The ESA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of scientists founded in 1915 to promote ecological science by improving communication among ecologists; raise the public’s level of awareness of the importance of ecological science; increase the resources available for the conduct of ecological science; and ensure the appropriate use of ecological science in environmental decision making by enhancing communication between the ecological community and policy-makers. The group has over 9000 members.

The Education Committee guides and helps to implement ESA’s efforts to promote excellence in ecology education at all levels, support the recruitment and retention of a diverse community of ecologists in a variety of career paths, and facilitate collaborations across the ESA community to amplify education, engagement, and workforce development initiatives.

Langen has been a member of the Biology and Psychology Departments at Clarkson University since 1999. He teaches courses in the areas of Animal Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation Science. He also works with various national efforts to improve university education in ecology and other areas of biology, and has done workshops for K-12 science teachers on integrated math and ecology. He enjoys field-based environmental education, and regularly teaches field courses in the Adirondack Mountains of New York and Costa Rica.

His research focuses on environmental management, including wetland restoration, road ecology, and endangered species conservation. Langen is a consultant to NGOs, state and federal agencies on environmental management issues, and he conducts workshops on road ecology and management for agencies and academic institutions in the US, Canada, and Latin America. He works as a volunteer for the St. Lawrence Land Trust, Northern New York Audubon, and Grasse River Heritage.