Often referred to as SUNY- ESF, this New York university focuses on the science of forestry, while incorporating its values as a practice. Located in Syracuse, this university oversees more than 25,000 acres of land in Central New York and the Adirondack Park. SUNY- ESF is a small university in terms of population, with fall 2010 enrollment of 2,718 students. It is ranked second in a TreeHugger.com list of the 10 best college environmental programs in the United States. SUNY-ESF offers bachelor of science degrees for undergraduates in forest resources management, forest health and forest ecosystem science along with several forestry-related post-graduate programs. SUNY-ESF works with environmental organizations to set up internship opportunities for students. There are also a range of outreach programs available for spreading the message of sustainability to the greater community.
Cornell University used to be home to the country's oldest forestry college --- The New York State College of Forestry at Cornell --- that has since been incorporated into Cornell's Agriculture and Life Sciences college. Located in Ithaca, Cornell is a medium-sized to large university with fall 2009 enrollment of 20,633. Its Department of Natural Resources, however, promotes itself as a "small, friendly environment within a large university." Many courses are available in forestry, such as "Forest Management and Maple Syrup Production" and "Practicum in Forest Farming as an Agroforestry System." The Natural Resources department is ranked fourth in the TreeHugger.com list of the 10 best college environmental programs in the United States. This department often works with Cornell's department of Horticulture within which several areas of forestry can be researched. Cornell's Department of Natural Resources offers flexible major titles within the areas of applied ecology, resource policy and management and environmental studies. It does not specialize in forestry as much as SUNY-ESF, but it does allow students to explore that topic if they desire. There are usually around 15 summer internship opportunities for students provided by Cornell. Similar to SUNY-ESF, Cornell's Department of Natural Resources also heads several outreach programs aimed at educating the community on natural resources and conservation.
Though there are only two forestry programs offered at the university level within New York, forestry programs exist in nearby states for those willing to travel outside of state borders. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst has a "Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry" program. The Department of Natural Resources at the University of New Hampshire offers a bachelor's of science in forestry as well as a graduate program in forestry. Yale University in Connecticut has a School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Pennsylvania State University has a School of Forest Resources. Thus, there are several forestry options for students willing to study outside New York.