Faculty

Eric Burkhart

Teaching Professor, Ecosystem Science and Management

210 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA

Email epb6@psu.edu

Centers & Institutes

Plant Institute

Ecology IGDP

Penn State Beaver Associate Professor of Biology Sarah Nilson discovered Allium buridckii, a second species of wild ramps, growing in southwestern Pennsylvania. Credit: Sarah Nilson/Penn State Beaver / Penn State. Creative Commons

November 04, 2025

Second species of wild ramps discovered, solving long-standing debate

Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

October 22, 2025

Oct. 24 kicks off 'Plants for the People and the Planet' innovation series

Morels, like this yellow or common morel, Morchella esculentoides, were one of the two most often collected wild mushroom species by respondents to the researchers' survey, with 13% reporting that they harvest them. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

October 07, 2025

Wild mushrooms harvesters in Mid-Atlantic region collect fungi, build community

This study is the first to scientifically document use of ghost pipe in North America, along with the growing influence of social media and the internet on how and why people are turning to ghost pipe as a medicinal plant. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

April 25, 2025

Traditional forest medicinal plant ghost pipe used differently today

December 03, 2024

Better habitats for forest farming wild leeks could help future foraging demands

The agroforestry practice of forest farming may be a solution to conservation challenges surrounding the wild exploitation of ramps, often called wild leeks, but it requires proper site selection to be successful. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

November 26, 2024

Better habitats for forest farming wild leeks could help future foraging demands

July 04, 2024

A rainy Pa. forest offers a fun window into an Appalachian ecology debate

Three projects have been awarded seed grants as part of the Penn State-Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education initiative. Faculty and students from Penn State will research agricultural and ecological sustainability, preservation of tropical rainforest ecosystems, and sustainable development in Belize. Credit: Contributed photo. All Rights Reserved.

October 16, 2023

Grants awarded to Penn State faculty for tropical ecosystems research in Belize

Cassie Stark, who spearheaded the study as a master’s degree student, studied four populations each of Allium tricoccum and Allium burdickii in southwestern Pennsylvania, and compared and contrasted the habitats where they were found. She is shown in a population of Allium burdickii — commonly known as narrow-leaved wild leek Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

July 26, 2023

Second species of ramp, or wild leek, documented in Pennsylvania

April 10, 2023

Little stinkers: It’s time to hunt — and celebrate — the ramps of Appalachia

Lead researcher Sarah Nilson, assistant professor of biology at Penn State Beaver, shows a ramp. Ramps are valued for their strong garlic-like aroma and delicious onion-like flavor. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

November 08, 2022

Ramped up: Higher demand for wild leeks has foragers overeager, threatens plant

September 22, 2022

The secret, lucrative world of Pennsylvania’s wild ginseng diggers

Legal Statements