The Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability

At the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability (ESS), we prepare you to apply cutting-edge science to the sustainable management of our planet’s resources.

Explore how ecosystems work, how humans impact them, and how we can manage vital services—like water, food, and energy—more sustainably. Collaborate with world-renowned scientists on real-world challenges, including climate change, greenhouse gas management, land use, and environmental justice.

Our deep connection with CSU’s Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, home to over 45 years of global ecosystem research, opens doors to hands-on research, internships, and fieldwork in the stunning Rocky Mountains.

Explore undergraduate programs | Explore graduate programs | View professional certificates | Explore career resources 

Join a passionate community solving today’s most urgent environmental problems—together.