SUNY-ESF Ranger School

Summary

The SUNY-ESF Ranger School (formerly the New York State Ranger School), on the east branch of the Oswegatchie River near Wanakena, New York, offers A.A.S. degrees in forest and natural resources management. Established in 1912, the school is affiliated with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). The Ranger School commemorated its centennial in 2012-13.[2]

SUNY-ESF Ranger School
TypePublic
Established1912
DirectorMariann Garrison-Johnston[1]
Location, ,
CampusRural
MascotMighty Oaks
Websiteesf.edu/rangerschool

Location edit

The Ranger School is situated in the northwestern part of the Adirondack Park, on the east branch of the scenic Oswegatchie River, which flows into Cranberry Lake. The campus is about 65 miles (105 km) from Watertown, New York, and 35 miles (56 km) from Tupper Lake.

History edit

The New York State Ranger School was founded in 1912, under the administration of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University, to train forest rangers and other personnel for the still-young Adirondack Park.[3] Eugene S. Whitmore, the Ranger School's first graduate, completed his studies the same year that school was founded, in 1912.[4] More than 3000 students have completed their degrees at the Ranger School since it opened.[5] The Ranger School celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2012-13.[6]

Leadership edit

  • Professor James F. Dubuar served as Director of the Ranger School for 37 years, from 1921-1957.[7]

Properties edit

  • Shortly before its establishment, the school received a gift of 1,800 acres (7.3 km2) from the Rich Brothers Lumber Company.[8]
  • In 1923, Governor Alfred E. Smith, later to become President of the Board of Trustees of the New York State College of Forestry, signed an appropriation bill for the construction of the Ranger School's new building; the structure was dedicated in 1928.
  • The International Paper Company added to the school's properties with a gift of 500 acres (2.0 km2), in 1929.[8]

Today edit

Today the Ranger School is a unit of SUNY-ESF. Mariann Johnston, Professor of Forest and Natural Resources Management, is director.[9]

After "spending a year at a college of their choice,"[5] students spend an academic year or summer at the residential school, studying forest technology, land surveying technology, or environmental and natural resources conservation, earning an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree upon completion. Students can continue their studies at the main ESF campus, in Syracuse, to earn a bachelor's degree.[5]

In addition to classrooms, offices, dormitory and kitchen facilities, the school's properties also include the 3,000-acre (12 km2), James F. Dubuar Memorial Forest.[5]

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "Johnston assumes reins at Ranger School" [press release]. SUNY-ESF, June 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Ranger School Celebrates Its 100th," SUNY-ESF, August 6, 2012. Accessed: August 6, 2012.
  3. ^ "Centennial | The Ranger School | SUNY ESF". www.esf.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  4. ^ SUNY-ESF. 2008. Alumni Directory. 100th Anniversary Edition. Syracuse, NY, p. 455.
  5. ^ a b c d SUNY-ESF: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - The Ranger School
  6. ^ Ellen, Martha. 2012. "Ranger School marks its centennial year," Watertown Daily Times, May 12. Accessed: May 15, 2012.
  7. ^ Allen, Mart. 1996. "Ranger School's a Testimony to James Dubuar's Dedication," July 9. Accessed: June 24, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Reznikoff, Charles, ed. 1957. Louis Marshall: Champion of Liberty. Selected Papers and Addresses. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, p. 1123.
  9. ^ "Ranger School Directory," SUNY-ESF Ranger School. Accessed: July 14, 2013.

Further reading edit

  • Coufal, James E. 2001. "James F. Dubuar: Lessons Learned from the Man," Forest History Today, Spring/Fall, pp. 29-35 (with historical photos of the Ranger School).

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Ranger School Centennial, 2012-13
  • Admission to the Ranger School
  • Forest Technician Schools in the United States
  • Council of Eastern Forest Technician Schools

44°08′48″N 74°54′04″W / 44.146588°N 74.90115°W / 44.146588; -74.90115