Into the Trees

"When you're looking at a tree and it's looking back at you. You crawl up in the branches held steady by the roots. High up in the canopy, surrounded by the leaves, nothing but that tree and me."

These words make up a verse in one of the many songs written by Van Wagner, an award-winning singer-songwriter, educator, forester, arborist, and College of Agricultural Sciences alumnus. Born and raised in Danville, Pennsylvania, Wagner naturally developed what has become a lifelong passion for his home state, its forests, and agriculture.

"I found my passion in agriculture as a student at Danville High School," Wagner said. "I was enrolled in the agriculture program there all four years and competed in forestry and wildlife competitions with the National FFA Organization. These experiences in high school really opened my eyes to a future in forestry and wildlife management."

After learning about the various programs in the college, Wagner knew Penn State was the perfect next step. He ultimately chose to pursue a degree in wildlife and fisheries science, inspired by the many hours he spent in the forests with his dad.

"My father spent a lot of time teaching me about the forests of Pennsylvania and instilled a great respect for the outdoors, wildlife, and all natural places," Wagner said. "My teachers helped me pursue my career, but it was my dad who taught me to love the forest."

In addition to his career as an agriculture teacher in his hometown school district, Wagner has found unique ways to inspire others to appreciate the forests across the commonwealth. Through the years, he has released 35 original folk music albums and has been honored with multiple awards, including an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest and the Central Pennsylvania Music Awards as Best Male Solo Artist.

"I like to write songs about Pennsylvania. Sometimes I write about trees and forests, and other times I write about people and history. I truly love where I live and the rich heritage associated with the Keystone State."

The 2025 Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Outstanding Alumnus also recently completed his "67 Trees on 67 Mountains in 67 Counties" challenge, for which he climbed the highest mountain and then the tallest tree in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, right, joined Van Wagner as he climbed the tallest tree at the highest point in Bedford County. Photo: Van Wagner.

"It was my hope this project would get people talking about our forests," Wagner said. "I wanted to celebrate all the great things that we gain from our forests: jobs, clean water, spiritual renewal, renewable resources, and so much more. But I also wanted to bring attention to how fragile our forests are. They face threats from invasive insects, climate change, and fragmentation. I want to inspire all Pennsylvanians to learn more about their forests and to get involved in the conversation about how to best manage these forests."

Moving forward, Wagner has set his sights on a new challenge to inspire people further to care about forests. He plans to climb each state tree in all 50 states.

"I want to travel to each state and showcase each state's tree. Most recently, I returned from a trip to New York, where I climbed a sugar maple near Woodstock, marking state number seven for me."

—Susan B. Warner