ESF Welcomes New York State Rangers to Northern Campuses for 25th Basic School

03/17/2026

NEWCOMB, N.Y. — March 17, 2026 — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is again serving as the host institution for the New York State Rangers as they launch the 25th Basic School, strengthening a growing partnership that has become central to ranger training in New York State.

Ranger recruits arrived March 15, and marked their first full day on site March 16, officially kicking off the months-long training academy that prepares the next generation of New York State Rangers.

The Basic School will operate across ESF’s Newcomb and Wanakena campuses over approximately 36 weeks. Recruits will begin their training in Newcomb, transition to Wanakena toward the end of May, and return to Newcomb in mid‑August through graduation at the end of October.

“We are proud to welcome the New York State Ranger recruits back to ESF and honored that our campuses continue to serve as the home of the Basic School,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “Our longstanding partnership with the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Rangers strengthens with each academy class, and we look forward to supporting this critical training for many years to come.”

ESF’s Newcomb and Wanakena campuses collaborate to host the academy, with ESF staff working closely with Ranger leadership in the years between academies to plan and prepare for each new class. This is the third year ESF has hosted the Basic School, following the 23rd in 2022 and the 24th in 2024.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.