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  1. Home
  2. This is Penn State Altoona
  3. Campus Buildings and Grounds

Seminar Forest and Thoreau Cabin

Seminar Forest

Obtained by Penn State Altoona in 2008, the Seminar Forest is a forty-acre tract of land located across the Juniata Gap entrance to campus. The forest, previously known as the Ritchey Property, has hiking and mountain biking trails and a restored pond. The land has been geologically assessed, surveyed for its biodiversity, studied, and simply enjoyed by students, faculty and staff, and members of the community.

Thoreau Cabin

In the fall of 2011, a replica Thoreau cabin was built in Seminar Forest at the base of the trailhead along Beckers Lane. The cabin houses environmental research projects that have been undertaken in the forest. The forest is a thriving environmental education center made possible by the vision and efforts of many faculty, staff, and students at Penn State Altoona.

In 2015, students enrolled in ENVST 200 launched the Feed the Flames of Seminar Forest campaign to raise funds for the purchase of raw materials and construction costs for a fire pit on the Seminar Forest property at Penn State Altoona. One of the first crowdfunding efforts within the entire Penn State system, the campaign raised $3,369 from 75 supporters.

Thoreau Cabin

Campus Buildings and Grounds

  • Ivyside Campus Academic and Administrative Buildings
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Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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