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
April 1, 2025
Researchers working to address agricultural greenhouse gas emissions
On the latest episode of “Growing Impact,” a team of Penn State researchers discusses how their seed grant project aims to address nitrous oxide emissions from the agricultural sector.
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March 26, 2025
University supports Ukrainian academics through Nonresidential Scholars Program
Penn State is one of nine Big Ten schools providing an academic lifeline to scholars in war-torn Ukraine. The University is sponsoring seven Ukrainian academics as part of the 2025 IU-Ukraine Nonresidential Scholars Program.
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March 13, 2025
Threatened by warming waters, brook trout may be able to adapt to hotter weather
Brook trout may have a genetic trick up their scales when it comes to adapting, with limitations, to heatwaves that threaten their existence. A novel study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that brook trout — an iconic coldwater fish species native to streams and lakes in the eastern United States and Canada — are capable of mounting a protective genetic response to thermal stress that can be passed on from one generation to the next.
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February 14, 2025
Growing people and forests: The power of undergraduate research
Penn State faculty members Laura Leites and Alex Storm are working to create valuable undergraduate research opportunities that enhance knowledge, facilitate students’ transition between campuses, and strengthen connections with state and federal agencies — all while advancing the study of climate adaptation in forest tree species.
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Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
- Office 814-865-7541
- Fax 814-865-3725
