UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Conservation Leadership School offered by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has classrooms that include more than 7,000 acres of forest, fields, wetlands and streams where learning about the environment goes hand-in-hand with having fun and meeting new friends.

For two weeks in the summer, students between the ages of 15 and 18 have the unique opportunity to learn about the environment and conservation in the Stone Valley Experimental Forest and the Stone Valley Recreation Area near State College. Students can still enroll in the second session of the 2005 Conservation Leadership School from July 10 - July 16.

"We focus on current research in forestry, wildlife and fisheries science, wood products and watershed management to give these students an idea of how real-life decisions on these topics are made," says Mike Powell, conservation leadership school director.

For more than 50 years the school has been offering students the chance to increase their awareness of environmental conservation. This year's program will include topics such as protection of water supplies, alternative energy sources, teaching leadership on conservation issues and the use of computer imaging and technology to help manage Pennsylvania’s forests more efficiently. “"We change the program annually so that we are able to focus on different pressing issues and offer the students a new experience," says Powell.

Students will work with peers, faculty and staff as well as representatives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the state Department of Environmental Protection to broaden their understanding of important environmental issues.

"This is a great opportunity for students. We provide them the opportunity to see what careers in natural resources and agriculture are like," Powell says.

For more information, contact the Office of Conferences and Short Courses at 814-865-8301, or send an e-mail to shortcourse@psu.edu, or visit the Web at http://conferences.cas.psu.edu.

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Writer: Ryan Szivos Editor: Jeff Mulhollem Penn State Ag Sciences News Office 814-863-2719