The Ranger School Offering 2-year Associate in Applied Science Degrees (A.A.S.)

Due to the current circumstances The Ranger School is closed to visitors. However, we are offering virtual tours of the campus. If you are interested in a live tour with an opportunity to ask questions please email rangerschool@esf.edu to make arrangements.

The SUNY-ESF Ranger School in Wanakena, N.Y., offers students a unique educational experience in a spectacular natural setting.

The Ranger School confers the associate in applied science degree (A.A.S.) in three areas of study: forest technology, land surveying technology, and environmental and natural resources conservation. The Ranger School's one-plus-one plan allows students to complete their first year at the college of their choice, then spend their second year at The Ranger School. While many move directly into outdoor careers in the areas of conservation, forestry and surveying, some use their A.A.S. as a hands-on, experience-based step toward a bachelor of science degree, earned at ESF's main campus in Syracuse, N.Y.

Adirondack Splendor

Located in the heart of the six million–acre Adirondack Park, the 2,800-acre campus supports the field-based education that is a hallmark of The Ranger School experience. The main campus building houses state-of-the-art facilities, including classrooms, a conference room, and a dining facility. Additional facilities include a library, dry lab, computer lab with 24 stations, student residence rooms, and entertainment and recreation areas.

Placement

The excellent reputation of Ranger School graduates greatly assists them in their careers. Employment is common with local, state and federal forestry and land resource agencies, private forestry enterprises, and surveying firms. Positions most recently filled by recent graduates include:

forest ranger

forest technician

forest aide

timber inventory specialist

forest surveyor

forest engineering aide

survey technician

forest protection technician

forest research technician

tree service technician

urban park ranger

industrial surveyors

recreation technicians

arborists

wildlife intern

watershed stewards

nursery manager

forestry consultant

game commission intern

... and more!

About the Ranger School

ESF Campus Tour Ranger School page (featuring introductory videos)

Since established in 1912, The Ranger School has trained over 4,000 students and earned a national reputation for excellence. The program is administered by and is an integral part of the SUNY-ESF Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management. This unique model of a single professional faculty offering all levels of study from technical through postdoctoral emphasizes the teamwork approach to forest resource science and management espoused by the faculty.

Because The Ranger School is situated within a forest, some applicants may mistakenly believe the experience is one of forest lore and wilderness survival. We emphasize that the curricula demand high-quality academic achievement. Program completion requires concentrated and consistent study. Classes are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with classroom and laboratory or field time equally divided. The intensity of the program normally requires a minimum of 70 hours a week of evening and weekend study, daily classes, and laboratory/field exercises. Several short trips are made during the year in connection with courses in dendrology, silviculture, forest management, forest recreation, wildlife ecology and surveying.