forge a sustainable future where ecosystems and people thrive.
Our mission is to create a bright future for humanity by keeping forests healthy, waterways clean, soils fertile, and native wildlife and fish abundant.
Our diverse and inclusive community fosters new discoveries, pioneers cutting-edge science, prepares students for meaningful careers, inspires the next generation of leaders, and builds partnerships to devise innovative management solutions to the greatest environmental challenges of our time.
We proudly serve with our communities locally to globally to better steward Earth's ecosystems.
We accomplish our mission through Teaching, Research, and Extension.
Our teaching provides undergraduate students hands-on experience with real-world applications, excellent internship experiences, and robust scholarship opportunities. Our graduate education offers master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees rooted in research through our core science and management disciplines.
Research programs focus on generating the new knowledge needed to restore, conserve, and better manage ecosystems to be more sustainable. Research includes all areas of natural and agricultural ecosystems, wildlife and fisheries sciences, forest sciences, hydrological sciences, and soil sciences.
Extension programs led by the Department help people make informed decisions that improve their own well-being and ensure clean water, viable populations of native wildlife, recreational opportunities, attractive communities, and the sustainable production of wood and paper products.
Meet our faculty, staff, and students, and learn more about our academic home. Welcome!
Latest News
October 31, 2024
First-year College of Ag Sciences students thrive in summer internships
Three first-year students from the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in the College of Agricultural Sciences were inspired to pursue summer internships by their experiences in AG 150: First-Year Seminar at Penn State Altoona.
Read MoreOctober 29, 2024
Microplastics increasing in freshwater, directly related to plastic production
Microplastics have been steadily increasing in freshwater environments for decades and are directly tied to rising global plastic production since the 1950s, according to a new study by an interdisciplinary team of Penn State researchers.
Read MoreOctober 23, 2024
Water fern gains more evidence as safe potential global food insecurity solution
Is the floating freshwater fern commonly called Carolina azolla the potential answer to global food insecurity or a possible threat to humanity? On the heels of a study published earlier this year by researchers at Penn State on the plant’s nutrition and digestibility, the team learned of concerns about the plant’s potential toxin content. The researchers joined an international effort to test Azolla and found that it does not contain cyanotoxins, potent toxins produced by a type of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, associated with the plant.
Read MoreOctober 22, 2024
Deer, seedlings and soil pH influence local forest regeneration
New findings from long-term research underscore the challenges managers face when trying to conserve Penn’s Woods. The seven-year study, conducted by a team of researchers from Penn State, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is the first to simultaneously assess how deer browsing, soil nutrients and competing vegetation affect tree regeneration in Keystone State forests.
Read MoreUpcoming Events
Safer People Safer Places Workshop
November 4, 2024
Hybrid FRB 217 or zoom
Plants and Green Industry Interest Area Visit for Prospective Students
November 11, 2024
University Park, PA
Fall 2024 Invited Speaker Series: Dr. Henry Scharf
November 14, 2024
217 Forest Resources Building
Ecology Enabled Environmental Justice Speaker Series
November 18, 2024
113 Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Building (social proceeding at 12:15pm outside of room)
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
- Office 814-865-7541
- Fax 814-865-3725