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

August 27, 2025

Research sheds light on Beech Creek’s struggle with abandoned mine drainage

Penn State graduate students conducted research on Beech Creek’s abandoned mine drainage, using community input and educational outreach to promote awareness and restoration efforts.

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August 22, 2025

GPS-outfitted birds and citizen sightings to inform a better migration model

Birds of a feather flock together, often traveling over enormous distances that can cross international borders. This can make managing and conserving critical populations of migratory birds extremely difficult, according to scientists at Penn State leading a team working to improve the understanding of migration movement at regional, continental and global scales. The team recently received a $848,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to support their work, which focuses on integrating two tracking methods into one powerful tool called an Integrated Movement Model.

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August 15, 2025

Bridget Reheard named summer 2025 College of Earth and Mineral Sciences marshal

Bridget Reheard, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, native, has been named the student marshal for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ (EMS) summer 2025 commencement ceremony. A Penn State Millennium Scholar and Schreyer Scholar, Reheard will graduate with two bachelor of science degrees: one in geosciences from EMS and another in wildlife and fisheries science from the College of Agricultural Sciences.

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July 22, 2025

National foundation grant to support study on amphibian health at Penn State

Research in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences aimed at helping amphibians fight fungal disease by strengthening their natural defenses has received a $120,000 grant from the Morris Animal Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing animal health through scientific research.

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Department of Ecosystem Science and Management

Address

117 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802
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