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State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is a public research university in Syracuse, New York focused on the environment and natural resources. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. ESF is immediately adjacent to Syracuse University, within which it was founded, and with which it maintains a special relationship. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".[8]

Motto

"Improve Your World"

July 28, 1911 (1911-07-28)

$41.9 million (2022)[1]

Samuel B. Mukasa[3]

125 full-time[4]
48 part-time

1,976 (fall 2022)[5][6]

Urban and rural, 25,000 acres (10,000 ha)

      Green, white & gold

Mighty Oaks, Stumpies

Oakie the Acorn[7]

ESF operates education and research facilities also in the Adirondack Park (including the Ranger School in Wanakena), the Thousand Islands, elsewhere in Central New York, and Costa Rica. The college's curricula focus on the understanding, management, and sustainability of the environment and natural resources.

Baker Laboratory: Named after , dean of the college from 1912 to 1920 and again 1930–33. The building is the location of several computer clusters and auditorium-style classrooms. It is home to the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering and the Division of Environmental Science. The building underwent a $37 million overhaul in the early 2000s, providing updated space for the Tropical Timber Information Center and the Nelson C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Studies. Baker Lab is the site of ESF's NASA-affiliated Research Center. Baker Laboratory houses two multimedia lecture halls, a "smart" classroom outfitted for computer use and distance learning, and two construction management and planning studios. It also has a full-scale laboratory for materials science testing, including a modern dry kiln, a wood identification laboratory, shop facilities (including portable sawmill) and wood preservation laboratory.[27]

Hugh P. Baker

Bray Hall: The building is the oldest on campus, completed in 1917, the largest building devoted to Forestry at the time. It is named after , a founder of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University and its first dean, 1911–1912. It is the location of most administrative offices and the Department of Sustainable Resources Management. The State University Police department is in the basement.

William L. Bray

Gateway Center: The campus' newest building, opened in March 2013, "sets a new standard for LEED buildings, producing more renewable energy than it consumes," according to The building is "designed to achieve LEED Platinum Certification".[28][29] The ESF College Bookstore, Trailhead Cafe, and Office of Admissions are in the Gateway Center.[30]

Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr.

Illick Hall: The building was completed in 1968, and is home to the Department of Environmental and Forest Biology. It is named after , a dean of the State University College of Forestry at Syracuse University. There is a large lecture hall (Illick 5) on the ground floor. Several greenhouses are on the fifth floor. The Roosevelt Wildlife Museum is also in the building.

Joseph S. Illick

Jahn Laboratory: Named after , former head of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. The building was completed in 1997. Home to the Department of Chemistry.

Edwin C. Jahn

Marshall Hall: Named after , one of the founders of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. The Alumni (Nifkin) Lounge and Marshall Auditorium are within. Twin brass plaques commemorate the contributions of Marshall and his son, alumnus Bob Marshall. Home of the Department of Environmental Studies, the Department of Landscape Architecture, and the Division of General Education.[31]

Louis Marshall

Moon Library: Dedicated to , an early dean of the college. Completed in 1968, along with Illick Hall. A computer cluster and student lounge are in the basement.

F. Franklin Moon

Walters Hall: Named after , who served on the college's board of trustees. Completed in 1969. Home to the Department of Chemical Engineering. The pilot plant in the building includes two paper machines and wood-to-ethanol processing equipment.

J. Henry Walters

Centennial Hall: ESF's on-campus student , commemorating the college's 100th anniversary. The facility is capable of accommodating 280-300 freshman (in double or triple studio rooms with private bath), 116 upperclassmen (in single bedroom suits with private bath), and an additional 56 upperclassmen (in 4-bedroom, 2-bath apartments). A $31 million project, Centennial Hall opened in 2011.[32]

dormitory

Research[edit]

ESF is classified as a "Carnegie R2 Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution.[57] The first research report published in 1913 by the College of Forestry was the result of the above noted USDA Forest Service supported study of the wood-using industries of New York State.[58] Since that time, the research initiatives of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) have expanded greatly as faculty and students conduct pioneering studies, many with a global reach.[59] ESF researchers delve into topics well beyond the boundaries of central New York. Recent international sites of research interest include Madagascar, the Amazon floodplains, Mongolia and the Galapagos Islands. Vermont and the Sierra Nevada are other locales within the US where recent research has focused. Current research efforts include the Willow Biomass Project and the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project which produced the Darling 58 chestnut tree.

Affiliation with Syracuse University[edit]

ESF was founded in 1911 as the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University, under the leadership of Syracuse University Trustee Louis Marshall, with the active support of Syracuse University Chancellor Day. Its founding followed several years after the cessation of state funding to the earlier New York State College of Forestry at Cornell.[82]


ESF is an autonomous institution, administratively separate from Syracuse University, while some resources, facilities and infrastructure are shared.[83] The two schools share a common Schedule of Classes; students may take courses at both institutions, and baccalaureate diplomas from ESF bear the Syracuse University seal along with that of the State University of New York. A number of concurrent degree programs and certificates are offered between the schools. ESF receives an annual appropriation as part of the SUNY budget and the state builds and maintains all of the college's educational facilities. The state has somewhat similar financial and working relationships with five statutory colleges that are at Alfred University and Cornell University, although unlike ESF, these statutory institutions are legally and technically part of their respective host institutions and are administered by them as well.


ESF faculty, students, and students' families join those from Syracuse University (SU) in a joint convocation ceremony at the beginning of the academic year in August and combined commencement exercises in May. ESF and SU students share access to library resources, recreational facilities, student clubs, and activities at both institutions, except for the schools' intercollegiate athletics teams, affiliated with the USCAA and NCAA, respectively.[84]

ESF's origins and inspiration

Adirondack High Peaks

Adirondack Park Agency visitor interpretive centers

History of the New York State College of Forestry

List of heads of the New York State College of Forestry

laid the foundation for American forestry with his work, The North American Sylva {akin to John James Audubon "The Birds of America"}[125][126] starting in 1811.

François André Michaux

Official website

Official athletics website